* * I want to live in a country…

I recently had an e-conversation with a local friend who runs several businesses here in the area about the state of the nation. This led me to contemplation about the United States of America in which I wanted to live. I thought I’d share this with you and ask your feedback.

I want to live in a country where there are opportunities for everybody, where the rungs on the ladder to prosperity are climbable, and the middle class is large and vibrant.

I want to live in a country where the elite, monied class has limited political power and where everyone, regardless of status or wealth, has a say in how we’re governed.

I want to live in a country where everybody over 18 can vote and every vote is equally counted and applied. I want to live in a country where voting and representative districts are fairly drawn and our legislative governments in race, color, and creed are mirrors of the citizenry.

I want to live in a country where our rivers are clear and uncontaminated, our air is clean and free of pollutants, and our soils are healthy and vibrant.

I want to live in a country where we preserve our wild spaces and the animals that occupy them.

I want to live in a country where women have all the economic opportunities as men and they have full control their reproductive rights without government interference.

I want to live in a country where immigrants are treated fairly as guests and given opportunities to become citizens and contribute to our great American experience, as our ancestors did.

I want to live in a country where every citizen has access to clean, fresh drinking water, nutritious food, and health care when they get sick.

I want to live in a country where the rights of children, the infirm, the handicapped, the mentally ill, and the disadvantaged are respected, because at least physically, we’re not all created equal.

I want to live in a country where citizens are taxed fairly and that money is invested wisely in research, education, and infrastructure, so we have a chance at a successful future in a competitive world.

I want to live in a country where firearms are legal for use in legitimate purposes such as hunting and self-defense, but tightly regulated to keep them from the hands of those who might do harm to others.

I want to live in a country where we respect the 94% of the people of the world who don’t live in America, and honor our shared humanity.

I want to live in a country where we make economic and defense pacts and treaties, commensurate with our national interests, and then stick with them by honoring our commitments.

I want to live in a country where our “defense” department is truly defensive rather than offensive, and the size of our military is commensurate. I want to live in a country where our leaders of all parties and all stripes view war as a last resort.

I want to live in a country where we honor the contributions of all working people, even those in government, and recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations.

I want to live in a country where all those who choose to break our laws are fairly, equitably, and sanely punished, with no special favors to the monied class.

I want to live in a country where we believe our scientists and engineers about existential threats on a changing planet and we act on their conclusions and recommendations.

I want to live in a country where everyone is free to worship as he or she sees fit, or not worship at all, and where people are free from fear in their places of worship and free from persecution elsewhere.

What kind of country do you want to live in? How can our United States of America be more like that?