The First 100 Days

Here is the letter I sent to our newly elected President regarding what items I think should be a priority in his first 100 days (sent via the True Majority website). Feel free to comment on what you think should be a priority, or click on the link and send your own letter.

President-elect Obama,

Congratulations on your election!!


As you set the agenda for your first 100 days, please take action on priorities that will help ordinary Americans in this time of war and economic crisis:


1. The Economy - We need to do some serious re-thinking as Americans about what he represent and how we make our living. As our new leader, it falls to you to help set the stage for a new economy. The past hundred years has seen our economy create huge excesses, many of which have led to the problems with the environment and foreign policy. We need to learn new ways of being an economically viable nation without having to create so much waste and to rely on fossil fuels. Green energy is just one new solution. We need national leaders to break Americans from old habits and create new ways of living and working that are sustainable.


2. Environmental Policy - I think it's crucial to establish a clear policy on climate change. The strategy that Al Gore laid out in his open letter in the NY Times last Sunday is simple and focused. It could work. By turning our focus to renewable energy sources, rolling out an integrated national grid to make use of those resources, and just becoming more energy efficient overall, would create a new green economy, work towards solving the climate crisis and end our dependence on foreign oil.


3. Health Care - This last year I made the decision to become my own boss. I'm a work from home freelance writer and editor. The decision was tough and the economy has made my decision even tougher. I need affordable, reliable health care. For the last eight months, I've done without because I can't afford it.


4. Revitalized Community Action - It would be great to take advantage of the uprising up support from your campaign, and encourage community activism to continue. National organizations like the AmeriCorps and VISTA programs have suffered serious budget cuts during the Bush administration. And these programs are geared towards getting youth involved in the community. It would be great to have national programs that helped support community service for young and old alike, offering student loan forgiveness or tax credits, or other incentives.


5. Getting out of Iraq - Because the war in Iraq is costing us too much, in human life and in terms of financial and material resources, we should make it our aim to work with the Iraqi government to withdraw as smoothly and quickly as possible, offering all possible support to form their own independent government and police force.


6. Afghanistan - The war in Afghanistan is costing us billions and bringing no further peace or security. For the same reasons as outlined above, it is imperative that we work with the Afghan government to withdraw troops in a manner that maintains stability.


These are the issues that I find most pressing. The economy is obviously a huge issue, that is wrapped up in all of the others.


Thank you very much for reading my concerns, and thank you for offering your time to represent the American people over the next four years. I have faith that you will do all in your power to make this nation great again.