It's 1/1/11 and time to look forward in a time of war, devastation,gas hikes, unemployment, and lousy politics. The road is full of potholes, and yet we need to get a bearing. 

My resolutions this year will be simple things, and hopefully not too jaded. Its an age of bureaucrats giving thumbs down to support for the middle class. Expect cuts in social security, health care, and the things most needed in order for us all to prosper. End run the system by avoiding the junk food agribusiness likes pumping through the pipes. As Kathleen Parker suggests, scam the system by eating less. 

Pray that there's a heaven or happy ending, but do it quietly. Most of us have to do something with the God urge we experience in striving to be part of something bigger, but nothing so offends as intolerant and preachy people out to convert others, invade countries, or shave heads. 

Work to do something useful for other people. Losing one's time with crotch-grabbing music videos and American Idols, poking friends, tweeting or endless Facebook scanning won't add up to much contribution. Now that we're in a New Year we're past the tinsel again and the gifting of stuff we paid a store clerk a couple of bucks for. All  of this didn't get us to the heart of matters.