By GottaLaff
Every year, well, since 1997, the L.A. Times wishes for all kinds of things. Fee free to add your wishes to theirs. I'm not posting all of them, so go here for the rest:
For meaningful federal legislation that would wean the country from its addiction to foreign oil and help stave off the worst effects of climate change. We're hoping for some kind of mechanism to price greenhouse gas emissions, but we'd settle for a national standard on renewable power.Do you agree or disagree? Follow the link to the full list, and see what you think of the rest of them.
For the best picture of the year to win the Best Picture Oscar for a change.
For an end to the recession and the start of another period of prolonged growth for the U.S. economy. We'd settle for an economic stimulus package that builds a strong foundation for long-term economic growth, rather than simply piling more debt onto future generations.
For a year without a catastrophic California wildfire.
For at least two of the Big Three U.S. automakers to survive the economic downturn, and to return to profitability by making cars that are both cleaner and more desirable to buyers.
For gays and lesbians to be free to marry whom they choose.
For melamine to be found only in plastic dishes, rather than in baby formula, candy, fish and dog food.
For falling oil prices to produce regime change and more democratic governance in saber-rattling countries kept afloat by petrodollars, such as Iran, Russia and Venezuela.
For the continued employment of all California schoolteachers.
For a response to the mortgage fiasco that averts foreclosures on a massive scale without rewarding people who bought homes they couldn't hope to afford.
For a radically simpler tax system that's harder to evade.
For South African leaders to put pressure on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down.
That at least some of Barack Obama's planned stimulus package is invested in green infrastructure projects such as the restoration of the Los Angeles River, storm-water recharge (for example, porous parking lots to allow rainwater to seep back into aquifers) and recycling plants.
That President Obama succeeds in getting the ball rolling on meaningful healthcare reform.
That Republicans who argued that the Senate should defer to President Bush's choice of Supreme Court justices will extend the same courtesy to Obama when he nominates new justices.
That the Obama administration will succeed where the Bush administration failed in helping to secure a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
That Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter and Bill O'Reilly will discover a vocation to the monastic life and take a vow of silence.
That President Obama will break with tradition -- and the practice of President Bush -- and allow outstanding U.S. attorneys to remain in office.
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