I was out of town this week.

My sister (one of four that I have) had her fourth child. A girl. She's cute. Okay, she's adorable. But in addition to the trip and the holiday fawning, I began to think. And that's what we're here to do isn't it?

I began to think about what kind of world this little bundle of pink would grow up in.
Let's begin firstly with the presidential election.

If Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama take the White House in November, she will grow up in a country where having a female or black president is normal.

If the 2008 winner follows suit with the last two administrations, she'll be in the third grade by the time the next president takes office in 2017.

By 2016, she will live in a country of 325 million people. Hispanics will make up the largest minority group, and taken in sum, people of color will out-number white Americans.

By the time she's ready for college, tuition will cost more than $80,000 per year, or over $330,000 for four years.

By the time she's 13, America's transition to a clean energy economy is well underway. More than 20 percent of the nation's electricity could be generated from renewable resources. Getting 50 mpg is the norm, not the Prius.

As a result, America will have reduced its oil consumption by half and no longer depends on the Persian Gulf. Going green has also taken hold in Amiercan households. She will grow up in a world where we use less and recycle more.

Health breakthroughs could mean the cure for certain cancers, an answer to alzheimers, and less invasive surgeries.

On the other hand, more than 300 million people may have died from AIDS by 2020. Viral strains have become more drug resistant. Medical care could continue to skyrocket. The cold calculations of artificial intelligence may make end-of-life decisions for certain hospital patients. Doctors could be in short order.

Technology will connect her to friends and family. Governments will track her. Automation could supplant self-reliance.

The world cold succumb to dictators, global warming, or a meteor. But doomsday scenarios of an inevitably disastrous future are endemic to all generations. Personally, I am optimistic about the future. I am optimistic about my new niece's future.

Let's hope our leaders don't ***** it up.