Defining the Future

Turning toward fall there is a subtle apprehension growing in America. This mild anxiety has the potential to escalate as we race toward the November election and its aftermath…which could define many aspects of the future, whether preferred or not.

Constant inflammatory and misguided rhetoric combined with EU concerns, a rapidly warming planet, social unrest, a fragile economy and sporadic terrorism has brought us to this strange, disconcerting place. Fortunately, the DOW is doing reasonably well (over 18,300 today), corporate profits are decent, unemployment is still below 5 percent, real estate seems to be moving well, home prices are up and gasoline continues to hover around $2.50 a gallon. Given that there are always countervailing and more ominous forces in play, even with these and other positives there is cause for discomfort.

It would be easy to liken many of the current events as ‘fascinating,’ ‘curious’ or ‘interesting’ and, even though some certainly could be characterized by those terms, there is a deeper and darker side of modern life. America demonstrates schizoid tendencies relative to race, religion, politics, economic equality, environmental protection, trade and worldview. For every negative, a simple retrospective study will reveal terrific progress in human rights, racial equality, social harmony, equal opportunity, reduction in violent crime, economic growth, home ownership, immigration, education, and conservation. On the other hand, there are still fundamental issues in most of these and other areas, with growing discord over gun control, debate about religious freedom, unequal treatment of minorities, sporadic but horrific violence, wage stagnation, growing poverty, trade imbalances and declining health status, along with concern about America’s role in a transforming world.

Going back fifty years and tracking progress to today, there is not the wreckage and carnage one might expect when hearing how the U.S. has become weak, disconnected, damaged and irrelevant. Given the pledge to navigate around the current political arena and its participants, it is still remarkable that a paranoid, distorted and demonizing posture would ever be accepted or tolerated. America is imperfect but remains well-positioned, competitive, strong, resilient and the planet’s most potent force for positive global change.

The choices ahead are not political. Going forward, virtually every choice becomes personal; each will be driven by perspective, vantage point, desire, and the will to act. Most readers are self-made, hard-working, thoughtful men and women who have invented their own lives. All understand the fundamental requirements for success: hard work, commitment, sacrifice, fairness, self-control, vision, collaboration and tenacity. There is no alchemy or magic incantation that makes things better. Positive change requires the success factors noted above. It does not emanate from polemic rants, misconstrued fact, deceit or the sale of gloom and doom scenarios that have no basis in reality.

History may report this as a time when converging variables became so potent and misunderstood that they were hijacked to create a self-perpetuating entertainment vehicle fueled by fantasy, illusion and anxiety. The simple fact is, the sky is not falling, the unwashed masses are not rioting in the streets, the country is strong and well-protected, no one is taking our guns, we have positive relations with most countries that matter, and the economy is merely experiencing a cyclic transformation. This is not a Pollyanna view. It is merely an assessment of reality.

As I have often suggested, gravity is in play here, meaning that what goes up must go down. Economies are cyclic, as is progress, growth, trade balances and relationships. Any student of history can attest to the nature of historic cycles, ascents, descents and permutations. To be sure, America’s future is not without challenges. The infrastructure needs attention, health status has declined, education lags behind many other countries, and healthcare costs are untenable. But keep in mind that there are over 320 million people in the United States. All have needs, wants and demands. Americans want things; they expect things; and most, regardless of status or stature, believe the government is there to serve their needs. This is only partially true.

Most of us have made our lives within a context provided by the government. We have succeeded in spite of taxes assessed, regulations promulgated, or elections witnessed. America is not a disaster. In fact, as of this moment, it is quite strong, secure, respected, vibrant and potent. In the weeks ahead, the best advice is to ignore the spectacle, deal with the facts, and focus on your own personal and professional reality. No matter what happens in November, the future is each of ours to define. And, overall, we’ve done pretty well up to this point