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Great Expectations

3/28/2025 4:09:54 PM

Spring has Sprung 

Though AI is changing the job market, the need for creative artists and writers will remain constant.

Great Expectations

According to a survey of 1,568 young adults conducted by American University in Washington, D.C.,  their vision of the American Dream differs from dreams held by older generations. Their priorities start with happiness and fulfillment at 87% and freedom to make life decisions at 87%. Meaningful personal relationships follow at 82%, with financial success at 81% next. Both high school dropouts and college-bound youth share the belief that they will have a happy, successful life. That is, until asked to consider political and environmental factors when their confidence diminishes. The study made me question the likelihood of their dreams being realized.

Understanding Finland’s Model of Well-Being and Its Lessons for America 

Finland consistently ranks among the happiest countries in the world, a distinction attributed to several key factors: high levels of trust in government, robust social support systems, personal freedoms, a strong sense of community, and a comprehensive focus on overall well-being. The Finnish social safety net allows citizens to embrace the joys of nature and family life without the constant stress of meeting basic needs. Public funding plays a crucial role in supporting essential services such as education, healthcare, childcare, and assistance for the elderly. As Professor Arto Salonen eloquently states, “When you know what is enough, you are happy.”

In stark contrast, American society often prioritizes individualism, which can lead to a lack of awareness regarding the collective welfare. True happiness, as evidenced by Finland’s success, is rooted in the well-being of the community. Those who are fortunate recognize their responsibility to care for those who are less fortunate.

If we aspire to make America great again, we must first address several human factors that create barriers to health, wealth, and security: intelligence, health, education, wealth, and age.

• Intelligence Distribution: The breakdown of intelligence categories reveals significant disparities:
  • Genius (130–145 IQ): 6.6 million
  • Gifted (115–130 IQ): 46.6 million
  • Above average (100–115 IQ): 113 million
  • Below average (80–100 IQ): 113 million
  • More below average (70–85 IQ): 46.6 million
  • Most below average (55–70 IQ): 6.6 million Society must extend its support to the 53.2 million individuals in the lower two categories, many of whom struggle to earn a living wage.

• Health and Wellness: According to the CDC, approximately 70 million adults in the U.S. live with a disability. It is imperative that society provides care and support for these individuals, ensuring they have access to the resources needed to thrive.
• Age: As of 2023, about 17.3% of the population—approximately 50.15 million individuals—are retired and reliant on Social Security. Alarmingly, a quarter of these retirees lack supplemental savings, leading many into homelessness. Additionally, 21% of the population, or 72.8 million people, are under the age of eighteen. Society bears the responsibility for the well-being of both retirees and children.
• Education: Each year, over 1.2 million students drop out of high school, and an estimated 39 to 40 million adults lack a high school diploma. This growing trend leaves many youth unprepared for the workforce. It is vital to provide training and job opportunities that engage these individuals and prepare them for success.
• Employment: Currently, more than 28% of Americans are seeking employment. While artificial intelligence presents new opportunities for skilled workers, it poses significant challenges for those in manual labor and low-skill jobs. Many fields, such as finance, media, and customer service, are particularly vulnerable to automation. Conversely, there will be a growing demand for roles in cybersecurity, healthcare, and skilled trades. Society must ensure that ample job opportunities exist at every skill level and commit to retraining programs to help workers adapt to technological advancements. The 
• U.S. population stands at approximately 346 million. With around 250 million people classified as young, old, or disabled, only about 95 million individuals are actively supporting the rest. This stark statistic highlights the urgent need for a collective effort to support vulnerable populations, particularly those unable to secure a living wage.

As we consider who should bear the responsibility for the well-being of the elderly, young, disabled, and unemployed, the answer likely lies in a combination of government action, community support, and individual responsibility. In Finland, a culture of shared responsibility prevails, where citizens contribute to a collective safety net that prevents homelessness and supports those in need. Wealth distribution is more equitable, minimizing the extremes seen in the U.S., where fortunes are often amassed for personal luxury rather than community benefit.

Finland’s democratic engagement stands as a testament to its citizens’ commitment to social welfare, evidenced by an 80% voter turnout in the 2024 elections compared to just 63.7% in the U.S. Entrepreneurs and businesses in Finland contribute fairly to the economy, fostering a low-crime environment and a generally content populace.

To emulate Finland’s success and meet the expectations of young adults, the U.S. must prioritize community welfare and equitable wealth distribution. We need to collectively determine how to care for our most vulnerable citizens and retrain those displaced by technological changes. Only through a communal approach can we create a society where happiness and well-being are accessible to all.

Do share your thoughts below.

Resources

Website ( 2025) Reimagining The American Dream: Views from Young Americans. Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University. Retrieved from https://www.american.edu/sine-institute/

Website ( 2025) Dropout rates. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=16

2024 World Happiness Report. Retrieved from https://happiness-report.s3.amazonaws.com/2024/WHR+24.pdf

Colston, P. (2023) The Finnish Secret to Happiness? Knowing When You Have Enough. New York Times

Website (2024) CDC Data Shows Over 70 Million U.S. Adults Reported Having a Disability. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0716-Adult-disability.html#:~:text=The latest data, as having a disability in 2022.

Website. Dropout Rates. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/coj/status-dropout-rates

Website. Voting Turnout 2025. Statistics Finland. Retrieved from https://stat.fi/en/publication/cln47x0wh2keq0avtslszg9x0website.

Election results, 2024: Analysis of Voter Turnout in the 2024 election. Ballotpedia. Retrieved from https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2024:_Analysis_of_voter_turnout_in_the_2024_general_election

Stelmah, A. 2025. How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming The Job Market: A Guide To Adaptation And Career Transformation. Forbes.https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2025/01/10/how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-the-job-market-a-guide-to-adaptation-and-career-transformation/

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Art is available for sale. Spring Has Sprung is a 40” x 30” acrylic painting on canvas. It is available for $ 585 (includes shipping in continental U.S.) Purchase online at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/2033414#/ or contact me at [email protected]

Love the Uneducated?

3/22/2025 3:13:32 PM

MAO

In 1949, Mao Tse-tung proclaimed the People’s Republic of China. He launched his Great Leap Forward campaign that destroyed the agricultural system, causing a famine in which 27 million people starved to death. In 1966, he manufactured a cultural revolution that ordered the closure of schools and sent young intellectuals to the countryside to be re-educated through manual labor. The revolution destroyed much of China’s traditional cultural heritage including books and musical instruments, as well as created economic and social chaos. During this era, Mao’s cult of personality grew to immense proportions.

Love the Uneducated?

During his 2020 victory speech in Nevada, then-president-elect Donald Trump was quoted as saying, “Don’t you just love the poorly educated?” The quote went viral, appearing on t-shirts and bumper stickers. This statement highlights a concerning reality about the relationship between education levels and political manipulation. An NBC opinion poll sheds light on the subject:

• 41% of white men without a college degree supported Trump.
• 1% of white men with a college degree favored him.
• 14% of white women without a degree favored him.
• 28% of white women with a degree opposed him.
• Similar statistics hold for figures like J.D. Vance and Elon Musk.                                                                                                                            
• 

The reason Trump and others court the uneducated is that they are more susceptible to manipulation and often lack the resources to challenge misinformation. Many of them did not complete high school. As of 2024, 79% of the U.S. population is literate, with 43 million adults considered functionally illiterate. The skill level of 54% of the population is below a 6th-grade level; 20% are below a 5th-grade level. Massachusetts has the highest rate of child literacy, while New Mexico has the lowest. New Hampshire has the highest percentage of literate adults, and California the lowest. The U.S. ranks 36th among nations in literacy—a troubling statistic for a global superpower.

Project 2025 has targeted the Department of Education for elimination, along with cuts to research funding and programs promoting scientific and critical thinking. Historically, dismantling educational institutions and intellectual hubs is a common tactic of authoritarian regimes to consolidate power.

The Department of Education accounts for approximately 4% of the federal budget. Its elimination would negatively impact millions of students, colleges, and universities. Though efforts have been made to weaken the department, it has not yet been entirely dismantled. Federal education funding supports Pell Grants, work-study programs, and student loans. Roughly 28% of its budget is allocated to states, while the remainder supports programs for disadvantaged children from low-income families, students with disabilities, after-school improvement programs, and classroom technology. Contrary to some beliefs, this funding would not simply be transferred to states to use as they see fit. Instead, underfunded schools would suffer even more significant setbacks.

The Republican push to shift education to church-run schools and private equity firms would further exacerbate economic disparities. It would reduce diversity in K-12 classrooms and college dorms while increasing the cost of education, as private entities prioritize profit over equitable access to learning.

 Totalitarian governments have historically promoted anti-intellectualism to suppress political dissent. This allows authoritarian leaders to manipulate patriotic fervor, foster intolerance, and spread misinformation unchecked. In communist dictatorships such as Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union and Mao Zedong’s China, intellectualism was seen as a threat to agrarian communism. Hitler’s Third Reich took anti-intellectualism to a sinister level, banning books, controlling artistic expression, and persecuting intellectual dissenters. General Francisco Franco's White Terror from 1936-1939 led to the execution of 200,000 critical and creative thinkers. The Cambodian genocide (1975-1979) under Pol Pot nearly eradicated the country's educated population. Under Trump’s presidency, terms like "fake news" and "alternative facts" became central tools for eroding trust in education and expertise.

Does anyone besides a politician genuinely value the uneducated? While many people without formal education are kind, hardworking, and loving, they are also more vulnerable to misinformation, fear-mongering, and manipulation. Limited access to education often leads to economic hardship, low-paying jobs, and fewer opportunities for upward mobility.

I serve as an "education grandma" to a family whose adults left school after the eighth grade. Their days are spent in low-paying jobs to provide food, clothing, and shelter for the family. Though they love their children, they don't read to them, assist with homework, review report cards, engage with teachers, or discuss personal or current events. The children have little exposure to cultural or community events and rarely spend time in nature. Because their vocabulary is limited, so is their children's. And while love is essential, it alone cannot prepare a child for economic independence and success in America.

I admire this family's courage in fleeing a repressive regime and their work ethic, yet I also struggle with frustration at their reliance on magical thinking. Their situation fills me with sadness, anger, and determination. My goal is to help the children access the opportunities that will lead to fulfilling lives.

Any government that does not make education a top priority is failing its people. Eliminating the Department of Education would only deepen these struggles, leaving millions more vulnerable to systemic disadvantage. Education is not just a pathway to success—it is a safeguard against exploitation.

References:

The Nevada victory speech video at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10154493986991509 

  Schueler, B., Lyon, M., Beiberg, J. (2023) Do state takeovers of school districts work? Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/do-state-takeovers-of-school-districts-work/

  Website of National Literacy Institute Literacy Statistics 2024-2025. ( Where awe are now) Retrieved from https://www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com/post/literacy-statistics-2024-2025-where-we-are-now

  Wise, ALana ( 2020) Trump announces Patriotic Education Commission A largely Political Move, NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2020/09/17/914127266/trump-announces-patriotic-education-commission-a-largely-political-moveSteves, R.\

  Steves, R. ( 2019)  The story of Fascism: Hitler’s Anti-Intellectualism. Retrieved from  YouTube 

  Butler, D, Thadani., and others. (2025) Elon Musk’s business empire is built on $38 billion in government funding. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2025/elon-musk-business-government-contracts-funding/

I look forward to your comments on below.

  Art is always for sale. Mao in a 16" x20" mixed media painting on canvas. Available for $595, including shipping. Order on my website ot contact me at [email protected] 

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Entitled Youth? Another Way

3/14/2025 6:45:48 PM

The photo is of me drumming during the installation of one of Ray Losey’s Totem Poles.  The beat was slow and steady, reverberating throughout the neighborhood. 

Entitled Youth? Another Way

I often hear elders say that parents are raising entitled children. They speak of the “me” generation with youth who don’t feel obligated to family, friends, or community. In The Water Factor, I write of a North West Coast Native ceremony that inspires gratitude, generosity, and a sense of community. Though it is an excerpt from my novel, and the setting and names are fictitious, it is a fair representation of how some families integrate children into their tribes. I believe we can learn something from how their children are taught. 

NINTH BIRTHDAY

  "James was given a tribal name on his ninth birthday. The ceremony became burned in his soul, though its significance changed over the years.

  “Why do I need a new name?” he asked his mother. “I already have one.”

  “To know your destiny and be connected with your ancestors,” she replied. James had no idea what she meant but was excited when the day came. He hardly touched his oatmeal. He watched his family put towels, bowls, pots, and Hot Wheel cars on green tarps covering the floor of the adjoining room. Sixty white paper bags with food gifts for

their guests were in a row behind the tarps.

  “Grab your coat; it’s time to go,” his mother said.

  When she called, James was in the middle of the tarp, inspecting toys. He crawled to the other side, shouting, “I don’t want to. You go without me. I promise not to break anything.”

  “The gifts are for you to give away.” Without hesitation, his mother picked him up and helped him with his coat.

  The longhouse served as a ceremonial gathering place for special events. The cedar logs framed the walls, making the room warm and inviting. The chairs were arranged in a semicircle facing a podium. A man in his thirties sat off to the side behind a large drum.

  After their guests had settled, Tahoma-Kiche nodded to the drumbeater, who struck the drum nine times, one beat for each year of James’s life. By the time the shaman joined in, it was quiet. To the cadence of the drum, he uttered chants to purify the proceedings and drive away unclean thoughts. He was followed by elders praying in Sahaprin, their people’s language. Mary Townsend, a teacher at the high school, translated them into English.

  The three-hour ceremony was challenging to endure without wiggling. James sat on a high stool up front, draped over his shoulders with an azure blue, hand-made ceremonial blanket. He wondered when his grandfather, Chief Tahoma-Kiche White Bird, would give him his name.

  After fidgeting for over an hour, he sat straighter when his grandfather finally said, “Your name shall be the Hokama—the guide. You are a son of the Chekesuwand, a people who will look to you as you grow older. A good name is better to have than anything else in the world. It will let you get into heaven to reunite with your family. When that

happens, Hokama is the name the Creator will ask for.”

  James was then escorted around the circle as his Indian name was announced to

the twelve levels of creation and the Creator. From that day on, he was called Hokama when visiting his grandparents.

  They returned to his grandparents’ house, where James greeted their guests flanked by his parents. They introduced themselves using their traditional names before giving him their presents.

  “Thank you,” he said, accepting the offering. He then scampered to an open spot on the tarp, making sure not to drop it as he set the gift down. Some families gave cash that he turned over to his father, but most carried household items like microwaves, fancy dishes, glasses, beads, fishing rods, and blankets. A few adults brought gifts for the children. Legos, science kits, building blocks, slingshots, and dolls filled half a tarp beside him. His eyes grew wider as the pile continued to grow. It wasn’t long before they ran out of space. The special homemade items included a child-size ribbon shirt, moccasins, and chaps for ceremonial dances.

  “It’s time to thank the women who helped organize your birthday celebration, Hokama,” Nani said. She placed a large wa’paas—a traditional cylindrical basket—and a kopek—a long root-digging tool—in his hands to give to the first of four elders. 

  After they had thanked him, he gave gifts to the five women who cooked for the feast.

  “I, too, thank these lmamatúma for their help,” Nani said to those gathered. “Please honor them by eating the fine food they prepared.”

  After the meal, Hokama walked gingerly to the middle of the gift pile, careful not to damage anything.

  “It’s time to show what a generous boy you are by giving everything away,” his mother whispered. Her eyes twinkled as she spoke to him.

  “Everything? Can’t I keep a few?”

  “It all has to go—the toys, fishing poles, even the tarps. When you’re older, you’ll understand that you get more back than you give away.”

  James had a hard time watching children rush in to grab the money his father scattered. Some of it was fun, however. He laughed at seeing his best friend Freddie’s disappointment as he gave him the ribbon shirt and thanked him for coming. For years, Hokama remembered being upset at giving away the drone he coveted. 

  The one gift he was allowed to keep was a quarter horse, given to him by his grandparents. It stayed in their barn for him to ride whenever he visited.

  His mother tucked him into bed after the guests were gone. “This day is a new time in your life,” she said. “You have a long road to travel before you are a man, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. Many people will help you walk the right road. The people who came to the house today are friends you can depend on.”

From The Water Factor: A Rightfully Mine Novel,

Copyright © 2024 by Marilynne Eichinger 

All Rights Reserved.

 Access to clean water cuts to the core of democracy. Access to clean water cuts to the core of democracy. It is being weaponized, pilfered, polluted, traded, and sold at astronomical prices. We need to return water to being a human right and not a commodity. 

  The Water Factor is a Firebird International Award winner for best dystopian novel and a Literary Titan recipient for best thriller. Though fun to read, it carries a severe message about water scarcity. It is available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. It can be purchased on AMAZON, Barnes and Noble, and as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. Ask your bookstore to order a copy from Ingram. Please leave a review on Amazon after reading. 

All my friends are in therapy!

3/7/2025 5:54:58 PM

     HOPE EXPLODING

All my friends are in therapy!

Political grief has driven many of my depressed friends to seek the help of a therapist—the fortunate ones who can find one, that is. Particularly striking is the number of men who once considered therapy unmanly but have now overcome their aversion. A close friend of my son went so far as to take his life while his wife was at home. 

With the public mood marked by negativity, anxiety, and discontent, many feel the country is headed in the wrong direction. Therapists have never been busier and are increasingly closing their doors to new patients. Some are experiencing troubled dreams as they listen to one person after another express their fears, complaints, and confusion about the future.

Sarah Darghouth, a clinical psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, described her struggle to control her breathing the morning after the election. She allowed herself nine minutes to cry before composing herself for her first therapy session of the day. Aware that the best way to support distressed patients is to remain calm, she wondered how she would manage. Dealing with angst, grief, and existential threats is no easy task.

Vulnerable groups, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, undocumented migrants, racial minorities, individuals who lost jobs due to government downsizing, business owners facing declining sales, and victims of hate speech, enter therapy sessions asking, often between sobs, "What do I do now?"

If you are politically depressed, consider the following.

1. Basic Needs Come First: Safety, security, housing, and food form the foundation of Maslow's hierarchy of psychological needs. These must be met before you can focus on self-esteem and self-actualization. Prioritizing self-care is essential.
2. Addressing Work and Relationships: Resolving issues related to employment and personal relationships can help restore a sense of normalcy.
3. Media Consumption and PTSD: Experiencing political defeat or witnessing distressing news coverage of abused migrants, war casualties, and environmental disasters can trigger PTSD. It is crucial to be mindful of media consumption. Grieving and mourning are natural, but staying in the present and avoiding worst-case scenarios is key.
4. Managing Political Loss: Every election has winners and losers. Victors should be cautious not to humiliate those who lost, while the losing side benefits from self-reflection rather than placing blame. Learning to manage stress is both necessary and possible. Approaching political differences with an open mind and seeking common ground can be constructive.
5. Understanding and Overcoming Social Pathologies: Issues such as xenophobia, sexism, gender discrimination, racism, anti-Asian hate, anti-Semitism, cult-like thinking, and climate denial can contribute to widespread distress. Recognizing these problems is the first step toward developing innovative solutions. Engaging with others to spread truth, transforming hateful perspectives into pathways to peace, and participating in movements that aim to create a better future for all Americans can foster hope and happiness.
6. The Power of Community: Political action requires collective effort; it cannot be done in isolation. Secluding oneself at home can lead to a downward spiral, clouding judgment and impairing mental clarity. Acknowledging that one's feelings are shared by many can provide reassurance. Problems affecting mental health are best addressed through community-driven solutions.
7. Avoiding Burnout: It is essential to balance activism with self-care. Good food, enjoyable activities, and regular exercise should complement serious endeavors. Spending time with friends, immersing oneself in nature, and maintaining family connections can improve well-being. Focusing on what is within one's control, engaging in laughter, and seeking relaxation within a supportive community can provide the energy needed to tackle complex challenges.

References:

Website. (2025) What the 2024 election looks like from the therapist’s room. STAT.rreports from the frontiers of health and medicine. retrieved from https://www.statnews.com/2024/11/08/therapy-2024-election-trump-anxiety-mental-health/

Muffin, S. (2024) How can Psychiatrists Help Our Post-Election Mental Health? Psychiatric Times. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/how-can-psychiatrists-help-our-post-election-mental-health

Hall, R. (2025) Stressed about Trump’s return? You’re not alone. Therapists are inundated with people worried about Trump 2.0. Independent U.S. Edition. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-presidency-2-therapists-inauguration-b2682699.html

Mental Health Crisis in U.S> Population. NeuroStim TMS Centers. Retrieved from https://neurostimtms.com/mental-health-crisis-politics-2025-inauguration/

  How are you surviving these tumultuous times? Share your thoughts on my blog site.

Hope Exploding is a 30" by 22" acrylic painting on deep canvas. Purchase for $595 online.  Questions? Contact me at [email protected]

             HOPE TO SEE YOU

Why Water?

3/1/2025 1:35:18 PM

WHY WATER?

The Water Factor: A Rightfully Mine Novel is a thriller with all it takes to motivate young adults to protect their right to clean air and water, which will be lost if they do nothing. James Hokama Byrne is an eighteen-year-old who rejects his parents' desire for him to attend college. His interests are travel, adventure, and women. He supports himself by delivering water to rural communities in Oregon and Ethiopia. His encounters open his eyes; the world isn't as rosy as he thought. The novel explores the conflict over the values of uninformed youth, people trapped by the way industry operates, and the corporate executives whose concern is increasing profits.

People ask why I chose water as the subject of the book. The answer is straightforward. Plants and animals need water to survive. UNICEF reports that four billion people, almost two-thirds of the world’s population, experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year.

 When corporate interests make access too expensive, our communities must regain ownership and operation of their water systems.  Numerous studies conclude that private companies are not better managers than Public Utility Companies. The need to pay dividends to shareholders increases homeowner rates by 30%. Those with few resources can’t pay such high bills. Programs devised to assist them are underwritten by you and me, not the owners. 

Before the Industrial Revolution, clean water and air were taken for granted. That changed when we built cities dependent on fossil fuels. Attempts to regulate industrial pollution and ensure that clean, affordable water is available for all receive continuous pushback from industry. Global warming intensified the crisis over water, especially in arid regions of the world. The increase in migration is partly due to a lack of water for farming and in part to wars over water rights. UNICEF says that some 700 million people will likely be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030.   Matters worsened when water was declared a commodity rather than a right in the 1980s. It is heavily traded on Wall Street, adding to the world’s poverty.

Our lives will worsen if we don’t put skids on energy companies like Northwest Natural, which buy water rights in a five-state region. We need to control local governments from subcontracting services where there is marginal transparency. The companies have clever ways to increase expenses and hide profits. It takes a skilled auditor to uncover what is going on.

Do purchase and enjoy The Water Factor. It is a fast-moving novel that will make you think. If you are in Portland, you can learn more by attending my book talk at Annie Bloom’s on March 13th. I will read from the novel and explain the research that led to the situations the characters find themselves in.

I enjoy participating in book club discussions connected through Zoom. The first 25 clubs to contact me will be cost-free.  If this interests you, let’s discuss this at a convenient time: [email protected].