Pres.’ priorities 110812

The presidential election is finally over leaving a political landscape devastation that far exceeds that of Sandy’s recent storm damage.

Despite their partisan legislatures’ attempts to manipulate the vote, Republicans are stunned by their loss.  While the Democrats began a legal defense of voters’ rights before the election, Republican lawyers are now lining up to protest the Democratic victory.  Republicans point to the fact that the international community (IC) supports the President.  His approval rating overseas is 80-90 percent while at home it is less than 50 percent.  According to Republicans this proves the President is un-American.  What the figures really prove is that the IC is more interested in American politics than the Americans themselves, who are satisfied with sound bites.

The President has demonstrated that he understands that the United States in one neighborhood in a global community.  What he is faced with in his second term is a hostile political landscape similar to that of the post-Civil War era.  Just as in that era the task is to heal the country before the country can move forward.

In this term the President’s priorities must be:

First and foremost, convince Congress that the national interests are more important than ideology.  Congress must be made to focus on solutions rather than obstructions.

Second, utilize the “Bully Pulpit” to educate the people that the nation’s strength lies in pulling together to solve problems.  The fragmenting of society as seen in the election can only result in the ultimate fragmentation of the country.  The melting pot myth no longer works. The pot has become a retort that separates rather than mixes.  Society must become one of inclusion rather than exclusion.

Third, the deficit must be eliminated requiring belt tightening and tax reform.  One without the other is counter-productive.  Calling financial realities “all Greek to me” is dangerous because financial irresponsibility just sank the Greeks.

Fourth, military adventurism must be restrained as a cost that cannot be sustained.  It has also proven to be counter-productive by making enemies and losing friends.

Fifth, positive action on the first four priorities buys the time and resources to deal with declining educational goals, failing infrastructure, manufacturing decline and falling prestige.

If the president can get in front of these issues then the nation’s prospects for the 22nd century are good.  Fail now, and the question may well be U.S. who?