I'm not so interested in talking about personal resolutions for the New Year, having succeeded and failed in many such endeavors over the years.  That doesn't mean I haven't made any!
But the New Year is a time to embark on a path of progress for societal as well as personal improvement, and so I came up with My Top Ten Proposals for Society for 2003.
They are fat free and low in cholesterol.  They have few calories and great fiber, and they are listed here in no particular order, save the sequence that spilled from my thoughts this evening.  Have fun.  I did!
1) I propose that we establish smaller schools and smaller school districts across the nation.  Such a move will increase academic, intellectual, artistic, and scientific growth.  If we have to make do with fewer amenities, perhaps the basics will suffice, as they did in the old days when citizens learned to read the U.S. Constitution, play symphonies, and invent electricity.
2) I propose that we prohibit or severely limit the parameter and scope of sex education in the curriculum of all schools.   Such a move will raise the moral standards of the entire nation.  It will decrease promiscuity and pornography and put sex back where it belongs -- in the bedroom behind closed doors.
3) I propose that we abolish Planned Parenthood and inform the population about the details of abortion and especially partial birth abortion when the brains of fully developed babies are sucked out of their skulls just before full delivery.  Such a move will save millions of lives because people of good will could never go through with an abortion if they knew the truth of it.
4) I propose that we build many more roads and lanes in this Seven County Metropolitan Area of the Twin Cities because people need cars, people want cars, it's a democracy, and cars need roads.  Such a move will decrease road rage and commute time and increase time for families to be together in the morning and evening hours.
5) I propose that we prohibit the availability of chocolate bars and caramel candies next to the lanes at all checkout counters of grocery stores and discount stores and, instead, install those CD stands where you can punch buttons and listen to classical music or sounds of nature.  Such a move will decrease obesity and make waiting in lines much easier and even enjoyable.
6) I propose that we get rid of the three major television networks.  Such a move will give less promotion to the poor example and values of so many stars and starlets of Hollywood.  It will mean the demise of most soap operas, which would mean a decrease in exposure to the twisted lives and obtuse minds that some people come to think of as normal.
7) I propose that we learn the difference between a truth and a lie, especially the lie which contains enough truth to be mistaken for it, and the truth which contains enough mystery to be doubted.  Such a move will contribute immensely to an increase of peace in the lives of families, communities, and nations.  After all, the King of Peace is Truth Himself.
8) I propose that we work toward the increase of global warming, because it is surely better than global cooling.  Such a move will make the winters of Minnesota more like the winters of Miami Beach or Southern California or Puerta Vallarta without having to leave home.
9) I propose that we stop talking about the cloning of human beings because it will never be possible to clone human beings.  Such a move will mean we can talk more about the weather.
10) I propose that we require all U.S. citizens to learn the English language and to take all tests, including the tests for a driver's license, in English and be able to sing "America the Beautiful" by heart.  Such a move will lead to better communication among all peoples of the nation.  If the U.S. is to have a second language, I propose that it be Norwegian, because the national anthem of Norway is quite nice.  I sing it at least once at year at this holiday time when Allan invites me to join the gentlemen of Torske Klubben for dinner.  Wanna hear it?