I am troubled by recent events.  We are waging wars that can not be considered just.  Our nation is seen by other countries as arrogant and our actions self-serving.  Congress changes the name of french fries to freedom fries. Those of us who question these actions are called unpatriotic traitors. Those who support these wars enjoy their spoils, and accumulate even greater wealth and power. Judges are selected to promote political and theological agendas. Judges, not the people, have selected our president. The civil liberties that have defined this country have been compromised and there is too little resistance.  Still, we are much less safe than before this madness began. Corporations create enormous wealth, but only for a select few, while honest people are laid off and shareholder value diminishes.  Taxes are lowered for the extremely wealthy, while money for schools and medicine is cut.  We have been manipulated. We are lied to. Environmental laws that have been passed to protect our wilderness for future generations are being reversed, or just ignored.  We will soon drill for oil in the last, great, unspoiled places to make sure there is an uninterrupted supply of gasoline for our SUVs and snowmobiles. We have gone to war to make sure the supply of gasoline for our SUVs and snowmobiles is uninterrupted.   I am ashamed of what our country has become. At the same time, my life has lost purpose.

And yet, I can not believe this is so.  I must search for meaning.  I must try to understand.  I must have hope. I do not know where, when, or if, I will succeed.