With the weakened economy beginning to show signs of recovery, one war concluded and another one among Republican presidential candidates, erupting from the campaign trail, it’s a great year to hold a national Presidential election and hope for a better future for all people.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the past few months have seen unemployment shrinkage and increased job growth in this country.  

While job growth is still not at an ideal pace and the anemic economy affects millions, we can take solace in the fact that the Republican-led congress is reassuring business owners, corporations and American workers that their tax rates will remain solid for 2012. This “stabilizing hand” has the effect of leading business decision makers to hire more workers.  

When folks across the country know their taxes won’t be arbitrarily hiked, they can plan long-term investment in employees and inventory, both of which improve the economy and grow the workforce.  

While there has been partisan gridlock in Congress and between the legislature and the White House, the spending cuts that have been implemented have had a  positive effect on the economy and business; the cuts have, from an optics perspective, shown that the 112th Congress is serious about jobs solutions and economic development for the nation. I’m also hopeful for 2012 because we have the opportunity, once again, for swift self-determination. America, as a people, can choose to continue the four bleak years we’ve experienced under the Obama administration, or choose to plot a new direction for the country and for ourselves.  

I’m hopeful because we have the power, now more than ever, to affect the system through organizing, caucusing, voting in all manners and levels of elections and by using our voices to influence those in power.   What begins with us in the local statehouse or city hall has national implications.  

I’m hopeful on a local level because I have faith in the statewide and local Republican candidates and their ability to win in “competitive” districts gerrymandered by the Democratic legislature. This will not only test the strength and unity that I know the party has and will need in November, but makes Republicans stronger against Democratic opponents.  

Also, these contested races and primaries will show the futility of the left’s redistricting attempts and their blatantly partisan, foolish nature.

I’m hopeful because our campus will spend its much-deserved time in the national limelight this October, with our hosting of the first 2012 Presidential debate.  

One can only imagine the hoopla and buzz surrounding this immensely important event!  

To remind readers, it’s not only the first such debate in the history of Colorado, but also the only one in 2012 to be held in the American West. I’m also hopeful, as many of my peers are, to have the good luck and fortune to attend the debate.