It was clear in 2020 that Americans were at war with ourselves.
In 2021 that became a Cold War, mostly played out in the media and state legislatures. There were some violent outbursts. There always are. But for the most part it was our war.
In 2022 that war became global. Russia invaded Ukraine. China ratcheted up its rhetoric about invading Taiwan. Afghanistan and Iran criminalized every woman in their countries. And the war became hotter here.
With the good people of this country activated, we won some notable victories. We held off the horde in our general election. Ukraine held off Russia. China’s economy rolled over, giving Xi Jinping something else to think about. Iran’s women revolted. Jair Bolsonaro lost his re-election.
But here’s the thing about a Cold War. It abides. The Cold War with the Soviet Union lasted nearly 45 years. If that’s the case here I won’t see the end of this one.
Mankind can’t afford this one to last 45 years. The climate won’t survive it. It’s clear that, because of the Global Cold War, we burned more coal than ever in 2022. Efforts against climate change were limited by other priorities, by global supply chains, by a falling stock market. The Fed introduced a “Great Compression,” reducing the fortunes of even the greatest entrepreneurs and managers, making those who felt rich a year ago feel downright poor. They’re mad about it.
2023 will be the second year of this Global Cold War. As the holidays arrive, there’s good news. Volodymyr Zelensky brought some of it. Putin’s regime is under threat. So are the Muslim powers. Even Xi, despite his mandate, ain’t sitting too pretty, as manufacturing moves into Southeast Asia and chip-making moves to the U.S. Democrats hold the Senate and House Republicans are embarrassed. This may crimp the style of the feudalistic Supreme Court majority, but not much.
It is going to be a tough year. Evil still has enormous power, even within democratic countries, where fairness demands that it be allowed to exist, side-by-side with good. We’re entering a recession if we’re not in one already. Joe Biden will turn 81. Can he possibly make it to 86?
Anyway, have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. See you on the flip side. We’re just hoping to keep working here. We’re holding our breath against a big economic plunge, and the climate plunge to come.
There are days when it’s good to be turning 68, knowing that my own time is limited, and the world that what’s left will be someone else’s to worry about.
But I’m still not happy about it.
