The View From Here . . .
By Bob Morgan, Jr.

Almost every year at this time, I do a column reflecting on the many things to be thankful for.

I haven't looked back at the previous years' pieces but I suspect that in some ways the columns are pretty much the same, pointing to a fairly similar list of happy developments and occurrences. Still, even at the risk of redundancy, I think it is important to remember the good side of life at Thanksgiving because it provides a useful perspective and counterpoint when things don't go as well as we wish.

Most Americans are enjoying a time of significant prosperity. The unemployment rate is at a very low level, at just 4.4%, well below the average level in the prosperous 1990's. Inflation, too, remains in check, so much that the Federal Reserve has discontinued its periodic increases in interest rates. The rate of home ownership has risen sharply in recent years and is at an all time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is at or near record levels, which affects huge numbers of people with 401(k) plan accounts.

Life expectancy now exceeds 75 for men and approaches 81 for women, an all-time high. Moreover, new medical advances have improved the quality of life and many diseases previously requiring inpatient surgery can now be treated with prescription drugs.

Our civil liberties remain remarkably intact, even in wartime. There is a robust political debate, now enhanced by the internet, as well as freedom or religion and assembly. Persons accused of crimes continue to enjoy a panopoly of rights. And our society shows considerable healthy signs, such as low crime and decreasing illegitimacy rates.

While not everyone is thankful for the results of the recent midterm elections, it is a tribute to our democracy that the losers, in this case the Republicans, routinely respect the will of the voters and will cede control of Congress on January 3 to the Democrats. This does not happen in every nation. Moreover, even many Republican stalwarts recognize that the 2006 election had a cleansing effect, as too many GOP incumbents abandoned the core principles that got the party elected in 1994 in favor of cozy relationship with lobbyists and support of pork barrel projects.

Similarly, while not everyone is thankful that George W. Bush is President, thoughtful Democrats recognize that Mr. Bush is doing his best to keep the country safe from the clear and present danger of foreign terror. Despite numerous foiled attempts, our enemies have not been able to stage a followup to the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

Of course, our country remains embroiled in a difficult struggle in Iraq, which has claimed thousands of lives of our brave men and women in uniform (plus many thousands of Iraqi casualties) and has proven considerably more difficult than imagined when Saddam was overthrown in 2003. Still, in addition to being thankful for the brave sacrifices of our soldiers, we can also give thanks that there is an emerging consensus to find a reasonably early exit from Iraq without abandoning our global responsibilities and letting the terrorists take over the Middle East.

On a purely personal level, I am profoundly thankful for my son, Robert, now 12, a mature, articulate lad who has been a wonderful companion over the years. And I am very lucky to have good health, good friends, a good job and a good life.

And, thanks to so many readers and advertisers, our entire family is very grateful that our newspaper business continues to thrive.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.