2013: A year to be wished for

In a couple of days, the calendar turns to another year (not a year of doom as Mayan misinterpreters alleged) and our thoughts turn to what that new year might bring.

While there are a few overarching things we would hope do not occur in the upcoming 365 days (mass shootings, recessions or any more fiscal cliffs, for example), we’ve consulted Inter Lake staffers to divine what they would like to see happen during the next year.

So here’s our wish list for 2013. We hope the new year brings:

— The retirement of the phrase, “That’s what I’m talking about.” When someone’s talking, we already know what they’re talking about.

— No more vapid coverage of the Kardashians, who have far exceeded their allotted 15 minutes of fame (or should it be coverage of the vapid Kardashians?). Surely the ravenous American media machine can find someone else with whom to torment us. While we’re at it, the human condition also could be improved if we had to endure a lot less Honey Boo-Boo and Nickie Minaj.

— A return of the Twinkie, that American gastronomic icon that sadly became the victim of a bakery company’s financial unraveling.

— More movies like “Lincoln” and fewer movies like “That’s My Boy.”

— A ban on the phrase “tax cuts” when referring to tax rates that have been in place for 11 years. Yes, indeed, they once were tax cuts — way back in 2001 when they were signed into law by former President George W. Bush after the 9/11 terror attacks. But the fact that they have been around for more than a decade makes them the status quo. Thus, the “tax cuts” that are set to expire at the end of the year should be called what they are: tax increases.

— No more sex scandals involving our allegedly esteemed politicians or military heroes. There’s enough illicit sex to go around without those guys getting involved.

There’s one other thing that we can be fairly sure will NOT mar our year: divisive presidential (or senatorial or gubernatorial or congressional or legislative) election contests.

Even if we don’t get any of our other wishes, the absence of those political mud fights might actually make 2013 a pretty successful year.