Editor's note 01-06-22

Sound political advice can translate into real-world advice the rest of us can use. David Axelrod, who was senior adviser to Barack Obama, has suggestions for President Joe Biden's handling of the stalled Build Back Better legislation. They could be New Year's resolutions. 1. Talk less about Build Back Better and more about COVID, which is what's on everybody's mind. Translation: Work quietly on long-term goals but talk about now. 2. You can't always get what you want, so get what you can. Translation: Needs no translation. 3. Focus on the parts, not the sum. People are wary of words like "historic" and "transformative," but they care about prekindergarten for all children. Translation: Don't try to make history. Try to accomplish a few things that help people. History will decide on its own.– Fletcher Farrar, editor