Country crying out for change

Never in my 60 years have I been so embarrassed and ashamed to be an American. This election comedy show concerns me, because it is real. I have always voted based on knowledge, heart and fact; not party. He’s a this, she’s a that; left, right; liberal, conservative. I feel whoever gets my vote will get it as a default to someone much worse. Sad. Never have I seen such a divided nation; we are polarized in so many ways. Our political system, as it is and (dis)functions, is evidence we have to consider substantive changes. It does not work for the people (except for the people corporations.) Maybe we are too many and too diverse to be one nation, since we have proven 400 million people continue to have vast differences, opinions and actions about almost any issue.

The best any election will bring is at least half of the population dissatisfied, and more within the party whose choice was not theirs. I wish I had an answer. I hope many will think for a change, and at least get past the anger and denial and recognize we are on a race to destruction. I sense some sort of revolution and/or revolutionary change is on the horizon. History proves it — think of our Civil War, or the former USSR. Ignorance and compliance is a race to the bottom. Find some sense, use it, learn and practice thinking instead of ignorance. I love this country, but cannot say it continues to be the greatest in the world. Please, no “love it or leave it” threats. How about improving it? Takes change; not easy.

Rob Dietz

Arlington

Talk to us

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, Dec. 2

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

civic health white board
Editorial: Improving civic health starts by coming to table

Efforts locally and at the state level seek to counter the incivility that has mired public discourse.

Comment: Officials, citizens can make pledge to build bridges

Two Snohomish County Council members are calling on all to work past incivility in our public lives.

Comment: Mukilteo needs traffic cameras for safety, less noise

Drivers are routinely exceeding speed limits as they pass a school and parks on Mukilteo Speedway.

Kathy Solberg
Forum: Weaving our community efforts creates our social fabric

We have many opportunities to contribute to our community, efforts we can see and take pride in.

Dan Hazen
Forum: Nuanced thinking is helpful, when applied to all issues

Our problem isn’t in recognizing an issue’s complexity but in seeing the bias in our own ‘movie’s script.’

Comment: Amid AI and ‘deepfakes,’ a thirst for the ‘authentic’

Our anxieties about AI led Merriam-Webster to choose ‘authentic’ as its word of the year.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, Dec. 1

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

From the bodycam footage of Everett police officer Ryan Greely and footage from Molly Wright, Wright films officer Greely before he arrests her for obstructing a law enforcement officer on Aug. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Screenshot from a video provided by Molly Wright)
Editorial: Duties on both sides of camera during arrests

The right to record police activity is clear, but so is the need to respect the safety of officers and others.

Macro photo of tooth wheel mechanism with imprinted RECEIVE, GIVE concept words
Editorial: Get back into charitable habit for Giving Tuesday

Inflation sapped donations for charities last year; things may be looking up this year for more.

Owners of Country Rose/The Paint Bungalow, Donna Mains (left) and Kathleen Shalan in their shop in October, 2021 in Arlington. The gift store also stocks Annie Sloan paint as well as being a women's apparel boutique. (Andy Bronson / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Stroll, don’t scroll on Small Business Saturday

Shopping local stores is a great way to find gifts and supports local economies and your neighbors.

Schwab: Rudolph knows rain, dear, but the fog story’s a hoax

Coming down from a Italian gelato high, Sid muses on calculus, puns and a certain reindeer myth.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.