Len Anthony: Yes, There Is A Bright Side

… AND PEOPLE CAN CHANGE

By LEN ANTHONY || One of the comments regarding my last article asked if I ever thought about writing anything on the bright side.  That is a valid point.  In fact, in my last article I overstated the argument that nothing changes.  There are many reasons we should all be hopeful that people and the world can and will change for the better.

First, the world is becoming more accepting.  Discrimination and prejudice against homosexuals is decreasing and acceptance of same-sex marriage is growing rapidly.  Even the Catholic Church is reevaluating its stance on these and many other issues.  Each succeeding generation is more accepting of different beliefs, cultures and ways of life.

Secondly, advances in the generation of electricity through photovoltaics occur on almost a daily basis.  The only obstacle to the pervasive use of this zero emissions technology to meet the energy needs of the world is a means to store the electricity it produces.  I have every confidence that a technological breakthrough in this area is near.  Also, while the drilling technology known as “fracking” has its environmental challenges, it has greatly expanded the availability of natural gas in the United States allowing electric utilities to switch from burning coal to much cleaner natural gas to generate electricity.

Thirdly, the Internet and social media have allowed a public spotlight to be focused upon perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence where in the past such matters were quietly “swept under the rug.”  Just think about the Penn State Jerry Sandusky, Ray Rice and Sayreville High School football team events. That spotlight forces the powers that be to address these issues. It forces change.

Fourthly, during my 30 years as an in-house attorney for public utilities I found that practically all of the state employees I worked with were selfless, honest and decent.  In addition, they were smarter and more experienced than me.  Yet, they chose to work for the benefit of the public even though they could have easily obtained higher salaries in the private sector.  There are good people in government.

Fifthly, while we all at times criticize our elected officials and gripe about government, we live in the greatest nation the world has ever known.  We have freedoms other countries and societies not only do not enjoy but in many cases cannot imagine.  The comments made about my last article would have resulted in many of the commenters being imprisoned or executed in other countries.

Sixthly, the United States economy appears to have regained its footing since the Great Recession.  The unemployment is now down to 6 percent. The economic future looks bright.

Seventhly, the extremists in both the Republican and Democratic parties appear to be losing sway and the moderates are gaining control.  It has been my experience that meeting somewhere in the middle is always a better solution than fighting to the death on principle.

Finally, there is the human spirit.  It is a spirit that causes perfect strangers to come together to help each other in times of need.  It is a spirit that makes each of us to want to be part of something greater than ourselves.  The outpouring of support for Lauren Hill, the basketball player for Mount St. Joseph University with terminal brain cancer, and her attitude demonstrate the wonderfulness of that spirit better than any words I can type.  You can watch her final game HERE.

If you don’t tear up at that, there is something wrong with you.  She will be dead in six months.

There are many bright spots in our world and they should be celebrated.  The reason my past articles focus upon the nation’s and world’s problems is to hopefully generate debate and discussion and bring about change for the good.

Len Anthony spent thirty years as in-house counsel for a public utility.  He’s now semi-retired living in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.  Wanna sound off on FITS? Submit your letter to the editor or opinion column HERE.