How much is your American passport worth?

The negative mood that is sweeping the country is the residue of the Trump presidency and its effect on our self-esteem. When people are told that so much is wrong that “only he can fix” they end up believing it. It’s not that America is perfect, it never has been, but as a dream still in the making it has made progress not only since its founding but even since 20 years ago or less. There is a reason why thousands of people defy all odds to enter this country while no crowds are seen at airports trying to get out.

We get so used to our freedom and way of life that we forget how most of the world lives. We close our eyes to Africa, Asia, South and Central America where the wealthy thrive and the rest suffer lives of poverty generation after generation as the emigrants at our southern border prove. Only on July 4 and possibly Thanksgiving Day do we remember to give thanks for the privilege of living here.

How much is your American passport worth? Travel abroad and as you take it out see the touch of envy on the faces of those who wait on you. With President Joe Biden at the helm, we feel a sense of relief from our former anxiety but much remains to be done. He said “America is back!” Now let’s prove it.

With hundreds of thousands of emigrants waiting to enter the country, how many should be allowed in? Common sense suggests we work backward. How many do we need without work experience to fill the jobs now empty? How many can be given the training necessary to contribute to our economy? Are we working at full capacity? Governors should have a rough answer for their states. Nationwide the current unemployment rate is 5.2 percent, higher than usual because of the pandemic but after it passes, what will it be?

We have gone through crisis before and survived; there is no reason why we can’t plan for the future with confidence. There are several issues to solve such as racism, inequality, poverty, a sharply divided Congress, so what else is new? Nothing that good will and hard work can’t solve because these are all manmade.