and here comes '09

The New Year has arrived. It seems like only yesterday we were getting used to saying "two thousand" and now the decade is nearly done.
We will have to get used to a few new things in 2009. First and foremost is saying "President Obama". Yes, I promise I am going to try and say it and get used to it! Getting used to the name of a new President takes some work and we really have not had to do it since 1993. When Inauguration Day 2001 came around, we already had past experience with the phrase "President Bush", so it was not that new.
There will be a "new" Yankee Stadium adorned with a quarter of a billion dollars in new players. From what I read about ticket prices however, it will take a small inheritance to buy a seat.

Hear are a few things I would like to see and hear in 2009:

Politicians talking to us like adults about the financial situation that government at all levels finds itself in. Please acknowledge that all of the services that people seem to want are costly and that government may not be able to provide all of them (the debate as to whether government even should is for another post).

An admission that not everybody can afford a half a million dollar home on a five figure paycheck even with low interest rates and adjustable mortgages. Home ownership is a noble goal and ambition, but not everyone gets 3500 square feet and a four car garage.

Speaking of cars, can we finally admit that the American auto industry is simply not producing cars that people want to buy and no bailout is going to change that? Although it does not seem like there is much left of free market capitalism, you still need some demand before you produce the supply.

As to demand, can we finally admit that just because you want it does not mean you need it and debt financing it is not wise. Sure a plasma TV is pretty cool, but putting it on the credit card at 18% interest has devastating long term financial consequences. People need to be told that.

Can we acknowledge that people who share opposing viewpoints are not necessarily bad people? If you oppose gay marriage you are not necessarily a homophobe. If you oppose the congressional black caucus' legislative agenda, you are not necessarily a racist. If you oppose massive government spending on so called anti-poverty programs, you do not necessarily hate the poor or favor only the rich. Our politics has broken down in large part because of the demonization of the opposing side which results in an inability to have a rational discussion.

Can we finally agree that the whole Britney Spears thing has just gotten old? Album, public meltdown, comeback, meltdown.

I would like to see a year go by without Brad and Angelina adopting or having a child.

I don't want to see Al Franken in the U.S. Senate. His political views are part of it, but watch some old Saturday Night Live shows (especially the skits after midnight) and ask yourself if anyone affiliated with that belongs in the Senate. I am all for a funny Senator, but I don't think he makes the grade.

I do want to see more of Illinois Governor Rod Blagoyovich. Please, keep making appointments, fighting indictments, holding press conferences and generally reminding us how comical and broken politics can be, but that impeccable hair and good lawyers can keep you in office.

Finally, speaking of Illinois, in 2009 I want to see the Chicago Cubs be within an out of winning the Word Series when a pop foul is hit towards the box seats and as the Cub player settles under it Governor Blagoyovich reaches out from his box seat and interferes, causing the ball to drop, neatly tying together the two themes of this blog and you can figure out how the rest goes.

Happy New Year.