If the next administration could only choose one issue I think it ought to be providing an intelligent solution to ensure that at a minimum essential medical care is available to all citizens. Health care coverage should be non-excluding & treated as no more a luxury good than law enforcement, emergency management or the armed forces. For a nation as wealthy and, purportedly, as humane as the US is our for profit approach to health care coverage is unethical as well as highly dangerous and needs to be corrected immediately. It is a national disgrace.

Well, let’s see. Global warming is a theory, not a fact. And, it is an erroneous theory at that. Healthcare is not the government’s responsibility—the last time I checked we were not living in a socialist country. The home mortgage industry again, is not the government’s responsibility. The idiots who took out ARM’s and thought the interest rate would never go up got exactly what they deserved…and the banks and lenders who approved mortgages for people who didn’t really qualify, also got exactly what they deserved. While the war in Iraq does need to come to an end, I don’t believe it is the top priority. The top priority should be getting the government out of running everyone’s business.

Health care, the economy, education, ending a senseless war.

Maybe I’m selfish, but I just want our soldiers back. They deserve to be the top priority.

I figure that even if I were homeless (so won’t consider the home mortgage crisis for now), and the war in Iraq will end eventually, I’ll need to have some type of real medical support in only a few years. Right now I can barely afford to pay my own health insurance, but there will have to be a better manner of providing for the health care of our citizens SOON. I very likely can’t afford the private insurance I do have (but which does not provide for dental or vision or hearing aid coverage) very much longer, so I worry what I will do when my health declines in the future, as I am sure it will.

I voted Health Care, mainly because I thought the war a foreign policy that never should have happened. And even in times of peace, health care has not been addressed. I think it was a mistake to allow drug companies to advertise. Now their high marketing budgets are determining prices. Yet around the world, the same meds are cheaper. Congress needs to stop listening and taking money from these lobbyists and start making decisions that benefit the people instead of the industry.

History has taught us that for an administration to be successful the new President should focus most of his attention on only two or three areas of need. That doesn’t mean the President will ignore other areas; but should be willing to play “second-fiddle” to the Congress so that legislation for other pressing needs may be introduced. I would hope the first priority of the new administration will be the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As long as the men and women who wear the uniform are in harms way then the President’s first priority should be to them except for the Nation itself. John McCain gave an optimistic speech about the possibilities of success in Iraq. I am encouraged by his remarks. Secondly, the health care system in America has to be fixed! I am not one to totally blame Hillary Clinton, when First Lady, for the unsuccessful attempt to modify the system. She refused admittance to any Republican in the initial stages of discussion so she doomed her program from the onset. However, she was not then an elected official and I would have hoped the Congress would have picked up the pieces and moved forward. They did not. Therefore, it does seem that the new President is going to have to dedicate himself to the successful overall of our medical system. And thirdly, I am somewhat hesitant to suggest is that the Social Security System had best be adjusted now while there is still time for full participation by both branches of government. However, everyone knows that to talk about adjusting Social Security is a death knell upon political aspirations….. thanks to the Democrats who continutally frighten so many seniors with the talk that they might lose their benefits. For shame!

I voted for “other” because I agree, all of the above are top priority, but … on the other hand … Well, there are several things not listed that are equally important, like … Education, Federal and Supreme Court Judges to appoint, Corporate Lobbyist’s influence, which leads to Campaign Finance Reform, Farm Subsidies to “non-farmers,” & of course the Economy - especially the income disparity between worker to CEO, & the rising Costs of Living vs. the declining income … the list can go on and on, and on … SO, what to tackle first - I think we should tackle the Congress and Senate. Keep abreast of what they’re voting on, which “ear marks” (used to be “pork” but I guess the Corporate pig farmers balked at that) are being included, etc. These are the folks who really count in the long run. They have no term limits. They’re the ones who make the laws, decide what to & where to - spend “our money” on, & then vote for their own pay increases (as well as the Prez’s)! Because, unless the Prez has their vote on any issue, it’s dead in the pond! And they can veto a Prez’s veto! Problem is - most of us like our own legislators! And unless they embarrass us - by doing some dumb thing, we keep voting them in! I like mine - they’re good guys (no gals, unfortunately). (& no Lobbying for at least 10 years after ;+} They need to know we’re on ‘em! And won’t tolerate their nonsense! Now, I just want to address a statement made above about the military and the so called “socialized medicine, complete with doctors employed by the military.” When my husband & I were in the military - ’60s - ’70s, WE HAD Hospitals, Clinics, Doctors, Nurses, lab technicians on our bases & forts, all “employed” by the Military. IN fact, they were IN the military, or reservists! NOT SO today. When a soldier gets orders to move and can bring his / her family, they must find their own Hospitals, Clinics, Doctors, Nurses, labs, etc - in the new town. It’s called “CHAMPUS” now. Imagine, having a child with a chronic condition, a difficult pregnancy, or illness, and then having to carry your records - and wait - to get into a brand new, and unknown to you Doctor’s office? From what I see, we’re short changing our military these days. They are the worst paid, most poorly covered by health care, most moved around, and under appreciated workers in America, (save the migrant & sweatshop workers), especially our enlisted personnel! Then, imagine, the lack of military housing & the local housing that if you can get it, costs more than any of them can afford! Just had to let you know - their lives are not as good as some lead us to believe! They deserve better! SO, add better pay & care of our military to my list.

Love the concept of wow, but dislike the new site. It appears disorganized, especially at the top left side of the page. Are changes forthcoming or is it permanent? Grace Ferry