Welcome to New Year's Eve, Babies and Father Times...

Knowing the Pandora's (Ballot) Box we were opening, we asked: "What are your New Year's Resolutions for politicians?"

We're still collecting resolutions here, and will publish a list of our favorites in the New Year.

In the meantime, here are some of your resolutions for your reps:

"Balance the freaking budget. Please." -Elizabeth
"Remember your oath is to Country and Constitution; not party." -Joel
"In 2020, I hope you have a deep understanding of your true value and worth, know that your vote matters, and that our country can restore faith in its unlimited potential." -larubia
"I know it's hard, but I really wish all politicians would stop being so nasty to each other. Stop calling each other names, stop saying 'those radicals' or 'extremists' about the other side, stop lying about what others have said, and stop using what the other 'side' said to justify your own partisan actions (none of you are perfect)." -Brian
"Put people before party. Your job is to work together to solve today’s problems, not snipe with each other." -RjGoodman
"Stop lying. If you feel that you're irresistibly attracted to lying, tender your letter of resignation. If you're also hateful when you lie, resign and pledge never again to darken our doorways." -vermary
"For the new year... Bring the immigration issue...Set a budget and stick to it. The budget should not be greater than income. There is not a single American that can year after year get away with that...and our government should not do so either..." -Richard
"Find lawmakers who aren’t right-wing/left-wing extremists. Both parties are going further and further to the left/right. We need compromise among our leaders, we’re not getting anywhere." -Chloe
"Clean up our government and our governance. Get big money out of any ability to influence our legislators or our politics. Restore honor, honesty, integrity, ethics and fair-play to politics. Stop divisive rhetoric and embrace inclusion instead of exclusion. Minimize party politics and encourage legislators to be the independent representatives of the people that our founders intended." -jimK

How are you feeling about D.C. in 2020?

On the Radar

Countable CEO: ‘Thank You for a Great Year’

Here's an excerpt from Countable CEO Bart Myer's letter to you, the Countable Community, who makes all of this possible (and worthwhile)

Dear Countable Friends—

What a year 2019 has been. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve learned, we’ve reacted—regardless of whether you’re a (D), (R), or (I), I’m sure the one thing we can agree on is that it’s been quite the roller coaster ride.

As the clock ticks down to midnight, and we prepare to hang that 2020 calendar up on the wall, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you.

Thanks to you, we sent over 848,000 messages, videos, and calls to your representatives in Washington this year.

That is extraordinary. It’s democracy in action and the vision of our founding fathers in practice. Well done.

...

As we charge into the year ahead - hopefully after a healthy dose of New Year’s revelries - we want to hear from you. Please, send us your thoughts, questions, and feedback. Together, I can’t wait to see what we will achieve. America is waiting.

Happy New Year,

Bart Myers, Countable Founder & CEO

Under the Radar

You Deserve a Raise This Year

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How do you feel about your year on The Hill?

Reviewing America’s Economy in 2019

With 2019 drawing to a close, here’s a look at how the U.S. economy is performing:

ECONOMIC GROWTH

America’s gross domestic product (GDP) when adjusted for inflation (Real GDP) grew between 2 and 3% for the first three quarters of 2019 ― roughly equal to the average economic growth rate over the past three years.

As of the third quarter of 2019, real GDP totaled $19.1 trillion or $58,000 per person. The largest industries as a share of GDP were real estate at 13.4%, professional and business services at 12.8%, government at 12.3%, and manufacturing at 11%. This chart from USAFacts shows how U.S. GDP changed from the previous quarter since 2011:

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STOCK MARKET

Major U.S. stock indexes hit all-time highs in 2019, setting numerous records. The S&P 500 broke 3,000 for the first time in July, the Dow Jones Industrial Average exceeded 28,000 for the first time in November, and the NASDAQ topped 9,000 for the first time in December. This USAFacts chart shows the S&P 500’s monthly closing level dating back to 2000:

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