Here are just a few of mine.
The economy will improve early in the decade. That’s not really a hope, it’s practically a law of economics; everything is cyclical. My hope, though, is that after a decade of bubbles and practically no real economic growth, we can return to making things and see true long-term growth in the economy. Green technology has been the most-hyped way for America to accomplish that goal, but I don’t really care how we do it. It would just be nice to stop creating the illusion of wealth and get back to creating the real thing.
In politics, I’m desperately hoping for a return to somewhat more peaceful relations between liberals and conservatives. I’m hopeful that there’s only so long the battle can continue to escalate before the American public starts to turn on both parties. Indeed, that’s starting to happen already; maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I think it’s only a matter of time before we start to see things cool down.
I couldn’t possibly predict the future of technology over the next decade, but you can bet it will be awesome.
The world will not end in 2012.
Most of what I would hope for in the future started happening about a year ago. We already hit bottom and we are crawling out of the hole. It would be nice to see the pace quicken and that will happen as the naysayers continue to dwindle in number and influence.
I must say that it has been fun over the last year to see DantheMan grow as an independent thinker. It has been a long time since I've seen anyone accuse him of spouting talking points. I believe I even saw, in the last week or so, Nitro give him a genuinely heartfelt "Great Job!" That gesture alone portends better times ahead.
"It would be nice to see the pace quicken and that will happen as the naysayers continue to dwindle in number and influence."
Nice try Ron! Only one wish for 2010. A rebalance of power in the US Congress and in state governments as well. It's obvious that the current Democratic control is creating bad policy for America. WE can do much better.
C"Man"
"WE can do much better."
As long as the "we" you speak of are people who agree 100% with you on every issue, right dittohead? You represent the party of intolerance and divisive politics.
What many people are hearing from people like you, C"Man" (teabaggers), is that people who disagree with Republicans on issues are fascist communist marxist leninist trotskyist racist reverse-racist socialist hitlerist communist acornist empathyist sorosist bowists socialists who hate America, are not part of real America, are lazy, stupid, want to suck off the government teat, cannot think for themselves, and want to offer therapy and understanding to terrorists.
This is what years of fallacious politics have done to your stupid assed right wing narratives, they've been reduced to a large set of ridiculous one liners, repeated by a bunch of idiots.
That is not "better", it's more of the same. We're all sick and tired of being shot in the face by you people.
You are 10% of the electorate. Good luck.
“In politics, I’m desperately hoping for a return to somewhat more peaceful relations between liberals and conservatives.”
Perhaps, in the spirit of that desperate hope, Jeff, you should close down mnpublius.
After all, combing the political landscape for examples of Republican/conservative warts to share on this blog while ignoring the equally obvious skin condition in Democrat/liberals hardly seems like you’re making a contribution to the outcome you say you desire.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Just a thought.
Carpe annum, all.
Thanks, Ron, although I like to think I've always been an independent thinker. I don't completely buy-in to the GOP platform… but be careful, that also means I will never completely buy-in to a Democratic platform, either
Jeff's points are spot-on and I can't disagree with any single one of them.
I would just add three: That technology continues to allow our society to "flatten", enabling people to help themselves achieve their potential more readily, regardless of where they happen to be starting from. That we come out of the decade running budget surpluses and have a lower debt than we do today. And that we are consistently a half step ahead of the terrorists, and their pathetic and cowardly practices are having diminishing influence on the world.
I hope that Minnesota keeps (regains) strong support of education at all levels through this next decade, which is beginning with large budget deficits. With two teenagers, I especially hope that higher ed costs increase no further. I also hope that congress will fix social security and medicare before I need them, as I have done no better saving for retirement than I have for the kids college. So as not to be totally selfish I will throw in a wish for a little more peace on earth as well.
Dan,
Platforms change to adapt to changing conditions. They are reference points for discussion and reflect a consesus view of the party at any given time. One should never completely "buy in" to any set of ideas because ideas always need to be tested against reality. A free market of competing ideas is necessary so that the their relative values can be determined.
You believe that technology tends to level the playing field and I agree. Such things as progressive taxes and inheritance taxes can also help to achieve that goal. It is likely that what you and I ultimately want for ourselves, our friends and our loved ones is quite similar. When we come together with different perspectives to solve the same problem a combination of competing ideas often proves to be the best solution. That is why we should all keep an open mind and never completely buy in to any type of inflexible thought.
It is my hope that Folks like you represent the future of the Republican Party and I wish you success as you go about the important task of rebuilding it..
-That the people that want to do us harm be caught, brought to trial, imprisoned, and let GOD deal with their wretched souls.
-That the Democrats in Congress grow some balls and get a REAL Health Care bill passed that has a strong Public Option.
-That the Economy grows and unemployment goes down.
-That Dick Cheney stays in his secret hiding place, only to emerge on Gfound Hog Day to say that we will have 6 more weeks of Winter.
These are a few of the resolutions I would like to see happen.