WISH LIST

Every year the Los Angeles Times publishes a wish list on new year’s day. This morning they whined that they only got 2 ½ of their wishes from last year. Gees, I wonder why? Topping their 2008 list: “For the L. A. Dodgers to avoid a late-season collapse.” Americans are dying in Iraq, children are starving around the world, Pakistan is about to explode, and the number-one wish of the only real newspaper in Los Angeles involves a better year for the home team. Well, I have a wish list of my own.

That the Times would report the news – not the inside info on Britney Spears's pregnant sister, the news. That they would not take government statements at face value but would check out the facts instead. In other words, I wish they would do their job.

That American foreign policy were not simply an extension of the corporate wish list. That we would bring our soldiers home and allow other nations to find their own way.

That political campaigns were no more than two months long and were publicly funded, the only way to even approach corruption-free elections.

That term limits be imposed on all elected officials. Participation in politics should be a public service, not a career.

That pharmaceutical companies not be allowed to hold patents on life-saving drugs, ensuring themselves obscene profits. If there is something more immoral than that, I don’t know what it is.

A new set of golf clubs (hey, it’s a wish list).

Happy new year. May you all have a healthy and prosperous 2008.

a foot on either side