I resolve to work for a more perfect union

My father died last summer. His was the middle-class story of America's 20th century: born in a Depression; served in a World War; worked at the same job for most of his life, earned a comfortable wage with a good pension plan; and enjoyed many years of mostly healthy retirement. That is not the story of America today.

Our troops are in seemingly endless military actions with no clear resolution. Our workers go from job to job, often under-employed. Even our life expectancy is now declining. Divided more than ever by race, by economics, by religion, or by politics, we are groups working to benefit those most like ourselves, rather than a collective working towards a common goal.

Difficult times, however, also brings out the fundamental goodness of most people. Many comforted and supported the family when Dad died. In 2017, may we comfort and support each other, may we address those issues which divide us, and may we strive to become 'a more perfect union.”

Mark Neary

Iowa City