Drafting a top 5 list to make nation great

What follows is the result of a conversation with a Republican friend, who, after listening to me list what went wrong under the Trump administration, asked, “What would it take for you to say America was great again?” I told him that, while I would not agree with that wording, I would make a list.

The top-ranked five items on my final list of 27 follow. Unfortunately, space limitations prevent showing my complete list. Before reading my five, I urge you to make your list, then get others to make their lists, then compare.

• No. 1 — Voting rights and voting security. (This is a prerequisite for everything that follows.)

• No. 2 (tie) — Selection of competent people at the local and state levels and in Congress, the Cabinet and executive level positions. Passing of legislation ensuring No. 1 is a necessary prerequisite to increase the likelihood of this happening.

• No. 2 (tie) — Global warming. Action is taken to end further global warming and to reverse past actions and inactions that have facilitated it.

• No. 2 (tie) — Reduction in the influence of racism and discrimination on our country. Heightened realization of the impact of these in our country, combined with the support of competent people elected — because of No. 1 above — results in actions designed to eliminate any remaining legislation that supports or encourages racism or discrimination. • No. 2 (tie) —News media. Subscriber criticism reaches the point where both cable and network news media are forced to abandon their “heads talking about the news of the day” approach to programming and include more focused indepth, factual, unbiased reporting and “think piece” analyses that focus on real issues, not just the quickly forgotten news of the day.

When my Republican friend read my complete list, his comment was, “Be realistic, Jim. While I agree with most of the items on your list, it’s just not going to happen.”

My response follows: “You asked me to list what I thought would have to happen for America to be great. You have my answer.” Given the behavior of the current Republican party, I have to be hopeful versus being optimistic. I also realize that every item on my list is dependent on my No. 1. If significant action on it and the other four items on my list does not happen soon, my Silent Generation (born 1925-1945) may not live long enough to see most of the items on my list come to pass.

I want my grandkids and their grandkids to live in a better country and a better world than what exists today.

To change, leadership at all levels will be essential. The No. 1 quality required of all leaders will be an ability to communicate truthfully and clearly and to inspire and motivate.

I readily acknowledge that it will not be easy. The greatest challenge will be to ensure a significant majority of Americans rely on true facts when making decisions.

JIM HAMMONS Fayetteville