SUBMITTED BY LAWRENCE RAFFERTY, GUEST BLOGGER
Now that the end of the year is just hours away, I thought it would be nice to put into writing some of the New Years resolutions that I have for 2011. This year has been a year of highs and lows for myself and for the country. These resolutions are my hopes and dreams for myself, the country and the world in the coming year.
My First resolution is that the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq come home and that the United States rids itself of the military industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned us about many years ago. I realize that I am asking for a lot, but I can dream, can’t I? Just imagine the corporations that Congress could bankroll with all of the extra funds that would be available if we are no longer spending billions on wasteful war spending in Iraq and Afghanistan. We could even use those extra Billions to help find a cure for Cancer or AID’s or MS. Heck, we could maybe find a cure for all of them with that kind of spare change!
My Second resolution is that the economy returns to full employment. I am not talking about just improving the unemployment situation. I am talking about jobs for everyone. To achieve this goal may actually require corporations to hire Americans to do work here in America, but now that corporations are treated like citizens, they should pitch in to help the country. Related to this resolution is the hope that Congress can see the way to make it beneficial for corporations to hire Americans to work here and not to outsource American jobs overseas. I apologize in advance to the United States Chamber of Commerce for taking away a large source of income from them. They will just have to work harder on the domestic donors.
My Third resolution is that “Obamacare” actually be improved to include a strong Public Option or a “Medicare for all” provision that will actually improve the health care for all Americans. Having a “Medicare for all” or true Public Option plan would assist our employers who compete against companies in countries that actually care about their citizen’s health. It would also provide me with great entertainment as I watch the Tea Party and Fox News pundits heads explode in true HD!
My Fourth resolution is that the Obama Adminstration’s Justice Department should begin to follow the rule of law no matter how disturbing or politically inconvenient it may be. They can start by investigating and prosecuting any and all Bush officials who authorized and approved of torture techniques under the guise of “enhanced interrogation techniques”. Since both former President George W. Bush and his Vice President, Dick Cheney have admitted to authorizing the water boarding of detainees in television interviews and in print, the investigation should not cost the taxpayers too much. If that investigation finds other current or former politicians involved in acts of torture, the taxpayers would just be getting more bang for their investigative buck!
My Fifth and final resolution is more of a personal one. It is my hope and prayer that my family has a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. I also hope that the Bulls win the NBA Championship and the Black Hawks win another Stanley Cup. I also hope that da Bears win the Super Bowl and that the Cubs lose to the White Sox in the 2011 World Series. (Sorry Professor) Now I know I am dreaming! I hope I don’t wake up!! Happy New Years to all.