1. Prepare for and support resilient and exponential technological growth. Climate change is inevitable and, as of now, it is a crisis. Yes, Copenhagen was an embarrassing failure, but there is hope for the UN-sponsored world climate meeting, the 17th Conference of the Parties, in South Africa in 2011. Green is the future. Many rapidly developing nations are aware their progress needs to be climate-ready, and their growth must take the environment into account, but the U.S. government has yet to seem concerned about the sustainable quality of its own interests. Put it this way: Based on the criteria of Green Industry projects tracked by Conway Data New Plant Database (from January 2008 - March 2010) and the number of LEED Certified projects per nation (starting May 10, 2010), Canada is number one, China is number three and America doesn't even make the top ten.
2. Do not extend the Bush tax cuts for the upper income bracket of Americans. We cannot justify broadening the income gap at this point in our economic history, and with a projected unemployment rate at about 9 percent at the end of 2011 according to the Congressional Budget Office, that money is much better put to work in favor of those with low incomes. Substantial job creation will not happen solely out of the pockets of the filthy rich, so I am sorry to the approximately 5 percent of Americans that this directly affects. Take one for Team America; your second yacht will have to wait.
3. Solid bipartisanship needs to become a reality when it comes to progressive ideas. For example, pass New START. It's not perfect, but it's progress. Just because Obama presented the treaty doesn't mean you have to be party poopers. Now, if only Republicans had any idea how to be progressive, this wouldn't be such an issue.
4. Dream the impossible DREAM! The DREAM Act, if passed, will allow for youthful illegals to gain citizenship by either joining the armed forces for two years or fulfilling a minimum of two years in higher education. America needs to expand the number of skilled immigrants it allows in and keeps. The evolving globalized world should not be run by nationalism, but by individually qualified people.
5. And finally, for you citizens — tick, tock! Americans, the clock is always running but the time for change is now, and our politicians need the support and activism of we citizens. We cannot stay sedentary and hope and pray — it's time to make resolutions that matter.