Written by Thomas Magstadt   

All things considered, it's easy to conclude that the world is going to hell in a hand-basket. Still, the start of a New Year is a good time to dust off one's belief in the possibility of a better world. As the saying goes, hope springs eternal.

Speaking of which, I've decided to draw up a Hope List for 2012 and try to imagine how each one will play out. Think of it as a kind of world report card filled out before the "final" but based on previous test results.

Hope #1 – For the world: Peace on earth.

Unfortunately, this one did not turn out so well again this year. It's always at the top of my list, but so far I've been disappointed every time. I remember reading Orwell's 1984 many years ago. The people of Oceania were told that war is peace, and they didn't dare argue the point. They were also told that freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength. They were smart enough to know better, but not free enough to say so.

Hope #2 – For all people: An end to poverty.

Another big disappointment. But there is a surprising development here. In some parts of the world, especially Asia, where poverty was rampant only recently, the situation has vastly improved, according to CNN, the BBC and other respected news media outlets. In others, especially the United States and Greece, where poverty was once reportedly all but eradicated, the trend is going in the opposite direction.

Hope #3 – For the nation: A woman in the White House.

Yes! There is indeed a woman in the White House. One of whom is the wife of the president. At the present time, we've had 44 presidents, of which a mere 44 have been men. That fact that a woman will not be president for the next four years comes as no surprise. Sarah Palin dropped out early and Michelle Bachmann acted as though she was dropped a long time ago, as a baby, on her head. And besides, just because the UK, Germany, Chile, Brazil, India, and Pakistan, to name but a few, have had governments headed by women – so what? Myanmar hasn't. Neither has China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.

Hope #4 – For Colorado: The forces of commerce and conservation will be kept in balance, the economy will grow, good jobs will be created, there will be plenty of rain just when the farmers need it, and so on.

Unfortunately, the state of the world, the euro, the federal deficit, a soft housing market, a national jobless rate hovering around 9%, and the other lingering effects of a recession officially declared over but (like the Iraq War) still with us, prevented Colorado from experiencing a robust economic recovery in 2012. Nonetheless, it is Colorado! The beauty of these majestic mountains, the verdant meadows, the brilliant colors of spring, of wildflowers and birds and budding trees, the sights and sounds of dancing waters rushing from way high above, and the pure blue unbroken sky – all that was there for all us 2012. To lift our spirits and to remind us what inspired all those sweet John Denver songs we can't get out of our heads.

Hope #5 – For democracy: The Supreme Court will finally come to recognize the subtle differences between corporations and people.

It didn't happen. Presumably, the nine distinguished jurists sitting on nation's highest court have no difficulty distinguishing between a hummingbird and Hemingway, for example, or a rum bun and Rembrandt. And yet they can't tell the difference between Conoco and Connie Francis.

In a landmark 5-4 decision in Citizens United versus Federal Election Commission handed down in 2010 the Court ruled the government cannot censor political broadcasts in candidate elections funded by corporations or unions. In other words, giant corporations with resources that dwarf those of 99.9% of private individuals in this country can give unlimited sums to office-seekers.

Why? Because five judges with very powerful magnifying glasses found it in the Constitution. Where? In the First Amendment, which clearly states: "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Of course, slaves didn't count (except 3/5 worth), and couldn't vote. Neither could women until 1920, when the 19th Amendment was ratified. But by that time the Supreme Court in its wisdom had granted corporations personhood for over a century. The idea back then was to give corporations the right to enter into contracts. It was only much later that the justices discovered the unalienable right to buy a Congressman.

So all in all, my hopes for 2012 were largely unfulfilled. But on the bright side, it was a good year to be in Colorado. But, seriously, what year isn't?