Things we can expect to see in 2012:

Arizona will continue to bash immigrants like there’s no tomorrow. With a recent court ruling that an ethnics studies program in its public schools may violate state law because it supposedly presents Latino history in a “biased, political and emotionally charged manner,” the Grand Canyon State now excels in promoting hatred. Way to go, Arizona, what’s next, outlawing the Mexican restaurant? Arizona, the cesspool of states.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will be kept busier than usual, what with the nitwits in Congress always outdoing themselves in passing new “national security” laws that disregard the U.S. Constitution and basic due process afforded to us as Americans. There’s never a dearth of stupidity in the legislative branch of government. Like death and taxes, you can bet your life on it.

As usual, Hollywood’s glitterati will get far more attention than they ever deserve. Whether it’s because they wear something that some self-appointed guardian of fashion and taste decides is outrageous, inappropriate or just plain stone-cold ugly, or because they get caught cheating on their partners, stealing from stores or who knows what else, they will unfortunately be in the news a whole lot. And making lousy movies to boot.

Police abuse of nonviolent demonstrators will make more and more headlines throughout the world, as the disparity between the haves and have-nots increases and the masses take to the streets. The scenario will always be the same, whether it’s in Oakland or Cairo: nonviolent demonstrators beaten, pepper sprayed or shot. A cop is a cop is a cop. 

The presidential election will eat up far too much of all of our nation’s time, not to mention space in the mainstream media and on TV. Expect tons of stupid comments along the lines of Rick Santorum’s recent “solution” to poverty (getting married and graduating from high school, it’s true, he actually said that!), especially from the GOP lineup of scary monsters and morally bankrupt buffoons. 

Banks will no doubt start a publicity blitz to counter their extremely negative (and well deserved) image in these post “Occupy Wall Street” times, even as they continue to throw Americans out of their homes. Unfortunately, with the right advertising firm, you can convince a great number of people in this country that the moon is made of green cheese and guacamole. What? You mean it isn’t?

The Vatican will not cease being homophobic, anti-sex, anti-abortion, or anti-contraceptives. Even with the lives of million of people at stake, the pope will not advocate for the use condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS. But he will keep his church in the Dark Ages with attacks on literature and films such Harry Potter and age-old practices such as yoga. Beyond shameful.

America the beautiful will get dirtier and more polluted. Despite all the hype about “green” efforts, things just won’t get any better. How could they? Our air quality regulations are a joke, our water is laden with scores of un-filterable substances such as pharmaceuticals, and our soil poisoned with the runoff of pesticides and other chemicals. If Katherine Lee Bates were writing her song today, she’d be hard pressed to find anything to say.

Finally, millions of Americans will continue to live in the streets or their cars, wait in endless unemployment lines, and go without healthcare for themselves and their families.

Oh. Right. Happy New Year.