KEEP TRYING

We must all keep trying to make the world a better place for our family and ourselves. Each one of us does make a difference- for better or for worse.

          Reading the news can make one feel helpless, pessimistic about the future, hopeless that we can solve the issues that may ruin the future for many or for all.

Global warming and climate change are happening- hurricane Melissa caused more than $10 billion in damage in Jamaica in one day, torrential rains and mudslides are causing heavy damage in southern California, further examples are occurring around the world. Wars in Ukraine, the devastation in Gaza, the continued death and destruction in various African nations, all point to the tragic extent to which some humans are willing to hurt other humans. This includes the way our current US administration is using ICE to claim it is improving America. Immigration reform and enforcement are needed, but not in the manner it is being done here.

          But there are also millions and millions of good people across the globe who only want peace and prosperity for their family and themselves.

          The rights of women, the rights of minorities, freedom of religion, caring for the environment upon which we all depend for life, the pursuit of truth and justice, all of these are worth pursuing.

          When I graduated from high school in 1972, I would not have imagined that we would be where we are in the United States at this point 53 years later. Our national leadership is trashing the environment which we all need- claiming that it helps the economy when it only creates further debt to pay off in the future.

Increasing use of coal and oil and natural gas is not the viable future. My recent blog regarding the PSR report on our health and the use of fossil fuels vividly addresses this point. The economy needs a healthy environment and a healthy population.

Each year one of my goals is to contribute 10% of my income to various groups that work toward improving the world for each of us. These groups include the World Wildlife Fund, the Nature Conservancy, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Population Connection, Fos Feminista, Planned Parenthood both national and state organizations, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and our local public broadcasting station among others. I ask you to consider making any size donation to any of these groups. Even small contributions really do make a difference.

I understand that many cannot contribute anything to such groups. The wealth disparity in our country and the world does not promote a healthy future. We need to confront greed and have an effectively regulated capitalistic economy. Neither communism, socialism, nor pure capitalism have been shown to be a viable long term option. It is my belief that capitalism when regulated appropriately is the best solution. But that is not simple or easy. The form that exists in our country and the world currently is showing its disadvantages for much of the population.

I know I do not have all the answers. I do not believe that any one person or any one group has all the answers. I do believe that if we work together around the world, we can have the hope of a better future.

I ask you to KEEP TRYING.

It took my first wife Jane many shots to get this picture of the dolphin. She just kept trying. That was also the way she approached the diagnosis of her brain cancer. She just kept trying.