Many youngsters make wish lists every year during the Christmas season for Santa Claus (and you know who else). Adults can do the same, right? So here’s ours for this yuletide.
On the national scene, top on our wish list is for some miracle to happen and members of both parties in Congress work together for the betterment of the nation, not themselves. Never before, have we witnessed such division in our country, and especially in the House of Representatives and Senate. A good example of this is the result of the recent vote on the income tax reform bill. Although it was approved, not one Democrat in either chamber voted for it – not one! It may not be a perfect piece of legislation, but it does have many positive aspects for low and middle-income people. I’m sure that Democrats can point to the same scenario when they were in the majority and all Republicans voted against Obamacare.
In a related issue, second on our list is for another miracle to end the hatred that is the main cause of the divided nation. Every day, television news broadcasts and social media posts are filled with statements from people in all walks of life spewing hate-filled venom, many directed against the President of the United States. It’s one thing to disagree with him. That is the right of every American guaranteed by our Constitution. But for the past year, there has been an unprecedented attack on the duly elected U.S. executive and members of his administration. It is wrong, and what the guilty ones don’t realize is the detrimental effect their comments and actions will have in the future.
Third on our list is for the return of sportsmanship to college and professional sports, especially football and basketball. It is always a pleasure to watch the annual Army-Navy game. There is no booing by the fans, or trash talk between opposing team members. Players often help an opponent up after a play, and serious penalties are at a minimum. Why can’t that occur at all levels of sports? As a side note on the Army-Navy game, an appropriate comment on the Internet went something like this: this is the only game where all the players are willing to give up their lives for all of those watching.
A related matter is fourth on the list, and that is for all professional athletes to honor the American Flag and the country. That means no more kneeling or other acts of defiance during the National Anthem.
We also have a local wish list. Top on this list is for the Marysville School System to be more attentive to the will of the people and quit being so stubborn in the decision-making process. School board officials and board members should make a concerted effort to determine what the citizens want and be willing to work with other governmental entities and groups, rather than force their ideas on them.
Second on the local list is for the city to fix up those streets this next spring and summer that are in extremely poor condition because of problems created by the waterline renovation project. As of this week, work was still being done in some areas even though the whole undertaking was supposed to have been completed by Oct. 31.
Third, it has been reported that fiscally, both the city and county are in excellent shape. That speaks well of those making decisions. However, if the budget excess is substantial, the officeholders might consider a temporary tax reduction. We underscore that it should be temporary in case the financial picture turns downward in the future.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all of these wishes came true? It would truly bring Peace on Earth. Merry Christmas to all our subscribers, readers and advertisers.