CARLTON FLETCHER: Worrying over the state of our Union

My angels, my devils, a thorn in my pride.

— The Black Crowes

I had a buddy whose opinion I trust and respect write in an email: “You are probably aware of Puerto Rico’s default today. I think that is the first in a string of dominoes.”

Then he wrote something that’s been gnawing away at me since: “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the state of our Union lately, and I’m not impressed.”

Unfortunately, that sentiment is predominant … in our country, in our state and locally. Even the people who are paid to be all upbeat and chipper qualify most of their statements now: “Things are looking better, but …,” “We could turn that corner if …”

What we’re going through right now reminds me of the old cartoon we saw as kids — I don’t remember which, but it’s the one where good and evil angels sought to impart their will on the people they observed from on high and then sat back to watch what happened.

I think those same beings are watching over us now.

Our nation is headed toward a state of flux that has everyone concerned. With President Obama’s eight-year run only the slightest improvement over George Bush’s disastrous two terms in the White House, and our devastated economy back on track only for the very wealthy, Americans are looking for a savior to arise from the elections process.

And good luck with that.

We have perhaps the worst bunch of buffoons seeking the presidency in the history of the office … except maybe going back to the Hoover days. Minus those who’ve gone all-in with the Trump, Bernie or Hillary propaganda, most Americans — Republicans, Democrats and independents — are scared of all the contenders, wondering if there’s some “None of the Above” or “Do Over” switch that we can pull.

Georgia officials boast of our state’s recognition as one of the best states in the country with which to do business, but except for a few pockets of wealth scattered here and there — a new car plant in west Georgia, the port dredging on the Atlantic Coast — the overwhelming majority of our state’s economic good fortune is centered around our capital city.

And, as my friend alluded to, the domino principle goes into effect there: Businesses locate in and around Atlanta, creating jobs. People move to the area hoping to land those jobs. With the population base moving north, representation in the state government becomes more and more concentrated in that area. And the majority of the laws that pass are passed to meet the needs of that growing population in the center of power.

Leaving other parts of the state to pretty much fend for themselves.

Two Georgias? Give me a break. It’s Atlanta … and the rest of y’all are on your own. Best of luck.

Locally, there’s a kind of nervous energy settling in as we sit on some kind of wait-and-see precipice. We’ve been assured by our leaders that the right pieces of the economic puzzle are in place to end our designation as one of the 10 poorest congressional districts in the country. With each new week, we’re told that we’re one step closer … our schools are improving, some of our businesses are making moves that will provide more jobs, the merger of our two colleges is going to be an economic kickstarter.

And while even the most impatient of us understands that these kinds of things take time, our willingness to wait is tried as the promised positive change comes only in spurts. And, as Steve Miller told us all those years ago, “Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future.”

The state of our Union? I guess the optimist in me sees the possibilities and clings to hope. That other side, the side ruled over by the lesser of the angels watching over us, is what keeps me awake at nights, wondering what we’re leaving behind for our kids and grandkids.

Email Carlton Fletcher at [email protected]. Follow @ABH_Fletcher on Twitter.