Hope and change
Just like that, it’s 2026!
And just like that we again heard journalists and pundits wringing their hands looking at the year that ended and the impact of Donald J. Trump, his leadership style, and global and national unrest. Not to be overlooked in the end-of-year dialogue is the rise of the radical Left within the Democratic Party and the election of a socialist game-changer in New York.
On the other hand, I’m looking ahead to the new year and the celebration of our great nation’s 250th birthday and positive change, recalling the words of the brilliant Albert Einstein, who once said, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”
I like to believe this new year holds greater promise for a more peaceful world through strong leadership from the free nations led by the United States. However, our domestic scene will be tumultuous in this election year, but also hopeful for struggling families and businesses within our borders as our politicians look for votes. That’s another “promise” of the new year. Politics will be supercharged in 2026 and, hopefully, will result in a good outcome for the average, hard-working American.
Along with hoping for the best, I expect there will be change in the way the all-powerful mainstream media conducts business, with more recognition of their obligation to search for and report the unbiased truth amid the expansion and success of alternative media. (Minnesota’s suspected major fraud is a good example of the power of that independent press, 23-year-old freelance journalist Nick Shirley in particular.)
In this new year, as an average American, I hope our nation will be stronger and safer in the months ahead, inspired by a common goal of freedom, and, of course, historic resilience. Looking ahead, the United States has the opportunity and capacity for change, which includes greater economic growth, greater global impact, and, always, peace and freedom.
Yesterday is gone, Hopefully we’ve learned something. Happy New Year and Happy 250th Birthday, USA!
Pat Wandling hosts Speak Your Piece weekdays at noon on WBCB 1490.
