This diary was prompted by discussion in a front page thread.
As a center-left to left community, what are some issues we'd like to see early action on that are not otherwise in the "big issues"?
What I mean by that is, Obama is obviously going to focus on the "big 4" -- Iraq, economic stimulus/middle class tax cut, health care, and energy independence. What else is important to us as progressives?
I'd be very interested in seeing your guys' lists. Mind is below the fold.
- Civil liberties -- repeal Patriot Act, FISA amendments, close Guantanamo, restore habeas corpus, eliminate torture, etc.
- Signing statements -- issue a blanket executive order mooting all Bush's signing statements.
- SCHIP -- while waiting for comprehensive health care reform, at least enact this.
- Environment -- take steps to reverse Bush's disastrous environmental policies; drop opposition to environmental group lawsuits, enforce existing laws, issue long-stalled regulations, etc.
- Respond to Congressional subpoenas and expose Bush crimes -- comb through Executive branch records to provide information on all the Bush scandals such as US attorney firings; waive executive privilege so Rove has to testify; release full files on torture meetings and memos, etc. This will put the Bush administration crimes on the record.
Note that most of these do not require legislation (SCHIP is the exception but it has overwhelming bipartisan support) and should not distract from the Big 4 issues -- Guantanamo/civil liberties issues will be controversial, but they strike at the heart of the American way and represent the best way for President Obama to restore faith in our democratic institutions.
UPDATE: to clarify, in response to a comment, these are not MY secondary issues -- for example, I think restoration of the Constitution/civil liberties is incredibly important. But based on published reports, the big four I listed appear to reflect Obama's thinking as to priorities. In addition, they are all "big" projects, likely to be contentious and to take a lot of legislative heavy lifting. My so-called secondary issues, on the other hand, could for the most part be dealt with administratively.
What do you guys think?