What went right in 2014

We can all think of global and American problems, but it is time to review what went right.

Ebola:  This disease broke out in the poorest and least medically advanced part of the world, and, thanks both to international aid and heroic efforts by locals, the disease had been largely contained.  In the U.S., in spite of panic-mongering and Fox News, we had only one death.

The Affordable Care Act:  It’s working.  Millions of people are now covered by insurance, including stupid people like the woman in Kentucky who is having her teeth fixed because of the law, but says, “There are a lot of things about Obamacare that scare me.”  Probably one of them is that the policy can’t cure stupid.

Gas prices:  When gas prices were high, people blamed the President.  Now that they are low, let’s give him some credit.

The economy:  It’s doing really well.  See gas prices above.

The climate march:  Over 400,000 people marched in New York in September to draw attention to climate change.  Combine that with the U.S./China agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions, and it feels like we are finally making some headway.

Tom Wolf’s election:  In an election that saw Republican yahoos winning across the U.S., the Wolf election was a bright spot.  Goodbye Corbett.  

Obama finds his sea legs:  After six years of frustrating his followers, the President has moved on both immigration reform and Cuban policy.  I think we will see more of the new Obama in the next two years.

The minimum wage:  When a state like Arkansas passes an initiative raising the minimum wage, you know that we’ll be seeing more action on this policy.

Gay marriage:  If you want an example of how quickly public opinion can change on an issue, look at gay marriage.  Ten years ago it was difficult to get support for civil unions, and now gay marriage is accepted by just about everyone.