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Launching and maintaining this blog was an important achievement in 2011. Thanks to a 2011 in blogging report from WordPress, I know that visitors have come from the United States, Canada, Guyana and the Caribbean, Brazil and other countries in South America, Europe, South Africa, Asia, and Australia.

I would like to thank each one of you for stopping by and sharing my vision of our world. A special thanks to those of you who follow my blog and have taken the time to share your own thoughts. In this New Year 2012, may each one of you realize your goals and find the happiness and fulfillment you seek.

As I reflected on the Year 2011 during the past week, I was overwhelmed with thoughts of the challenges We-The-People have faced in the United States and around the world.

I will remember the Year 2011 as the year the economic crisis swept away two of my close friends. In the face of their loss, I was powerless to bring about the changes they needed to restore the lifestyle they once enjoyed. Losing one’s spacious, three-bedroom home and motor vehicle is a terrible blow to one’s self-esteem.

Like my friends, millions of Americans have lost their jobs and their homes. With Sears and Kmart planning to close as many as 120 stores in this New Year 2012, the future is bleak for those workers who will be laid off.

I have lost my trust in the US government’s ability to lead the world towards a brighter future for all.

I have lost my trust in the members of our government to put the well-being of We-The-People before their own personal interests.

I have lost my trust in our financial institutions and giant corporations to put the interests of We-The-People before their profits and billionaire salaries.

I have lost my trust in those who have coveted Earth’s resources for their own enrichment.

I have lost my trust in our species to protect and save our planet from self-destruction.

I have lost my trust in those who say one thing and do another.

In the face of deprivation and uncertainty about tomorrow, many Americans have begun to reevaluate their lives; to question the validity of amassing stuff; to focus more on spending time with family and friends; and to protest against the great divide between the Top One Percent and the rest of our nation.

The Occupy Movement – started in New York in September 2011 and spread across our planet – is the only positive sign I see for getting off the Freeway to Destruction in the Year 2012. I foresee a long struggle of detoxification from our myriad addictions: easy gains, oil, drugs, consumerism, and pornography, to name a few.

I have learned in life that it is through adversity that our strength, generosity, and goodwill towards others become manifest. My hope for the Year 2012 is that justice, truth, and good sense will prevail.