I have lived through a multitude of life experiences in my seven decades. Most of them have been happy and rewarding.

Of note, I have been blessed with wonderful children and a spectacular wife, a partner for many years. Additionally, I have had a few different careers that challenged me as a businessman and a person of letters.

During my life, there have also been some very sad moments when I lost confidence in my country and my fellow Americans. It seems as though the worst days have happened in recent years.

My early years in high school were very rewarding and fulfilling. My relationship with my parents, who are gone, was excellent throughout my time with them. Frankly, I never had a serious argument with my mom and dad. In fact, on Mother’s Day and I remembered my loving mom as most people on this occasion.

Career-wise, I was fortunate. My lifestyle for the last 50 years has been exciting as a businessman, author and blogger.

What has been disappointing are the challenges around the world that seriously damage my confidence in my fellow man, and women. Never-ending conflicts (ie.,Vietnam), continuing episodes of bigotry and genocide, insane moments of terrorism such as 9/11 and extreme polarization between America and other countries have been depressing and sometimes create existential threats to humanity. The latest conflict between Israel and Hamas has no logical end.

A lot has happened during my life, so I’ll focus on the last 10 to 15 years. I want to discuss my expectations for mankind and womankind.

Lifestyles around the world are not satisfactory in many places. Starvation, wars, genocide, bigotry, religious fanaticism and ignorance have played a major role in events during the last two decades. There are many who still fight with each other because they pray to a different god. And, there are many who carry thousand year grudges against other social groups.

Specifically, in America, college students are singing an old and disgraceful song; it’s entitled “Anti-Semitism.” On the heals of centuries of discrimination, including the Holocaust, some are once again attributing their hardships to Jews around the world.

Although Black Americans have made strides towards equality, the group still suffers from poverty, poor education and financial stress.

America sends aid to many countries that are supposed to 
ingratiate the US around the world. American arrogance taints our generosity, as the US stands alone on so many important issues affecting lives of so many. Read what diplomats say about America while speaking to the United Nations General Assembly.

Since foreign aid is a burden on our financial system, why wouldn’t we divert it to meet the needs of Americans who are homeless and hungry. We accommodate interlopers on our borders, caring for those who enter our country illegally, and there are thousands of people starving in America.

Our country has made little progress decreasing military expenditures. All the advanced weapons we build each year are not even being used to keep the peace, while many Americans don’t know where their next meal might come from.

One of the greatest disappointments has been our government. A lack of effective leadership has resulted in existential problems and unprecedented polarization. Republicans and Democrats must have productive debates about many issues. This polarization results in government paralysis. 

Urban schools are shameful. The government keeps throwing money at the system and every year students do not meet minimum standards and are far behind other developed countries. An over aggressive teachers’ union has been eroding our school for years.

My great expectations cover important issues in the world. Of particular importance is the need for more food, clean water, medicine and shelter for people everywhere.

We must stop wasting money on weapons that can end the world by conducting peaceful negotiations, in highly unstable areas around the globe. 

We must elect new leaders that can build an effective majority in Congress and in state and local  governments. Neither Trump nor Biden is competent in this regard.

We must learn to listen, teach, heal, and befriend others so that we can improve all the things that would make our world a better place to live.