Concerned for our Future

Connie Castanera

I am not only concerned for the future of our country, but for our communities in Frederick County, Maryland. In general, I prefer to focus on the good things that are happening in Frederick County, the State of Maryland, and the country. It's my nature to look for the good and accentuate the positives in people and situations.

In spite of my best efforts to suppress and ignore them, the ugly negatives sometime rear their heads. Once they come into focus, they can be pretty burdensome to think about and acknowledge. I have listed below a short list of issues that I believe we can all do something about, but do not or will not. These are some of the issues that concern me the most. I invite you to see if you agree with me or not. I would be interested in hearing from those who do and do not agree. Perhaps you would like to add your own concerns to the list.

Globally
Our brave young people seriously injured and dying in Iraq for a war that many find questionable; police brutality, corruption and racial/ethnic profiling concerns; Chinese manufactured toys contaminated with lead; the looming threat of terrorism; weapons of mass destruction; hunger; homelessness, violence, and the lack of respect for human life.

Nationally
Affecting our young people:
The need for police presence in our schools; our youth driving while under the influence, texting or talking on their cell phones; growing apathetic attitudes of young people in their teens and 20s.
Affecting many of our communities:
Racial tensions; illegal immigration eliciting a growing and festering attitude involving prejudice and discrimination, within a segment of our communities; some of our elected officials failing to keep their campaign promises.

Locally
Growing concerns about traffic delays along 70 and 270 during rush hour; the presence and influence of gangs in our communities, schools, and its effect on the lives of our young people; the many "children left behind" due to failing school systems; the many lives lost on our highways due to irresponsible drivers.

In 2008, let's live our lives as if we were all equally important, because we are.