Day: December 31, 2011

As I’m scanning & shredding documents, backing up computers, and trying to collect all the little bits of flotsam and jetsam that will be required for my tax guy, I’m struck by a number of things from the year gone by.

We came into this new year with 2 wars raging.

The housing crisis was, and still is with us. Government propaganda not withstanding.

The people (as in We the People) are learning to flex their muscle using social media and I was surprised to see in the latter part of the year corporations yielding to pressure from consumers. I sincerely hope that more corporations and especially the United States government agencies take note.

The TSA is still strip searching folks based on racial profiling. (Yes, think about it… think about the demographics of the TSA abuses…) This is an organization that needs a major overhaul but they also serve as an object lesson in how Power corrupts absolutely.

Our Economy has taken some serious hits, so has the world economy. I was watching the news the other night and the reported mentioned that China was experiencing an economic downturn. I blew my drink out my nose. The reporter almost sounded like they were trying to spin it as “Poor China” which was annoying… But the more interesting thing is that since so much of the stuff in the stores is Made in China… What does it mean if China is having a manufacturing / economic slump? One would hope that it means Americans are buying American goods. Somehow I doubt that is the case since it takes time for manufacturing companies to move factories and supply lines.

Occupy Wall Street was a good and a bad thing. On the Good side… It demonstrated that Americans are getting fed up with greed and obscene abuses of wealth, power, and their good will. I’m actually glad to see that happen.

On the bad side, There wasn’t a lot of coherent thought in the Occupy protests and I think Occupy… wore out it’s welcome in the minds of the American People.

We lost some good people this year. Classic actors, thinkers, and creators. I hope in 2012 we’ll see people step up and fill those voids in our culture.

It seems that everyone is ready to have this year come to a close. I’m personally right there with them.

I don’t know what 2012 will bring (Other than a Presidential Election, which is sure to be a major embarrassment for America) but I, like all Americans am built to be optimistic.

For an American, a new year is opportunity and it must be better than the previous year.

As you all head out to your New Years Eve revelries please remember…

Be safe, enjoy your parties, your families, and your friends. Lets make this new year a good one.