By Tanner Hittesdorf
Well, we’re now several weeks past the year 2020 Common Era, and the after-effects are still somewhat present. COVID is still ravaging the United States and other parts of the world, politics have never been worse than since the American Civil War and the Roman Civil Wars of the 1st Century B.C.E, and it seems that things are simply getting worse. However, there are a few bright spots in this new year that should bring some comfort. Allow me to shed some light on them
Perhaps the biggest piece of comfort is the release of a vaccine for COVID-19, which for all intents and purposes, will hopefully end the pandemic by this summer. There are rumors of a worse strain being discovered in the United Kingdom, however, so who knows what COVID will bring for the year of 2020. However, with the government now more focused than ever on stemming the tide of the virus, perhaps the second strain will be defeated faster than the original. There is some time for optimism to linger through the dark clouds of the past before judgements are made.
The inauguration of Joseph Biden for President of the United States had also passed without much incident despite a lot of talk from the folks radicalized right-wing intent. Though both the extreme left and extreme right are disconcerted at the idea of a centrist President, Biden’s message is one of unification and reconciliation. Perhaps things will finally no longer be gridlocked within Congress. With a Democratic controlled House of Representatives and now Senate, perhaps policy will be able to be pushed through and finally new legislation will go into law. There is perhaps no better time for Bipartisan bills to pass than now with Biden, very much a Democratic centrist, in the White House.
Then of course, will be the end of politics being treated as “reality television”, and a joke for cheap ratings plugs of 24-hour news cycles like CNN and FOX. Perhaps politics will go back to a more respectful time when policy was debated and ad hominem was left at the door. Politicians will hopefully focus on healthy and meaningful debate, instead of the negligent dog and pony show of extremism. With time, perhaps cretins like Ted Cruz and Marjorie Taylor Greene (noted Sandy Hook & Parkland “truther” and QAnon member) will be removed from office for their part in stoking the fears and madness on January 6th, and the aftermath of it.
Maybe by the end of this year, fans will be able to go out in full force for their favorite sport without fear of infection. Sports have served as a somewhat serviceable distraction from the madness and horror of 2020, but perhaps with 2021, revived interest in being able to travel to see live events will spark an extra boost to the economy that is desperately needed. Perhaps things will finally go back to normal in a time where some sense of normalcy is wanted by the American public.
So here’s to 2021. May this year be less dreary, and finally have a glimmer of hope that has been missing for the last five years. Let’s hope your year is a good one. We all need a good one.
