Dear editor:
The first 15 years of this new century have truly been a transformational period in our country's history. Many Americans now favor the changes that have occurred and it's fair to say that many feel that we are headed in the wrong direction and hate what they see. Make no mistake, however, a transformation has happened and there is hope that it will continue well into the future.
It is also well known that some will make every effort to roll us back to some magical time in history when we were in the "good old days." Depending on your station in life, the "good old days" have a very different meaning to many in this country. Rather than rehashing the past, however, let's examine some of the transformational issues that have changed in our great nation.
One of the most obvious issues is the acceptance of members of the LGBT community; their right to love and live openly in our multicultural society and to serve openly in military service. Another evidence of our transformation has been the implementation of a program to provide health care for all Americans. Although still a progress in the works, it's well under way with millions having health insurance for the first time.
Another major social change is evidenced by continued efforts to provide opportunities for women to participate in areas of our society previously restricted primarily to men. Issues like child care, paid sick leave, equal pay for equal work, access to contraception, and a woman's right to make her own decision regarding reproduction are no longer just wedge issues. Current signs also indicate much more open dialogue regarding race relations.
Along with many of the transformations taking place regarding social issues, we are now experiencing an attitudinal change on many other issues. Perhaps on the top of that list would be the issue of energy and climate change. No longer is an accepted response, "I'm not a scientist," to doing something positive to slow the factors influencing climate change. A significant transformation has already taken place on energy independence and the movement toward renewable clean energy sources like wind and solar.
A major shift has also occurred in how America has chosen to engage others around the world with whom we have very different ideologies, but share many of the problems facing the world. There is no question that the United States is now much more willing to engage in diplomatic talks with our adversaries, rather than using our military might to demonstrate our exceptionalism. The thawing of relations with Cuba and dialogue with Iran regarding nuclear energy are current examples.
During the past six years, we experienced a very significant shift regarding the willingness of American companies to once again invest their capital in rebuilding the economy here at home and providing new opportunities for the American workers. Many of the old jobs are gone forever, as new markets continue to emerge. Let's continue.
Ray Warner
Hot Springs
Editorial on 01/28/2015