First Talking Points of 2002

Hi, I'm Bill O'Reilly.  Thanks for watching us tonight, and a very happy New Year to you on this first edition of The Factor 2002.

There are certain things the government must get accomplished this year, and that is the subject of this evening's Talking Points memo.

Number one, the death of bin Laden.  That's obvious.

Number two, the capture and trial in front of a military tribunal of Mullah Omar.  He should be charged with crimes against humanity.

Number three, fuel conservation.  OPEC has once again cut production in the face of a worldwide recession and a war on terror.  These nations are not our friends.  The Bush administration should embark in a serious conservation campaign using tax credits for those who save fuel and higher taxes for those who waste it.

We have to stop fooling around here.  Alternative fuels must be aggressively pursued.

Number four, the minimum wage should be raised $1 to $6.15 an hour.

Number five, zero percent interest loans should be made available to workers whose unemployment insurance runs out.

Number six, the capital gains tax should be cut by 20 percent to stimulate investment in the nation's corporations.

Number seven, tax credits should be given to corporations who hire workers and invest in their own infrastructure.  Obviously, that would help the economy.

Number eight, the U.S. military should assist the border patrol in securing the borders.  This must happen for all of us to become secure, and for the flow of narcotics to diminish.

Number nine, President Bush must order John Ashcroft to investigate the Enron situation, where executives walked away with millions while millions of everyday Americans got hosed.  This cannot stand.

And number 10, money and guns must be given to the opponents of Saddam Hussein in order to destabilize that terrorist regime.

So there's the "No Spin" 2002 agenda for the good of all Americans.  No excuses will be accepted.

That's the memo.

The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day

Time now for "The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day." 

Just when I thought I was out, they dragged me back in.  This time the actor Sean Penn has told a magazine that he wants to trade me for Usama bin Laden.  Penn didn't say what the source of his disenchantment with your humble correspondent is, but apparently he's upset about something.

It might be ridiculous, but The Factor has made quite an impression on Hollywood.  And   we're going to go out there soon.  So maybe he'll be out there and I'll see him.

— You can watch Bill O'Reilly's Talking Points weeknights at 8 & 11p.m. ET.  And send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com