(March 14, 2026)

People Are Ready for Change.

Just as the concepts of freedom, equality, and justice have guided
American social progress, advances in our understanding of society
suggests new perspectives which could help bring people together and
narrow the social divide. Positive social functioning revolves around a
few fundamental ideas, claims The Spirit of ’26.

For instance, the original idea of “the pursuit of Happiness” is today
more properly understood as personal well-being. Similarly, the concept
of the promotion of “the general Welfare” refers to the fulfillment of
our common needs. These concepts are in fact two sides of the same coin.
In our private life we have the right to determine and pursue our
interests to create a meaningful life. And in our social life we have
the responsibility to allow others the freedom for self-determination
and the obligation to make provision for our shared common interests. So
in essence, we all depend on each other. Personal well-being and the
social order are interdependent.

So how are we to create a social environment that promotes individual
and collective welfare? The Spirit of ’26 demonstrates how these ideas
and values can help guide the organization and functioning of society.
There is no set structure or organization a society must conform to. We
are free to imagine and pursue new social possibilities together. It’s
up to us.

Visit The Spirit of’26 website at https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thespiritof26.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ccriterion%40coloradomesa.edu%7C0ceccf1e848947031dc108de81dccf9b%7Cb31b408e0c8a49cfaef827b324d5b8b6%7C0%7C0%7C639090982547486701%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=x3kFqGcbNlJHPqL2Dgp9J4ONVLF0NTrBKK%2B8ugNmdY0%3D&reserved=0 to learn
more.

Richard L McLane