When Bob Dylan sang, “The Times They Are A-changin’,” he had no way of knowing how true those words would still be some six decades later.

Since that song was released in 1964, we have lived through societal, technological, and geopolitical changes that would have seemed like science fiction back then. Much of it has been for the better . . . but not all.

The world today is facing numerous new dangers of a sort undreamt of in 1964: climate change, drone warfare, artificial intelligence, Donald Trump . . .

And I have come to think that the one kind of change we truly need is a change in direction, back to the days when our government, while not perfect, still worked for us, and not against us; when our elected officials — or the majority of them, at any rate — still tried to uphold their oath to the Constitution; and when corruption was rooted out and punished, not ignored or even rewarded.

In today’s increasingly authoritarian world, it often seems impossible to imagine a turn-around of such magnitude. Yet famed anthropologist and author Margaret Mead never lost hope in the possibility, saying:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

As we approach the U.S. midterm elections in just 27 days, her words seem particularly relevant. We Americans of voting age are no “small group” — we are legion. The question is: Are we thoughtful enough and committed enough to make the changes we need?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/7/26