2011 is winding down, and we asked our insiders to come up with some "New Year's Resolutions" for someone or something in Utah politics.

"For the state's GOP representatives to remember we live in a democracy."

"Governor Herbert will make a decision without first checking with a pollster."

"To not automatically be against something if President Obama supports it! To actually think about the issue and do what's best for the people you represent!"

"Senator Stephenson resolves to work with UEA to move funding for education from the lowest in the country to the National average."

"My New Year’s Resolution is to love public education and to trust and love all educators!...Sen. Howard Stephenson."

"We, Steve Sandstrom, Chris Herrod, Ken Sumsion, Ben McAdams and Ross Romero, do hereby resolve to not campaign for higher office from the floor of our respective houses of the Utah Legislature because it would be unseemly, an abuse of our offices, and because we wouldn't want to be responsible for causing injury to our colleagues related to excessive eye-rolling. "

"May Orrin Hatch resolve to just be the solid Senator with wisdom he has been all these years and forget what some are trying to make him out to be."

"I will stop being such a publicity hound and let someone else have his or her 15 minutes in the limelight…Rocky Anderson."

"That the Republican Party will ignore some of the right wing crazies and understand how many Republican leaning voters they tick off."

"The 2012 Legislative Session will be sufficient. No special sessions."

"May the New Year find a Utah State Legislature with dedication to the education of our youth and a strengthening of our arts."

"Jon Huntsman resolves to beat market expectations in New Hampshire and live to fight another day."

"To further lower Utah's jobless rate by having more unemployed people follow Carl Wimmer and Morgan Philpot's lead and try to get elected into a real job."

"Orrin Hatch: Don't pander to the far right. Utah political party leaders: Reform the caucus/convention system."

"Gov. Herbert-- resolves not cite outdated (predating his administration) surveys that name Utah "best managed" or 'best' anything."

"I would like every elected Democrat, most especially in the Legislature, to stop playing loved starved puppies to the GOP majority and start fighting for responsible government FOR REAL, and not just making noise while rolling over and giving in."

"Congressman Chaffetz: I will find a real bed to sleep on, and I will do so without turning it into a media event."

"I, Chris Vanocur, do hereby resolve to stop labeling every story I do as an 'exclusive'."

"Orrin Hatch promise to come back to the middle of the political spectrum, just after he secures his party's nomination at his state convention.... or at least he won't be trying to out conservative Mike Lee anymore."

"That more than 35% of Utahns will get out to vote in the 2012 General Election."

"Resolution for the Republicans in the Utah Legislature - hold ALL of their caucus meetings in public, and not close the public out when the important issues are being discussed."

"Mike Winder resolves to come up with a new secret friend and start an advice column."

"That religious and business leaders from across the state will cancel every meeting on March 13th and 15th and ensure their congregations and employees attend caucuses."

"Gary Herbert resolves to stop worrying about his next re-election and actually be a leader for the first time in 3 years."

"I resolve to do everything I can to get more women to run for political office."

"My New Year's resolution is to check the official state map to make sure I live in my own district."

"I, Kirk Jowers, do hereby resolve to decline to comment on stories at least half the times I am asked."

"May peace and practicality pervade Utah politics leaving behind rigid ideology and idiocy."

"Be it resolved that Republicans and Democrats will work with real cooperation to accomplish the work of these United States as their constituents sent them to do."

"Utah legislature: We resolve not to go to GRAMA's house this year!"

"For all politicians: I resolve to change the current broken down political system to one that truly puts my constituents interests ahead of partisan and special interests regardless of any adverse impact on my being reelected."

"A wish really: That our 'representative' democracy actually starts to better represent the people of this state versus the kookiest extremes on both ends of the political spectrum."

"Gary Herbert -- I make a resolution to stop saying, "I'm here to tell you" in every speech, news conference and meeting. I also resolve to quit sniffing our own fumes and spending so much time regurgitating Utah's favorable state rankings. Instead, I pledge to talk about real issues, not rankings."

"A resolution for WVC Mayor Mike Winder: I resolve to use my real name in all my future communications (except I reserve the right to anonymously comment on WVC's recently adopted "Government Transparency Standard")."

"Quit attending so damn many fundraisers!"

"I will remember that in getting things done building good relationships is more effective than proving one is right on issues. (For all state legislators)"

"Get more Utahns involved in politics--reform the peculiar/unique in the free world caucus-convention system."

"More cowbell at Conventions!"

"Alliance for a Better Utah: We will disclose where all our money comes from, and who our political masters are. We will stand on principle, and not just opportunistically confuse voters for our self-serving ends."

"Rep. Greg Hughes is voted Metrosexual of the Year by his colleagues."

"Utah to be come more mainstream and not run by the extreme ideologues."

"Orrin Hatch should resolve to gracefully retire rather than tarnishing his legacy and going down in flames."

"Be nice."

---

Respondents include - 

Fred Adams, Stuart Adams, Jess Agraz, Scott Anderson, Patrice Arent, Bruce Baird, Tom Barberi, Heather Barney, Steve Barth, Jeff Bell, Tom Berggren, Mike Bertelsen, Ron Bigelow, Rob Bishop, Laura Black, Jim Bradley, Ralph Brown, Ken Bullock, Chris Bleak, Curt Bramble, Ralph Brown, Aaron Browning, Dave Buhler, Ken Bullock, Ric Cantrell, Maura Carabello, Rebecca Chavez-Houck, Kay Christensen, David Clark, Thomas Clay, Peter Corroon, Fred Cox, Lew Cramer, Gene Davis, Richard Davis, Brad Daw, Alan Dayton, Margaret Dayton, Mike Deaver, Brad, Dee, Joseph Demma, John Dougall, Randy Dryer, Donald Dunn, Becky Edwards, Scott Ericson, Jessica Fawson, Janice Fisher, Wendy Fisher, Lorie Fowlke, Ronald Fox, Jordan Garn, Luke Garrott, Dave Gessel, Natalie Gochnour, Robert Grow, Karen Hale, David Hansen, Neil Hansen, Joe Hatch, Jeff Hartley, Deidre Henderson, Lyle Hillyard, Randy Horiuchi, Bruce Hough, Scott Howell, Miriam Hyde, Allison Isom, Eric Jergensen, Mike Jerman, Roger Johnson, Michael Jolley, Gordon Jones, Leslie Jones, Kirk Jowers, Brian King, Scott Konopasek, Chris Kyler, Fred Lampropoulos, Douglas Larson, David Litvack, Larry Lunt, Matt Lyon, Ben McAdams, Gayle McKeachnie, JT Martin, Jason Mathis, Karen Mayne, Derek Miller, Rob Miller, Ethan Millard, Brett Millburn, Karen Morgan, Mike Mower, Holly Mullen, Wayne Niederhauser, Mike Noel, Ralph Okerlund, James Olsen, Val Oveson, Scott Parson, Kelly Patterson, Frank Pignanelli, Jason Powers, Joe Pyrah, Mike Reberg, Jill Remington Love, Lauren Richards, Holly Richardson, Robin Riggs, James Roberts, Luz Robles, Ross Romero, Don Savage, Bryan Schott, Jay Seegmiller, Patrick Shea, Randy Shumway, Soren Simonsen, Jeremy Slaughter, Carol Spackman-Moss, Howard Stephenson, Mike Styler, Todd Taylor, Juliette Tennert, Gary Thorup, Kevin Van Tassell, Royce Van Tassel, Michael Waddoups, Chuck Warren, Christine Watkins, LaVarr Webb, Todd Weiler, Alan West, Ted Wilson, Carl Wimmer, Mike Winder, Thomas Wright