How can conservative principles preserve the American Dream for people trying to earn a living and buy their first home? Edmund Burke’s willingness to adapt established institutions frames this January 2024 argument. Conserving opportunity, I suggest, requires practical changes that help Americans succeed through their own work, not simply preserving existing arrangements.
I examine two proposals: tax incentives for small businesses that pay self-sufficient wages, and an innovation competition to encourage affordable starter homes. The discussion connects the Earned Income Tax Credit with workers’ independence, and the Small Business Innovation Research model with housing supply. The aim is to make room for cautious reform that strengthens the opportunities conservatism seeks to protect.
Read the essay and sources: https://joelkdouglas.com/2024/01/16/conserving-the-american-dream/
