Although 2011 was not a very good year for planet earth, at least for the humans living there, if I am going to be truthful, it was an average year for me personally. Except for climbing stairs, or even walking uphill, I do not think my physical condition is much worse than it was a year ago. (Of course, it's definitely not any better.) But I have been warm and well fed, and the fun times have outnumbered the other kind many times over. But as with most old accountants, in order to keep from losing my balance I need to formally close the books on the old year, and set things up for the new. Literally!
We keep reasonably accurate financial records throughout the year, and I like to use them to get some idea what to expect in the new year. For example, the Social Security Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) amounts to 3.6%. That's not bad, although considering there has not been an increase since 2009, it's not really a world-beater. The government said inflation was not a factor in the base years. Really? Apparently the government does not buy gasoline or prescription drugs or any one of a number of things that we post-youths consider necessities.
But I digress. Assuming that things do not go too far out of whack, we will probably break even in 2012. One has to believe, doesn't one?
As for New Year's Resolutions, I have resolved not to make any. I guess in order to avoid a self-referential paradox I should rephrase that: I am not going to make any formal resolutions. But there are a few things I am hoping to see in 2012.
For example, I hope to finally get around to tossing out anything we have not used since we moved in here five years ago. Chances are good that we will not ever need it, and it would be nice to be able to get the car in the garage without having to be exactly centered so that we can get the doors open on both sides. Perhaps I can utilize (1) the Dumpster, and (2) some nice shelving.
I am hoping to witness some measure of cooperation and common sense among our elected “representatives.” I do not feel that any person or party that makes it the number one priority to hold any president to one term deserves to be in office. This is particularly true when it appears the wheels have fallen off of the world's economic systems. There is important work to be done – petty crap should go the way of the Edsel.
Speaking of the wheels coming off, today is caucus day in Iowa; this is the first step toward final selection of a nominee for the GOP residential race. I shall be very happy when the convention makes the final choice. After that the rest of the clowns can go back to where they belong: Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey's Greatest Show On Earth.
I am not optimistic about the possibility of getting out of Afghanistan, but it would be nice to see a little progress. As I recall, our mission there was to get Osama bin Laden. We got him, what's the problem?
Oh, I know, the Afghans are in no position to govern themselves, but neither are they going to be governed by anyone else – a fact that Alexander the Great, the Mongols (twice), the British (Twice) and the Soviets have long ago absorbed. There is a saying, “A fool learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” Take note, Washington.
One other little thing – let's break the money strings between the puppets in government and the puppet-masters on Wall Street and in the corporate towers. If we don't, I am very concerned for the future of our country. Any danger we face from a nuclear-armed Iran is minor compared to the danger from our inner confrontation of the classes.
I hesitate to put world peace on my list of things to hope for, because I am afraid that the only way that will happen is to eliminate its only obstacle: the human race.
Happy New Year.
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My books, “There Are Only Seven Jokes” and “The Spirit Runs Through It” are available in paperback, or at the Kindle Store.
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