Here it comes- like it or not- another new year. 2010. When I was a kid a year number like that seemed like science fiction. But, hey its just another year. In fact, there was a TV show called "Married with Children", whose main character was a guy named Al Bundy. It was a sitcom that was actually quite funny. Al , the loser, and always depressed dad,just trying to make a buck to survive, had a nutty wife and two screwed up kids. He had a quip about new calender dates. When asked by a friend, "Hey, Al, what day is it?' , Al responded with, "Today is just the pathetic continuation of yesterday!" Thinking about that quip, got me to think about new days, and new years, and hence comes the segue to my thoughts on them.
Every new year brings throngs of people around world to reflect on what is going on in their life, and their vows to make things better. The resolutions flow like cheap beer at a college frat party. "I'm going to lose weight", say so many of us, "I'm going to make more money this year", vow some more. It goes on; "A better job", "A new girlfriend, or boyfriend", "Leave the spouse", 'Dump the debt", "Lay off the booze", and my favorite, "Be a better person", whatever the hell that means! Of course, we all stick to our resolutions, for about two months, then its back to the same old crap. I've been there, I know. I have a standing resolution to lose weight, and as Dr. Phil would say, "How's that workin' for ya"! The resolutions never last long. Ever wonder why? Because they're the wrong ones. They fail due to human habit. The one and only resolution we should all make, individuals, companies, and government alike, is to never repeat stupid mistakes. The big dumb ones that screw up our lives, and sometimes those around us. If we just held true just to this, all our lives would be better, and all those little mistakes, or problems, would take care of themselves.
Now alot of you are thinking, "Great, the Goodfella is going for his PhD, and he's going to analyze my thoughts". No, I may not be smart enough for a PhD, but stay with me here. We all make mistakes, but it's the big ones that hurt us. Example-a guy goes out with his girlfriend or wife, and as they merrily walk down the street, he focuses in on another womens comely shape. The significant other notices, turns, tells him off, and the rest of the day is ruined. A mistake- but a little one. I know girls, you think I'm trivializing, but hey, let's focus on the big picture. That same guy, makes a bad real estate investment, and before you know it, he's filing bankruptcy. Money gone. Self esteem wrecked. Years to recover. The big mistake. I know this, because I've lived it. Never again, thats my resolution. It's not to make any deals, or live life, it's just not to make another, similar mistake. It's always been said that we all learn by our mistakes, but many of us don't. Circumstances make the same scenario appear under a different guise, and we just do it again. We fail to look at the details.
I can't surmise what everyone reading this is thinking, nor can I give solutions to your individual problems. I can, however, give a few resolution thoughts to those who run our big corporations, or government, which affect all of us. Not all of you may agree, but these institutions seem the biggest offenders of repeat mistakes. So, here I go!
To those who run our government:
-Stop thinking that taking more money in taxes will solve the government's money woes. Start managing with what you have- just like the rest of us. Taking more of my money, makes me spend less. Not good for the economy. You constantly make this mistake.
-No more un-win-able wars. Good young men die in vain. You haven't learned this since Vietnam. Stop pulling this "Its about national security" crap on the public- we're on to it. Stop this, "We need to fight terrorism". We do need to fight it, but you don't bomb Los Angeles to get rid of the crime gangs. Start getting more strategic. 'Surgical strike", I believe is the term. It worked for Reagan against Libya when he sailed a sidewinder into Qaddafi's bedroom window. He kept him quiet for twenty odd years. By the way for my reader, I am neither a war hark nor a pacifist. My theme is common sense. We get attacked, I have no problem with our military turning the attacking country into a sheet of glass.
-Simplify. We founded this country on two sheets of paper, but we're trying to pass a health care plan thats over 2,000 (!!!) pages long. Who reads this?? Who will understand it?? Stop making more business for the legal field. This mistake is repeated in congress on a daily basis.
-Stop giving money and benefits to illegal aliens! I am not racist or against immigration, but let the rule be followed- become a citizen and then you get the benefits. Lets take care of our own!! This is an easy mistake to fix.
Now to prevent my blog from becoming a novel- let me hit one for America's corporate world.
-Dear CEO- Customer service and quality products at fair prices!!! Thats how you compete!! Stop sending my complaints or questions to some overseas customer service rep who has trouble pronouncing my name. Yes, you need to make a profit, but if you focus on the simple things, like service, the profit will come. Your mistake of missing this is costing the country its industry. 'Nough said?
Ok, no more ranting. My resolution is simply, no more big dumb mistakes. I'll probably still eat too much, ogle girls too much, drink too much (especially at New Years), but no more big hurt. Repeats are for television, or leftovers.
From the Goodfella- Happy 2010. Lets use our heads, be positive, and it can only get better from here.
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