Jessica

Vozel

Read Jessica's bio and previous columns here

December 31, 2007

My New Years’ Resolutions for Everyone Else

Ever since I realized that no resolution I have ever made for the New Year has stuck or resulted in significant positive change in my life, I have avoided making them. However, as long as it doesn’t affect the availability of the equipment at my gym (as it often does), I have no problem with other people making resolutions. Nor do I have any problem making resolutions for other people. So, on that note, here are nine New Years’ resolutions that I suggest both for the benefit of the involved parties and for the rest of us:

1.  Presidential candidates should resolve to follow through with everything they are currently promising to us should they be elected. Americans want change after seven years of George W. Bush in office and four years of war, and in their desperation are easily convinced that a political transformation is possible. Candidates should avoid capitalizing on that desire, especially if he or she cannot implement a concrete plan for change once that coveted seat in the Oval Office is clinched.

2.  All informed Americans should resolve to vote in November, or revoke their right to complain when the elected president doesn’t govern the way they want them to. 

3.  Celebrities should resolve not to partake in multiple alcoholic beverages before nonchalantly hopping behind the wheel, convinced of their own invincibility. This year has seen Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and, recently, Mischa Barton arrested for drunk driving. Here’s hoping that it won’t take a tragic accident involving a young star to finally communicate to young Hollywood that drinking and driving has serious consequences. 

4.  Similarly, the media should resolve this year not to turn celebrity drunk-driving and its repercussions into front-page, top-of-the-hour news. Flattering mug shots and post-jail interviews with Larry King when punishment is actually enforced do little to emphasize the aforementioned consequences of driving while intoxicated. While we’re at it, responsible journalism and unbiased reporting might be a positive thing for the media to strive for, but that might be asking too much.  Maybe next year. 

5.   Professional athletes should resolve to recognize the influence that comes with their position, especially the one they have on young people. The year 2007 saw football star Michael Vick arrested for illegal dog-fighting and a slew of Major League Baseball players – including the beloved Barry Bonds – outed for taking performance-enhancing drugs, while Olympic track star Marion Jones admitted to the same.  Although professional athletes don’t sign up to be role models, it comes with the territory of being a public personality and they should certainly recognize this and act accordingly.

6.  The politically engaged youth of America should resolve to transfer their activism from blog-driven intellectualizing to concrete action. We’ve all heard that “we are the future” stuff ad nauseum, but have never really internalized the core message: We are a bloc of the population that, with our optimism and energy unspoiled by cynicism, could incite huge change should we turn off our iPods, log off of MySpace and accept the challenge. 

7.  Fashion houses and magazines should resolve to use healthier models in their photo spreads and fashion shows. It is not only the health of the interchangeable, young, impressionable models in jeopardy, but the health of young women everywhere who are exposed to the idealization of bodies achieved only through starvation. Italy set a minimum BMI (Body Mass Index) of 18.5 for its runway models during Milan Fashion Week in 2006. In 2008 other countries should follow suit.

8.  Another one for presidential candidates, as well as for the current administration: Resolve to stop using fear to garner political gain and/or approval from the people. Yes, Rudy Giuliani, we know you were mayor when 9/11 happened, but electing someone other than you does not ensure a sequel to those awful events. Even Sen. Clinton recently resorted to fear-mongering on the campaign trail, citing “unpredictable” crises that await our nation and the next president. It would be nice for politicians to recognize that Americans have the intellectual ability to chose and/or support their leaders for reasons other than fear.  

9.  I simply can’t write this list without suggesting that all people across the globe should resolve to end violence as a means to an end. The death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is a pertinent example of a life cut short for what likely amounts to a political agenda. The tens of thousands dead in Iraq – both American and Iraqi – were also unwilling political sacrifices. 

In a perfect world, 2008 would be a year of peace. In the real world, however, the best we can hope for is a year where we move forward, if only just one step.

© 2007 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

Click here to talk to our writers and editors about this column and others in our discussion forum.

To e-mail feedback about this column, click here. If you enjoy this writer's work, please contact your local newspapers editors and ask them to carry it.

This is Column # JV037. Request permission to publish here.