By Will Collins

With the new year approaching, little has changed in public opinion concerning how our nation is being run in Washington.

My first column this year discussed a “straight-thinking approach” with a look at commonsense legislation.

As the year comes to a close, my last column of 2017 will look at my wishes for coming year.

First and foremost, America wanted a change. Now, the GOP is in control of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

They took control based on many promises of change and it is past time more of these changes come about.

Luckily, tax reform has been passed and Americans are already seeing benefits from it. As I won’t have enough room in this weekly spot to elaborate on this, I urge my readers to email me for a lively discussion.

Some say it is terrible so many cuts were made and paying taxes isn’t always a bad thing. I can also list many people who would be glad to have you take on some of their tax burden. As we move forward into the new year, I believe more positives will emerge from this legislation.

Another promise made was to repeal ObamaCare. Yes, it had its good points, but also some bad points. The good points mostly helped those who benefited from the affordable health care plan; fair enough.

Some bad points, however, were that many people had to choose to pay for coverage or feed their families and children — that is a problem.

It can’t be that difficult to find a solution that helps those in need without penalizing those who are not — at least to the degree it has reached. I wish for a better solution.

A big hope of mine is for our government to take on even more of an “America First” approach in the new year. Work on securing our borders, keep illegal drugs from being imported, put an end to terrorism and take care of our citizens.

We need not fail ourselves, that is more of the common sense needed.

Another resolution should be better support for our veterans. They do everything to keep us safe and free, but we fall short in taking care of them when they need us. The greatest country in the world should always support those that made us that way.

Some improvements have been made in our trade policy and I look for more in 2018. Everything done should ensure Americans benefit as much if not more than other nations.

I’m not saying we should do injustice to other countries, but instead make sure it is fair to the U.S. We have lost a lot of money and jobs over the last 10 years because of poor trade policies.

Lastly, I want my elected officials to follow the belief of the people, by the people, for the people. As a constituent, I can assure you your delivery on your word will help you get re-elected faster than upsetting us. You made promises and set goals; keep them.

As Melody Beattie said, “The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write the story by setting goals.”

Commonsense legislation isn’t too much to ask for, as long as we present commonsense expectations as citizens.

I wish all of you a great and prosperous New Year.

Political enthusiast Will Collins is a lifelong resident of Kentucky and has called Winchester his home for the past 20 years. He can be reached at wrcollins70@gmail.com.