Millions of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, which they often abandon by Valentine’s Day, or by January 2. We promise to exercise more, eat less, save more, spend less, read more, reach out to old friends, to improve something in our lives. It’s a ritual built on self-assessment, leading to a goal of self-improvement.
If we are attempting to drop a few LBs, or read War and Peace, shouldn’t our leaders take a shot at how they might do a little better in the new year?
To that end, I often propose suggestions that may improve the political product for Americans in the next year. These suggestions should not be seen as criticisms but as heart-felt recommendations that I believe will help our current president enhance his poll numbers and his legacy. Mr. President, trust me – your numbers will go up if you implement these recommendations.
#1: Quit Lying — Gas does not cost $1.99 a gallon – ANYWHERE. Your supporters buy gas, so they can’t be buying this; don’t gaslight them. And drug prices cannot be reduced by 600 percent. You’re obviously not a math guy but someone on your staff should tell you that. Quit saying it; you sound stupid.
And we know you blocked the Epstein files because you could have released them all with one signature (or even an Autopen). And when you said “no problem” to showing voters the video of survivors being blown up in a second strike on a drug boat, we knew there would be a problem. We predicted it when you said it. We’re not stupid. Stop citing alternative facts and be honest with us; we’ll like you better for it.
#2: Quit Blaming Everyone Else — Blaming Joe Biden for everything from inflation to a leaky faucet in the Lincoln bathroom gets old. You’ve been back a year; it’s time to own it. Try this — “Hey, that one’s on me. I’ll do better.” And the press doesn’t force you to say anything. They just quote it; that’s journalism. If mirrors keep offending, the problem isn’t the mirror.
The presidency is now your responsibility; remember what Truman said about the buck.
#3: Stop Begging for a Nobel Peace Prize – It’s embarrassing and that’s not how it works. It seems awkward to nominate yourself, or to coerce others to, while you strike suspected drug boats, hijack oil tankers from Venezuela, and drop bombs on Syria and Africa. If you claim to be vegan don’t order a rack of ribs.
#4: Quit Trashing Celebrities — Rob Reiner was not your opponent. Late-night jokes do not threaten national security. Show some restraint, some class. When you take a swing at celebrities, writers, or anyone that might question you (think Jimmy Kimmel), it doesn’t make you look strong. It makes you look like an 8-year-old calling his classmate names at recess. Nothing makes a joke funnier than trying to ban it.
#5: Quit Putting Your Name on Everything — Not everything needs to be embossed, gilded, or branded like a casino gift shop. Subtlety is not weakness.
#6: Take down the goofy “Row of Presidents” – Your recently unveiled Row of Presidents is a display that one might assume is a tribute to past American leaders – one might… But wait. Now foreign leaders and dignitaries can view portraits and read how, “Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst President in American History.” Other Democrats are similarly libeled. And Biden’s “portrait” is a picture of an Auto-pen – classy.
Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt revealed that, “As a student of history, many were written directly by the President himself.” Really? Did she forget to add the LOL?
#7: Forget 2020 — You lost. Voters said so, courts said so, audits and recounts said so. The only other guy still arguing is selling pillows. The country has moved on. You should, too.
#8: Grow Up — Tweeting “Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country…” is not presidential. It’s playground. You run the most powerful nation on Earth, not a middle school group chat. If you wouldn’t want your grandkids saying it, don’t say it.
#9: Hire Competence, Not Loyalty — My dog was loyal; he loved me unconditionally. But I never let him negotiate my mortgage or file my taxes. When governing, competence matters. Disagreement is not betrayal; it’s how better options come to light and better decisions get made. Surrounding yourself only with people who nod vigorously while praising your brilliance is not leadership. It’s insecurity that makes competent people flee.
Watching Cabinet members each take their turn at sucking up is painful. It’s embarrassing for them. It’s embarrassing for us. And lately, you seem to doze through it anyway. These are serious jobs held by serious people… in theory. You have them sounding like contestants begging not to be voted off the island.
#10: Quit the Cruelty — If you want to enforce immigration laws, do it, but do it with a little dignity, a little compassion, and little deliberation. Take an extra minute before dragging a pregnant woman to your unmarked car. Pause to consider your options before unleashing seven ICE agents on a 140-pound landscaper at the I-Hop, whose three sons all served in the U.S. Marines. Cruelty is not strength, it’s just cruel. And it’s a choice. Compassion is not weakness. It reveals character.
So, there you have it: a public service list of ten resolutions to help a president enhance his image and his poll numbers. Will he follow them? It’s doubtful. But I will if he will — I’ll drop ten pounds by April.
Curt MacRae is a resident of Coldwater, MI and publishes opinion columns regularly.
To be notified by email when a column is published, or to offer feedback: rantsbymac@gmail.com
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