America is an optimistic country. The American people are an optimistic lot. A can do attitude has existed from the Pilgrims to the Founders to the men and women who battled in wars to keep our country free.
Today, the polls show that more than 50% are optimistic as the new year begins. Change is in the air. Things can only get better.
Exactly 8 years ago when we were in a Presidential transition, I optimistically proclaimed, ‘things will get better when the new President takes office.’ While all the data indicates improvement, it never felt great. At best, it felt no worse or marginally better.
No worse and marginally better are OK … but they are far from great. No worse and marginally better do not instill optimism.
When one studies the history of the United States a cycle of boom and bust reveals itself. Booms include the industrial revolution, transportation, manufacturing, electricity, and most recently technology. Major busts include the Civil War and the Great Depression. In the last two decades, we’ve seen irrational exuberance cause disruptive blips in the dot coms and real estate. Those blips have come and gone at record pace.
The fortunes of the two political parties has also ebbed and flowed since 1994. Neither party has been able to satisfy the electorate when it was their turn to lead. The opportunity to lead has been given to the out-of-power party more from a dissatisfaction with the in-power party than from espoused ideals and policy.
President-Elect Trump did not campaign as a policy wonk. His critics ridiculed his lack of experience and in-depth knowledge of the issues. His goal was simple and broad – Make America Great Again. The specifics on how this would occur was left mostly unanswered.
I begin 2017 with a new sense of optimism. I’m optimistic that our elected officials will unshackle American business and return freedoms to we the people. I’m optimistic that we the people will act responsibly with this freedom and create a new boom of prosperity. I’m optimistic this new prosperity will give all citizens of the United States – and the world – new opportunities.
I trust the individual people of the United States (and the world) to do the right thing much more than I trust the politicians. I’m optimistic that this current batch of political leaders understands that freedom and capitalism is what made America great – and can make America great again.
Bureaucracy, policy wonking, regulations, and the nanny state has made America at best, no worse off or marginally better.
American begins 2017 with a renewed optimism. Things can and should be better. Much better. Great again.
Let’s hold our elected leaders to their promise. Let’s you and I and every individual of our great country hold ourselves responsible.Let’s make our individual lives great again. Let’s make America great again.