Today I received a response to an article I wrote called "The Good Old Days." What is disturbing me is that the person who wrote it had the impression that it was written by someone who has given up hope for this country. I feel impelled to clarify the message I was attempting to deliver.

If I believed that all hope was gone, I would have so indicated. However, being of the nature I am, I continue to pray that things will get better and that we will see less anger and negativity coming from so many of our citizens. I am aware that there are still people out there who can see the mistakes we have made, and sincerely look to a better tomorrow.

Clearly, we have seen some positive change, but what bothers me is what I see and hear every day coming out of Washington, and visible on the streets where I live. In addition, it has been disturbing seeing so much violence obvious in the behavior of people who have taken guns and killed innocent young people. We allow mad men to buy weapons of war, and carry them openly in public.

I have to ask myself what my dad would say were he here to see homeless people living on the streets, and this country's endless pursuit of power in the world. When do we devote more time to making peace our priority, and less on being at war?

We have been at war for eighteen years in Afghanistan and Iraq, mostly fought by members of the lower class. Government is cutting funding for the aged and the poor, while lowering the taxes for the wealthy, and is creating the greatest financial deficit in our country's history.

We have members of the administration who believe that Global Warming is a farce, even though the rest of the world has seen the light.

We are still the only world class nation without universal healthcare. In addition, we have the most expensive pharmaceutical costs in the world.

The United States ranks the twenty sixth in educational achievement out of the one hundred and fifty countries, and our teachers are paid less than used car salesmen.

My article was not intended as a condemnation of what this country still represents in the world. It was my way of indicating that we do have issues that should be addressed, so that those who are here when I am gone will be able to enjoy a better life.

That did not preclude the freedom I enjoy being able to express what I see around me. My thoughts were hopeful ones, and I had no desire to ignore the positives we still enjoy that were the product of the efforts of great Americans, or those people who have shown the necessary initiative to overcome prejudice and inequality. 

I continue to believe that there is promise for our nation, and that good tomorrows can still lie ahead.