A MOJITO, A TOAST, A BEQUEATH

Linda and I concluded 2012 by lifting a Mojito (a combination of rum, triple sec, lime, powdered sugar, and 7-Up), toasting to a better 2013, and bequeathing Philippians 3:13-14 to ALL: "Forget what lies behind, and press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ." Then, we watched the ball drop over Times Square and fell asleep.

To what do we toast?  To what do we hope?  To what do we work towards?  What is the goal, the prize, the upward calling of God in Jesus Christ?  What is the will of God? 

1.  A WASHINGTON, A STATE HOUSE THAT SEEKS THE COMMON GOOD: Commitment to the common good would pass laws, spread wealth around, seek justice, provide opportunity for ALL people.  

2.  CARE, SUPPORT, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LEAST OF THESE: Medical support, educational grants, educational investment, job opportunities, healthy food to encourage growth in ability to contribute to society.

3.  GOVERNMENT THAT MOVES BEYOND GRIDLOCK AND IDEOLOGICAL RIGIDITY: Take the best from each political persuasion and blend actions which will serve ALL.  Listen to each other, learn from each other, and then let the well-being of ALL people be the moral guide for action.  Expect that elected officials seek the good of the ALL, see the big national picture as well as those of their constituents.

4.  ECONOMIC REFORM: Less supply side and more Keynesian economic practice.  Wealth does not trickle down.  Wealth builds out from the people.  Corporations exist for people first, not profit.  Find balance between people and profit.  Practice a balance between globalism and patriotism.  Create process for dealing with debt, yet to also invest heavily in the future.

5.  CUT THE FAT AND ELIMINATE OUTMODED MILITARY "TOYS" FROM THE DEFENSE BUDGET: We cannot be the "cops of the world" (to quote a Phil Ochs' song).  Expect other nations to shoulder their share for their own defense.  Free up more resources for human need and debt relief.

6.  CUT EXPENSES BUT PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL: Discover creative ways to decrease medical costs while providing sufficient medical and mental health care for ALL.  Make deals with "big pharma", require providers to work as teams, pay for outcomes rather than number of tests.  Commit to addressing obesity epidemic through changing of diet and education.  Secure Medicare and Medicaid for the long-term.

7.  SECURE SOCIAL SECURITY: Social Security does not add one penny to our debt.  Do not cut.  Expect people to pay into SS at a higher level of salary.   

8.  ADOPT NEW GUN SAFETY LAWS:  Eliminate assault weapons, eliminate large ammo clips, require trigger locks, eliminate gun-show loopholes, require registration of all guns, provide mental health screenings and limitations.  More guns is not the answer to our national tragedy of death.  Work with the NRA and gun owners to design a safer national policy.

9.  IMMIGRATION REFORM:  Reintroduce the Dream Act.  Find ways for immigrants to earn citizenship, become educated, receive health care without having to live in fear, pay taxes, to remain in the USA and work for the betterment of our nation and their families.

10.  TAX REFORM: Require all people to pay their fair share.  There is a cost for living in a free society.  Increase tax rates for the upper wage earners.  Eliminate off-shore tax shelters, lower corporate taxes, limit deductions (not on charity support).  

11.  INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE: Spend more to repair our nations aging bridges, roads, schools.

12.  INVEST IN EDUCATION: Hire more teachers and upgrade our programs, buildings and technological requirements.  Internet for all! Discover ways for schools and districts to have adequate funding, not tied solely to property taxes.  Spread the wealth to all schools.  Invest more resources in lifting up the poor and least advantaged.  Learn from Finland and the Scandinavian countries.  Invest more in job training and retraining.

13.  STRONG COMMITMENT TO CLEAN-GREEN ENERGY: Investment in solar and wind energy, electric cars, greater building insulation, creative architectural designs that utilize natural lighting and rhythms, less reliance on fossil fuels, elimination of fracking.

14.  CREATION OF A NATIONAL SERVICE CORPS: Require high school or college graduates to serve the well-being of the nation, either through their regular employment or through work programs provided by the government.  Everyone should be expected to work for the national good.  For those having difficulty finding work, the NSC would provide work and training.  

15. REGULATE WALL STREET, BANKS, AND INVESTMENT FIRMS:  There are limits to the types of investments these groups can formulate.  Transparency of investments, limits to hedge funds, taxing of capital gains.

16.  ELECTORAL REFORM:  All people need to be able to vote.  It is a basic right in our democracy.  Provide enough voting machines, initiate on-line voting, provide adequate time for voting, encourage early voting, eliminate unnecessary voter ID requirements, provide a common voting rights strategy for all states.

17.  CELEBRATE AND EMPOWER DIVERSITY:  The United States is a mosaic of cultures and races.  Discover how we can find joy in this diversity and empower the gifts of all within this mosaic for the well-being of all.

18.  REPENT AND REFORM: We need to kneel and beg forgiveness from God and each other for our failures to act justly.  Then we need to change our ways, to act anew, enabled and empowered by God's Good Grace.  God will GUIDE and PROVIDE.

19.  PRACTICE MERCY: A modern, unnamed theologian defines mercy: "Entering the chaos of another." The character of a government, of a nation, is how well we practice this action.

As Christians, we are called to seek and do the will of God.  To this end we toast and work.  Lift the glass and sweat!  Press on towards the upward calling of Jesus Christ!

Happy New Year!

Blessings and Peace!