Is this the legacy we are leaving?

Think about the future we, our children and grandchildren, are facing.  Fairly recent news items chronicle a number of symptoms of our apparent decade-long decline:

• Stalled U.S. economic growth rate
• Higher rates of poverty in most states; children in LGBT families more likely to be poor
• Diminished health outlook due to obesity
• Decline in the earth observation sciences
• Increased government surveillance of citizens, including data captured by Google from Wi-Fi content, as well as increasingly unprotected electronic privacy of cloud Email
• U.S. use of predator drones is now officially reported, targeted for a significant infusion of government funds, and justified by authorities (including allowing targeting of U.S. citizens).

Never before has it been the case that we are leaving our descendants worse off than we were. . . economically and health-wise.  We have a diminished quality of life.  The gap between rich and poor has increased, as have the costs of health care.  The military-industrial complex, as President Eisenhower warned, is in the forefront of powerful influence in our nation.  The earth is on a dangerous path to increased warming.  And we as citizens enjoy less and less constitutional protection.  As a matter of fact, what on earth do we think we are doing?!

"Forward" is the new presidential campaign slogan of the Democrats. We are at the crossroads. If the November elections fail to reelect President Obama, fail to return Democratic control to the U.S. House of Representatives, and to switch various state legislatures, we will continue this sorry legacy.  We need to get back on track as soon as possible.