This is so beautiful and definitely a keeper. It's a time capsule which I can't wait to compare in 2030. Thank you for reminding us that we can do this.
Yes, that is a tear in the corner of my eye. This is so beautiful, it’s almost hard to read. I’m 80, and I spent many years as an old-school Republican in a red state, always wondering why we shouldn’t take care of our own, the ones who didn’t have enough to get by. The leader in Rick’s story may be thinly-disguised, but I believe he’s really a metaphor for what can be, and will be again. Time goes fast when you’re old but, right now, not fast enough.
Thank you for this, Rick. I grew up listening to a war-hardened president who warned us against the military-industrial complex, and then his war-hero successor who urged us to do great things "not because they are easy, but because they are hard." I owned a kids' book entitled, "Our Friend the Atom." It was an era of optimism I would love to see again, of course expanded to all Americans.
I long for three straight weeks of boring near-nothing from the WH, the quiet turning of freedom-greased gears, the sight of comity in action on Capitol Hill, the sound of the battered Constitution settling back into its rightful place of respect and rule of law. I long for what may now be impossible, but hope, and hope in action, is all we have.
What a lovely piece to listen to while calming my system by feeding my birds. A beautiful 71 degrees day without a cloud in the sky. The sky couldn’t be any bluer. And not “American Flag” blue.
You are such a wonderful writer and this future began to feel possible. Thank you for sharing your vision.
Wow! Please God make it so. Rick, you have written a hopeful future scenario that cut through to an old man who still hopes for a better America. One that lives its promise every day. I believe that America has the profoundly decent heart to overcome the evil predators now in power. It will take every citizen to do their duty. But it is doable. Thank you again. Well done. A future vision worth working hard for. 👍
Dang it, Rick. I want this future for my country so much it brings tears to my eyes.
You created another yearning. Your post about the reconciliation started it: the thought that this could actually rise from the detritus of il vecchio pazzo now in our House.
This it in a nutshell, Rick...'...sick of the whole goddamn drama of the previous era." Jeeze, how I long for a quiet house. Maybe you are omniscient...after all...ETTD, Baby! I hope my boy Carville is right...the felon in chief just walks away by Easter of 2027...🤞🤞 that he'll be gone before then!
Outstanding, Rick! This is the America most people want - a return to dignity and quiet competence. MARA - Make America Respected Again, by the world, and by its own people. Start civics education in the first grade so kids have a solid notion of what makes a democracy. Eventually show them the ugliness and corruption that results when people lose critical thinking skills. They need to understand, so a man like Trump is NEVER elected again. Democrats finally getting off their lofty perches and understanding the needs of all Americans. Republicans...well, we'll see. It will take a long time to forgive the sins of the many and they'd better work their asses off to regain even some of what they've lost.
This is so beautiful and definitely a keeper. It's a time capsule which I can't wait to compare in 2030. Thank you for reminding us that we can do this.
Yes, that is a tear in the corner of my eye. This is so beautiful, it’s almost hard to read. I’m 80, and I spent many years as an old-school Republican in a red state, always wondering why we shouldn’t take care of our own, the ones who didn’t have enough to get by. The leader in Rick’s story may be thinly-disguised, but I believe he’s really a metaphor for what can be, and will be again. Time goes fast when you’re old but, right now, not fast enough.
Thank you for this, Rick. I grew up listening to a war-hardened president who warned us against the military-industrial complex, and then his war-hero successor who urged us to do great things "not because they are easy, but because they are hard." I owned a kids' book entitled, "Our Friend the Atom." It was an era of optimism I would love to see again, of course expanded to all Americans.
Oh how I hope this is our close future.
I long for three straight weeks of boring near-nothing from the WH, the quiet turning of freedom-greased gears, the sight of comity in action on Capitol Hill, the sound of the battered Constitution settling back into its rightful place of respect and rule of law. I long for what may now be impossible, but hope, and hope in action, is all we have.
Wonderful article Rick. You’ve confirmed my hope, faith and belief. Thank you for that. Godspeed.
I adore this and I cannot WAIT!
What a lovely piece to listen to while calming my system by feeding my birds. A beautiful 71 degrees day without a cloud in the sky. The sky couldn’t be any bluer. And not “American Flag” blue.
You are such a wonderful writer and this future began to feel possible. Thank you for sharing your vision.
Wow! Please God make it so. Rick, you have written a hopeful future scenario that cut through to an old man who still hopes for a better America. One that lives its promise every day. I believe that America has the profoundly decent heart to overcome the evil predators now in power. It will take every citizen to do their duty. But it is doable. Thank you again. Well done. A future vision worth working hard for. 👍
Absodamnedlutely AWESOME, Rick!
Hoping I'm still here to see that happen, and thank you for articulating the dream in such a great way!
Dang it, Rick. I want this future for my country so much it brings tears to my eyes.
You created another yearning. Your post about the reconciliation started it: the thought that this could actually rise from the detritus of il vecchio pazzo now in our House.
So i’m sniffling again. You did it again.
Chinese-style social credit policies shouldn't be attractive to any American but I don't know if I'm against an Asshole Tax ;)
This it in a nutshell, Rick...'...sick of the whole goddamn drama of the previous era." Jeeze, how I long for a quiet house. Maybe you are omniscient...after all...ETTD, Baby! I hope my boy Carville is right...the felon in chief just walks away by Easter of 2027...🤞🤞 that he'll be gone before then!
Thanks, Rick....
I feel calmer just reading this. A goal for our world.
Rick, I think you have the basis here for ETTD V2.0. Looking forward to it.
Outstanding, Rick! This is the America most people want - a return to dignity and quiet competence. MARA - Make America Respected Again, by the world, and by its own people. Start civics education in the first grade so kids have a solid notion of what makes a democracy. Eventually show them the ugliness and corruption that results when people lose critical thinking skills. They need to understand, so a man like Trump is NEVER elected again. Democrats finally getting off their lofty perches and understanding the needs of all Americans. Republicans...well, we'll see. It will take a long time to forgive the sins of the many and they'd better work their asses off to regain even some of what they've lost.