Barack Obama's Top, 2009 New Year's Resolutions

Usually, when people make New Year's resolutions, they are able to prioritize them, with the most pressing changes at the top of the list. President-elect Barack Obama's New Year's resolutions are more complex. Chaos reigns across the American landscape and dire circumstances clamor for rapid changes. Therefore, the following Top Ten New Year's Resolutions do not pretend to be accurately portray priorities. They are arranged as carefully as possible. Many will argue that one resolution is more urgent than another. Otehrs will clamor that some resolutions do not belong on the list and that still others do belong here. That is understandable. Mr. Obama, as Americans, we plead with you to just do something proactive about these issues. Make a grand start, keep us updated, and do not give up. Be a member of a Great Generation.

New Year's Resolution #1: Bring the troops home from Iraq. Close the largest US Embassy of its kind, located in Baghdad. (See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12319798/ ) How can the American people and the world believe that US occupation of Iraq is meant to end when this country has a new embassy in Baghdad? The US military is stretched to the breaking point. Troops are suffering and are repeatedly redeployed to Iraq. The National Guard, also brave in the face of the Iraq catastrophe, is being deployed beyond reason and the American people need its presence at home. The war began with subterfuge. End it in the shining light of truth and freedom.

Resolution #2: House the homeless and feed the hungry. Although Mr. Obama did not address the issues of homelessness and hunger in his campaign, he will have to do so once he is inaugurated. Because of the foreclosure crisis, rising unemployment, and a recession, more people are not only losing their homes, but finding themselves without alternative residences. According to a news piece on TheDenverChannel.com on 12/18/2008, Colorado is facing a crisis of homelessness. Many of the newly homeless are living in shelters as families. Certainly, Colorado is not alone. Another news story on the same day, from the same source, reported that some children are asking Santa Claus for food for their grandparents and for their families. (http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/18305731/detail.html?rss=den&psp=news ; http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/18304562/detail.html?rss=den&psp=news)

Resolution #3: Reform health care in the United States immediately. It is unaccceptable that any American should be without health care. Often, people face financial disaster because of medical bills they cannot pay. Health care used to be available to everyone. Make it so again. This resolution likely will require regulation of major health insurance companies, which have been granted free reign over the American people's well-being.

Resolution #4: Stop contributing to global warming and global climate change. Sign the Kyoto agreement. Do not end dependence upon "foreign oil." End this nation's dependence on non-renewable energy resources. Commit to infrastructure projects that find ways to make solar energy affordable and accessible. Rather than pretend for the sake of big oil and gas industries that the solution is more drilling, tell the truth and think outside the oily, sodden box.

Resolution #5: Stop the destruction of precious habitat and the extinction of more of this planet's creatures, great and small. Again, this will require imposing regulation of corporations, especially those involved with oil and natural gas exploration. Assure that the Endangered Species Act includes protections from oil and natural gas exploration. For more information about this critical issue, see Defenders of Wildlife Press Release at http://defenders.org/newsroom/press_releases_folder/2008/12_11_2008_bush_administration_takes_parting_shot_at_endangered_wildlife.php

Resolution #6: Bail out those who need it most. The American people--workers, senior citizens, the disabled and mentally ill, and so many others. Save those whose jobs have been shipped overseas. Put the people to work and let them own their fruits of their labors. Let them keep their income for secure futures. Restore retirement plans and stop allowing Wall Street to play with retirement money like spoiled children at Monopoly. Unlike our corporate counterparts, we are willing to work and pay our share. And we know the difference between a hand up, and a corporate handout.

Resolution #7: Propose Campaign Finance Reform legislation. When wealthy corporate interests lose power in the American political process, politicians will be more honest. Politicians will not owe big money campaign contributors who contribute to both sides of the aisle and always get what they want at the expense of the American people and the American Dream.

Resolution #8: Regulate all corporations and end the law that allows corporations to be considered "persons" in the eyes of the law. Make every corporation accountable and its practices transparent. Make top-level management step down if they have not met their job descriptions and if they have brought their companies to financial ruin. Do not lay their offenses and incompetence on the breaking backs of the American people.

Resolution #9: Restore the Constitution of the United Staes of America, the Bill of Rights and all civil liberties that have been sacrificed in the name of security. Make it mandatory that every member of Congress, every head of every department, every mailroom worker and, perhaps most urgently, the President, read and comprehend these vital documents. Try as criminals and traitors any and all who have failed to defend these documents.

Resolution #10: Discover and tell every American what actually occurred leading up to, on, and after September 11, 2001. Tell the American people the whole truth and then let us move forward with honesty, integrity and dignity. Resolve, Mr. Obama, to make right such grave wrongs.

Associated Press, New U.S. Embassy in Iraq cloaked in mystery MSNBC.

TheDenverChannel, Advocates Declare State Of Emergency For Homeless

TheDenverChannel, Santa Says Kids Just Want Food For Christmas

Defenders of Wildlife Press Release, Bush administration takes parting shot at endangered wildlife