End of the Year!

At the beginning of the year I posted the comment below.  It’s time to see how we did:

As we look ahead we can see any number of positive possibilities for this year.  How many do you think will come to pass?

A positive outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian talks that Kerry is pushing.  NOPE!

A positive outcome to the Syrian civil war talks scheduled to begin this month.  NOPE!

A positive outcome to the talks with Iran about rolling back their nuclear program.  NOPE!

A new immigration policy for the U.S.  A PARTIAL NEW POLICY, THANKS TO OBAMA!

A positive view of Obamacare by the end of the year.  MORE PEOPLE ARE POSITIVE, YES!

A reduction in the dysfunction/gridlock on Capital Hill.  NOPE!

Less violence and killing in S.Sudan/Egypt/Somalia/Iraq/Afghanistan/Nigeria/Pakistan/Congo++

NOPE!

A great World Cup in Brazil.  I’D GIVE IT A YES!

A higher minimum wage.  IN A FEW PLACES – A PARTIAL YES!

Less unemployment/More jobs.  YES!

Ten possibilities.  The cynics among us would not expect many positive outcomes.  As for the optimists, well hope springs eternal.  I’ll revisit this list a year from now and report on the results.

OK, to summarize:  Five on the “YES” side.  Five on the “NOPE” side.  I’m surprised at the number of positive outcomes.  Maybe a little less cynicism is in order. 

Happy New Year!