I know there are more urgent concerns. The economy is a disaster. The Occupation of Iraq is a disaster. And the rendition, unlawful imprisonment and torture of "suspected terrorists" must stop.
And our President-elect hasn't even been sworn in yet.
But a day is coming when the above urgent needs have been seen to, and we will then begin to address the myriad of other issues our nation faces. At that point, the argument over what takes priority will heat up. I have no interest in promoting "my" issues above others. I only wish to promote them, period. The following is the change I hope for and the change I can believe in. Will it happen? Let's find out. In no particular order:
- Enough with the chickenshit passing of the buck to the states, allowing them to punch state-sized holes in the tapestry of American freedom. Make it a violation of federal law - superseding all previous state or federal measures - to discriminate against anyone based on sexual orientation in any case the government either recognizes or regulates. Education, employment, military service, contracting with the government (this includes marriage), benefits (also includes marriage), adoption, and anything else I haven't thought of. It may be that the majority of Americans don't want this, but it wouldn't be the first time the majority of Americans have been wrong. End the tyranny of the majority.
- At least, return progressive taxation to pre-Reagan-era levels. Why so few have said that this isn't an increase in taxes on the rich is beyond me. It is simply repealing foolish and outlandish tax cuts and loopholes. This would go hand in hand with number three.
- Repeal or renegotiate all trade agreements until they are fair, not "free." If you have to disband the WTO along the way, I would shed no tears. Include mandatory standards (environmental, worker wages and rights, etc) and balanced tariffs, so that no American corporation can profiteer from exploitation of third world (or even "first" world) conditions, and no foreign corporation can whipsaw their workforce against ours in order to drive down wages and benefits.
- Living. Fucking. Wage. Period.
- Repeal every last remaining scrap of the so-called Patriot Act. All of it.
- Pursue and investigate every criminal act by the previous administration, and follow it up with charges against any who merit it. Until this is done, the only lesson learned will be that once you reach a high enough rung in the political ladder, you can get away with anything. An example must me made, or the next Reagan, Bush, or other Bush will just pick up the runaway unilateral executive power ball and run with it.
- Health care as a human right (I'm shooting for the moon, here, so I might as well go all the way). Anyone who needs it. Any time. For free. Make it illegal to force a medical decision on any U.S. citizen. This would include medical decisions made by pregnant women, and the right to die with dignity. Again, stop the lame, craven attempts to pass the buck to the states.
- Regulate, regulate, regulate. No more bailouts. As has been suggested by many before me, if a company is to big to fail, it is too big to exist. Break 'em up.
- Create an entirely new American industry from green technology. Green-collar jobs, as they say. In fact, there should probably be a cabinet-level position for overseeing just this. Cast off the oil-based industry/economy/energy supply, and rebuild America's infrastructure with a new, green manufacturing base. Funnel money into sustainable, clean energy research. Send a legion of American scholars through a program of green education, to come out the other side as farmers, scientists, engineers, and so on, all dedicated and educated for building a green future. While we're waiting for the government to lasso American corporations and drag jobs back into our country, this could be a revolutionary short-term and long-term solution to our economic woes.
- Restore limitations to the executive branch. Give up the power stolen by previous administrations, and cement those limitations in place. Never allow another Vietnam, Iraq, Nicaragua, Panama, or Grenada to happen again. Never allow torture and rendition to happen again. Never again let so few trample on so many.
- What did I miss?
I know that if even one of these things is done, it will be a victory. I know that - despite much romanticization - we have elected a centrist, not a radical, or even a liberal. My vote for Obama, much like my votes for Kerry, Gore, and Clinton, was a repudiation of the right wing more so than a vote of confidence in Democratic centrist policies. The change we have been promised will come, but that change will not be the nirvana we wish for but can't expect. It will largely come in the form of undoing all the damage that Reagan and the two Bushes have done.
But I would be remiss if I didn't demand these things, however much I fully expect that my efforts will meet with little success. That said, I will continue to support our new President throughout his efforts to restore America to it's former glory, just as I will continue to demand even better.