1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as someone who has seen firsthand how the United States—claiming to be the richest and most powerful in the world—fails to provide its residents with basic human needs. As I approach the completion of my American bachelor’s degree, I feel compelled to speak up about the glaring systemic issues in our healthcare, education, and housing systems. My degree has cost me nearly $20k. Yet its academic level is comparable to early high school in Germany. While I appreciated the ease of completing the degree, I was genuinely shocked by the lack of depth and quality. Such an expensive degree with such little intellectual gain is disappointing and unacceptable. As a result, I have decided to pursue higher education in Europe, where it is affordable and of higher quality. In many European countries, higher education is nearly free, and quality is not compromised. This is because it is viewed as a public good, not a commodity. In contrast, the U.S. SELLS education as a low-quality product—leaving low-income students trapped in underfunded schools with few opportunities to rise. I currently live in a low-income neighborhood because that is all I can afford. The people here have little or no education. The public schools are failing—short on teachers, on resources, and on hope. In Europe, no child is relegated to such circumstances simply because their parents earn less. Children from all backgrounds have access to safe, thriving communities and excellent public schools. That is what equity looks like. Healthcare: In Europe, healthcare is seen as a human right. Preventive care, emergency procedures, surgeries, and long-term treatment are fully covered. People don’t go bankrupt because of illness. They don’t skip doctor visits or life-saving treatments due to cost. In the U.S., I pay over $100 a month for health insurance, and yet I was forced to pay over $5,000 out-of-pocket for a simple mole removal surgery. This is unjust and dangerous. Housing: European families of all income levels can live in decent, safe neighborhoods without being pushed to the margins. The U.S. housing crisis is not only a matter of cost—it’s a matter of justice. When low-income families are forced to live in neglected, unsafe areas with failing schools, perpetuating cycles of poverty, crime, and hopelessness. The U.S. constantly touts itself as a land of opportunity. Yet we are overworked, unhealthy, and undereducated. It is disheartening to see that despite our wealth, we continue to fail at providing our people with the most essential human rights. Therefore, I urge you to take bold action: 1. Make healthcare a mandatory human right, with full coverage for preventive, emergency, and life-saving procedures. 2. Provide high-quality, free education to all, and ensure that every children can access top-tier public schools. 3. Make housing affordable, and stop forcing low-income families into unsafe, underserved neighborhoods with no upward mobility.