The beginning of the year is always a time for reflection and an attempt to improve ourselves for the next year. I’ve been thinking a lot about the state of D.C., so here are a few suggestions on how it can improve in the coming year:

• At the end of 2013, Dan Snyder fired the coach for the Washington Redskins. This was his seventh coach in 14 years. Only the first coach, Norv Turner, who was there already, had more wins than losses in a season. So, like many politicians, it seems as if no lesson has been learned. If seven coaches in 14 years can’t get a winning streak, perhaps the owner – who is the only constant – is the problem and needs to learn his lesson and stop owning a football team.
• Washington, D.C., could learn how to deal with snow and ice on the roads. We have it on a fairly regular basis. When the season starts, they sand and treat the roads even though the snow and ice don’t come. By the time we actually have snow and ice, the trucks are few and far between and always seem to start after the roads are bad. How about in 2014 the city decides to become efficient in their snow dealings?
• Another suggestion: the Republican Party as a whole starts leading the charge for solutions instead of whining about the past. Yes, Obamacare is far from perfect. Yes, there are many questions regarding Benghazi. Yes, the U.S. foreign policy has been incoherent and there has not been a great deal of leadership. I would love to hear some realistic policy suggestions from the Republican House. There are several rational Members so it would be great if they finally overshadowed the extremists. It would also be nice if the Democrats stepped up to the plate as well and instead of complaining and blaming everything on the Republicans, they worked with them. We had an end of year example with Patty Murray and Paul Ryan. Maybe the rest will learn for 2014?

I know I am naïve and probably Snyder will go on hiring and firing coaches. D.C. will never master snow removal – or the repair of all the potholes created by the snow and ice. And I am not certain that Paul Ryan and Patty Murray will be enough of an inspiration to change the course of this Congress. I also am highly doubtful that the White House is going to figure out how the U.S. can most effectively help the Middle East and prevent more death and destruction in the Arab world or be able to structure a realistic agreement with Iran that will stop its nuclear production. It is nice to start the new year with hope, however!

Welcome to 2014!