While I understand the Democrats argument for higher taxes, and the Republicans argument for cutting spending, I believe that both parties are missing the elephant in the room. The issue today is not the debt ceiling, it is not taxes, and it is not even welfare. The issue today is that America has forgotten the “American Dream". I honestly believe that everyone can become successful in the United States if they put their hearts and minds to it.
I define the “American Dream” as follows: The “American Dream” is the notion that all people, regardless of age, race, religion, or country of origin can be successful if they work hard, are innovative, and dedicate their lives to their family and their work, can become successful. I believe that everyone has the ability to fulfill the “American Dream,” even a 13-year-old freshman in high school.
At 13, I had this crazy notion that there was an opening in the web hosting market for a new web hosting company that would offer dirt-cheap web hosting by overselling server resources. At the time, a handful of other companies, such as Go Daddy, and Dream Host were just opening their doors. I started my first web hosting company in August of 2002 with a tiered shared hosting model. My prices were the best in the industry, and I instantly became overwhelmed with new clients. Some of my old clients you would recognize, others you would not. Within 8 months, I was bringing in revenue (not profits sadly) of over $10,000 per month. I had a handful of employees, none of whom knew I was only 13. Due to my success, a web hosting company by the name of Go Daddy offered to buy my clients from me. I thought who would want to hosted by company whose name sounds more like a bad adult commercial! I turned them down (in hindsight that was probably a bad idea.) Within 6 months, most of my clients had gone over to Go Daddy as they offered better prices with the same guarantee of service. While I did eventually sell my company, for a short period I was competing with the big names in the industry. I made many mistakes, and I was a bit overconfident in my abilities, but I was living what most would consider the American Dream. I was making enough money that I could pay my employees a decent wage, and I was having as much fun as a 13-year-old could! I was living the “American Dream.”
If I can live the “American Dream” as a 13 year old, what can you do? There are many success stories of college students being innovative, and coming up with the “next big thing.”
Google was formed in 1996 as a Stanford University project code-named “BackRub.” By 1998, Sun Industries co-founder Andy Bechtolsheim wrote a check for $100,000 to Google, and Google goes live. In December of 1998, Google is being acknowledged as the search engine of choice in the Top 100 Web Sites of 1998. Now, Google is one of the most well known companies in the world, and the term “google” has become synonymous with “searching the internet.”
A bit closer to home, we have the UMBC Bio-Diesel club. The Bio-Diesel club is a group of UMBC entrepreneurs who are looking to come up with a way of effectively and efficiently create diesel fuel from ever day sources such as the Dining Hall. Last year, the Bio-Diesel club won the 2010 the “2009-2010 Prove-It Competition” and received $5000 from the SGA.
I challenge every student at UMBC to use your God given abilities to better yourself, to become innovative, and be the best that you can be. Strive for the “American Dream” and become successful. I believe that not only can every one of you become successful, but you can change the world, as we know it. All it takes is a desire to do something better. Our generation is the future of the United States, we need to take the lead and show that WE are still the most innovative nation in the world, and that the “American Dream” is still alive in every single one of us.
Important References:
http://www.coeit.umbc.edu/biodiesel-project-wins-prove-it-competition
