When the Muse leaves the building, it is difficult to find inspiration for blogging. For help in this, bloggers turn to writing challenges and competitions. My first challenge is the 30 Days of Inspiration at Magic in the Backyard. Kellie Elmore posted 30 thought-provoking prompts; and writers are to present, in whatever format we choose, how that prompt inspires us. The first challenge I tackled was To Disgust the Ascetic: Guilty Pleasures. 
Today’s topic is Five Things You Want to See Change. Because it is a political year, and one of my passions is politics, many of the items current issues . See what you think about my list, and come up with a list of your own. What five things would you want to see change?
I want to see:
- Healthier Living become a national priority
With the advent of Super-Sizing, portion control is no longer. Americans pay outrageous prices for meals that could easily feed more than one person. Obesity is epidemic. According to the Center for Disease Control, about 1/3 of adults and almost 1/5 of children and adolescents are obese in the United States. Their website has an interactive chart of the Percent of Obese (BMI>30%) in US Adults. This chart shows the relative percentage of obese adults in the states; and the chart changes, showing each year from 1985 to 2010. You can see how the trends toward obesity have affected different areas of the country.
Photo credit: topnews.in
First Lady Michelle Obama has worked diligently in the fight against childhood obesity at Let’s Move!. This is definitely a step in the right direction, as are the healthier choices showing up on fast food menus. I see things getting better, but I’d like to see healthy habits become a regular part of the American lifestyle.
- Education become more important than Defense in our National Consciousness
Image Credit: Poulsen Photo
I believe we need an overhaul of our educational system. The dedicated and qualified teachers are rewarded for work well done; and the apathetic and under-qualified teachers are weeded out of the system. These things can’t be done without an electorate that puts education as a priority for everyone, not just our children. Higher education costs have skyrocketed, as have the costs for student loans. Re-educating our workforce and re-tooling for the global economy is also essential. We will not find a solution to our economic crisis until we address this issue.
- More Compassion in our public policy and our national conversation.
I addressed the issue of compassion about immigration in Barbed Wire, The Least of These, and the Least We Can Do. That same compassion can apply to other issues, such as equal education, benefits for Senior citizens and the treatment of Disabled Americans. We seem so fixated on those different from ourselves, as if they are threatening to us in some way. We need to focus more on the things that unite us as a people. Until we do that, things will likely NOT change.
- Policies that allow for more income equality.
News stories abound with references to the 1% of Americans who hold the largest amount of wealth in this country. The Middle Class is rapidly disappearing, and poverty is on the rise. The policies of our government can effect change in this area. We should implement necessary changes as soon as possible. America is at risk of becoming a Plutocracy, which would be anathema to the founders of our Constitution. Changes in the tax code, as well as continued oversight of the activities of the banks and Wall Street are essential.
Image Credit: pbs.org
- Bipartisan Compromise
None of the things I’ve talked about here will change unless the Congress goes back to its tradition of bipartisan compromise. The beauty of a two-party system is in the compromise between the parties. The best and most popular policies emerge in the gray area of compromise. When one party refuses to do so, the healthy functioning of government becomes impossible.
The United States Congress operated via compromise between the parties for decades; and it is time to return to that tradition.
So, those are MY five things. What are yours? Why not share them with me, and we’ll discuss.
~ C-Lea
Related articles
- Obesity-Linked Diabetes in Children Resists Treatment (brandondalebowers.wordpress.com)
- The Bulging Costs Of America’s Obesity Epidemic (zerohedge.com)
- Fed by Broken Food System, Health Plummets as Costs Soar (commondreams.org)
