Thursday, October 1, 2026
Americans may be deeply divided about President Donald Trump, the state of our nation, and the war in Iran, but we probably all agree on one thing: At the national level, our civic life is grim. No matter where you are on the political spectrum, reading or watching the news is a downer.
So let’s lift our sights, and focus on the horizon: in November, 2028, Thurston County voters will help elect a new president, and the Trump era will retreat into the past.
Of course, we must ensure that the election will be free and fair — all our hopes require protecting all every citizen’s right to vote.
But it’s time now to think about our values, our hopes, and our ideas for solutions to our nation’s problems in the years that will inevitably come after 2028.
We need to talk with each other about how to create a future worthy of our nation’s founding principles, and worthy of our 250-year quest to honor them.
At this age, it’s time for us to behave like an adult nation: confident but not overbearing, open to changes that advance our values of equal rights and equal opportunities for all, and dedicated to playing a productive role in a global community of nations.
Those are big ideas, and it’s easy to think that people here in Thurston County are too few and small to presume much importance in bending the arc of history.
But those of us lucky enough to be born citizens — or serious enough about citizenship to have earned it and passed a civics test — have voting rights in the world’s most powerful democracy. Our voices and our votes carry more consequence than those of people in any other country. We ought to wield our power carefully.
Here’s a way we can help each other do that:
The JOLT invites all our readers to be writers. If you can leave blame, complaint and anger behind, and focus on ideas and solutions for our future, we’d like to publish your responses to one or more of the following questions. We hope enough of you will respond to create a community forum that nourishes our civic health.
Submissions can be as brief as one sentence or as long as 500 words. You don’t have to be a great writer, and we’re available to offer editorial help if you need it to write what you want clearly. You will, of course, have final approval.
If readers step up to sharing their ideas and opinions, we have more questions to ask — about economic and social policies, how to get immigration laws right, and how to create enough affordable housing, to name just a few.
Danny Stusser, the JOLT’s publisher, reminds readers that “The JOLT is yours — it belongs to the community, and to all our readers. It is a nonprofit, governed by a local board of directors, and seeks to provide the vital information Thurston County residents need to keep our government — local, state and national — accountable and effective.
We hope readers will help the JOLT achieve that goal.
To submit your thoughts and hopes, please send your draft to wyatt@thejoltnews.com. It can be the text of an email or a Word document.
Jill Severn writes from her home in Olympia, where she grows vegetables, flowers, and a small flock of chickens. She loves conversation among gardeners. Start one by emailing her at jill@theJOLTnews.com.
5 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Pamgj1963
Great idea! Would you share how, and who, to submit any comments to? Thanks
Friday, March 6 Report this
Snevets
This is a great idea Jill! I look forward to submitting a few things to the Jolt for consideration.
Saturday, March 7 Report this
CommonSenseSenior
INTEGRITY is what I most want in all elected leaders, and the general population. Integrity means being honest, strong moral principles, being sound and whole, a lack of corruption. I remember when Obama was elected I was so excited because he was a calm, collected adult man who collected all the facts before considering a decision, was honest and moral and full of integrity. I want the schools to teach the truth about racism in America (read Caste by Isabel Wilkerson) and teach our children methods to overcome it. Americans have been brainwashed into thinking this way, and it hurts the upward mobility and family life of all persons of color. From the beginning we are taught America is the best country in the world and we accepted it without realizing some real truths. I want a Congress that doesn't bully members into endless fundraising during what should be their work time on behalf of their constituents, and one that recognizes and doesn't punish members who vote their best for their constituents, not what their party demands they do. And most certainly get rid of the shameful statistic that there are now 1.5 guns for every person in the United States. Doesn't sound like a beautiful, peaceful, creative place to live and raise children, where we love one another..sounds like people who live in constant fear and want to dominate all others.
Saturday, March 7 Report this
DudeGuyOly
What's next is some big beautiful gas prices. Highest prices you've ever seen. Nobody has seen anything like it. He knows gas more better than anybody.
Monday, March 9 Report this
ViaLocal
what a beautiful way to ask "What do we actually want for our country?"
Monday, March 9 Report this