Actor Andrew Shue, known for his role in "Melrose Place," has stated that an estimated 70% of Americans believe the American Dream is either defunct or in decline. Shue attributes this widespread pessimism to economic pressures, political polarization, and general anxiety about the future, suggesting that a majority of citizens feel the nation's core systems are broken.
"There's nobody in this country right now that thinks we're in a good place," Shue told Fox News Digital in an interview. "You look around and you say, how do we feel about our kids? How do we feel about our kid's future? What kind of anxiety level do we all have? You're seeing 70% believe the American dream is dead or dying."
Shue, who founded the bipartisan civic initiative The Forum, believes these issues are systemic and have accumulated over decades, predating current political figures. He pointed to the political system, which he feels rewards those in power and perpetuates conflict, and the economic system, which he argues primarily benefits those at the top. According to Shue, approximately 90% of Americans feel they are stagnating or falling behind economically.
"We're realizing that the engine is broken and the main systems that drive that engine are our political system and our economic system," Shue explained. "The political system only rewards people in power — there happen to be a lot of old people — and performative conflict. The economic system is really just rewarding people at the top. Ninety percent feel like they're treading water or underwater, and have been for decades."
In response to this perceived national malaise, Shue spent eight years developing The Forum. The initiative aims to bring together Americans from diverse political backgrounds to find common ground and develop policy proposals. The Forum has reportedly seen participation from over 300,000 individuals across politically balanced groups in early primary states such as South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Nevada.
"We have launched the Forum that I've been working on for the last eight years with an incredible team," Shue said. "It's the place and the process for the American people to co-create that renewal agenda. Over 300,000 people have participated so far. Perfectly politically balanced — conservatives showing up, liberals showing up, people on the far left, far right — everybody's showing up, and we have credibility and legitimacy."
Shue highlighted that participants often struggle to distinguish political affiliations once engaged in collaborative problem-solving. He stated that when given the task of working together, listening to each other's lived experiences, and aiming for a 70% consensus, participants discover shared values and common goals. Elected officials from both parties are reportedly leading efforts in states where The Forum has been implemented.
"And 70% have to agree — that's the supermajority number, 70% or higher — and then it can go forward as draft legislation," he continued. "And the thing that's beautiful is when you get these people in the rooms with people who are different, they can't figure out who the Democrat or the Republican is. They see all the common values. They see the common goal."
Shue expressed optimism about the potential for Americans to unite and address national challenges, drawing a parallel between his own past success on "Melrose Place" and the concept of the American Dream. He views his acting career as a personal realization of that dream, providing opportunities and confidence. He believes that a shared sense of purpose, rather than opposition to political groups, is what the country needs to move forward. "We need to belong to something that's not about beating the other side. We've got to belong to something that's about going somewhere together. We want to be on the same team. We are so exhausted with our politics."