I enjoyed Mary Schmich’s column “Resolutions in a snap: Just fill in the blanks (Metro, Jan. 3)” with her good thoughts about New Year’s resolutions. Her column got me thinking, why limit New Year’s resolutions to individuals? Why not consider a wider range of New Year’s resolutions to help us all pursue a better life? Here are a few proposed topics for New Year’s resolutions for Uncle Sam for the coming year:
1. Uncle Sam should resolve to stop being the neighborhood bully among all the nations of the world and become a good big brother, mentor and referee instead.
2. It’s way past time for Uncle Sam to resolve to get serious about America’s finances instead of borrowing billions and spending on wars.
3. Since Uncle Sam is now 230 years old, he should give some thought to the problems of aging and really improve Social Security provisions for all older Americans.
4. Most Americans would love to hear Uncle Sam say, “I resolve to end the war against Iraq and bring our troops back now!”
5. Uncle Sam should develop a greatly improved medical system for all Americans.
6. Uncle Sam should tackle campaign-finance reform.
7. Since Uncle Sam is getting portly, he might just consider a resolution to consume less.
8. He needs to be a better steward of America’s natural resources.
9. Uncle Sam should pay all Americans a living wage.
10. Uncle Sam should resolve to reread the Constitution and restore civil liberties.
Happy New Year, Uncle Sam!
