The political scene in the USA is scalding hot. The country is being bombarded with last-ditch efforts from both presidential candidates to win the upcoming election. Citizens of the USA, do not fall for the diversion. There are some issues that the average citizen can fix that would make their lives much easier. Here are a few issues that a person can fix if they pay attention to their immediate surroundings and not the White House.
The presidential race is heading into its last leg. You will have a new president whether they be a previous one or a female in November. Many citizens are so caught up with what is taking place on a national scene that they are ignoring the local scene. Many citizens are ignoring the situations in their own households. A citizen can vote for president and hope for change. Or, a citizen can look at what impacts their lives on a daily basis and make a change.
How effective would the education system in the USA be if people spent their energy on public education instead of the presidential campaign? Many people are busy worrying about who will reside in The White House, while ignoring the state of their city’s school system. Citizens are often focused on campaign rhetoric when the education that is going into the students of their city may be sub par. How many parents are knowledgeable about what Donald Trump or Kamala Harris are doing or saying, but ignorant of what their child’s teacher is teaching? Many people would embrace the chance to go to a major political convention, but would scoff at going to a school board meeting. I know the president performs an important role in the USA. How important is it to have educated youth that are groomed to be productive citizens?
There are people so engrossed in politics that they are ignorant of the vaping craze that has swallowed up many youth. Vaping has become a pastime for millions of teens in the USA. Many parents do not even realize that their children indulge in the act of vaping. Many vape products have nicotine, which everyone knows is addictive. Nicotine is not the only substance used by vape users. Cannabis is another substance used in vape devices by many teens. According to the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health in 2022 the number of high school seniors who used Cannabis while vaping went from 5 percent to 14 in two years. The energy parents focus on the worrying about the presidential nominee may be wisely used to see what Junior, Suzy and Shamika are doing in their spare time.
The mental health crisis in the USA should be the focus of US citizens. According to Mental Health America, 23 percent of adults, almost 60 million Americans, experienced a mental illness in 2021-2022. What good is having your candidate win the election if you are severely depressed and thinking negative thoughts about yourself? Harris or Trump can’t fix your mental health if it goes south on you. According to Mental Health American 2024 findings 1 in 5 youth had at least one major depressive episode (MDE). In all honesty, following politics may actually be detrimental to a person’s mental health.
The presidential election is important to the future of the USA. A citizen should vote and hope for positive change. Yet, the aforementioned issues discussed are things a citizen can begin to change without executive power. Check on the curriculum that is being taught in your city’s school district. Talk to your children about the effects of vaping. Relax and go swimming to calm yourself and enhance your mental health. Presidents can make national changes. You can make changes for you. Use your power wisely.
Frank James IV © 2024
beingfrankwithfrank@gmail.com.
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or HT Group, LLC, its staff or management. “Being Frank” is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.
