Letter: Real change remains a dream

As we wrap up a day set aside to honor our veterans and begin observing another presidential transition, I find myself listening to the same old rhetoric from politicians about their support of the men and women in our armed forces and their lust to tear down or protect the work of the last eight years.

Given that President-elect Trump ran on the theme of change coined by a chant of “drain the swamp,” here are a few ideas where he could stay true to his word and attack the demagoguery that permeates the air:

1. In the rush to make our military great again, before members of Congress spend another dollar on a shiny new weapons contract directed to a contractor that happens to be in his or her district, let every new dollar go toward raising every last military family above the poverty level.

2. As Congress begins “repeal” of the Affordable Care Act, let’s make sure that all legislators and staff have to buy their health insurance from the same plans, at the same prices, in the areas they represent, and under the same conditions that we all are subject to.

3. In the quest to boost the economy by offering tax cuts for repatriation of profits held offshore, make sure the money brought back is used for investing in business growth or employee expansion and salaries, and not executive enrichment or stock inflation.

I’m in a pessimistic mindset, so I am not hopeful we will see real change. But one can dream.

This story was originally published November 14, 2016 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Letter: Real change remains a dream."