A to-do list for the Obama administration

exactly what i was thinking. 

and prison reform and decriminalizing marijuana go hand in hand.  get the marijuana offenders out of prison.  not to mention taxing the heck out of it would be a big boost to tax revenues

Heck yes! Billions saved in incarceration costs and tens of billions in tax revenue, to say nothing of not putting millions of perfectly harmless pot smokers in jail for no reason.

It's a no-brainer!

decriminalize marijuana, and, in the drug vein, why not help legalize afghanistan's poppy crop by creating production facilities for morphine and other licit derivatives of opium? that would cripple narcoterrorism networks that al qaeda and the taliban rely upon for funding.

Oh, but before all that, how about working on the ECONOMY by restructuring the tax code, enforce the corporate tax laws aready on the books (close loopholes for offshoring profits), and create jobs by investing in infrastructure (energy and transportation). Those three together would also be a first step towards energy independence and addressing climate change. So, in three simultaneous acts, we could knock out 4 things on your "to-do list for the Obama administration."

Cannabis Libre!!!

Massachusetts just passed decriminalization of marijuana hands down. I would go further and legalize it have the government distribute it so that the money goes to help paying off the nation's debt, instead of going to drug dealers in South America! Offer more drug abuse prevention programs also, but marijuana should be treated the same as alcohol and be legal like it was before 1940. We have bigger problems and this would be a smart solution that I'm sure my generation would agree with. This needs to be done and Barack Obama knows it based on what he's said about the war on drugs not working! There are responsible pot smokers like myself who think it is OK in moderation (like alcohol), and there is my sister a Harvard grad, currently working at Harvard who's probably smoked twice in her life that thinks this should and will happen. It was her idea. So lets do it.

ps. I love your show Rachel.

Then we can fill them with every single illegal immigrant in the country !! No one has even addressed that issue. They come to the US, get their menial paying jobs and send that money right back to Mexico where it's worth more. That to me is a drain on the economy since they also get welfare, free healthcare and can get away with no insurance on their cars .. etc. People just don't want to talk about it. They cry out that that no one will ever want to those jobs and I call BS. My son is entering the work force as well as my daughter next year and guess what ? There are NO jobs for them. So guess who gets to be the provider for 4 more years while they go to college on my dime ? Then they can get a job out of college that doesn't pay more than what they owe in student loans. It's a perpetual cycle and the least of my worries is someone smoking a joint.

That's just what we need ! Let's let all the pot smokers and other drug users out so they can teach others and they're children to be drug users too.  They should be required to take drug treatment and maybe when they get out be a contibutor to society instead of a drain.  I've never met a drug user that didn't start with pot.  Next we can call cocaine ok  then heroin .... great plan .

Even if marijuana was simply decriminalized we would be able to take the billions of dollars spent on such fierce drug enforcements and put it toward funding education, minimizing the current debt, or even spending more on the funding of cancer research and development to actually help those Americans who are in need.

Currently we spend more in drug enforcement than in research for critical illnesses. Also, decriminalizing marijuana would take the power and value out of the selling of this illegal drug.

I know plenty of drug users who did not start with pot.  However I have never met one that didn't start with cigarettes and booze. If you ask them again they will probably amend their statements. Those are both legal. We do call heroin legal, its called methadone (synthetic heroin) and I know lots of little old/disabled people who that is all they can afford to treat their pain.  Tell them they are a drain on our society, especially the veterans. Amphetamines are also legal considering how many kids we dope up to treat ADD/ADHD. Cocaine used to be legal in this country until southerners became scared that the big scary black workers they heavily doped up with the stuff so that they could work all day on little food might go bezerk and start raping white women. (Google it, they even made posters to that effect.) In countries where people are not demonized for drug use through random testing and firing most drug users ARE productive members of society.  They dont have to resort to illegal activities to survive. Despite the propaganda, I fully doubt that once pot is legalized people are going to be roving through neighborhoods ice cream truck style selling pot and brainwashing children. It didnt happen in CA, did it?  Depriving people of natural, beneficial medicine for the sake of profits and monopoly however SHOULD be criminal.

My first of hunny-dos beyond the obvious healthcare, economy, etc.... is either medicinal marijuana or giving the FDA a deep and painful scrubbing. It is so corrupt and ineffective as to be a danger to our health itself. Further down the list is taking the bans off of raw milk. Its just silly and people can choose for themselves. I shouldnt be forced to drink dead, sickening milk just because others want to.

How about overhauling the Justice Dept. and firing everyone who was hired there who graduated from Regent Univ., Pat Robertson's front for a law school.  Then, prosecute the heck out of anyone involved in Gonzo-gate.

I agree with legalizing marijuana, in fact, why not eliminate the federal income tax altogether and recoup the loss from regulating marijuana and from taxing luxury items i.e. items that are not a necessity for Americans.  This would allow Americans to keep their hard earned money and feel they have more control over where their taxes go, as well as free up an enormous amount of resources that go towards prosecuting non-violent marijuana users. 

I agree that President Obama needs to address the growing prison population and the reentry needs of the nearly 700,000 who return from state and federal prisons each year.  Incarceration costs are eating up state and local budgets.  The high recidivism rate is not only a product of bad decisions but also the difficulty of managing the often conflicting mandates placed on those coming home after incarceration.  In my state some 48% of those returned to prison are for what are known as "technical violations" - often the violation results from the inability of poor undereducated men to pay the "user fees" placed on them as a part of reentry.  I often say the 2.2 million people currently incarcerated in America represent the most squandered resource in the industrialized world.  We can make many tax payers instead of tax drains.  Personal responsibility is a big part of success, but also is the ability to manage a complicated and often conflicting set of mandates.  It is a Dickensian system run by a Kafkaesque Bureaucracy   I think this issue should be one of his higher priorities.

The reason marijuana is called a "gateway drug" is that the same guy who sells pot sells the other stuff.  The other stuff is more profitable, and he will gladly give his pot customers the opportunity to switch to a more profitable, and physically addicting alternative.  Break this distribution connection, and you have no more logical connection between pot and heroin than between aspirin and heroin.  The economic advantages to society have already been described here.

president obama clearly has several horrendous messes to clean up.  thankfully he is brilliant, efficient, and seemingly honest...that being said, allow me to add to the list of things i think he

should address.  1) i agree with those who have said the drug war and related fallout needs to be addressed.  this issue is much bigger than people even understand.  the prison industrial complexes are inhumane and cluttered with street-level drug offenders, and this is costing people more than they know.  the livelihoods of indigenous people around the world are being destroyed as a result of this war (for many complex reasons), and young, poor, often black men (in particular) are being locked up with no chance of a functional, conventional life.  families are being disrupted, and much blood is being shed over the cultivation, distribution, and abuse of drugs.  2) student loans.  obama, i will personally deliver your favorite ben and jerry's ice cream, make u awesome mixed cds, walk your new dog, or whatever else you can think of, if you please, please PLEASE forgive student loans.  just thinking about them makes me feel faint.  3) our food system is poisoned and needs to be addressed immediately.  we eat pesticides and fake "foods" such as high fructose corn syrup that lead to terrible illness, obesity, diabetes, poor academic success, poor treatment of animals and mother nature in general.  this is criminal.  awareness must be raised, and things need to change or americans will literally run out of the energy you are asking for in order to make this world better.  this is not food, and therefore, is not nutrition.  bad. bad. bad.  4) poor people need housing.  most public housing around the country was torn down over the last 10 years under the HOPE VI policy that tore down housing that was marked as "unsightly."  I guess the general consensus is when this housing disappears, so do the people.  until there is a return to assistance that is not punitive and complicated and exclusionary, people who cannot afford typical housing, must have options so that they can get back on their feet, and be the contributing citizens everyone wants them to be.  

i could list about 1,000 more important issues that i believe must be addressed soon, but because i love you, barack obama, i'll lay it on easy in the beginning.  first things first.  stop these horrible, senseless wars!  and then forgive my student loans and make the food supply less toxic.  with so much love and respect, shari   (and to you, too, rachel.  i adore you and am ever-so-grateful to listen to you tell me what's up.) 

I agree, legalize marijuana totally and tax it like alcohol.  Use the tax to pay off the debt and use the stems and trunks for hemp products.  Legalizing it would also remove the costly need for the insidious drug testing done by employers......I worked at a major corporation whose upper management employees regularly drank like fish at lunch then went back to work.  That was supposedly OK....but toke a joint and get random tested a week later and you were fired.  Doesn't make sense to me....

I agree that marijuana should be legalized for medicinal & recreational use. If heavily regulated, it would help ease the national debt (and the ailing music industry), decrease alcohol and tobacco abuse, and also improve our relations with Mexico by decreasing the horrific bloodshed they are currently enduring by drug cartels. I doubt corporate America would take kindly to such reforms (especially the Budweisers & Phillip Morrises), but they do have the right to prohibit such use from their employees. And we the people deserve the right to smoke herb if we so choose!

Prisoners have become this countries indentured slaves. Thus the word "prison industry". Think about the work that's done inside our prisons and outside the prison walls by our prison population. Think about the cost savings by local municipals by haveing prisoners incarcerated that perform these services to our community. Is this not in itself a form of slavery. They are housed and they are fed and they are paid in some cases just enough to buy cigettetes and soap. Why isn't this a crime?

I think this is ridiculous! Are you People serious?

You all must Be Pot smokers! Making these Stupid Comments!

 Pot makes some people do some Crazy ass sh__!

I know,  I was married to a pot Addicted person and When he didn't get his Fix for the day He would take it out on Me!  So NO,  pot/weed nor any other Drug should be legal to buy or sell!

Pot is The Gate way to other drugs!!  I must agree with that comment,

 My X-husband went from Weed to  a little Crack in a joint (WET JOINT) to sniffing just a little Cocaine to smoking Crack (free basing ) He is now in a hospital sense March 2008 from a Massive Heart attack! He is not in Good Shape at all he is 47.......

I do not think Drug offenders should be released from Prisons!

They are there for a reason!

if your on a drug long enough it is going to Kill you!

 so they the Dope pushers are just as guilty as Murderers in my eyes!

Beautiful! The new regime has shown where their priorities are.

'Everybody let's get stoned'!!

I like how the anti legalization faction represented here displays the depth of its ignorance not merely through falacious logic, but with glaring misspellings and poor punctuation as well.  This begs the question, if pot is so damaging mentally, why are those who ostensibly have never and will never smoke out the one who end up making themselves look stupid?

It's worth considering.

But seriously folks, those "green jobs" that so much hot air was wasted on in the campaign could be here today if we chose to fully exploit the industrial applications of hemp.  Through the production of oilseed hemp we could reduce our dependence on perolium, and the production of hemp paper applications and building materials could halt the spread of deforestation.  All that is just the tip of the iceberg, I could spend a lot more time on this...

It really is a no-brainer.

There are two things a President Obama could do without legislation. He can direct his Justice dept. to stop all investigations and prosecutions of simple marijuana use. And he could unconditionally pardon all federal prisoners imprisoned for marijuana use.  He would of course lose some votes from hard core anti-drug folks. (they probably didn’t vote for him anyway) But he would reduce prison populations, decrease spending for federal prisons, and have the votes of those released and their families.

Obama should lead a charge to make Christianity Christian again.  Right now "Christianity" has been co-opted by vindictive, mean spirited demonizers who rail against anyone remotely different from themselves.  Non-voracious Christians who are lovers of peace, harmony, and tolerance are seldom if ever heard from.  Their voice should be the clarion call that Christianity desperately needs. 

I would like to see Obama create a "Senior Corps" where us baby boomers can sign up for and participate in a wide range of domestic projects for a week, a month, or longer.  There are a lot of us boomers out there and lots of us are retired or close to retirement and would be willing to help rebuild our country.  What do you all think?

thats a great idea you are the generation that started it and now allot of boomers have the time to do those things again.

I agree that we should legalize marijuana.  Think about the billions we use to fight it.  The billions that are in the pockets of the drug lords that could be used as tax revenue.  We have been fighting this battle since the first depression.  The only reason it was made illegal, was to get the mexican workers out of our country.  That sure didn't work very well.  Proabition, didn't work and we gave up on that.  Now states are trying to wiggle around the laws.  Just legalize it.  It solves so many problems.  Our jails are overloaded with people that got caught selling... let them out.  Give that space for people that should truly be in there. 

If you look at what we want to do with our cars to reduce our dependancy on oil, has a backlash to it.  Better fuel economy or no fuel at all means less tax revenue for our roads that are falling apart now.  Where is that money going to come from?  Marijuana revenues can offset this, if not give an excess in taxes.  Also how about the textile businesses that could be created.  Clothes were made from hemp in the 1800's... they lasted forever.   Much like leather, hemp clothing gets softer and stronger the more you wear it.  And I wonder if anyone has looked at this crop as a possible fuel?  Corn wasn't the answer, but true, it was a good first effort...  Let's grow up and legalize this stuff....  put the same restrictions on it as alcohol and reaps the benefits instead of paying and paying for something we can't and shouldn't try to stop.  It's all about choice.  Nothing different than drinking...  you can choose to... or not to...  

Also speaking about prison...  I hope Obama will do what President Bush should have done and free our border patrol officers that were jailed for doing their jobs.  Only on Bush's watch could something that crazy be done.  Free those officers and return them to their families!!!

Hi, Rachel!  Love the show...we watch it nightly.

Okay...talk me down here.  Why is marijuana still illegal??

Why can we not legalize it and take it away from the black market which makes millions a year on something people could grow for free!  Regulate and tax it the same as alcohol and we could put millions, literally, back into our country's coffers. 

This would prevent a lot of spilled blood (cartels and smugglers and some growers actually kill people over marijuana), employ may Americans (especially in the rural South), raise the economy of many poor third world nations, and ease the crowding in our prisons.

Can anyone give me an informed, scientific reason why marijuana should not be legalized?

To those who oppose legalizing marijuana [and/or other drugs], I have to ask if you believe that without marijuana there would be less crime?  If so, I would point out that numerous horrendous criminals were not users of marijuana or any other recreational drugs.  A small list of non-drug using murderers - John Wayne Gacy, BTK, Green River Killer, John Evander Cooey, Herb Baummeister, Ted Bundy.

Right now, we've created a situation in which criminals can blame their bad acts on drug use, getting shorter sentences or lighter treatment while incarcerated, so they have motive to claim that drugs "caused" their bad behavior.

As for the husband who abused his wife if marijuana weren't provided to him - there are many men in history who've punished their wives for not providing food to their liking - does that make food a cause of their viciousness?   Of course not.

I know far too many productive, kind people who use marijuana & cause no one any harm to believe that marijuana is the cause of bad behavior, and I suspect the people who claim their crimes & abuses are caused by only marijuana are lying.

Finally, we permit people do many dangerous & stupid things - buying ATVs for children, refusing medical care for themselves for any reason [or for their kids for relgious reasons], marrying a convicted spouse-killer, skydiving.  That's what freedom is - it's allowing people to make choices you think are stupid. The difference between drug use, which is a vice, and crime, is that crimes are acts specifically intended to harm another, deprive another of property or deprive someone of their very life.  Vices are acts that individuals do in a private quest for their own happiness.  If you know people who have vices of which you disapprove, you have a choice, *you can refuse to have anything to do with them* [even if it's a relative, there's no law that says you have to let them in your house or bail them out or talk to them].

Re: To do list

Although the economy issue should be the top priority, there are so many other issues that vie for the top spot.  The end of the war in Iraq, for one, needs to be addressed as soon as possible.  Also, we need to increase research and funding to find a cure for AIDS and put more effort into AIDS awareness, which seems to be slipping down the drain. Put an end to torture, close Guantanamo, and very important, promote and defend gay rights and ensure that tolerance will be granted for everyone and anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.  The blow dealt to the right for gays to marry in California is unconscionable and could very likely trigger other states to follow suit, bringing the struggle of gays for this and all of their other inalienable rights to be brought to a shattering halt.  I hope that President elect, Barack Obama will see that this will not happen. 

Yeah ... take care of the growing prison population.  Here's a start.  Check citizenship.  Look how much housecleaning could be done and  how much money would be saved if we weren't supporting non-citizens who may, by comparison, think prison is the Hilton.

The President-elect needs to make sure that the Inauguration route on January 20, 2009 is open to the public, as of now general admission tickets are $495.00 and up. Want VIP seating it will cost you $1724.25.

This was a campaign fought by individuals and who believed in an idea and went out there and made it happen. Now the people who sacrificed everything probably won't be able to see the fruits of their labor in person because some fat cat PAC will have bought up all the good spots.

No matter the benefits or draw backs I don't think any politician will want to be the first president (or senator... or representative) to legalize marijuana.  I personally don't smoke, but many of my college roommates did... and I don't think there's anything wrong with it.  That being said I also don't think it will be legalized anytime soon, especially considering that President-Elect Obama (oooh that sounds so good) will be trying to govern the country from a more centerist agenda.

Here, Here....(stomps fist in table in agreement) HERE, HERE

Sorry, didn't mean to agree with you Bec30, no offense, I'm new here.

All that anyone has to do is write there Senator to vote for HR. 5843..Google it and read up on it, and tell me what you think..

rc-pilot,

I think on this one I will have to agree to disagree with you.  While you may get the more liberal politicians in Washington to vote on it, I just don't think there are enough in office at this time to allow it to pass.  Many of the current senators and congressmen (especially in more conservative areas) have run on family platforms and legalizing marijuana would make it more readily available to adolescents and young adults (and there will be a greater potential for substance abuse in minors if it's legalized, just as there is with alcohol now.).  I don't see any problem with smoking it occasionally and especially allowing it for medicinal purposes, but I don't think a lot of the "soccer moms" of the country will share my views, and they represent a large number of consistent voters.

Here's my suggestion for Obama. Legalize all drugs and controlled
substances, BUT make them available ONLY IN SUPPOSITORY FORM, and
increase the size of the suppository based on the danger posed by the
drug. IE a marijuana suppository would be the size of a tylenol
whereas a crack cocaine suppository would be softball sized! (let's
face it, crack heads are already going through much worse to get a
fix!)

I agree that many current users of crack, meth and other "really bad" drugs started out using marijuana first, but look at where they had to go to get their pot! They had to go to a dealers house, or some strange place where many other substances were sold. If you could buy it at 7 eleven most of these people would never escalate to other drugs!

Pot doesn't lead to other drugs, it leads to drum circles and building ridiculous bongs out of fish tanks and milk jugs!

His first priority would be to let us know what is on his priority list. This is going to take time to weed out all the GOP goof balls in power. The FCC The Justice Dept The FDA the EPA Homeland Security Consumer products etc. These people were hired because of either being representitives of some donor or because they passed a loyalty test. Hire people with credentials for the job not partisan hacks.

I agree, a lot of money is wasted on imprisoning people who have Marijuana convictions.

It is past time to revamp the priorities of "The War on Drugs" and instead of putting people in prison put them in Rehab Programs for Marijuana users.

The Bush administration spent too much time and resources on fighting Marijuana use while they ignored the growing Meth problem.

Methamphetamine use  has become worse under Bush's tenure

I totally agree with that and it relates to what I think is the second most important thing after the fixing the Economy. That is closing Guantanamo Bay. It has been the key reason for the loss of our moral authority in the world. We must restore Justice for ourselves in the way we run our own prison system as well as remove the heinous blight that is "Gitmo" This can probably be done with some type of executive order if need be. Let it be done.

For decades, it has been argued that legalization of drugs - even legalization of only marijuana - is inconsistent with a centrist political position, and/or wouldn't be accepted by the American public.   Here's why I think that now is the time to coinsider it - our government's coffers are so strained that we can no longer afford the luxury of inertia on this matter ; our citizens are facing economic hardships that big corps/big GOP tried to convince the public were no longer a possibility; and Pres.-elect Obama currently has an enormous amount of goodwill and willingness-to-listen among the entire American community.

Drug prohibition is too expensive.  When you count in the cost of undercover investigations, the cost of all the splashy antidrug TV ads, prosecution [public defenders are now so swamped with cases that some are refusing to take more clients], jailing the convicted, how much money could be freed up for health care, roads & bridges, schools, mortgage re-structuring, etc?  

Then, there's the cost to citizens - families that lose an income when someone who has a job is jailed for drug use; young people who lose the chance to go to college because a conviction on a marijuana charge bars college funds;  people kicked out of public housing because of the drug use of relatives; the undertreatment of pain because doctors so fear the FDA, to name a few effects.

Then there's the corrosive effect of the drug war on our justice system.  When police want to get information that they aren't entitled to under the constitution, they trump up a drug charge to get a warrant.  If there is a serious crime they want a conviction on, the charges bargained away are invariably the drug charges.  If they want to put someone away when they have nothing on the person, they plant or lie about drugs.  In how many communities are drug stops made just to check out someone a cop thinks doesn't look like they "belong" in a particular area?

For legalization to ease our multi-headed money crisis, it has to be true legalization.  Decriminialization not only allows government & police departments to keep spending money looking into private drug transactions, but it makes toughening prohibition again easier.   Any sort of publicly-funded or enforced rehab would do little or nothing to reduce drug war expenditures or reduce unconstitutional interference in private lives of citizens.    I would also be concerned that enforced rehab would create an opportunity for abusing citizens similar to the use of psychiatric hospitals in the USSR.  Dissent - even with drug prohibition - is not a mental illness.

Smoking pot negatively affects critical thinking.  That is why pot smokers will break their probation by smoking pot even when they know that if they smoke pot they will be put in prison.  That is why pot smokers think that legalizing marijuana should be priority number one over every other injustice in our country.

By the way, decriminalizing marijuana is a joke.  It will neither stop the sale of it, nor stop pot smokers from doing something stupid and eventually end up in prison.  So much for your vision of Potopia.

Yes, especially prisoners such as Leonard Peltier who has served 30+ years and is in need of congressional investigation to FBI's misconduct in the case, and the injustices of this case.

Marijuana harms critical thinking?  Two words: Carl Sagan.  Three more:  Dr. William Halstead (inventor of the mastectomy, who used heroin & cocaine for his entire adult life). 

Even though there's no evidence that marijuana causes any permanent harm to the brain - and the feds have been looking hard for such evidence since the Nixon administration - it's not the only thing that people can do that might risk their own brain cells.  Alcohol and nicotine are scientifically proven to cause deaths of brain cells, and our society lives with that.  Car, extreme sports or ATV accidents can harm brains, but we live with that.  In other areas, mostly involving taking risks with one's physical body, we draw a distinction between risking oneself and scheming to harm others.

Ending drug prohibition isn't just about stopping unconstitutional, fruitless attempts to intervene in the private lives of citizens in a country founded on "life, liberty & happiness" - it's also about finding money already in the budgets of federal, state & local jurisdictions to pay for the needs of all our citizens - like schools, roads & bridges, mass transit, research into alternative energy.

About six million Americans smoke Pot.  Going rate for an 1/8 of ounze is $40-$50...we will take $45 as a median.  That is 270 Million dollers if everyone buys one 1/8.  This seems like a good way to chip away at that National debt.  What do ya say Obama?

totally freaky - i followed the links from your site here to comment on this very thing - the prison industrial complex. this is a major, major issue for the country, as well as for the african-american community. there is so much inherent racism in the justice system and the PIC that i believe it is something obama should definitely address. i realize he can't be a prison abolitionist b/c that would be far too radical for a politician, but this can be addressed in other ways. or, hell, at least acknowledged! obviously the "leak" that he wants to close guantanamo is a step in the right direction, now let's just hope it actually gets done. i feel hopeful that his seeming willingness to get rid of the "culture of fear" of the past administration could be broadened to include dismantling things such as the "war on drugs" which puts something like 80% of the people in prison there. hopefully the things that really strike at the heart of the problem of the prison industrial complex; racism, poverty, corporate greed - can be dialed back several notches in the coming obama administration to lead to an environment where people are more open to alternatives to prison and building a world without prisons. that's the world i want my kids to live in and that's the world i see in president elect obama's "HOPE."

As a correctional officer, I can tell you for certain that the prisons are over crowed, and yes it needs reform. There are far two many individuals incarcerated for minor offensive. I have seen child molesters get very light sentences and a pot smoker get the book thrown at them, primarily because of the area in which they were found to be smoking. (i.e. A federal park.) this system needs a major over haul and it can start by taken away those huge bonuses from the executive staff. The warden may get a bonus at the end of the year, for saving money, by doing things like vacating post, so as to not pay overtime, there by placing staff in dangerous situations. But as long as money is being saved, they don't care about the safety of the staff. But here is the thing, the excutive staff, make these cuts, against the budget, but they get a huge bonus at the end of the year for saving money by not paying over time.."WOW"...they shouldn't get a bonus for just doing the job that they are already paid to do....and they way in which they accomplish this goal is to sacrifice the safety of staff..Just wrong..I do think the prison system needs a major over haul...but I also believe that President elect Obama should first address the job lost in states Like Ohio. He could have construction began on plants that would make those wind turbines, that will not only began to address our energy concerns, but at the same time, get people back to work, which will help the economy..it's a start that would cover many areas at once...

I so totally agree with the extreme urgency of prison reform.  In Oregon, a corrrections employee received bonuses for keeping costs down - by feeding prisoners food for animal consumption, or so far past its expiration dates that the there was visible green on the meat.  In addition to his bonuses, he was embezelling - and he & his wife were discovered to have a freezer full of $$$ at their home. 

As a society, we need to decide what prisons are for.  Back in colonial times, they believed that solitary reflection would cause people to reconsider their behavior - this is why so many prison systems in the U.S. have names like "dept. of corrections."  Later scientific study showed solitary confinement makes people insane. 

In the late 1800s/early 1900s, we used to jail people for consentual adult sex outside of marriage - not only homosexual, but also heterosexual adultery & premarital sex.  The excuse for that was that sex outside of marriage was disruptive to society as a whole - very similar to the excuse for locking up nonviolent, non-thieving drug users today.  We've stopped jailing people for consentual adult sex, and our society survived.  Just as people back then decided for themselves whom they wanted to jail & why - so do we!  We don't have to keep locking up drug users just because people did that in the past.  But we can't be like the hippies of the '60s & '70s & just say, "It'll be legal in 5/10 years/my/your lifetime."  I'm angry that so many people who've sait this to me in my lifetime never got off their butts to make sure this happened.

If we were to decide that prisons are really only appropriate for the "worst of the worst", as a sort of internal exile to keep truly dangerous people away from the rest of us, we have to start reviewing who we send & how we treat them.  If it's important to keep people like serial killers securely segregated from society, we can decide it might be easier if we don't make prisons arbitrarily miserable.  I'd rather see a serial killer have cable TV, even if I don't, if pacifies him, making it easier for staff to keep him contained, and not increasing the chip on his shoulder & feeding a desire for escape.

People who don't commit violations that involve scheming to deprive others of their property, attacking or killing other citizens don't belong in jail.  Taking a potsmoker who has a job & supports a family & putting that person in jail turns a taxpayer into a burden, which won't convince that person that marijuana itself makes them a bad person.   A teen who is convicted of simple possession who is deprived of college funds is going to be a far less productive citizen than a potsmoker who goes to college.

We aren't only unjustly investigating, prosecuting & jailing a minority of drug users - the policies now in place are turning people who would otherwise be productive taxpayers into a permanent underclass.  Only the most draconian measures - like threatening further jail for failing a drug test, or the threat of losing a good job for testing positive - can force a small minority of drug users into swearing off.  When people swear off for those reasons, it's not because the anti-drug forces have won a convert.  It's the same bullying that kept people in the old Soviet Union from talking politics - the price to the individual & their family is just too high.  Power can be maintained in this way for a short period of time.

The thing I find most ironic is that the same forces in our society who agreed when Reagan said the scariest words in our language are, "I'm from the government & I'm here to help" have been entirely willing to use the power of the federal, state & local governments to bully citizens into changing private behavior that is really none of the business of people outside the household where the drugs are being consumed. 

but what I don't understand is, why is the DEA spending millions on trying to eradicate a plant that's been on this planet for the last 2,700...go read this article in foxnews.com about the huge marijuana stash found in a tomb

Ok if mariquana did become "legal" like so many of you suggest (which im not complaining about) how would that affect your job? Many of us still have jobs that have pre-employment / random drug testing. That would affectively cut the majority of us out of being able to partake in the "legal" mariquana and leave only those who don't work or who work at jobs that don't really care it. Like "small business, i work at a coffee stand, summer job, etc etc". How may people would get there ass off unemployment and get a job if they were tokin all day long? lol.

Fix the healthcare. A healthy people are a prosperous people.

Excellent idea-

What a thoughtful and "grounded" choice he would be!

I love you, Ellen!!!

Yes, indeed! NY Times Article:

We cannot begin any realistic plan for healthcare or education until we begin to look at what we are feeding our kids.  When they test behind the rest of the industrialized world, the question should be...What did the rest of the world eat that day?  Trust me, it wasn't Fruit Loops and PopTarts at the local public school.  We need safe, healthy foods and we need responsible people to be responsible for them.  Not industry lobbyists.  And then there is the school lunch program.  Don't get me started...  I think Secretary of Agriculture is a vital cabinet position that will determine the success or failure of other efforts.  In fact, I would like to see the First Lady adopt safe, healthy, nutrient rich foods for all kids as her platform for change.  She has a powerful voice and is a mom.

I think American kids' poor school performance has less to do with food ingredients than with certain trends in American society that are incompatible with children getting access to the best information and the instruction in disciplined-thinking necessary to expand their knowledge and abilities.  First off is the anti-science/know-nothing strain of American populism, which makes elected school boards too timid to teach the kids the truth about important subjects, especially evolution, the foundation of modern biological knowledge.  On top of that, we have a "self esteem movement" that bubble-wraps kids in the fear that any experience of struggle or failure causes permanent emotional damage, instead of teaching them that they can develop strength facing adversity.  And even when schools try to maintain some sort of standards, parents argue with & intimidate teachers to raise grades on substandard work.

Yo, America, kids are resillient, and need to face the realities of the world and their own limitations before they can grow & become productive citizens and happy humans.

I think this is obviously the #1 or #2 on his agenda, with the emphasis on tons of jobs in this field.

Energy independence understates!!  If a TBoone is right -- and we must believe he is -- we're spending $700B a year for fossil fuels -- such spending having these effects:  1) forcing dependency upon an unsustainable and non-renewal energy source, 2) destroying the environment needlessly, and 3) funding those who believe in the mass indiscriminate murder of human beings -- (which incidentally includes us).

What if that $700B were applied to the national debt?  We would DEfund the crazies.  We would strengthen the dollar which would bring down the price of commodities expressed in dollars.  We could fund health care, Social Security and Medicare, education, and every other current problem.

Energy independence would drive the stock market like absolutely nothing else.

Rachel, you must put energy independence up as an option.

I was torn on the poll myself simply because Obama's already declared that he thinks of energy independence, the infrastructure and the economy as pretty much the same thing- or, at least, so closely related that they may as well be the same issue at anyrate.

So, I say do the whole lump because, he's right. The economy needs a works program and I can't think of anything better then energy independence, which will need a new infrastructure to support it....:)

I absolutely agree - energy independence should be the number one priority.  Building windmills, and power transmission lines, as well as creating the infrastructure for natural gas powered and electric powered, cars, by strongly encouraging their sale here (instead of just in other countries), and building natural gas filling stations, all this, creates a LOT of jobs.  People with jobs allows them to own and pay for homes, which will eventually resolve that problem too.  We should never again allow foreign governments try to destroy our economy by jacking up oil prices.

Agreed- Energy Independence is a 'four-for'. I would much rather see 61 billion of an economic stimulus package be in the form of green-energy stimulus- it creates jobs which helps the economy, get our fuel prices down, improves the environment, and keeps us from sending so much money to countries that sponsor terrorism.

It was hard for me to decide also. Of course the economy is the most pressing issue for many people and effects both the short and long run. On the other hand, I'm feeling kind of resentful that it keeps getting reported that McCain lost mainly because of the bad turn in the economy. What about Iraq?? McCain has always supported Bush's Iraq policy.

This crime against humanity has been such a horrible tragedy and it is our responsibility to fix it as soon as possible. What does it say about us as a people if our own economic troubles would turn the nation away from McCain, but Iraq didn't?

Hi all,

Right on!  Energy is the key item. It does indeed help bigtime with many items: jobs, security, global warming, balance of trade, etc. 

However, the narrow way the topic was framed here as "climate change/environmental issues" almost caused me to bypass it.  I tend to call it alternative energy/global warming/energy security and independence.  Let's quickly invest 10's of billions of dollars into electric transmission, alternative energy research, conservaton, etc. 

If we need to go into further debt to invest, let's do it.

Yours, Marc (San Jose, CA)

I agree.....I don't know how you reinforce the pillars in a house of cards, but Brazil has an answer....California is a decade ahead of the states, in the encouragement of alternative energy...let us explore what has already gone before us...take the good, and leave the bad, but let's allow ourselves our own private energy plants the ability to profitably feed the grid with our excess, in any case....

There are so many good things that could be done, but it seems obvious that PRIORITY #1  is geting the sinking economy going again.  To that end I would strongly urge that rather than another Bushy type stimulus check, that BO do something BOLD, SIGNIFICANT and EFFECTIVE:  cut the capital gains rate down to 10% maximum and 5% under $100K in capital gains.  Right now the treasury will actually get next to nothing from the current igher rate, because most ordinary folks have no capital gains and no taxes to pay anyway.  Yet the signal this sends to the apprehensive business community, stock market and the world, swould how that BHO means to go aginst the grain, be positive, bold and decisive, and more EFFECTIVE.  With virtually no capital gains taxes beeing paid because the Stock market and real estate values have tanked, there is no great loss to the treasury. Actually, once it takes effect, the Treasury may actually see MORE tax funds pour in with this lower rate.  It would shock the nation and show that BHO is a new kin of Democrat, no more business as usual in DC, and also he helsp the folks with 401K and retirement plans, mutual fund accounts and investments, ordinary working class people.

That would be a stimulus that would gain him great cred and backing from Wall Street and help him shake the socialist labels being thrown at him.   It would also make the Stock Market rebound in a hurry!  That's my 2 cents!  What do you think? 

PS: He should also rescind or stop the flow of funds to Wall Street Banks and their crooked criminal cronies at the FED, or the firms that got creative with their financing.  No more bailouts for wall street!  A Capital Gains tax cut helps ordinary folks, workers, retirees and also stimulates the economy in a much more effective and faster way than anything else ever could.  BHO is the only ONE who could get it done right now, in the Congress even before he is sworn in as President!  No one wants a repeat of the Jimmy Carter years.

How about putting solar panels back on the White House as part of his energy initiative? I remember how sad I was that they were taken off in the first place.

That's a great idea. Not only would it save energy but it would save take pay money as well since it is us who fronts the bill.

I would love for the president to create an updated CCC for the Country......Everyone would be required to serve two years between high school and college....choose from working in the military, education, child care, health care, national parks, infrastructure projects; upon completion of service, you are eligible for two years of higher education. Everyone would get paid, therefore helping the economy. Anyone who opts out, through criminal activities or other illegal, or self-destructive activities would be unable to qualify for any public assistance. Everyone, even teen parents, would have to serve to work themselves into a position of being a contributing member of society. An elder-citizen program could also be instituted to employ people who are not ready for retirement. People with disabilities could also find a position within any of the above areas. We need to all be asked to contribute and be a participant in the changes for our country's sake. We want to DO something.

Yes, Energy Independence! But let's not forget why we want it.

Since gas prices are going down folks seem to forget fast that just a while ago we were paying $4.00 plus per gallon. Engergy is a must for the to do list, if this doesn't happen we will be paying through the nose again in the near future. Just imagine all those dollars we middle class people gave to the oil companies and unfriendly nations which could of be spent right here, pulling us out of this economic situation!

I think the first thing that President Elect Obama needs to do is to enact a 21st century version of The New Deal.  Rebuilding our infrastructure and creating immediate jobs is the first key step in our economic recovery. 

Secondly I think he should impose higher taxes on companies who outsource a majority of their jobs to foreign countries while giving a tax break to those who have at least 85-90% of their work force in the United States. 

Thirdly America needs to be the leader in the energy revolution...  With the advances in nanotechnology these days, we could take solar energy to a whole new level.  Spray on solar power cells made with plastic could harness not only the sun's visible rays, (a technology that has been available for quite some time, but has not been considered practical for mass use) but also the invisible infra-red rays of the sun as well.  Imagine cars coated with these cells, or shingles on a house, or even fabrics.  President Elect Obama should set funds aside to do more research in this quickly emerging technological field.  Here is an interesting article on the subject.

Ack! it didn't show up... let's try this again.

ok... it's obviously not going to stay put sooo the article is located on the National Geographic News website, just do a search on nanotechnology and solar energy and you should find it.

Hmmm...GM is losing it's shorts in a major way.  This will be more bad news in terms of jobs lost.  Maybe when he's president (hurry up and get here, 1/20/09!!) Obama could send some money GM's way ONLY IF they produce only hybrid, "green", or completely clean vehicles?   I wonder what would happen?  Would GM even agree to it?

We all know the gov't subsidizes auto manufacturers here.  Someone, besides consumers, should strongly encourage the major car manufacturers in America produce only vehicles that allow us to become less reliant on petroleum-based fuels.  Bec30's posts indicate that new technology could make it easier than ever to produce "clean" vehicles. 

Maybe this could be one not-so-small step toward helping to restore the health of our planet as well as leading us to energy independence and the creation of more jobs.

Let's not forget that 30 years ago GM (Chevy) went to Brazil and has been making alternative fuel vehicles there ever since.  That is partly why they are energy independent now.

Yes Yes Yes!!!

No! No! No! Then we wouldn't get to see her 5 nights a week.

yes yes yes and a fairness doctrine

Interesting idea, but then we would lose the magic that is the Rachel Maddow show, along with her ability to be bluntly honest.

Ha! My husband has been saying Keith should have that position, though I love Keith and admire his passion for Obama I kind of thinks he is a little too agressive. It should be someone that reflects Obama's tempament, Racheal proved herself to be a little to nervous during the final days of the race, shoot she stressed me out all the more with all the extra worrying she was showing.

We need somebody that is honest, but can mantain a poker face too for when things are not going so well!A nervous Press Sec. can be dangerous!

He should definitely appoint Rachel to his cabinet at the very least if not Press Secretary.  I think she could be a cabinet member and do the show at the same time.

No, we need people like Keith and Rachel to stay in the media.  Having people in the press who will not be intimidated by politicians but will hold them accountable and tell the world about what they do, good and bad, is vital to the survival of a democracy.  The regular news organizations for years were afraid to go against Bush and failed in their job to fully report the news.  Keith reported it - some may disagree with his analysis and opinion on topics, but he did cover the stories.  Rachel has done the same on her radio show, and is doing it with her tv show.  We need Keith and Rachel exactly where they are.

n/m

Agreed, Rachel and Keith need to stay RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE! I love them! They make it all soooooooo entertaining!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent idea!  I'd miss her show, but Rachel would be an awesome press secretary!

I think he can find room for Rachel and Keith! They were passionate and so they should have been! This election was very important! I don't think there is anything wrong with an opinion in the press! Why should Fox News be the only one to get the priviledge! I just hope it sent a message to the people in power who have the audacity to think they need not include the voice of American people! I think the first priority should be the economy. The next step  should be tackling energy independence. I hope this is put into effect immediately. My last request would be to make a conscious, concerted effort to end the war in Iraq, then take up the fight to find Bin Laden immediately. Just my opinion but I think our soldiers would be much more relegated to that fight than the current unexplainable Iraq situation.

I also go along ,has somebody a way to tell Obama,she would be a real good press secretary, and the right one, she can handle that job for sure. Yes I like to see Rachel get this job.But how do we let Obama know this ????????????

Ah...silence the press through promotion.  Interesting idea.  But then the victory would seem so shallow if I could only enjoy Rachel from within the establishment.  Keep her where she is... for the rest of us.  Someone needs to ask the good questions.

Why not Tom B. for press secretary.  He has that voice that just fits the job.

AGREED!

I say Bill Moyers for press secretary.

My husband thinks it would be good if Garrison Keillor were press secretary... he could weave news into relevant americana stories. 

In the puppy poll, I voted for a rescue dog. I really believe getting a pedigreed dog would betray Obama's central theme of unity, fairness and thoughtfulness towards our underclasses.

Obama has promised the advocacy group "Best Friends" that his family will adopt a rescue dog. :D

he mentioned in his press conference today that they want a pound puppy but malia is alergic so they need a breed that is "hypoalergenic" and as he said "most of the puond puppy are mutts like him"

Agreed with chad it would be very difficult to find a rescue dog that is hyopallergenic.  He has to put his kids first on this one.  He could get the hypoallergenic dog and make a donation instead. 

He should get a Golden Doodle.  It's a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle... One of my friends neighbors has one and it's the friendliest, most even tempered dog I've ever met...  and it's hypo-allergenic.

have Bush tried for murder.  young men and woman died and bush lied.  read "the Prosecution of George w. bush for murder" - author Vincent Bugulosi.  this needs to be on obams's to do list.  go obama

Too late for that, and too little. Prosecution for war crimes/murder/crimes against the people/theft/tampering with the Constitution.  Perp walk on or before Jan 20, 2009.

Pelosi (who serves my district, as well as the country) lost my respect when she cozied up to Bush and refused to have his crimes investigated or start the impeachment process. There is no accountability in Washington anymore. Obama couldn't get much higher in my esteem, but releasing all the documents Bush refused to issue and starting an investigation into Bush's numerous crimes against the American people (and the world) would still take him up a notch.

Those actions, along with closing Guantanamo, could probably be done relatively quickly, so I hope Obama doesn't ignore everything else when he goes after the economy.

I think that strictly investigating Bush and his administration should begin yesterday. Rove, Cheney, Addington (http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2007/3421cheney_hiding.html), et. al for starters.

Granted Obama has a full plate but I think it is vital that Bush & Co. be held responsible for bringing the country as low as it is.   It is time a little sunshine hit the outgoing administration.  We know what they are responsible for thus far but, what don't we know? 

From the "scrubbing" of Bush's past records in anticipation for his run in 2000, to that election night when the networks were calling for Gore and Bush was so sure Florida was his and the one time only decision of the SCOTUS that appointed Bush. . .  What of the secret energy meetings.  What might they had to do with the manipulation of the market prior to 9/11 and the eventual collapse of Enron? 

WMD, no bid private contractors, missing and misappropriated funds, Osama bin Laden, invasion of sovereign nations. . .  there is so much to answer for.

It's time this administration be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted if necessary. That would be a change - holding those in power accountable.  They deserve no less.

That would show Obama is serious about change!

...a peaceful purge of the enablers....let there be public hearings... allow the truth it's day, on how we got to where we are...how else do we find out anything we can fix?  What about the one-issue congressional bill that ends up having 6,000 pages of amendments, coming out of committee, delivered in the dark hours of the morning on the day of the vote???? 

   A PURGE of congress...k Street....let there be sunlight....

This would not count as unifying the country.

The only constitutional outcome of impeachment (Article II, paragraph 2 I believe, but I am quoting from memory) is removal from office. Once Obama is in office, Bush is out, so an impeachment is a moot point. However, the Constitution does say that besides removal from office a President can still be tried for actual crimes by the courts, so I suppose Obama could do that. He promised to review the records for actual criminality; but I suspect that is more hyperbole on his part, like promising to filibuster FISA.

Not only did Pelosi cozy up to Bush on wiretapping but also folded on how to fund the troops and limit there time on the ground.
Then when she was most needed to be stretching across the isle to help with the economic crisis, she decided it was the best time-right before the vote-to yabber on about Bush's policies being the reason everything was so bad, destroying the unbiased hope that republicans and democrats would put aside those differences to vote without pork on how to fix the economy.

YES!!! why on earth have we not done this? Impeached Bush,

This man Screwed all Americans,

Bill Clinton,  only one and she was a willing participant!!

Bush didnt even ask us,  he Raped us!!!!!! Isnt that a crime!??????????

YES!!! why on earth have we not done this? Impeached Bush,

I'll give you one reason.... Vice President Cheney!  No one wants to be the one to hand over the most powerful position in the United States to that Maniac!  For goodness sakes.. he's already trying to expand the power of the Vice President's position for his own agenda.  If he took over the presidency I could see him orchestrating some horrible event in order to declare martial law before President-Elect Obama was able to be sworn in.  No... I think that once President Bush leaves office he and his cronies should be charged with war profiteering, and crimes against humanity... but let's let him finish out his term, because the alternative is SOOOOOO much worse!  Not to mention there is simply not enough time left in which to complete the proceedings before he is out of office.

The damage that has been done to our republic over last 8 years is incalculable.  There should be NO HIGHER PRIORITY for the incoming President than restoring confidence in our basic form of government.  The way to do that is by immediately ending renditions, Guantanamo, torture, the assault on habeas corpus, and of nearly equal importance, prosecuting criminally those who visited all this upon our nation.  When confidence in the integrity of government is restored many of the other problems will begin to get resolved by market mechanisms.  The corruption in our government has spawned many copycat corruptions in our corporations and banks, because a belief has been fostered that there is never any accountability for anything anymore.  Liked the comments of Cam.

I would prefer that Bush leave office and then have the entire gang subjected to federal investigation and prosecution.  They may never put Bush in prison, but just to see the look on the faces of the entire bush gang in court without the luxury executive privilege or hiding behind claims of national security would be so gratifying.

It is important that we set the right cooperative tone. We too must be prepared to put our shoulders to the wheel. Handing someone a so-called "To Do List", and making demands is the old, dysfunctional way of getting nowhere fast. Your new show could be most effective if it is not seen as simply a Bully Pulpit.

Having said that, "Jobs Baby Jobs".

How about an integrated health record system that has been working well for the VA, DoD, and Indian Health Service for over 20 years.  The government has tried to hide this gem which was developed by government personnel and the subject matter experts at the point of care.  This system is available under the Freedome of Information Act (FOIA).  There is a Not-For-Profit group which is making this code available for free down-load ().  The not-for-profit is attempting to re-create the collaboration of this software and its continuing evolution (the system is designed to be enhanced and extended).  As the VA Management has been trying to dismantle VistA (formerly DHCP) and replace those parts with commercial products that do not communicate well with others.  This is a national treasure which has been hidden from the US public.  Read "Best Care Anywhere" by Phillip Longman.  He has some of this story, but not all.  There is much more.

I was thinking the same thing, the poll should have reflected the top five,not just one :( 

dr. nana, in your comment;

Your new show could be most effective if it is not seen as simply a Bully Pulpit.

....Absolutely correct....We're gonna hear the bully pulpit....the talking heads are going to compete in a battle deciding which spewer gets to own the most difficult, pressing pressure cooker of a problem we have, and it's not gonna be pretty, abiding their impatience....

    Rachael, I hope you continue to throw sunlight on the GOP, because they're liable to return to their lock-step ways of creating mine fields in the path of progress and correction....I'll be tormenting my congressmen when they do this...Just stick to the facts and problems....you're good...

1. Iraq (Giving us $10B a month to work with again) and the curtailing of the military industrial complex's stranglehold on foreign and domestic policy.

2. Economy/Economic stimulus (Revisit the $700B ripoff and make Wall Street pay for what Wall Street did....

3. Healthcare

4. Energy

5. Reversal of Bush Administration's gutting of the Constitution (probably should be #1) via the Patriot Act and its progeny and his EO's.

6. Shut Guantanamo DOWN.

7. The Sudan

8. Voting System

That would be a beginning for the first two weeks.

Robert,

I can't agree with you more about the electronic health information infrastructure. Right now the commercial programs have a stranglehold on the hospitals and blood centers (where I work the code is so messed up, real database programmers outside of the health industry think i'm lying when I explain what we're dealing with.) Obama has addressed this before; it's a huge step in 1) reducing health care costs by reducing redundancy and 2) increasing efficiency in the health care system. I'm a clinical scientist...And I find that many of my patients lie to me or simply can't remember their history correctly, but if I could look up the doctors and hospitals where they had been seen, guess what? I could really increase my turn-around-time and reduce completely avoidable medical errors.

I agree on the need for health care!

Health care is definitely a big issue... Another is reforming the welfare/federal assistance programs.  My sister is living in one of the worse off areas of Michigan (near Grand Rapids) and has a job that pays her less than $10,000 per year, and yet she is being told that she "makes too much to qualify for financial aid or medicaid"... She was actually told that the only way they would be able to help her is if she had a child!  She is a responsible person and doesn't want to bring a child into the world that she can't support, but this is ridiculous!!!  The government is actually promoting irresponsible behavior by making such restrictions on basic needs! President Elect Obama needs to help these hundreds of thousands of Americans like my sister who, while employed, don't make enough money to live on!  I have heard him commenting on this and I hope he can do something to help ease their financial burden (possibly in the form of a better paying job...).

That's a good idea, and one I haven't heard enough about.  It took eight years to practically abolish the bill of rights, how can we get it restored again?

Right.  Job 1 is restore the Bill of Rights and the tripartite system of government (please, President Obama, don't create 1,000 signing statements.  Thank you):  

Habeas corpus.  Empty Guantanamo - but leave it ready for potential war criminals from the current administration (who will receive fair and public trials).  Cancel all federal funding of "faith-based" initiatives as part of a general strengthening of separation of church and state (which will include religious organizations losing their tax-exempt status when they engage in electioneering through the pulpit or through flow of funds).  Make it much more difficult for government to surveil citizens.  

Yes Rachel, where's ENERGY INDEPENDENCE?

Energy needed its own slot on the ballot. As it is now I had to check off "other" and then explain my position on energy here in the comment section.

Energy is absolutely everything. Everything. It is THE hingepin to modern society. No civilization can survive without energy. If we lose our energy supply--even if we lose a mere 5% of it--we will suffer severely as a nation.

The energy-focused speech that Admiral Rickover delivered back in the 1950's is a compelling and sobering revelation about how crucial energy always proves as far as maintaining a modern industrialized civilization (in other words: maintaining a civilization on a level BEYOND Medieval feudal surfdom). As soon as a nation's energy supply is diminished (not cut off completely, but merely diminished) then that civilization will start stumbling and then eventually seize up and cease working. And I dread what sort of a restructuring might result.

Check your history on oil:

1) The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor because the USA set up a naval blockade that prevented the Japanese from obtaining anymore oil from Indonesia.

2) The Nazis lost WWII because the USA successfully cut off Germany's oil supply and then the entire German military machine LITERALLY ran out of gas.

The crucial factor to any nation's ability to rise above feudal surfdom is energy. If we of America lose even a portion of our energy supply, our economy will convulse and we will see entire industries suffer broadscale shutdowns. And that will result in layoffs. Millions of people's livelihoods will be crushed under the financial upheaval.

Energy is the Achilles heel of ANY nation because energy is INTIMATELY linked to the economy itself. And America is perhaps the most vulnerable nation of all in this regard because of how automobile-reliant we have become.

The US military has already labeled energy independence a matter of national security. Obama should likewise see it that way. Obama needs to address the energy issue immediately. Our economic security as well as our military security both hinge on a lack of disruption to our energy supply.

Frank Herbert was 50 years ahead of his time.

I agree with CynicL 1. Many of us are happy and...relieved...to have a beautiful, intelligent and strong woman speak for us! For the to-do list: somehow have the Supreme Court override the passing of Prop 8 and other same-sex marriage bans!! LGBT folks deserve equal rights. Many of the best role models of love, compassion and healthy, positive relationships are demonstrated by same-sex couples. Really, it's OK for humans to love other humans, America, there's nothin' wrong with that!!!

Rebuild relationships, good idea! Start by removing the missle system in Poland that does not belong there. The Russians have that area covered quite well, so why should we spend the money to piss off Russia and other people in the region. That system is not appropriate outside of this country.

Take a week to vote. That will fix most problems having to do with voting.

You already have a week to vote in the majority of cases. Instead, do something sensible and make election day a national public holiday to enable the highest turnout, or have it over a weekend.

You already have a week to vote in the majority of cases. Instead, do something sensible and make election day a national public holiday to enable the highest turnout, or have it over a weekend.

Start with replacing all voting machines with these...

I really think in addition to your suggestion we need some MORAL rules to govern how candidates are allowed to run their campaigns. They should not be allowed to lie and mislead the voters about their opponents!! They not be allowed to run campaigns that incite hate and unnecessary fear!

The voters should demand that we have an honest election process from beginning to end!

I think enough voters have spoken "NO MORE NEGATIVITY IN OUR ELECTIONS!"

I hate to say it, but unless there are legal or political consequences for the politicians for lying, they will not stop.  I'm not sure what kind of political consequences will work though, since I think public financing in its current form is pretty much a thing of the past.  Legal consequences would take time to get through the legal system, by which point the damage is done.

How about giving the networks a measure of the liability for airing information they know perfectly well to be false?  Interviewers should be required to challenge statements that are obviously false.  Ads that are perpetuating false information should be banned.  Elizabeth Dole's ad in NC that accused Kay Hagan of not being a Christian is a perfect example.  An outright lie, and everyone knew it.   Kay Hagan's legal challenge did not get resolved before the election.  If the network faced legal and financial consequences for airing it, even if those consequences were after the election, that ad might never have seen the light of day.  In order to get ads aired, the content should have to be true - maybe that would make a difference.  

The cornerstone of democracy is the process of free elections.  And if we've learned anything, we now know that HOW America vot4es is as important as WHO America votes for.  We can no longer afford to allow the means by which we cast, count, and verify our ballots to be managed by black box technology.  The free market experiment brought about by the Help America Vote Act in 2002 has failed.  We need to move away from black box voting and toward glass box voting.  An agenda to reform elections must include a wholesale commitment to re-inventing the underlying voting and elections management technology.

One avenue of solution, we believe is OPEN SOURCE design and development of voting technology, held in the public trust, and freely available for commercial adoption.  In support of that approach, the non-profit Open Source Digital Voting Foundation () is pursuing exactly that.  And we hope these efforts gain more visibility in the next Administration's agenda, and that maybe, just maybe, some public funding becomes available to take this effort on seriously -- it is one of the most important digital public works projects of our time, next to protecting our critical infrastructures, ensuring fair and equal Internet access, and expanding digitally-based government accountability loops. 

Although we face incredible economic challenges and essentially zero dollars to pay for new programs, perhaps with some budget realignment (such as ending the mounmental weekly spend in IRAQ), dollars will break free.  And remarkably, the dollars for this open source digital voting technology movement is but a couple of million (compared to hundreds of millions and billions on other important programs).

To learn more about this critical digital public works project to re-invent how we cast our votes and the effort to restore trust in the vote, please join the conversations at and let's work together to figure out how to make this a viable agenda item on the new Administrations long list. Or feel free to reach out to us directly by sending me a message at gam@osdv.org (or follow us on Twitter @osdv).

We have less than 24 months to the mid-term elections!

Gobama!

here here!

1) Paper ballots please...

2) hand counted...

3) week long election including weekend and at least one day an official holiday.

4) automatic registration at birth and/or upon achieving citizenship.

5) Secretary of States must be non-partisan (judges?) and prohibited from working in or on anyone's campaign.

6) report all un "adjusted" exit polling

7) inpound all voting and tabulation machines forever (there is no way to secure digital/electronic technology 100%.. zero..none.... it does not exist... stop it)

8) donate said machines to the Bush presidential library

Amen.

Why oh why didn't "energy" get it's own category? Did some 19-year old intern whip up this poll and its selections?

uh, what happens if the power goes out? I think natural gas (CNG), solar or hydrogen is the future for cars.... I mean, I like electrifying it, but maybe as a second method, not the primary... and don't stop researching on CNG, solar or hydrogen to do it.

How about Auto-Trains where you can park your electric car on the train, have a nice dinner, comfortable sleep going from big city to big city and arriving with your car already charged and ready for the driver to make just the local drive to their final destination.  We already have the Amtrak Lines and this will also reduce the wear and tear on the drivers and the vehicles as well as reducing the fatigue accidents on the road.  Folks can arrive rested and comfortable getting from one large city to another.  The electric cars are critical to our independence from foreign oil.

Vehicles still have batteries so they can get to and from the highway. The batteries kick in if the main power goes out. The electrical grid will also recharge the batteries as the vehicle is on the highway.

The issue with Auto-Trains is Americans demand individualized transportation. Auto-Trains might work for cross country travel, but I think eventually, if we automate the highways, people will prefer to get in their RV and be automatically taken to their destination.

This would be done by having drive-by-wire vehicles that are controlled by the automated transportation system while on the highway.

Nobush3rd, (cute, by the way)

I remember deep in my brain somewhere that Iceland has the most feasible hydrogen-powered infrastructure right now. And there were other reasons mentioned for why Iceland is the test site for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Basically, if it can't work there, it won't work anywhere else. I wonder how all that is going. Especially now, when, um, the nation's banking system is frozen in crisis. Crikey!

Iceland would be the perfect place to create an electric highway because they are able to generate electricity from their geothermal capabilities.

I wouldn't make it his first priority, but Obama did suggest that he would double the Peace Corps. That, and Americorps/vista, would hugely benefit us by providing opportunities for Americans of all ages (there is no age limit nor academic prerequisite for Peace Corps, for those of you who may not have known you are eligible) as well as helping communities and boosting cross-cultural awareness in this emerging global community.

I agree!

I for one am very excited about the positive impact he will have on the youth of our nation and I think it should be one of the first things he addresses while he still has their full attention and before he has to make decisions they may strongly disagree with. We all know they have to be handle in a very thoughtful way, they can easily lose hope!

President-Elect Obama's campaign demonstrated that he and his advisors were able to mobilize one of the great strengths of our country - its people.  The organized ranks of volunteers with such commitment were able to accomplish what many said was not possible.  What else could we accomplish with this power?  Challenge us.  Give us a real task, not something symbolic.   It's not just for the youth.  If we can find projects that bring together people of diverse backgrounds, generations, political parties, religions, and races, an added bonus could be that communication helps us eliminate some of the preconceived notions, misunderstandings and fears that keep us from truly uniting for the good of the country.  

I also agree. I would love to see it made possible for anyone that wants to and is able to serve in thier own communities and help each other. With a little guidance and structure many of the problems that people and their communities have can be solved and they can become more self reliant and over time i believe we will see a more productive caring america and people who actually know each other in thier neighborhoods, children who play outside more, less of the every man for himself and more coming together. There's been such a lack of structure for such a long time and it seems such a lack of caring for the welfare of the ordinary man and his communities. I think Obama will bring it all back together and this election was an example of movement toward just that.

I would love to see him talk to people about community involvement, and considering the global food shortages something like Victory Gardens too.

I saw Rachel talk about this particular thread on her program this evening. I completely agree with posts #20.4 and #20.5 in this thread by the way. I would like Obama's enormous campaign machine that provided tools everywhere for people to get involved (on mobile phones, websites of various flavors, and social networks, etc.) to turn its considerable skill and attention to specific projects in local communities -- to tackle one or two at a time. We have never seen this level of sophistication applied to community organization before and who knows what we could accomplish together given the right leadership. I think it would also be a way for his administration to track the services efforts of our young people as they work sweat equity toward a college education. I also wonder if those same young people who choose to get so involved early on in their life to establish more proactive local communities would be as likely to continue the brain drain we've seen in past generations from some of our most rural areas.

Babylon English-English

their
adj. belonging to them

Wikipedia English - The Free Encycl...

They

They is a .

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictio...

Their
(pron. & a.)
The possessive case of the personal pronoun they; as, their houses; their country.
  

.term{color:black;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;text-align:justify;}.dict-name{color:black;font-size:14px;text-align:justify;padding:0;margin:0;}.dict-name td{background-color:#ccff66;}.definition{color:black;font-size:12px;text-align:justify;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;}.definition *{background-color:#ffffee;}Please support us by using Babylon search engine

Babylon English-English

suggestion
n. proposal, recommendation; insinuation, hint

Wikipedia English - The Free Encycl...

Suggestion

Suggestion is the name given to the psychological process by which one person may guide the thoughts, feelings or behaviour of another.

For nineteenth century writers on  the words "suggest" and "suggestion" were used in senses very close to those which they have in common speech; one idea was said to suggest another when it brought that other idea to mind.

Early scientific studies of  led to the extension of the meaning these words in a special and technical sense.

Babylon German-English

Suggestion (die)
n. suggestion, proposal, recommendation

Babylon French-English

suggestion (f)
n. suggestion, proposal, recommendation

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictio...

Suggestion
(n.)
The act or power of originating or recalling ideas or relations, distinguished as original and relative; -- a term much used by Scottish metaphysicians from Hutcherson to Thomas Brown.
  
 
(n.)
The act of suggesting; presentation of an idea.
  
 
(n.)
That which is suggested; an intimation; an insinuation; a hint; a different proposal or mention; also, formerly, a secret incitement; temptation.
  
 
(n.)
Information without oath; an entry of a material fact or circumstance on the record for the information of the court, at the death or insolvency of a party.
  
 
(n.)
Charge; complaint; accusation.
  

.term{color:black;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;text-align:justify;}.dict-name{color:black;font-size:14px;text-align:justify;padding:0;margin:0;}.dict-name td{background-color:#ccff66;}.definition{color:black;font-size:12px;text-align:justify;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;}.definition *{background-color:#ffffee;}Please support us by using Babylon search engine

Babylon English-English

that
conj. in order for
 
adv. to such a degree
 
pron. pronoun used to indicate a specific person or thing

Wikipedia English - The Free Encycl...

That

The word that is used in the  purposes:

• to introduce a 
• as a 
• as a .

In the  in places such as 2 Corinthians 13:7.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictio...

That
(pron., a., conj., & adv.)
To introduce, a reason or cause; -- equivalent to for that, in that, for the reason that, because.
  
 
(pron., a., conj., & adv.)
To introduce a purpose; -- usually followed by may, or might, and frequently preceded by so, in order, to the end, etc.
  
 
(pron., a., conj., & adv.)
To introduce a consequence, result, or effect; -- usually preceded by so or such, sometimes by that.
  
 
(pron., a., conj., & adv.)
To introduce a clause employed as the object of the preceding verb, or as the subject or predicate nominative of a verb.
  
 
(pron., a., conj., & adv.)
In an elliptical sentence to introduce a dependent sentence expressing a wish, or a cause of surprise, indignation, or the like.
  
 
(pron., a., conj., & adv.)
As an adjective, that has the same demonstrative force as the pronoun, but is followed by a noun.
  
 
(pron., a., conj., & adv.)
As adverb: To such a degree; so; as, he was that frightened he could say nothing.
  
 
(pron., a., conj., & adv.)
As a relative pronoun, that is equivalent to who or which, serving to point out, and make definite, a person or thing spoken of, or alluded to, before, and may be either singular or plural.
  
 
(pron., a., conj., & adv.)
As a demonstrative pronoun (pl. Those), that usually points out, or refers to, a person or thing previously mentioned, or supposed to be understood. That, as a demonstrative, may precede the noun to which it refers; as, that which he has said is true; those in the basket are good apples.
  
 
(pron., a., conj., & adv.)
As a conjunction, that retains much of its force as a demonstrative pronoun.
  

Rakefet

That
That Translating the Sanskrit tat or tad, the nameless or ineffable. Beyond the utmost that can be defined must necessarily be postulated that which cannot be defined; beyond the utmost confines of the comprehensible must be placed that which cannot be comprehended: the All, symbolized by the circle without a central point. It is abstract space, and the point in the center is Aditi or potential space. It is the One, which is Brahman and pums (spirit) and pradhana (primordial matter), immutable because being abstract infinite space without attributes, preceding all manifestations, remaining after all manifestations have vanished in pralaya. Therefore it is nonbeing to us in the sense that it is Be-ness, abstract space and frontierless duration as one. The Qabbalistic equivalent, 'eyn soph (without bounds), is before all numbers, and is that from which all numbers proceed.

Từ điển Việt - Anh

hoàng thất

▪ Royal blood

 
thật

◊ adj

▪ true, real, actual

 
thật thà

◊ adj

▪ truthful

 
thắt

◊ verb

▪ to tie, to fasten to wear to slender

 
thắt chặt

◊ verb

▪ to tighten

 
thọt

◊ verb

▪ to slip neatly

◊ adj

▪ lame

.term{color:black;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;text-align:justify;}.dict-name{color:black;font-size:14px;text-align:justify;padding:0;margin:0;}.dict-name td{background-color:#ccff66;}.definition{color:black;font-size:12px;text-align:justify;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;}.definition *{background-color:#ffffee;}Please support us by using Babylon search engine

I disagree about switching to the metric system since the building industries in the US have been on the standard system and it would be chaotic and hurt the professions.

Haven't we been trying to turn to this system since the late 70's?  And it still hasn't gone anywhere...

Americans won't accept the metric system until it is forced on us. It's too hard for most people to remember how to do all of the conversions. The next generation after we switch won't need the conversions, but nobody wants to be the generation that learned standard in school and then suddenly has to start using metric.

Elaine is right to a certain extent.  Americans as a whole will be resistant to the idea of converting to the metric system.  That being said, many business people who have to work with international clientele are already having to use the metric system to a degree, in order to relate to their clients.  If we change it on business lever first and teach it in our schools it will be easier to use the metric system in the long run... as it is based on a much simpler concept than our own system is.  For instance, there are 12 inches in a foot, there are 3 feet in a yard, there are 5280 feet in a mile... as opposed to 100 centimeters in a meter, and 1000 meters to a kilometer.  The math is easier, it's relating to the distance, or volume that will be more difficult to begin with.

I've been reading through the replies looking for someone to call out the need for returning the Constitution to relevance.  I'm still amazed how many people think ignoring the 4th amendment is fine, since it means we can listen in on legal calls between US citizens and people in other countries, regardless of citizenship.

I imagine if instead of "Make or receive a call with a non-US phone and we'll ignore the 4th amendment and listen" the law were to be changed to "Make or receive a call with a non-US phone and we'll ignore the 1st and 2nd amendment and take away your firearms and right to free speech" and a lot more people would see how bad the wiretap problem is.  That's my pet broken law, but there are plenty more that can be seen in the current administration.

I agree! Let's get out of the third world country status!

that would require people to learn something new...not gonna happen

President-Elect Obama's health care, and education programs are, in my opinion, very good (and do-able)... but until we get our economy fixed, there will be no money to implement those programs properly.  This administration has to get the country back on solid ground economically by creating new jobs in both immediate fields such as rebuilding our roads, bridges, and antiquated urban utilities infrastructures and in new technologies in the field of alternative energy.  When the economy is stronger, President-elect Obama will have a better chance of getting his entire health care plan into effect with minimal alterations which I think is very important.

Then he must address the wrongs that have been inflicted upon so many people by allowing the prisoners of Guantanamo Bay to be given a chance to meet with lawyers and have fair trials, not to mention holding those responsible accountablefor crimes against humanity for the torture that took place there... as well as repealing many of the unconstitutional practices included in the patriot act such as listening in on Americans phone calls.

How about working to grant ALL civil rights to gays?  Include them in Title 9, have them be able to get social security benefits when their partner dies (and other survivor benefits from pension and retirement accounts), the right to marry, etc.  Let's give them ALL of the civil rights protections that the rest of us enjoy.

This is what I was looking for!  After watching constitutional rights obliterated here in California last night and seeing civil rights ignored or trampled nationwide for 10% of the population, it's way past time to create federal protection and equality--including immigration rights!

President Obama (and Rachel) need to address the importance of our country's basic tenent of "equality for all" and the hypocrisy of those who "support marriage" yet vote to deny it to a large portion of the populace. He should be emphatic that Civil Rights of a minority should not be put to a popular vote of the majority. California's proposition 8 was opposed by Obama, yet he didn't object when those pushing the marriage ban used his image for their own campaign. He needs to stand up for civil rights and use his position to make sure that bigotry and hatred, even under the guise of religion, don't continue to infect our country as they continue to do.

I agree. Federal recognition of all relationships. I don't care if they call it marriage, civil unions or make up some other term as long as everyone has all the rights and protections everyone else has.

Repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell" would be a good way to start. He's committed to doing so already... Bill Clinton forged this compromise very early in his first term as I recall (and for the record- I've always given Clinton a lot of credit for addressing the gays-in-the military issue as promised in his campaign, even though a lot of folks think he ultimately copped-out.)

He needs to be committed to federal recognition of same sex couples. States that allow marriage or partnerships mean nothing if it is not on a federal level of recognition.

How can we expect homophobic people to approve gay rights. We need federal recognition to access the same benefits straight couples have access to such as Social Security and employee spouse benefits.

He doesn't have the power to make a real difference in this, unfortunately.  He can state his opinion, just like we can, but an opinion is all it would be.  And doing so might very well undermine his ability to get things accomplished on other urgent, controversial issues, such as health care, reproductive rights, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, etc.  Someone will have to challenge this law in the courts, and take it all the way to the Supreme Court, and pray that it is overturned.  And I really don't know how such a case would turn out without federal civil liberty laws being updated.

Obama can set the tone and get things moving in the right direction. With the House and Senate going blue and picking a great cabinet members like Robert Kennedy Jr. that inspire and gets things done.  

We can change the world and the rest of the world has given us the second chance and is ready to see what the vision of the new President can accomplish, sure it won't be all set on Jan 20, 2009 but on that day will will be more ready than ever to take the steps in the direction of all issues that are important to citizens of the US and the world.

The President can't declare something constitutional or not (well, he could, but it would just be silly). What he can do is make his position known, if he really is for ending discrimination against gays and lesbians. He is not only our country's leader, he is a leader in the African-American community, the community that voted in highest numbers to take away marriage rights via Prop 8. Leading them to acceptance of gays and lesbians would be powerful. And he could lead by calling for both houses to pass the military readiness enhancement act, which would lift the ban on gays in the military. He could also call for Congress to pass the employment non-discrimination act so gays and lesbians can't be fired simply because of their sexual orientation. And he could call for a repeal of the so-called defense of marriage act. If a president really got behind those measures to end discrimination against gays and lesbians--the only group against which it is legal to discriminate (and in fact these new laws REQUIRE discrimination against them)--it would become a reality in his first term.

Gay marriage in California is not in the US Constitution.

Jeff you are correct that gay marriage is not in the US Constitution, but it is in the Constitution of the state of California. Each state does have its own sovereignty and with that each state has its own Constitution.

California's Amendment might be unconstitutional according to the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. And Obama can seek to repeal DOMA as he said he would.

Remember Loving Vs. Virginia.

"While the state court is no doubt correct in asserting that marriage is a social relation subject to the State's police power the State does not contend in its argument before this Court that its powers to regulate marriage are unlimited notwithstanding the commands of the Fourteenth Amendment."

"The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men. "

US Supreme Court 1967

Isn't marriage one of the unenumerated rights of the 9th Amendment of the US Constitution? And it may not be a matter of treating gays and straight people equally under the law, but men and women equally. If it's legal for a person to marry a man, than it ought to be legal for that same person to marry a woman. Same-sex marriage bans are actually discrimination based on the genders of the couple.

I'm a total novice when it comes to law. I just read the stuff and I have this habit of taking it at face value when there's probably some weird legal voodoo that I don't get.

I really expect Prop 8 to be overthrown and the Obama administration creating some federal legislation fairly quickly to give all people equal rights to marry (whatever they call it). Obviously we can not trust the majority rule on this issue as they cling to their bibles and claim it's the constitution. 

losta, I highly doubt marriage equality will come in the form of legislation. Obama's role will be in appointing a judge or two to the Supreme Court in the next four years if he can, and then repealing DOMA after November 4th, 2012. Then someone will challenge one of the state laws, and the Supreme Court will rule all same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional and thus null and void. That's my prediction anyway, and the path that I think Obama hinted at in an interview with the Advocate. He can't hand it to us, but he can clear an opening for us to fight through.

I don't see why it can't be done in a similar manner to how Clinton handled don't ask don't tell which was pushed through very quickly. It is something that can't wait years and possible political climate change.

First and foremost, he should definitely get two dogs.  Next, let's get the BCS championship system into an 8 playoff immediately.  Perhaps worthy of mention, I'm down with the economy improving & pulling troops out of Iraq would be most excellent.  I suggest a PS (i'm also going to put on my Santa Clause list) as well?  We love the Seattle Storm, but we also need a professional NBA team ... Howard Shultz, Clay Bennett, and David Stern screwed Seattle!

I absolutely agree with reforming the BCS.

I agree with funding autism research-this is so important!

• Economic Stability
• Establish Election Day as a National Holiday;
• Allot additional funding for scientific research in Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Autism, MD, MS and other health issues;
• Legislative Reform (Pork);
• Energy Independence & Innovation;
• Health Care Reform
• Education (K-12/Higher Education)

On a less serious note, three additional thoughts:

• a playoff system for NCAA Division I Football;
• making the first class postage stamp at $.45 cents, instead of $.42
• use funds alloted for building a wall on the southern border of the US for building bridges and highways that would actually be used by Americans.