OPINION:
If I were asked to explain in one word the current condition of my country, I would regrettably have to say “debacle.” The reasons for my response have been well chronicled in this paper. As an optimist, however, I would point out that there are rays of hope which may auger the beginning of a return to sanity.
After months of school closures, in 2021 — now dubbed “the year of school choice” — dozens of states passed policies that improve school choice. According to the American Federation for Children, 26 states have adopted policies that empower parents to make the best educational choices for their children. As a corollary, led by Loudon County, Virginia, parents are electing school boards across the country that are rejecting critical-race theory. Most abortions are now banned in 13 states following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and the fight over abortion access is taking place in courtrooms nationwide. Finally, this month, the World Athletics Council voted to ban transgender women from elite female competitions.
Granted, we have a long way to go. Our southern border is still porous, enemies are taking advantage of our weaknesses (particularly because of Biden’s disgraceful abandonment in Afghanistan), corruption is rampant throughout our executive branch, Hunter Biden and his cronies are still walking free and crime in our cities is out of control. However, we know that things must be getting better because the decibel level of screeching by “The Squad” in the House of Representatives has reached a fever pitch—which is music to my ears. Now if only we can get folks to go to church more often …
RON PHIPPS
Annapolis, Maryland
