New Year's Resolutions For Us All
This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.
I've never been much for the ritual of making New Year's resolutions. If I make them, I break them. So I'm going to make some New Year's resolutions for the country, and you can accept them or reject them as you see fit.
First, we need to get smarter. Global competition demands it, and a smarter country will come up with creative solutions to problems such as energy consumption. But everyone needs to get smarter — failing schools cannot be acceptable anywhere. Even in America, there's no real freedom without economic opportunity.
We're going to listen more. We're going to stop speaking past one another and start hearing each other. We don't have to give up our passions — but maybe if we stop fighting over turf, we'll find some common ground.
Finally, and here's the toughest one: We're going to start loving our neighbors. I know it's hard to imagine — but think of the possibilities for a country that says "you first" instead of "me first."
Harry's daily commentary can be heard on many CBS Radio News affiliates across the country.