There is a momentum to events that remains unimpressed by the completion of another orbit of the sun by the Earth. There are parts of the world that suffer in constant misery — misery that is beyond the comprehension of most all Americans. There are places where oppression, brutality, starvation and cruelty never take a night off for fireworks, midnight kisses and champagne. There was evil in 2022, and there will be evil in 2023. There was suffering in 2022, and there will be suffering in 2023. There was goodness in 2022, and there will be goodness in 2023. Electric vehicles were purchased in America in 2022 to help the environment, and more will be purchased in 2023. Perhaps 2023 will be a year during which Americans can open their eyes to sloganeering and environmental profiteering, and examine the true costs of the vehicles that are driven by many as both a status symbol and a statement of virtue. Below is a photo of the cobalt mine in the Congo that brings America’s Teslas to life. I hope someone will stand up for these people in 2023. No one did in 2022.
The eternal contest between good and evil will continue to play out in 2023, and the American story will continue to be written.
I hope the age of analysis and a search for understanding around the character defects of sociopaths, pathological liars and ambitious frauds will abate in 2023. A pristine example of such coverage is The New York Times exploration of the fraudulence, deception, dishonesty and rottenness of Elise Stefanik’s broken character. There are no new revelations within it, just mountains of psychobabble and ponderings around the awfulness of character as a political asset.
I’ve written about the test John Kennedy applied in 1961. What more is there to know about Elise Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy and their thermonuclear cynicism and faithlessness? Among the greatest corruptions within the American political media is the business decision to place the ease of access ahead of revelation and accountability. The collapse of ethical journalism and corporate media has created a fragile ecosystem of power, privilege and mutual benefit among America’s media, political and business leaders. I hope to see this ecosystem confronted and effectively attacked in 2023. Nothing is on the level at the top. The astonishing Sam Bankman-Fried story will be the vessel that exposes the scale of Washington, DC, corruption, which exists on a plane that hasn’t been seen since the heyday of New York’s Tammany and the beginning of the progressive moment over 100 years ago.
I hope there will be peace, prosperity and goodwill on Earth in 2023. There won’t be, therefore, I hope for the first steps towards that day. That can happen.
It is time to start thinking ahead in America again. What is the manifestation of the American Revolution that lies ahead? What is it that the American people will demand in the years ahead? The problem with taker societies is explored in the children’s classic ‘The Giving Tree.’ Is that what we want? Is that what we were bequeathed?
John Lewis of Georgia is every bit as much an American founder as Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin. He is a founder of the 50-star republic that exists today. He was a man who received a vicious and brutal beating that he took without response. He allowed himself to be beaten to the brink of death to show the innate dignity of his humanity and the barbarity of his attacker. His devotion and sacrifice were near Christ-like. He martyred himself for justice and survived. He lived without anger and rancor. I would like to see a rise of his spirit within the class of elected officials in Washington, DC, who have chosen debasement over glory.
What is the plan? Where should we go from here? I’d like to ask you to read something about beginnings and transformations. It is written by Michael Slaby, a friend of mine. He is a genius.
I’d like to ask you to watch this from another friend, Tim Ryan:
This is my hope for 2023. My hope is for a step in the right direction. It is for a green shoot. It is for the signs that we are headed down the path that will lead us to the entry gates of the “city upon a hill” dreamed about by John Winthrop so long ago.
My hope is that we will find our way towards better in 2023. We won’t get there on the moving sidewalk. There will be difficult days ahead.
The Guest House - Rumi
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Steve Schmidt: "The eternal contest between good and evil will continue to play out in 2023, and the American story will continue to be written."
Tim Ryan: "The challenge today is to be called to lead, and lead vigorously, lead boldly, because that is what the world needs us to do today."
John Lewis: "Nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society. Why? Because human beings are the most dynamic link to the divine on this planet."
May true leaders step forward in 2023 to act for freedom and justice, and for us all to do the same.