We sure hear a lot these days about promises and things national politicians would change if elected.

All the talk got me to thinking and I wondered what I would do if I were placed in charge of the world and all that makes it tick -- even for one fairy-tale, make-believe day.

Wouldn't it be great if we were somehow given the power to rule -- to change and make a real difference in our own homes, communities, state and nation?

If I were in charge of the world, I'd cancel making the bed, sitting through boring meetings, doing disgusting dishes and cleaning the toilet.

* If I were in charge of the world, I'd do away with cell phones, video games, CDs, DVDs and televisions in every room in our homes. Our cars and kids wouldn't be hooked up to GPS or other tracking devices.

* If I were in charge of the world, families would actually sit down for at least one meal together each day and talk together -- out loud.

* If I were in charge of the world, you wouldn't have long winters. Fall and spring would be 4 1/2 months a piece. Summers would be less humid and at least two months long.

* If I were in charge of the world, I'd cancel hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or any natural disaster that kills, hurts or destroys.

* If I were in charge of the world, I'd cancel Mondays, we would all be on a four-day work week, there would be three-day weekends every week, April Fool's Day at least once a month and everybody -- even short fat people like myself would be able to dunk a basketball.

* If I were in charge of the world, I'd make it mandatory for everyone to take an afternoon snooze or kindergarten nap as I like to call it. Workers would be more productive after the 20-minute break.

* If I were in charge of the world, you wouldn't have to worry about money. You wouldn't have any bills to pay. You wouldn't have to pay for college. It would be free along with books and a laptop computer.

* If I were in charge of the world, I'd do away with those annoying little heal-nipping dogs, do away with hand-sewing and do away with having to clean up vomit.

* If I were in charge of the world, dessert would be served before the salad and chocolate would be made a vegetable.

* If I were in charge of the world, they would stop throwing bombs, launching missiles, wars, fights, disputes as well as fraud, deceit and robbery.

* If I were in charge of the world, all politicians would be required to earn the respect and the trust of the voters who put them in office. All debates would be conducted with the candidates hooked up to polygraph machines so we can know if they are being honest with us.

* If I were in charge of the world, there would be no waiting to get a seat in a restaurant and no self-service gasoline stations.

* If I were in charge of the world, the word "bad" would not mean "good" and a "pair of thongs" would not refer to ladies underwear.

* If I were in charge of the world, nobody would be homeless, there would be no gangs, no smoking, no drugs, no crime and there would be no need to have jails or prisons.

* If I were in charge of the world, nobody would mess with our time zones, property taxes, social security benefits and everyone would stop jacking with our gasoline and fuel prices.

* If I were in charge of the world, there would be no abuse, perverts, child molesters, drug addicts, rapists, murderers, terrorists or domestic violence.

* If I were in charge of the world, you wouldn't be able to get an abortion, you could pray in our schools, parks, public places, before sessions of all public meetings.

* If I were in charge of the world, it would be normal to smile at strangers on the street, and say "please" and "thank you."

* If I were in charge of the world, the state of Indiana would again have one-class basketball, instant replay would be gone from sporting events, along with high-priced domed football stadiums, and poker would no longer be considered an athletic event and take up space on our television sports channels.

Well, wake up.

I am not in charge of the world for even one day. I can only hope that some things will go back to the way they were or transform into the ways that I can only dream about.

Nick is the assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or nschneider@gcdailyworld.com