by Bob Stealey

editor

Doubtlessly sometime in your life you've decided you'd like to take a nap, and you make it known to all around you that you'd like to "catch a few Z's" until a certain time. You've said, "Don't wake me up 'til it's time for dinner" or "Let me nap 'til it's time to get ready for the party!"

This has surely been a request of mine at one time or another. My column today will be concerned with a "wish list" of sorts. I'm calling it "Don't wake me up 'til..." and it follows.

Don't wake me up 'til...

-- This world of ours becomes a better place for us all to live.

-- Our American system of justice truly becomes equal for one and all.

-- Countries (and people) start treating each other as God would will it.

-- The "great American dream" gets to be within the reach of all of us, regardless of socio-economic class.

-- Americans are given not a hand-out, but the same opportunities for employment -- especially in the private sector -- and therefore the chance to attain a reasonably competent job with a reasonable rate of pay. (What folks would do with that opportunity would be up to them, and that's another topic.)

-- Gasoline prices decline as quickly as they rose.

-- Manufacturers of prescription drugs stop gouging pharmacies (and eventually the people).

-- A Red Lobster restaurant locates in the Clarksburg area.

-- The well-being of patients and the decisions affecting them are once again in the hands of the medical doctors, rather than the insurers.

-- The Pittsburgh Pirates start a winning streak.

-- The air is clean enough for us to breathe and the water is safe for us to drink, regardless of possible loss of profits for corporate interests.

-- The opportunity returns for a time of prayer in our public schools.

-- The right to live is decided by God, not man or woman.

-- The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is protected with as much fervor as the First Amendment.

-- Downtowns and inner-city business centers have new incentives to attract shoppers.

-- Motorists start being more courteous to other drivers on our highways and byways.

-- Politicians lucky (or endowed) enough to be elected start looking out more for the people who elected them and their families and friends, and less for the gratification of their personal ambitions.

-- Certain wealthy people stop exploiting those who have little resources in order to fatten their own bank accounts.

-- Television network and cable station programmers start using more discretion and common sense in scheduling shows that shouldn't be aired when very young people are likely to be watching.

-- There's less politics and ego-feeding in organized youth sports leagues.

-- There's more consciousness of the presence of God and putting personal faith in Him to work.

There you have it ... a list of requests I've made to allow my peaceful daytime slumbering without an alarm clock. But first, let me say just two things about my list for Bob'n'Along:

-- With some of the things I've mentioned, it would likely be an endless nap, and

-- I should voluntarily wake up and help to bring some of these things about on my own.

Have a terrific week ahead! Remember, Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 28.

Exponent-Telegram Editor Bob Stealey can be reached by phone at (304) 626-1438, or by e-mail at rstealey@exponent-telegram.com.The all-day event will be held free of charge and will be open to the public.

There you have it ... a list of re