Yep, it’s the time of year to set some goals and to figure out how to reach them.

As I mentioned Tuesday, I’m looking for answers to the question: why have we not made more headway in convincing the world they can invest successfully. That’s my sole goal, at the moment—other than heeding the best advice I’ve ever received: “Keep breathin’.”

And my sole resolution is to pursue this course, find out the real reasons why no one is interested in investing, and then do something to correct it.

I realize that this nation has had a series of setbacks during the past year—the past decade, actually. But the good news is that, as a nation, we’re still breathin’.

Sure, we’ve seen some grossly ignorant, political giants smash gaping holes in the hull of our ship of state. And, even as the water swirls around their hips, keep swinging to widen those holes in hopes the water will flow out instead of in.

Our democracy is under siege from within because the average voter believes in magic! Healthcare, all the entitlements—social security, Medicare—all of the admirable, altruistic, do-good projects, from the earmarks that benefit a small town (and buy another term for some Congressman), to the rights-nee-privileges and necessities-nee-luxuries that we all hound our legislators to get for us—will be paid for by a bunny rabbit that pops out of someone’s hat! (No one’s come up with a more plausible scenario to date!)

So, let’s all resolve, in the coming year, to respect those who think differently from us and vow to help them realize their goals. Let’s retreat from the personal castigation and try to help our president be a better president instead of trying to take him down.

We’re way out on a limb. Let’s quit hacking it off the tree!

And if this wasn’t enough of a collection of metaphors for you, I’ll try to come up with some more!

Ellis Current Events, Food for Thought, Fundamental Investment Views congress, dumb legislators, earmarks, luxuries, necessities, privileges, rights, sinking ship of state