Looking back, it seems we Baby Boomers experienced loss from World War II as family members suffered and died to defeat Nazism. Some never knew their fathers or grandfathers. Yet at the same time, America experienced an economic post-war boom like never before. Thanks to the GI bill, middle-class people could pursue a college education. New, affordable housing sprang up, creating the “suburbs.” Thanks to Eisenhower, interstate routes wove the nation together, promoting travel in our ubiquitous cars.
Jim Crow laws and segregation, even in the northern states, spread like cancer on our souls. Yet this same generation demonstrated and marched to effect change.
Through all this, our government held strong, and we, as a nation, held together despite our disagreements.
Unprecedented
Now, 75 years later, I don’t recognize my nation. Everything is “unprecedented.”
Despite the Bible’s clarity about God’s will and how we should live, we celebrate the opposite. From distorting His commands about human sexuality to declaring the “aliens among us” the “worse of the worst,” rather than caring for them as the Bible commands; to turning worship into performances with something they call music…this Boomer’s had it. And yes, I’ve also had it with foreigners to this nation who would destroy it as soon as look at it. Somehow, we need a more nuanced approach to welcoming immigrants, with more humanity and greater investment in processing them in a timely manner.
Apolitical
That said, I believe both the “right” and “left” have much to bring to the table to rescue our nation. If I could force our government to do one thing, I would demand that each House member and Senator have lunch every working day with a House Member or Senator of the opposite party. I believe that in time both would see and value the humanity and decency of the other. Eventually, real dialogue would ensue, and our Congress would no longer be paralyzed.
I’m not a fan of our recent presidents and feel we voters need more input into what candidates are chosen. Without disturbing the electoral college, I would give voters one other choice — “neither.”
In a presidential election, if neither candidate receives enough votes from the electoral college to win, we would count the number of the “neither” votes, which would probably be huge. Then the RNC and DNC would have 6 months to present alternate candidates. No more holding your nose while you vote.
There would be no electioneering. The media (mainstream and otherwise) would interview the candidates regarding their platforms and backgrounds. All media (TV, YouTube, Radio, etc.) would show debates. No PAC money spent, no political contributions. Just the facts, Ma’am.
Of course, this will never pass. It’s too simple with no vested interests helping one party over another. And it gives the people way too much power!
Perhaps I’ve become jaded.
How about you?
