One has to admire those who write columns for newspapers and other weekly periodicals.

Thinking of things that readers will find of interest is hard!

How do I know that? I am trying right now to write one, and mine is just a two-times-monthly one!

I was going to write about “shrinkflation.” But those younger than me — 80% of the world — would read it and not really follow it, having never bought a full pound of bacon or a 16-ounce can of soup. They would merely say that, if it is not big enough, buy two.

Then I was going to write about why gas prices can increase by — at least here in Northeast Michigan — 40 cents per gallon just while we are shopping for groceries. “Fair point” for us old folks, but, again, those younger just shrug and say “duh.” They know — almost instinctively, it seems — that gas prices and nearly all commodities are interconnected globally and the INTERNET allows real-time “adjustments” based on conditions.

An article discussing that and recalling the “good old days,” when gas prices stayed the same until the next shipment of gas arrived at the station with a price change, would only be met with that eye roll they excel at and an “old dude” comment.

Trying to discuss the “cost of living” is almost a lost cause, as well.

First of all, that won’t fit in this space, and, most importantly, the solution to a high cost of living is to lower the amount of money you pay. However, the same people that understand the causality for the extreme fluctuation in gas prices will refuse to give up 37 monthly subscriptions, enrollments in regular shipments, or Starbucks, and will continue to treat dining out and carryout like necessities, instead of luxuries. So they continue to complain about not having enough money while watching a streaming service and waiting for dinner to be delivered.

I like Dave Ramsey’s approach: If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it … eat rice and beans if necessary while making changes.

But few will, because they feel they are “entitled” to those things they should not afford.

Redundancy has arrived, and I am sitting in the front of that bus.

Change is inevitable, and, to be honest, most change is welcomed as well as feared by those of us comfortable with the way it was.

So this column remains without inspiration, being composed — on purpose — just three days before the presidential and general election.

I love to complain about things I feel need to be complained about, and, as an old man, I have to admit I am very good at it!

But there is one thing that we all should agree on, and, if not, be reminded of so that we do agree. Something that is as old as the dream to build a Nation, a REPUBLIC, here in North America.

By remaining here in the United States as residents and citizens, we — not our parents, not our ancestors kidnapped here hundreds of years ago — WE! — WE make a covenant with the United States to live according to her laws or to peacefully work to change them if we disagree.

That includes elections, probably the most important part of that covenant.

We agree, by remaining residents here, to abide by the results of elections and ensure the peaceful transition of power.

No, that is not a dig on one candidate over another. That is a truth that we should understand already but may have forgotten in the chaos of this new century.

The insinuation is simple: Don’t like the election results? SUCK IT UP AND LIVE WITH IT! Or you are free to leave, freer in fact than in many countries.

Don’t want to leave — and I don’t blame you there — live with the choice of the majority and work toward a different outcome next time.

Sure, there was ballot stuffing in the 19th century. Al Capone, among others, told his people to “vote early and vote often.” But that was in the 20th century.

The same technology that causes gas prices to jump 10 minutes after some obscure sheik on the other side of the planet gets the flu also ensures that voting is as accurate as possible. The same technology that was used to addict you to credit and subscriptions verified the count.

Your candidate LOST or WON, period! No one stole the election, though some may argue one side gave it away with poor decisions.

The majority (keeping the Electoral College in mind) has spoken.

If my candidate has lost, for me, it means I truly have aged out of touch with the pulse of the country. As the British say, “redundant.”

I personally will have to live with that and admit to that. It will mean it is time for my generation to relinquish our death grip on America and allow the next ones their time in the spotlight.

If my candidate has won, it means exactly the same, our time is past! Bacon comes in 10.5-ounce packages, gas prices change hourly, I can get 500 “TV” channels on my handheld phone, and _______ will be our next president.

United, let us walk together into this new cycle and do our best to improve our nation and ourselves!

Robert Earl is a jack-of-all-trades with very diverse work experiences from the Canadian Northwest Territories to the Everglades to the Chihuahuan desert, mostly as a truck driver. His hobbies are home construction and renovation, winemaking, and writing, particularly writing about things that are irritating to us all. He and his wife have retired here in Alpena. Reach him at Robert@singingturkeys com.