Why the American Dream is still alive

One man's journey from the streets to happiness

By Michael Ertel

Homeless Youth

Imagining the typical homeless person in America is a practice in futility. As an 18-year-old, I was homeless. I had a job, parents and other family who loved me, and yet through my own stubborn desire to make it without assistance, I found myself homeless. For three months I worked the third shift at a gas station at night, and walked the streets of my hometown during the day looking for a place to sleep. The photo accompanying this section is a recent photo of the 24-hour laundromat I would head to after my work shift was over. I'd hide in the bathroom and sleep until someone knocked on the door. After they left, I'd resume sleeping until the next person came knocking.

There are so many misperceptions about the homeless, including an abundance of drugs and a lack of drive. I've never done an illegal drug in my life, and my desire for the American Dream never wavered, even when homeless.

Imagining the typical homeless person in America is a practice in futility. As an 18-year-old, I was homeless.

Service to Country

Eventually, a better job and better money management helped me to transition from the laundromat bathroom to an apartment. I was thankful for the freedom of opportunity our America provided me. Yet, housing wasn't the end game for me when it came to achieving my version of the American Dream.

At 19, I enlisted in the U.S. Army. Those who understand the rank and structure of the military, will appreciate that as an E-1 in the light infantry, my experience of walking the streets of my hometown with my possessions on my back would come in handy as an infantryman. The Army was my opportunity to fight for our freedoms while also creating a path for my own American Dream. Through hard work, tenacity and education, my time in the Army saw my service evolve from the jungles of Panama, on the streets of the Los Angeles Riots, in the intersection of history in Berlin, to the heights of working in public affairs at a command level.

By the time I left active duty after six and a half years, my chest was adorned with a Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation medals, three Army Achievement Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, and the Expert Marksmanship Badge, among others.

I also had my education from University of Maryland University College and had graduated from the Defense Information School. But I left the Army with something even more important than medals on my chest and academic credentials on my wall -- I had a path to continue my service by making a difference at home. Because even when sleeping in the jungles of Panama or the mountains of the Baltics, I had the power of my American Dream.

The Army was my opportunity to fight for our freedoms while also creating a path for my own American Dream.

Young Professional

After an honorable discharge from my active duty in the Army, I completed my term in the Florida National Guard and moved home to pursue a career in public affairs.

As a public relations professional, I worked for nonprofits benefiting those with disabilities, businesses as varied as a two-location LASIK surgery clinic, to a 185-location bank, to a grocery chain with stores throughout the southeast; and government entities including two counties and the State of Florida's tourism marketing arm.

My time in the business of public relations culminated in international recognition in the New York Times, national awards for engaging the public, as well as becoming the president of the Central Florida chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

During this time, I continued my education, including one particular course from Harvard University which would become prescient for my future field: a course on "How to Deal With an Angry Public." While growing professionally, I never forgot for one day my goal: to be the person who would not only cherish the power of my American Dream, but protect yours.

While growing professionally, I never forgot for one day my goal: to be the person who would not only cherish the power of my American Dream, but protect yours.

Elections Administrator

In early 2005 my goals and hometown county's needs intersected. Florida governor Jeb Bush asked me to transition from my contract position communicating the state's post-hurricane readiness, and hired me to lead the elections for my county.

In those first elections, I learned elections administration is more than simply the nuts and bolts operation many think define the position. Sure it's a logistical task, but also a leadership role in the community, and perhaps most important: running trusted and fair elections.

Knowing in every election at least half the candidates on the ballot lose, I set out to ensure the process was efficient and trusted. To that end, the team I hired had to be the best in the nation.

I assembled America's Finest Elections Team and set a new mission statement of: Efficient Elections, Excellent Service, Fiduciary Conservatism, Voter Confidence. Our team consistently proctored elections which had the region's highest voter turnout while doing so with the lowest cost-per-voter in the state of Florida. Efficiencies were added to the process which also was measured by local media outlets and research entities as having the fastest voting process. Our team received not only local acclaim, but we received national and international awards for our voter outreach and efforts to build a heightened trust in the elections process. We were featured on MSNBC, Fox News, and a host of other media outlets nationwide and locally.

I was now ready to introduce my hometown county to the power of the American Dream.

Knowing in every election at least half the candidates on the ballot lose, I set out to ensure the process was efficient and trusted.

Secretary of State

After nearly 14 years at the helm of an award-winning elections operation, I was asked to be the chief elections administrator for the third largest state in the nation -- my home state of Florida.

Governor Ron DeSantis selected me to lead the state's efforts to restore voter trust in December 2018, and I took office in January, 2019. My goal for the state's elections process was to immediately restore a sense of calm to what had become an all-too-familiar tone of rhetoric, partisanship and acrimony.

From improved technology, to old-fashioned communications tools, our state was to transform from a contentious distrust to an understanding comity. And while I was unable to complete my term in that capacity, the tenants of the mission remain. We can do this together, and it will positively reflect to all our citizenry the American Dream will never be out of sight for any American.

My goal for the state’s elections process was to immediately restore a sense of calm to what had become an all-too-familiar tone of rhetoric, partisanship and acrimony.

Allowing Change

The truth is, we all have made mistakes in our lives. Every single one of us has three things in our lives about which we're embarrassed. For some of us those three embarrassing things have been simple knucklehead moves which escaped larger scrutiny. For others, the actions may have been life-altering; which we've either self-corrected or learned to accept. Yet for many, their past includes something that society, be it through the court system, or the court of public shaming, metes out a punishment.

At this point, you've probably already paused your reading to consider what your three things are.

One of the cornerstones of the American Dream is to be able to pick ourselves up after we've made a mistake -- no matter the gravity -- and reestablish our lives. Those who have made bad business decisions can try again; that's capitalism. Those who have made bad personal choices can correct themselves and move forward; that's personal growth. This rebirth is what makes the American Dream the best model of self-empowerment in the world.

When someone is found guilty of a crime, the courts rightly provide a penalty, which is a timeline of punishment, as well as an offender's calendar towards the next opportunity to prove themselves capable of bettering themselves in society. By moving the goalposts post-punishment, society is telling those we wish to recuperate that they will never really get the opportunity to achieve their American Dream.

Similarly, for those who have found themselves in the eye of a public scorn storm, the slate is never fully wiped clean, but we should provide all Americans with a pathway to engage in one of the most fundamental aspects of life in America -- the privilege of choosing to change, and better themselves, and thus, their community.

For those who have found themselves in the eye of a public scorn storm, the slate is never fully wiped clean, but we should provide all Americans with a pathway to engage in one of the most fundamental aspects of life in America — the privilege of choosing to change, and better themselves, and thus, their community.

What Matters Most

I think without exception, the number one priority in my life is making my wife happy, and helping our children to experience their own American Dream. Michelle is more than my spouse and more than a life partner -- she's my earthly lodestar.

In my former field, there were plenty of opportunities to be in rooms full of people. Yet for me, if Shelly isn't near, I'm lonely. Her smile is infectious, and everything about her melts my heart. She also an amazing mom to our kids.

While I hadn't met Shelly until we were in our 40's, back in 1993 and '96 she gave birth to my kids. Formal adoption paperwork did nothing but put into the official record books what we already knew -- we're a family.

Both kids are pursuing their own American Dreams. Each graduated from the University of Central Florida, and they have struck their own career paths. I couldn't be more proud of the choices they've made.