Resolutions and Fantasies

Been reading a lot of "Best of" lists and lists of things to watch for in 2013.  So here's a list of my resolutions and a few comments about the upcoming year.

Resolutions

1) Get more exercise.  Yeah, I have this one every year but this is the year I do it.  Check back in Jan.2014.....

2) Perform the annual cleaning out of the garage/workshop/man-cave, which never seems to last.

3) Improve my mind.  Already we attend the Academy for Learning in Retirement lectures but I'm feeling the need to expand on this-----maybe some courses at the university.

4) Complete my collections of Alexander Kent's series about the British navy following the career of Richard Bolitho and also my collection of Max Brand's Dr. Kildare series.  It's not great literature but after the political hash and elections of 2012, the looming fiscal fights in Washington, and just the general cynicism I feel about today's society, a major dose of idealism is just what I need and these series, along with Harry Potter, provide just that.

Fantasies

1) I get back to the weight at which I played lacrosse in college.

2) The USA passes a carbon tax and gets serious about cleaning up the mess we've made of the environment and atmosphere.

3) Congress passes laws that actually reform the tax code to make it simpler, fairer, have lower rates, and generate the revenue it should.

4) Congress enacts legislation to end the financial uncertainty its policies have generated and gradually increase revenues and reform long-term programs to put the country on the path to a sustainable financial future.

Good luck to all on your resolutions and have a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Hooray

Congress did it!!!!!  They passed a compromise bill to avert the alleged "fiscal cliff."  Despite the recalcitrance of many Republican members, they raised taxes on those families making over $450,000 per annum.  We should be proud...........NOT.

The price for the compromise was the expiration of the payroll tax cut.  This item will increase by 2% with the issuance of the first paychecks of 2013.  A tax increase for every working person in the country.  Thanks, my representatives and senators.  Way to stimulate the economy, decreasing the amount a person has to spend.

There is nothing in this bill that directly addresses the salient issue---the structural deficit.  It would be so constructive if politicians did what they were sent to DC to do---work on solving real problems.  Instead they engage in public relations and brinksmanship that is hardly conducive to eliminating the looming deficits, reforming an outdated and unfair tax code, or enabling programs for seniors and the poor to be assured of  stable and consistent funding as our populace grows older and the wealth disparity accelerates into the future.

A foolish bet would be that over the next two months there are any constructive talks on the real issues that have been again "kicked down the road."

Oh, and by the way, those of you most affected by Hurricane Sandy-----you need to wait until the new Congress takes up your plight.  Don't hold your breath for that $60billion........