What are the nation's priorities? (PHOTO CREDIT: CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
From CNN's Jack Cafferty:
In his address to Congress last night, President Obama laid out what would be an ambitious agenda even in good times - never mind that we're in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
Yet the president struck an optimistic tone, saying, "We will rebuild and we will recover." His speech focused on 3 top priorities - energy, health care and education. But there was also much more, including, but not limited to: tax reform, beginning a debate on overhauling Social Security, retooling the auto industry, reforming the regulatory system, getting rid of fraud and waste in Medicare, seeking a cure for cancer "in our time", expanding mass transit, encouraging parental responsibility, and on and on. Plus, don't forget there's still a war on terror and two real wars going on.
But our President seems remarkably unruffled by all of this, serene in an inner confidence that he has what it takes to lead this country back into the sunlight. That's not to say some of this stuff may need to be delayed. Mr. Obama acknowledged as much, saying, "Everyone in this chamber... will have to sacrifice some worthy priorities for which there are no dollars. And that includes me. But that does not mean we can afford to ignore our long-term challenges."
Here’s my question to you: What are the most important priorities for the nation at this time, and which can wait?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Maureen writes:
Reforming public education: PRIORITY. The next generation MUST be able to compete with the rest of the world or the U.S. will become a third world country.
Laura from Baytown, Texas writes:
Jack, Taking care of the environment can't wait. Obama needs to make green initiatives his #1 priority, because the next generation may not be able to clean up the damage we've caused to the Earth.
Alex from Weatherford, Texas writes:
The energy and environmental crisis need to take a back a seat while we stabilize the economy and war effort. We're not going to fix these future problems if we don't deal with more immediate ones first.
Steve from Cedar Park, Texas writes:
I would say the financial system and the housing problem should be addressed right away. The health care system, well...maybe wait, but who am I? Just another guy without health insurance.
Dennis from Sacramento, California writes:
Bringing the jobs back that we lost to other nations in the last 10 years would be a good start. Then have a NAFTA Tea Party and throw it away.
Julie from Orlando, Florida writes:
We dug long and deep (nearly to China) to get in this mess. Everything is a priority. Solving the key issues: jobs, education, health care, green energy, returning our servicemen and women home, etc. are all necessary to dig us out of this hole. Time to wake up the Sleeping Giant, or is he sleeping in? We'll see.