Before we put away the Christmas trees and pack-up the festive decorations for another year, my colleague opposite and I thought it would be a good time to put forward our visions for the new year.
One of the biggest stories of 2012, both in the United States and Canada, will be the U.S. presidential election slated to take place in November.
Despite his 'gift of the gab,' Barack Obama has been unable to solve his country's financial woes and has failed to achieve consensus on so many other issues. U.S. opinion polls indicate that Obama's lacklustre first term in office has opened the door for the Republican party. Will 2012 bring us a President Newt Gingrich?
In this country, we can be grateful for a majority Conservative government that has the wherewithal to carry through on its promises. In 2012, we can expect to see senate reform, a new deal with the First Nations, and new free trade agreements with Europe and other countries around the world.
Provincially, I'd like to see the BC Liberals get back to their free-enterprise, fiscally responsible roots.
They can start by standing up to the BC Teachers' Federation.
If the BCTF doesn't compromise on some of their outlandish demands, I think it's incumbent upon the government to legislate an end to the dispute. Work-to-rule with no report cards is not in the best interest of our children.
Ultimately, I would like to see Christy Clark and the BC Liberals get their groove back.
The alternative - a NDP government - is too scary to imagine.
Those who were around in the 1990's will remember the revolving door of NDP premiers whose anti-business slant drove away hordes of industries, jobs, and people to other provinces.
If victorious, current leader Adrian Dix, who was once a protégé to former Premier Glen Clark, is sure to follow in his predecessors' abysmal tradition.
If the Liberals can't get their act together then bring on John Cummins and the BC Conservatives.
Finally, outside the realm of politics, I join with other long suffering Canuck fans hoping to see the boys back in the Stanley Cup finals in 2012.
But, this time, with a different result and no riots. Please, no riots.
Happy New Year to all!
