“Change is often desirable, frequently necessary, and always inevitable.” While much that happens is not in our control, some events evolve from choices we have made. Sometimes these choices are driven by love and hope. Regrettably, some are the result of fear and hate. Ideally, our emotions should be modified by reason.
I remember putting on eye glasses for the first time. Suddenly the world came into focus. I was amazed by the transformation! Using reason is like putting on glasses. It allows us to see our problems more clearly.
We all have stress in our lives and strive to bring order to the chaos. While some concerns are personal, we deal with them against a backdrop of national and international unrest. We need to face the fact that we are under cyber attack from our enemies and take action to combat what is happening. The disparity between rich and poor continues to grow, wages have stagnated, immigration is a pressing issue as great numbers of people continue to come to our shores seeking refuge from violence and starvation. Natural disasters are increasing as “global warming” claims our attention. The cost of healthcare has escalated, opioid addiction is more prevalent and education is on life support, to name a few.
The first part of meeting the challenges we face is “to put on our eye glasses.” We are grateful to leaders who pursue truth and facts, who understand that working in government is not a “job.” It is a vocation, a position of trust requiring risk and courage in the interest of public service.
Politics is not an easy profession. Moving a bill through congress requires patience and dedication. “Corporations are not ‘people,’ and ‘money’ is not speech.” And yes, “We need to get money out of politics!”
Unfortunately we voters are a fickle bunch. We expect results right away. We look for a “savior.” In Bible history the Jews followed Jesus. In Germany, Hitler emerged promising to overcome economic depression. In Cuba, Castro “came to the rescue.” In the United States we vote every four years in a presidential election. We spend two years and millions of dollars campaigning, enough money to pay off the national debt! The present occupant of the White House emerged when voters abandoned reason and indulged in wishful thinking. In this country the president shares power with the legislative and judicial bodies of government. If we want the president to be successful in carrying out his policies he needs to have the support of Congress to move the country forward.
Many of the challenges we face are complex and can only be solved with diligence over time, if at all. But we can and must work to search for solutions. In the coming year, “We the People” must take responsibility for our future. We must be part of the political process, increase our knowledge of how government works, talk to our represetatives and let them know they have our permission to put “what is right” above party politics.
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