Good year or good riddance?

How has 2013 been for you?

From a personal point of view it has been much better than 2012 and I expect 2014 to be better than 2013 so all looking good so far. From a Spanish point of view I think most Spaniards will be pleased to see the back of it as it means the country is hopefully one step closer to recovery and I think the general trend is moving in that direction at last, although there is still a long way to go.  I hope we will see the back of the unprecedented unemployment numbers and hopefully we will see them gradually grow over the New Year... I also hope that 2014 will be a year without immense natural disasters such as the catastrophic typoon in the Philippines and that mother nature will let the devastated regions recover from their  tragedy.

A good year or good riddence?

"The triumph of hope over experience". Samuel Johnson 1709 - 1789.

The Spanish economy may struggle to keep just out of recession but modest growth is all that can be epected. Why? Because the fundamental problems are still there. Broken banks, over supply in the housing market, lack of outside investment, an uncompetative, over regulated labour market, and the burden of too much private debt. All that and the burden of being in the Eurozone indicates 2014 bringing more of the same.

I wish it were different, hope springs eternal is the mantra of the gambler. Cold experience is what the rest of us rely on.

I hope the new year brings an end to this world wide recession.

I hope that the Spain bashers realise this is a global problem and that we should work together.

I hope the EU gets stronger, less corruption and more of a EU nation mentality rather than carrying on with small minded nationalist pride.

I hope erradication of poverty in the EU is a priority.

I hope for peace across the world

I hope for healthy, fair economic commercial competition between, EU, USA, Asia, Africa and RoW

I hope for stricter taxes on fat cats across the world

I hope all tax havens are banned

I hope for all children to have the same education

I hope all who genuinley need help get it

I hope we all get the same standard of health care where ever we live

I hope benefit scroungers are caught and all loop holes closed

I hope we all stop being so selfish

I hope religous and political extremists realise the damage they are doing

I hope politciians really start to understand and focus on what most people want

I hope for peaceful, non violent, non abusive protests when protests are necessary

I hope we all stop making excuses

I hope people work it out that 3 steps forward and 2 steps back is still progress

I hope for full economic unity, equality and peace across the world

I hope we all have a Happy New and Prosperous New Year