Outlook!

I've been looking for some bright spots in the world beyond my bubble.  I'm sorry to say that they're not easy to find.

The news is dominated by war, climate disasters, the success of right wing politicians, crime, migrants, inequality - the list goes on and on.

Closer to home, the pundits are obsessed with the upcoming midterm elections.  Will the Democrats hold the house?  Unlikely.  Will they hold the Senate?  Maybe, but it's too close to call.  Will election deniers take power at the state level and continue the erosion of democracy?  Yes.

I've noticed that I have an assumption that most Americans care about preserving our democratic institutions.  That voting matters.  That the rule of law matters.  I'm now questioning that assumption.  I see less and less evidence that most Americans would put democracy at the top of their agenda and more and more evidence that culture war issues matter more.

We are a deeply divided country.  I and my kind are convinced of the rightness of our views.  And likewise for those on the other side.  Regrettably, the momentum is with the bad guys.  I have a sense of hopelessness that the tide is growing and there is nothing I can do to turn it around.

Like I say, a dearth of bright spots!