Joy and I have been travelling the last few days, having spent most of this New Year’s Day in airports. But there’s still time to make some resolutions. It’s been a ritual of mine for years. If nothing else it helps me put the old year behind me.
This year, though, I’ve decided to do something different. As futile as it may sound, I want to offer some help to our political leaders in Washington by making resolutions for 2013 they would never make for themselves. I know, it probably won’t do any good, but it made me feel better anyway. I hope it does the same for you. So here goes.
#1: Do no harm.
It’s the least you can do for the nation.
#2: Do what’s right for the most people.
Serving the few hurts the rest of us.
#3: Look at yourself in the mirror every day.
It might improve your conscience.
#4: Don’t ask us to do what you wouldn’t do yourself.
Maybe you will go to war less often.
#5: Have some character.
You might find out it’s a pretty good thing to have.
#6: Don’t forget where you came from.
It might help you stay closer to where you ought to be.
#7: Keep in mind that who your friends are says as much about you as them.
The people around you will help make or break you,
#8: Try to listen before you speak instead of speaking before you’ve listened.
It will do you and us a world of good.
#9: Don’t tell us what we want until you’ve taken the time to find out.
This one depends on how well you do the one before it.
#10: Remember there’s no such thing as not having a choice.
It’s the only way you will take responsibility for your decisions.
#11: Remember that money counts, but not for everything.
Who you are when you are alone counts a lot more.
#12: Remember what you mother told you.
She knew things about helping others you have not yet learned.
As I said, these are “resolutions” for the New Year none of our politicians would make for themselves. But they could do a lot worse. In fact, given what is going on even as I write, they already are. And the New Year just started!
linnposts.com 
Jan………..Your 1’st 2 resolutions are the root of the problem.
What should one do, when your opinion of…. harm and right…….are not the same as the other person’s…..and it’s time to vote
I admire them all…….both sides of the aisle, for even being willing to hold the office
LVD
Thank you Jan for your words of wisdom for the year 2013 and offering a list of resolutions everyone would benefit from, including me. Happy New Year to you and Joy.
Very good list , Jan. Worthy of everyone’s consideration! I’d suggest that those in most need are the pupeteer billionaires who control most politicians, and, the country. Not all have the sense of a “greater good” that a Buffet or a Gates senior have. Best wishes for the new year to you and Joy!
Terrific list, Jan! Wow! You sure know how to hit the nail on its head! That list should definitely be sent to everyone serving in Congress. “It’s only fair, said the Judge.” Does anyone recognize that phrase from one of my childhood’s favorite books entitled “The Five Chinese Brothers”??? Amazingly, it’s still available in book stores so it’s stood the test of time. We never give up our quest for fairness, do we? May it always be so. Cheers!
i like your list and wish our leaders would at least read them but sadly I think to many are only interested in destroying our government by obstructionism in the name of fiscal sanity. Most objective analyst say this is a smoke screen and their real intent is to dry up the money thus killing our government.