Welcome 2013, and here's my political wish list

Late Tuesday night, on January 1, the House approved the Senate bill, averting the fiscal cliff for at least a few months. And with only one more act for them to take, approving funds for Hurricane Sandy relief (why they waited this long to do it I have no idea), the 112th House will adjourn, and with it, 2012 will be in the books. So with that, I welcome 2013 and have just a few things that I wish and hope for this year.
-- I hope that the GOP will stop being the Tea Party, or at least accept a few tenets that their predecessors, the Republicans, believed in, like: Government has a place in peoples lives. A small government that doesn't take care of its citizens is no better than a big government. An efficient government that make everyone safer, happier, and more productive should be the goal, not government so small it can be drowned in a bathtub.
-- In keeping people safe, I hope that responsible gun safety laws can be enacted. And that means that even months after a horrible mass murder, people care enough that they keep politicians' feet to the fire and demand better gun safety laws.
-- I hope Congress and the President come to a deal early enough that the debt limit won't be a problem. I don't understand how any group can say that although the country has approved spending this money, we don't want to pay the bill.
-- I hope that through finding waste in the government, closing tax loopholes that allows some big businesses to pay no taxes, drawing down the military, and finding savings in future health costs that we can get back to a balanced budget soon. And, no Tea Party, 35 years from now isn't soon. So don't tell me you have a plan with the Ryan Budget. Under that budget, we balance the federal budget again in 2040.
-- I hope that voting laws can be made that will ensure every American can vote in 2014, and it takes less than an hour to do it. And no, not everyone has an ID card, but if a state makes it easy and free for everyone to get one, then the state can make voter ID laws, but not before.

In some ways, I'm really not asking for much, as I expect at least one, if not two of my hopes to happen. But I'm hoping and wishing for just 5 things, and I hope everyone wants at least these same 5 things. Welcome 2013, and I hope you are a wonderful year for everyone. Take care, all. :)