I'M WORRIED ABOUT AMERICA

The American Dream used to work for 9 in 10 Americans.

Today, it is a coin toss.

The gap between those two numbers says a lot about America right now. People are working hard but struggling to afford homes, healthcare and the basic security they were told hard work would provide.

I wanted to understand how the country got here and what would actually need to change.

Secretary Pete Buttigieg is a former US Secretary of Transportation, a Navy veteran who served in Afghanistan and a two-term mayor. He was also the first openly gay candidate to win a US presidential primary.

What I found valuable about Pete is that he does not pretend one political party has all the answers. He spoke honestly about the failures that have built up under both parties and why simply returning America to the way it was before will not solve the problems that created this moment.

We discussed things like:

- Why he believes American democracy is on the brink. - Whether he is preparing to run for President in 2028. - Hard work is no longer enough for millions of people. - How AI could transform jobs, inequality and global security. - What serving in Afghanistan taught him about sending people into conflict. - The false anonymous allegation that led to his children being taken from him for 24 hours.

One of the things that sets Pete apart is his willingness to speak to people who completely disagree with him.

By the end, I told Pete that I applaud him for leading the way in having those conversations, because he is so articulate and smart.

You do not have to agree with every answer Pete gives to get something from this discussion, but his experience means he understands how political decisions affect real lives and his willingness to engage with the other side is something politics needs more of.