Candidates for political office need to tell us how
bad things are so their plans for fixing the nation’s problems sound brilliant. But as this conceit plays out, we might conclude conditions in
the country couldn’t be more dire. You
know that’s not true, as do I. Worse are
the politicians who would ask us to return to the 50’s/60’s/70’s when turmoil
described our world, civil rights strife and the Viet Nam War, to name two
potboilers.
The world is a better place today than it was a
fifty years ago. Heck, even the ozone
hole has diminished in size. Here are
some other factoids (I have all the sources for these stats…if you want them,
let me know!) :
After rising by 126% between 1960
and 1970 the 2010 violent crime rate is the lowest since the 70's at about 1/3
of 1973's. The violent crime rate under Reagan was 65% higher than today.
The overall crime rate is half of what it was in 1990. Since 1960, the
average number of police deaths per year fell by 25% when compared to the
last eight years. Poverty in America has fallen by 22% in the last 60 years. Average life expectancy has
increased by 11 years (16%) since WWII. Today's child mortality rate is
about one-third of 1960's. Inflation adjusted income per person has increased
by 122% since 1960. US manufacturers produce more than twice as much as they
did in 1980, but the kinds of manufacturing jobs have changed. The average
inflation adjusted price for gas today is just $0.11/gal more than 1981. The
Dow Jones Industrial Average has increased by 249% since 1960.
For me, as a writer, my good news-two books coming out this year. Even better, my
books emerge among a wealth of wonderful writers who have learned the ins and outs of small press/indie publishing to get their treasures out to readers. The big six have lost their monopoly on what readers get to enjoy.
We're in the HEA business, after all...what good news can you bring to the 2016 table?
Six
Suspense Novels Spiked with Romance
16 comments:
My good news? Autumn and Pumpkin Spice coffee are on the way (smile!). Thanks for the post!
Thanks, Rolynn! I think the "instant-ness" of news combined with the constant repetition of "breaking" news help to feed that perception. My good news? A long weekend coming up, including helping my future daughter-in-law shop for a wedding gown! (That's a blessing for the mom of two men!) :-)
I agree that the world isn't on the verge of collapse...except for the environment. Improvements in women's rights and human rights do give us hope, but more still needs to be done on those fronts. As for good news, I have GREAT news. Really exciting news! But you're going to have to tune in for tomorrow's post here to find out what I'm talking about. That's my teaser for the day. LOL
Employment here in West Michigan is up so much, employers are begging people to apply. The housing market is going up and builders are extremely busy. Our new house (compared to similar houses being built in our neighborhood) has gone up 128% in 3 years. People are more aware of environmental issues, according to what I see in the recycle boxes at the curb. Sensitivity is up and (some) kids are standing up to bullying. Thanks for the reminder, Rolynn, that doom & gloom isn't as wide-spread as the media & politicians claim.
Angela, I can smell the pumpkin spice as you speak. Thanks for the preview!
How cool, Leah...that your DIL wants your help picking out this important dress! You are very lucky!
Well you teaser, Jannine! I can't wait for tomorrow's post to see what you've got up your sleeve! As for the environment, I was happy about the ozone hole getting smaller...as if I could see that to prove it.
Diane, good news about Michigan! I'm seeing new houses going up around here, too. Always did love the smell of studs...in the new walls of a house going up :-)
Oh, gosh, there's plenty of bad news in the world, but when in time hasn't that been the case? I've been so busy with a sort-of-move, and a trip to CO which included some family drama along with all the joy, and now back to complete the sort-of-move, that I haven't been reading this blog, much less the standard news. But the title made me take the time. Thanks for the reminders of what's right with this world. Good news here is we get our new RV in 4 days, I have a fun festival to vend my books at in 3 days, my son is looking at a great new opportunity, and my grand-niece's medical problems are a bit better.
Excellent post, Rolynn. There is so much good happening in our world. News stations force us to focus on the bad. And we know why. Bad news sells, just like sex. My good news. I'm just finishing up my first Indie project: A Christmas novella.
thanks for the cheer, Rolynn-I just had a phone interview about the election: first question, what are the important issues? I can't print what my answer was but it wasn't about the issues, I can tell you that. My good news? Today my story in The Good, The Bad, and The Ghostly is out--Long a Ghost, and Far Away. Yay me!
The political climate these days is beyond absurd. I can't believe anyone accepts all the hyperbole being spouted. We still face serious challenges, but this sort of rhetoric defies thinking people to take them seriously. In the meantime, I try to go cheerily about my way, trying to spread a little light. My good news is that yesterday I finished the major edits on my new book. I'll do one more read-through in a few days then it will be ready to go. Yippee!
Brenda, your good news is fabulous! Will you show us pics of your new RV? Please. So glad your grand niece is mending and your son sees joy on the horizon!
Vonnie, Christmas NEEDS your novella. Can't wait to read it!
Yippee, Andi! Sounds like some good ghostly fun!
Alison, you are so right. I've been watching the PBS series on the presidents from the past. I forgot how nutzoid the world was 'back in the day.' And I though you-know-who was Krackatoa! I do try to keep perspective, but my blood boils just like yours. I'm so happy to hear your new book is on the cusp!
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