The end of a most interesting year...

 

"To some, 2026 will be a blur. To others, it will be like a delightful feast, to be enjoyed over and over again. But like it or love it, 2026 is only hours away. The real good news about 2025? We made it to the end without blowing each other up. We now have the chance in 2026 to take a 'do better' and really make this world a better place."     

Wow! It has been a heck of a year for sure! Starting out with Donald J. Trump surviving assassination attempts to become POTUS 47 (after being POTUS 45). In true Trump fashion, he hit the ground running and has not stopped yet. As good as many things have been foisted upon us, there is still some bug-a-boos. Like what? Like, the following things going into 2026.

Affordability - Many have forgotten the old economic axiom about prices - "They go up like a rocket and come down like a feather." After the 20% runup in prices under Biden, and promises of a better economy under Trump, the natives are restless. They want relief NOW. But the "now" thing will have to wait until 2026. Sure, inflation is down, GDP is up and the stock market is at record highs. Because many Americans are still not "feeling it", we will have to wait until 2026, when the BBB really kicks in, to get that "tingle up our legs".

Ukraine - As hard as Trump has tried, this war is still a mess. Putin continues to play Ukraine and NATO like a fiddle in peace negotiations. Putin wants peace as much as most dogs like seeing the vet. Meanwhile, almost on a nightly schedule, Putin sends more drones and missiles into Kyiv to kill innocent civilians. As we sail into 2026, we are coming up on four years of blood and guts and misery to solve NOTHING. Putin should still be tried as a war criminal. Too bad the UN and Hauge are filled with wussies instead of real men.

Gaza - A humanitarian mess. Phase I of the cease fire is over (sort of), and the problems with Phase II are legion in number. If I were a betting man, I would say the carnage in Gaza will continue on for some time. Hamas will never disarm, choosing instead to die with their boots on and guns a blazing. That means the coalition of the willing will unleash the dogs of war (again) and reducing the remaining Hamas fighters to dust. The problem is, many innocent Gazans will go with the guilty. Ever since that October 7th day in Israel, this has been an ugly blot on human history.

Iran - What an interesting country! Here they are, suffering through a drought of Biblical proportions, and Iran wants war with Israel, the US and NATO. Huh? Why? Good question. It seems they still want a nuke and rockets which can deliver nuclear fire. As punishing as the B-2 bomber raid was in 2025, we might need to do a replay in 2026. Trump is done messing with these guys. FAFO will be in play for sure.

There is so much more, but I will stop here. As I have mentioned many times this year, 2025 is only the prep year for the big show, starting in 2026. The next four years will see more changes (in technology) than we have seen in the past century - or longer. The Olympics will happen, we will celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation and much, much more. 

To some, 2026 will be a blur. To others, it will be like a delightful feast, to be enjoyed over and over again. But like it or loath it, 2026 is only hours away. The real good news about 2025? We made it to the end without blowing each other up. We now have the chance in 2026 to take a "do better" and really make this world a better place.