7 of 8 Global/American Resolutions 2022
Anyone using American public airwaves must include an hour of public programming (known as “news”) that will not include advertising and must have a budget at least equal to 1/24th of the profit from their two most profitable programs. And per fortnight, one of those hours must be devoted, in full, to covering stories suggested by people in jail, in refugee camps, in a war zone, unemployed or working at or below the poverty line.
And no news about billionaires unless it is to expose their outsized influence.
Everyone eats a little less meat, uses less plastic, trolls a little less, etc.
Phones disallowed from all schools and every classroom and no one—especially students towards teachers—is allowed to make social media accusations of someone in public without at least passing it by someone else/a known authority first.
Everyone smiles and says “hello” or “good day” more often to people they pass on the street.
All political leaders spend the year living in the household of a family of median income in the country where they live.
New York City is shut down to cars for one spring day, every citizen is given a bike, and we see what happens after that.
Rank every school in America, top to bottom. Come up with a goofy amount of money and hire an absurd number of people to work at these schools. Plumbers, roofers, bankers, carpenters, lawyers, weavers–whatever. Money allotments to be scaled in inverse order to school ranking such that worst schools get most cash. Headline: Worst school in America hires 10,000 workers: Second worst, 9,999. Now you have crappy schools lousy with people looking to do something. Need someone to fix your house? Improve the pipes? Make sweaters? Sure, someone at school can do that. They will be over in a moment. And they will bring a few kids with them. Of those hired, 10% must now live between a thirty-forty minute commute from the school, 50% must live within two miles, 10% must live within 2000 yards and the rest can live wherever. Those living closest to the worst 2500 schools are given bonuses: $10,000 to spend however they and a committee of fifth graders deem fit. Those living furthest away get public transportation passes (and free coffee) for life. Anyone riding a bike to and from gets free bikes for life. All hires should be approved by 55% of ninth graders and two-thirds of some three-person committee the locals elect. The kid labeled funniest in school by both peers and adults gets to pick who runs the school for the first three months. After that, everyone can just get to work doing stuff or showing people how to do what they are doing.
Crazy? Sure, but not compared to what we do now.
I am hoping you might comment and suggest number eight . . .
While I think January and February are likely to be tough, I do believe good things are ahead.
Happy New Year,
Ted