A new year, as past chairman of the NRC board

摘要

Since my 2011 resolutions to exercise more, eat better and lose weight didn't pan out quite as well as I had hoped, I am going to modify my approach for 2012. This year, my New Year's resolution will be to pay attention. It's going to be a big year for events that will set the stage for the future. Of course, the main event in politics is the Presidential election, but there will also be the biennial election of the 435 members of the House of Representatives, as well as 33 U.S. Senators. The economy, although quite fragile, continues to show signs of growth, albeit much slower than we'd like to see. Rail traffic growth continues to creep ahead and railroad infrastructure investment should remain healthy. It's always interesting to keep an eye on China and major news is emerging from the European Union, seemingly daily. It's anyone's guess as to what the status of the U.S. economy or the unemployment rate will be on Election Day 2012, but it will be interesting to watch, listen and read as the events of 2012 unfold.