WHAT’S UP—WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

By Edwin Cooney

As one monitors 2011 America, it is pretty easy to reach the conclusion that quite a majority of us are “fed up,” “sick and tired,” and generally incensed about both the present and the likely future that await us.

One of the most constant threads that runs through every generation is the tendency to yearn for “the good old days.” Even as most Americans welcome the conveniences that have made much of life so handy and even indulgent -- since, say, 1990 -- almost everybody seems certain that America’s future is bleak indeed! Predictions of our doom range from our becoming “a banana republic” or perhaps a colony of India or China to a possession of some Middle Eastern Muslim potentate.

Some are sure that America is about to go broke because it has surrendered to illegal immigration, secularism and socialism. Some are absolutely certain that America is about to go broke because its industrialists have abandoned the nation for cheaper labor abroad thus depriving working Americans of their traditional income. The problem, as I see it, is that no one has a clear vision of tomorrow. In short, the question is where do we go from here? What is there to look forward to?

The late Illinois Governor Adlai E. Stevenson, two-time Democratic presidential candidate in the 1950s, used to tell of the time he got into a taxi and the cabbie asked him why he’d run for the presidency in the first place. When he responded “Why not?” the cabbie replied, “Well, if you run and you’re elected, then you’ve got nothin’ to look forward to!”

Have Americans always had something to look forward to? A peek back across the years might provide perspective:

1776 -- The Declaration of Independence is passed: we look forward to winning the war.

1781 -- Victory at Yorktown: we look forward to establishing a government.

1789 -- The Constitution had been ratified: we look forward to governing.

1803 -- Jefferson had just purchased Louisiana: it will take us a good one hundred years to settle all that land and realize our “manifest destiny" (as it will be called in 1845) -- wow!

1869 -- The Civil War is over and the modern era of mass industrial growth has arrived, signaled by completion of the Continental Railroad. “Good God!" -- There’s so much to do!

1917 -- We had settled the frontier. Now President Wilson says we’ll have to fight this European "war to end all wars" because it will save the world for Democracy: Okay, Woody, we can do it if you insist!

1933 -- This Depression is terrible! Will FDR’s “New Deal” experiment work? We must eagerly wait and see!

1945 -- The boys are back from World War II: now there are people to educate, careers to establish and, best of all, a bunch of new babies to create. Let’s call ‘em “baby boomers.” This will be fun!

1961 -- JFK says it is time to get “moving again with vigor” -- Of course, we can beat those "Godless Communists" to the moon. Just watch and see!

1981 -- Now that the Vietnam War is over and we’ve gotten rid of Mr. Nixon and Mr. Carter, it is time to reform with Ronnie and Nancy. Let’s apply a combination of old economic principles and tough business efficiency and we’ll build “a city on a hill.”

2001 -- Ah nuts! Okay, we’ll save the world from Osama Bin Laden and Sadaam Hussein -- Crime never pays. We know what to do with bad dudes like these.

2008 -- Oh, my God! GWB has let business run amuck again. He insists we taxpayers have to bailout big banking and big business. Will our new president Barack Obama fall in line?

2010 -- Health Care is expensive and Obama wants the taxpayer to pay for it? What will they want from us next?

2011 -- Despite the fact that the White House is still theirs, the Democrats are divided. Meanwhile, the hungry Republicans certainly hate Obama more than they love us! -- Where do we go from here? What is there to look forward to?

For each of these events, resolution involved less than noble occurrences and anxious times. Each era had its villains and its heroes. There were those who regarded the challenges faced in each new crisis as sins of the latest reckless and disrespectful generation. So, what’s next?

Does President Obama’s idea of building a strong solar Green Energy industry while at the same time reorganizing health care and financing infrastructure reconstruction make sense? Will you let it quicken your pulse?

Does the GOP’s plan of continued tax relief to those they insist are the only ones who can legitimately finance prosperity -- the rich -- give you that essential self-confidence?

If only we can steady our nerves and cool our fear driven anger, the wholesome answer to our future will drop into our laps like autumn apples.

The answers we anxiously seek can be found in the gifts of tomorrow. Each tomorrow possesses three magical gifts. They are: more dispassionate information, a greater perspective based on ever increasing knowledge of our resources and opportunities, and that vital wisdom to make the best possible choices.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
EDWIN COONEY