I know I am so original talking about the transition from one year to the next, yet thousands of other writers, bloggers, etc.. are doing it so why not me.
Yet where are we? Regular readers know how tired I am of the failures of the two major parties and that is staring us in the face again. Sure some semblance of a budget was passed at the end of the year only three months late, but our government’s budget is so cumbersome very few people really know what is in it. I am not here to take about the budget though.
Today is about today. And to start let’s talk about some good.
First I want to show some admiration to President Zelensky. He took an innumerable amount of risks to come to speak to the U.S. and to meet with President Biden. You have to admire the man for so much, yet he keeps taking risks to do what he can to save his country. If we are ready to start nominating the major heroes of the 21st century, he goes to the top of the list.
Second it is all the first responders, volunteers, workers who are trying to help everyone survive this Christmas storm that just walloped a large chunk of the U. S.. I was going through a news site that published pictures from across the country and wow! That was one major storm that barreled across our country. We definitely want to send our prayers to the people who are still trying to survive what just happened to them. In general it is always good to support our volunteers and first responders, but this storm proves how valuable they are to our society.
I will continue to talk about the good in a minute and I am trying to avoid throwing childish digs at people, but one keeps clawing at my brain and has finally dug in enough where I have to type it out so the intensity of the blood flowing out by ears stops. I was amazed at how well spoken is President Zelensky. It is maddenly scary how bad our education system is that a former President who is a graduate of an esteemed business school cannot even compare in articulation to a man whose first language is not English and even with a thick accent spoke much more effectively. And the fact our former President who is cherished by so many in this country can barely speak at a middle school level is such a sad comment on our education system. I usually rail against the failure of public education, but when esteemed universities let this human being receive a degree it shows that education in general is not a current strong attribute for our country, nor one that speaks well for our country. And what have the two major parties done to improve education at all levels for our country? Hmmmm
Yet, let me get back to finding the good.Congratulations to Argentina for their World Cup win. I am still struggling that Qatar was the host and have been trying to push out that the players and the fans love of their country’s team is the most important aspect of this World Cup, but the more a person reads the sadder a person can become. Again congratulations to Argentina and a shout out to the U.S. Men’s team for their efforts and for keeping us engaged as fans. I definitely hope they build on this World Cup since they are such a young team.
If you love Dallas home teams this past holiday weekend was a joy to watch. All three major teams won their game on Saturday and Sunday. Just a quick moment to celebrate since basketball and hockey still have a long season in front of them and well the Cowboys…I will just say hopefully this proves they can win when it counts. (I am trying to believe. I am trying to believe. I am trying to believe)
I truly believe that we need to support the family, here and around the world. So much is happening to the “average Joe” around the world that I struggle to find hope. As a Christian I know we are not suppose to worry about the ways of man, nor what politicians do, etc… and that our lives are for another world and not this one. Some days I understand this, other days watching what is happening and seeing the immense suffering caused by so few drives me crazy.
Oops another claw has dug into my brain. Okay, I think I pulled it out for the moment hopefully.
Again we need to support the family structure because when families are strong it leads to a stronger society. And this is not right wing hyperbole, families are important to the health of a society, yet what is a healthy family. I think this is when the vast majority of a country can support themselves; such as when parents are able to raise/feed their children, make sure they receive a good education, instill a general sense of values in their children so the children show respect for all, where the children are not living in fear, when children can play in their neighborhood, where parents are able to interact in their community without fears of retribution for their beliefs. And this includes when the government prioritizes families in public policy; such as affordable health care, living wages, affordable housing (and this is something I have quite a few thoughts, but will come back to those at a different time), support of art and culture so people learn to appreciate the best in what we do as humanity. I hope this gives you an iota of what might be more valuable than the current climate on this planet. Yet this always takes a back seat to so much other banality.
To move on I have to say I wish certain people would quit calling themselves conservatives or the media saying right wing people are conservative. Conservatism is dying in this country due to the machinations of a few politicians. Please learn to identify what is true conservatism from right wing thinking. It is not just right wing extremism that is confused with conservatives, but even general right wing thinking. Please learn to distinguish the difference. If you need an example think of the few Republicans who are holding the party hostage to their desire to run roughshod over anything the Democrats want to do or quite frankly a few democrats in particular. There is no real agenda or public policy, just a few people wanting to exert undue pressure on the body politic to achieve personal bitterness and xenophobia.
Let’s step back a moment. I am not saying President Trump is intelligent or smart, but he is smarter than some people give him credit. He managed to find some excellent buttons to push in the 2016 election and espoused them whole heartedly. These problems still exist and need addressing? Yes the border is a mess, but right wing hysteria does not solve the problem, nor an overpriced graffiti board called a wall. Our immigration policy needs a complete overhaul. Also the relationship with China needs an overhaul. We need to develop a long term strategy economically and strategically, but tariffs aren’t the solution that Trump projected. He did identify some problems, but had no idea the solutions. And truth be told he didn't care as long as he heard the people scream his name. Unfortunately his adulation did not create productive policy. So we can add these two items to the many items on the list that need our attention in 2023.
And here comes another claw, but I just have to say Christian Nationalism is not “a thing”. In fact it is an oxymoron. Christianity has nothing to do with nations, nation building, attributing it to a national politic. If you really are a Christian you know Christianity is your sole belief and know Christianity is not for political aspirations or political achievement.
So what is there to look forward to in 2023. First there is no national election to hound our sensibilities. Sure we will hear about 2024, but with 2023 we can wish some one better or some new party appears on the horizon to give us hope for 2024, but a wish is a wish. Is inflation receding? Can we avoid a recession? Or worst case scenario enter into a mild recession? An aside, aren’t you tired of seeing umpteen articles/advertisements about what the economy is going to do next year and what to invest in to be successful? Do you invest in gold, the stock market, bonds, crypto, a new mattress to stash your cash? it seems financial articles are all over the map about what to do. Or are they just fancy advertisements? Going back to the point, can we even think of anything to look forward? The answer is yes, but as always with each year we do not know what it is yet. Terrible things will happen and someone will do well. A new problem will arise and solutions will be sought. Life always presents challenges and people survive. It would be nice to end needless suffering such as what the people in Ukraine are experiencing, yet some suffering such as earthquakes or volcanoes we cannot control, yet people will rise to the occasion for those catastrophes. I wish we could find ways to rise to the occasion to the man made disasters as well as we do for the natural disasters. Who knows maybe 2023 will give us that answer. That would be something to look forward to and celebrate.
Our family Christmas went well and we all had a good time. I hope your celebrations went/go well also. So here is to a happy and prosperous new year to you and yours and you are blessed with good health, love from family and friends, and a world that realizes we need each other more than we act.
Cheers!
