Happy Fourth of July
While at a bar on Friday night, I bumped into a friend with whom I have had some, let’s say, heated political discussions over the years. I asked him if he had plans for a fun Fourth of July. His response: “Given the current state of this country, why would I want to celebrate?” How sad an answer, but not unexpected given his left wing political orientation. Don’t get me wrong, we are close and fast friends, and I have enjoyed the dialogue over the years. But this time, he seemed to mean it. What is the current state of the country?
1) Unemployment is at an historic low, right around 4.8%. As the baby boomers retire, the labor market will tighten even more. At the core of the immigration issue is the simple fact there are not enough Americans to do the jobs that our vibrant economy is creating. This will have ramifications that will effect our culture across the board, including language issues, border issues, security issues, minimum wage issues, but isn’t low unemployment a good problem to have?
2) The international situation is a fiasco for many reasons. The war in Iraq is far from a good thing. On the other hand, I would like to ask the political ideologues to quit beating their chests for a minute and consider the world today without America in Iraq. The possibility of a grand, pan Arab alliance between Iran, Iraq, and Syria would have been frightening reality. We now have 150,000 American troops in the middle of the hornet’s nest, one less enemy to worry about, and a show of strength that would give any Islamist pause notwithstanding Islamic pontificating. No matter how bad it is now, it would be ten times worse without us there.
3) Gasoline prices are high. However, the high gasoline prices are finally allowing the seeds of alternative fuels to take root in an economic feasible manner. Ethanol will be everywhere within a few years, not at government directives, but through old fashioned supply and demand. Hybrid cars are a reality. Private demand for solar panels is on the rise. Hydrogen fuel cells are finally moving mainstream. The revolution in alternative fuels on our economy will rival that of the digital revolution. You will not recognize how we drive and heat our homes within the next 10 years.
4) The demand for housing has pushed the cost of housing to the stratosphere in many parts of the country. Here is the dirty little secret; much of the demand is being fueled by a growing demand for second homes in desirable areas. Hear that? TWO HOMES. And try finding a newly built home without a three car garage. Four car garages are more the norm than the exception. Three cars? Four cars? How we must be suffering.
5) I recently had several friends diagnosed with cancer. Their chances of survival are geometrically better than they were 20 years ago, when the diagnosis would have been a death sentence. Our health care system has lots of problems, but treatment for serious disease is not among them. I may not see it, but I hope my son will see complete cures for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Judging by the progress that is being made, I think he will
These are just a few things that my politically blinded friend has missed about what is good with America. I can give you a list of things wrong, but for this Fourth of July, how about celebrating our successes. Happy Fourth of July and God Bless America.
1) Unemployment is at an historic low, right around 4.8%. As the baby boomers retire, the labor market will tighten even more. At the core of the immigration issue is the simple fact there are not enough Americans to do the jobs that our vibrant economy is creating. This will have ramifications that will effect our culture across the board, including language issues, border issues, security issues, minimum wage issues, but isn’t low unemployment a good problem to have?
2) The international situation is a fiasco for many reasons. The war in Iraq is far from a good thing. On the other hand, I would like to ask the political ideologues to quit beating their chests for a minute and consider the world today without America in Iraq. The possibility of a grand, pan Arab alliance between Iran, Iraq, and Syria would have been frightening reality. We now have 150,000 American troops in the middle of the hornet’s nest, one less enemy to worry about, and a show of strength that would give any Islamist pause notwithstanding Islamic pontificating. No matter how bad it is now, it would be ten times worse without us there.
3) Gasoline prices are high. However, the high gasoline prices are finally allowing the seeds of alternative fuels to take root in an economic feasible manner. Ethanol will be everywhere within a few years, not at government directives, but through old fashioned supply and demand. Hybrid cars are a reality. Private demand for solar panels is on the rise. Hydrogen fuel cells are finally moving mainstream. The revolution in alternative fuels on our economy will rival that of the digital revolution. You will not recognize how we drive and heat our homes within the next 10 years.
4) The demand for housing has pushed the cost of housing to the stratosphere in many parts of the country. Here is the dirty little secret; much of the demand is being fueled by a growing demand for second homes in desirable areas. Hear that? TWO HOMES. And try finding a newly built home without a three car garage. Four car garages are more the norm than the exception. Three cars? Four cars? How we must be suffering.
5) I recently had several friends diagnosed with cancer. Their chances of survival are geometrically better than they were 20 years ago, when the diagnosis would have been a death sentence. Our health care system has lots of problems, but treatment for serious disease is not among them. I may not see it, but I hope my son will see complete cures for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Judging by the progress that is being made, I think he will
These are just a few things that my politically blinded friend has missed about what is good with America. I can give you a list of things wrong, but for this Fourth of July, how about celebrating our successes. Happy Fourth of July and God Bless America.
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