While many focus on holiday preparations, it is that time of year for a crusty old political writer such as myself to take stock of the political scene and where things may be headed.

Not to be a complete pre-recovery Scrooge, however, I tuned the radio to some Christmas tunes while writing. This led to a colleague speculating about how I could possibly concentrate with those repetitious songs of the holidays drilling into my brain.

When you’re a pro, it’s not a problem.

On the recent election of Donald Trump to the presidency, I must observe that he doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor; he loves you just the same (as long as you vote). The billionaire real-estate mogul showed the ability to flaunt his gold-plated lifestyle while still appealing to the desires of the common folk who want to see their country great again, as it was in the olden days, happy golden days of yore.

Some question how this atypical Republican will get along with the leaders of the Republican-controlled Congress, many of whom were highly critical of his candidacy during the primaries. But you get a sentimental feeling when you hear voices singing Trump’s praises, now that the GOP’s prospects are so tightly tied to the success of his presidency.

Those of us concerned about climate change aren’t thrilled with some of the elves Trump has placed in his workshop. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is Trump’s choice to head the Department of Energy, called for dissolving the agency when he ran for president. ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, is not a guy who is likely to have his focus on reducing carbon footprints. Meanwhile, his nominee for director of the Environmental Protection Agency is Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who has sued and frequently criticized the agency for its “unnecessary regulations.”

Anyone paying attention recognizes global warming is a problem. When is the last time we had a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. The kind where the treetops glisten and children listen.

But do children really listen anymore? You tell them, “You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout.” They don’t listen, not like when I was a kid. Try telling a kid he had better not cry these days. The parent will accuse you of arresting his emotional development.

Back when I was a kid we knew how to have fun when the snow was falling and friends were calling, “Yoo hoo!”

Now you get these young people driving around with the bass in their cars set at ear-damaging levels: pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.

But I digress. (Speaking of loud, maybe I should turn that radio down a bit.)

Anyway, 2017 will bring another projected state deficit to fix. Could there be a post-election tax increase? Republicans campaigned against it and they now split the Senate with the Democrats 18-18 and have closed much of the gap in the House. Already in this state they tax you when you’re sleeping, they tax you when you’re awake, they tax you when you’ve been bad or good.

So no more tax increases, for goodness sake.

I don’t want to sound overly negative. With a new year, a new administration in Washington, and some fresh faces in Hartford, things may work out fine.

In other words, let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear.

And, who knows, maybe from now on, our troubles will be miles away.

Paul Choiniere is the editorial page editor.