Joey's Take -- New Year’s Resolution

I know this may sound corny and a bit old-fashioned, but I believe politicians are only as good as their word – even when it comes to campaign promises. That means many of them aren’t worth much these days. In the hope of bringing true change to government, I’m putting my money where my mouth is and making it my New Year’s Resolution to say what I mean and mean what I say. No empty doggerel taken at my opponent’s expense.

As part of this resolution, I will avoid claims of "unprecedented" deeds; hyperbolic, repetitive reminders of my historic campaign; and trumped-up comparisons to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, JFK, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King Jr., Ronald Reagan, Dr. Doolittle, Elvis, Bono, Frodo or any other “hero” – dead, living or fictional. I can stand on my own four feet, thank you.

I also promise not to numb you with a rhetorical overload of meaningless phrases in the name of opaque transparency. You will not find my “shovel-ready” proposals and initiatives on Lake Superior State University’s annual List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.

So, here’s to the New Year, to resolutions kept and to a campaign season that focuses on real issues, practical solutions and candidates whose word is worth more than a devalued bank note.

I’m Joey. I’m running for Congress. And I approved every word of this message.