3. Please remind Congress that it's (SET ITAL) our (END ITAL) money they're handing out. We have children, and they'll have children. How can they possibly repay what we're spending? Please don't sacrifice our future by postponing the bills to pay for your plan.
4. Please remember that America was built by entrepreneurs, who believe in the free enterprise system. We don't work to pay taxes. We're really working for our take-home pay, and there's too little left after taxes already.
5. Please fix health care. We simply don't know who is to blame for this mess. Yes, it would be great to get everything computerized. But it would be better to figure out how to give everyone basic health care, without having the government run the system. (If Washington couldn't handle TARP, we don't want you messing with our doctors.)
6. Please keep our country safe. But also, please don't sacrifice the lives of our sons and daughters unless we're sure it will contribute to making the world a safer, better place.
7. Please restore our faith in the essential fair application of our laws. Whether it's civil justice or military tribunals, whether it's business executives or impoverished teens, please demand equal justice throughout the land.
Well, that's a pretty presumptuous wish list. Readers are invited to add to the list at my blog: blogs.suntimes.com/savage. But if you can get our economy back to work, we're willing to work hard as well. And we will also realistically understand that there is a cost we must pay for the mistakes of the past.
Americans, and most of the world, are celebrating with you this week. Like Santa, we're hoping you can grant our wishes.
And that's The Savage Truth.