New Year's Resolutions

ROCHESTER - New Year's is a great time. There is the chance to reflect on the past year, and a chance to start over again. In this tradition people often create resolutions as promises to do things better than the year before. Since I am perfect and need no such tune ups (where is all that laughter coming from?), I have decided to play the role of butt-inski and suggest some resolutions for others.

Ted Kennedy - to continue to fight both your brain tumor and for national health care. My prayers are with you, as always.

Dennis Kucinich - to continue to be the old school liberal and courageous visionary that you are.

Maggie Brooks - to tell the truth about your taxing and budgeting issues for once. Not every problem is created by the State of New York or the powerless county leg. Democrat minority.

Bob Duffy - to stick to your budgeting guns. Questioning contracts can make enemies, but asking questions is fair and sometimes very helpful. Informed decisions are better than status quo.

Governor Paterson - to stick to your budgeting guns. New York needs to change its spending habits and this crisis is the opportunity for real reform.

Ralph Wilson - to pay a coach a decent wage. If you aren't willing to pay for a top coach, you won't get one. Don't fire Jauron to replace him with another mid level guy. Put up or shut up.

The Amerks - to keep working hard and fight more. We Rochesterians appreciate an undermanned team if you work hard and play with passion.

New Yorkers - to take a deep breath and read a national newspaper. Illinois is much more dysfunctional than we are, so quit calling us the worst in the nation. We are not.

2009 looks to be an eventful year. After all, we will have a new president, a new senator and maybe even a new majority in the county legislature. Economic woes will continue downward, but as a certain fictional DA told us in Dark Knight, 'The night is always darkest before dawn. The dawn is coming.' I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year's.