A New Year arrives

An opportunity to look back on what's past and ahead at what might come

We like to treat the start of a new year as a sort of clean slate, with resolutions to improve our health and behavior. I suppose this inclination comes, in part, because the turning of the calendar provides us with an opportunity to look back on what’s past and ahead at what might come. And, by doing so, make changes where merited.

Of course, hindsight is not always accurate, and crystal balls often prove to be less than prophetic. The former is possibly due to a tendency to judge the past according to our personal or preferred parameters, while the latter is the result of thinking that future events might have a discernible sequence. But then judging the past and predicting the future through the use of a subjective lens is an all-to-human tendency.

Still, it’s rarely a bad idea to examine our personal and collective history and attempt to glean a few lessons, an endeavor that might hopefully better guide us as we navigate our coming tomorrows.

On a national level, we’ll have a former President back in the White House and one political party holding the levers of power and decision-making in Congress. The ex-chief executive is (no breaking news here) Donald Trump and the Congressional majority now lies in the hands of the Republican majorities.

This situation has caused jubilation among supporters and much consternation with opponents. Based on what occurred in Trump’s first administration and what was said during the campaign—the past if you will—each side has reasonable cause for their respective reaction. But stuff happens that alters prevailing intentions, the ‘best laid plans oft go astray’, and the two sides, number-wise, are of nearly equal size. So, we’ll see what is proposed as well as what actually takes place as the days and weeks unfold.

I’ll offer one caveat. Those in power, particularly those of great wealth who hold much sway in the halls of government and in the ability to manipulate public sentiment, don’t’ necessarily have a motive to ‘tear the system down’ and promote radical change. The ‘system’—as it is—has benefitted them and, in this regard, they are likely to hold a conservative attitude.

This observation, for whatever it’s worth, however, doesn’t mean the poor and downtrodden have reason to anticipate their ‘lot in life’ will dramatically improve or even be a priority or that our democratic institutions, including the freedom to speak in opposition, an independent press, the right to assemble in protest, fair access to the ballot box, and equal protection under the law won’t be put under siege.

Also tested will be finding common ground, respectful discourse, and engaging in the give-and-take of enacting legislation and policies. Embracing diversity, taking a live-and-let-live approach, and being neighborly will, I suspect, likewise become difficult propositions.

For immigrants here legally and those known as ‘The Dreamers’ (who have only known America as home) and for certain racial, ethnic, and cultural minorities, the landscape does not seem promising. But, if so, then all the more reason (if you’re so inclined) to stand in favor of those propositions and shoulder-to-shoulder with those being unfairly treated or targeted.

“There’s nothing new under the sun” when it comes to human attitude and behavior. Current events are echoed by those that took place in bygone times, including the good, the bad, and the ugly.

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This past week our weekly newspaper completed its 40^th year, Dawn and I having put out the first issue in January of 1985. Also, this coming September will mark my 50^th anniversary as a newspaper journalist—although I wrote off and on prior to that date, namely political and social commentary and attempts at short fiction.

Those personal milestones are a testament to longevity, if nothing else. Evidence, if any is needed, that if you do something long enough or just live long enough, the years tend to pile up.

But I pray these landmarks mean more than that.

For me, the writing of news and features, offering commentary, and putting out a new edition of the paper each week, while having its challenges and a few bumps along the way, have provided purpose as well as a livelihood. I’ll let others judge if the endeavor has had significance or enhanced the community, but I take satisfaction and pride in what’s been done.

I’ve possibly learned a few lessons in the process, ones I trust have resulted in my doing a better job as I’ve gone forward.

So, a new year has arrived. In my case, the first of January is not a reason to wipe the slate clean nor do I feel any need to make dramatic changes—only the usual ones of shedding a few pounds, eating healthier, and making wiser choices in behavior. Rather the occasion reinforces a resolve to keep doing what I’ve done in my personal life and professionally … which is to enjoy the amenities of family and friends and get up in the morning and do whatever work is at hand.

This pattern is what I hope awaits me in the coming year and afterwards. To do what I can, as best I can, for as long as I can to inform the community, assist my family, and provide a helping hand to others.

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Steve Horton is a mid-Michigan journalist and editor-publisher of the ‘Fowlerville News & Views’—a weekly newspaper.