New Year's Resolutions

It seems to me that this last decade is one that we would like to forget. I was expecting way more shows dedicated to the decade in review, but, alas, there were few, and they were short lived. No one wants to be reminded of the hotly-tempered 2000 elections between Bush and Gore, where it became glaringly apparent that some people in Florida had forgotten how to count. No one wants to relive 9/11, and the chain reaction of events that occurred. No one wants to remember how a hunt for one man spiraled into a full scale war on two countries. No one wants to dwell upon how we were told war would be good for the economy but somehow we all ended up in debt. It seems like the "Oughts" lived up to their weird name and became ten years that we ought to have done differently.

I am no where near where I imagined I would be ten years ago. I don't know if many of us are. I could blame environmental factors, like the economy, societal expectations, or corrupt systems, but looking back, I know I can only blame myself. I allowed myself to get so wrapped up in the details of life that I failed to grasp the big picture and do the right thing. I could have done more, been less selfish, less lazy.

Its the first day of a new year, and better yet a new decade. We have a brand new chance to shed the scaly skin of the last ten years and turn into something beautiful. My New Year's
resolutions are to be proactive, spread the word about the issues I care about, and protect what I hold most dear. And I'm going to start right here at home.

I have always loved politics, but the more truth I find about the political system the sicker I get. Democrat or Republican, all candidates get money from the same people via different sources. Everyone has the same boss, and they all compete against each other, playing games with the voters to keep their seats. I think it should be different. I think politicians should listen to the people for more than just to collect anecdotes for their campaign speeches. We have the technology to streamline government, for complete and total transparency, yet its too risky a move for any politician to attempt for fear of losing the middle ground.

I am going to run for Governor of Colorado. I am not an experienced politician, but I think that the fact that I don't have experience taking contributions and placating those with the most power will work to my advantage, because that is exactly what people are growing sick of. Instead, I want you to teach me about politics. We do not need another politician telling us what we should be scared of. We need a politician who listens to why we are already scared. The laws that are already affecting our lives are the ones that politicians should be most concerned with, not the new useless legislation that just layers complications on an already overloaded system.

I am starting a forum where you, the citizens of Colorado, can tell me what you want in a governor. Tell me what you want from your government. I will continue to tell you exactly who I am, and together we can build my platform. I am starting with an online-only campaign, and word-of-mouth advertising.

If you like what you find outside the box, tell your friends to check it out. In the meantime, here is your first assignment. Whenever it is your time of day to think, whether it be in the shower, when your exercising, or before you fall asleep, take a few minutes and envision your life, ten years from now. Technology is increasing at an exponential pace, what do you want to play an active role in your life? What do you see your surroundings as? How do you travel? Where would you like to live? What people would you want to be interacting with?

Create a vision, and believe that you can make it a reality. Then come back to the forum and tell everyone about it.