The online news poll for the past week has asked what Barack Obama should focus on as his top priority as president other than the economy, of course, which will be THE top priority.
The answers, I found, were interesting. Of the five choices given, withdrawing from Iraq was the top vote-getter, garnering 70 votes, or about 28 percent of the 248 total votes. This isnt particularly surprising. Obama jumped to the front of the Democratic Party presidential field early last year in great part because of his stance against the Iraq war and insistence we must withdraw our troops. Whether he will or will be able to follow through with that promise will be whats interesting to watch in the coming months.
The polls second highest priority was to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which is a little bit of a surprise, given that gasoline still is below $2 a gallon today. But I dont think people have forgotten the $4 a gallon we were paying just six months ago. And I think people fully expect well see those kinds of prices again. An interesting thought on the price of gas. Remember how, during the presidential campaign, John McCain and Hillary Clinton talked about how a gas tax holiday would help the economy? Hmm. Well, the nation has basically had a natural economic stimulus from half-price gasoline for the past few months, and its had almost no impact on our fiscal situation. Just saying.
Back to the poll.
A very close third was universal health care. Sixty-one people said it should be the second priority behind the economy. With Democrats in control in Washington and Madison, it will be interesting to see where a universal health care plan goes into effect first.
Immigration reform received what I thought was a surprisingly high 43 votes. The subject hasnt exactly been on the front-burner lately. And finally, only seven people voted for global warming solutions as a top priority. Its 785 degrees below zero outside. Go figure.
The answers, I found, were interesting. Of the five choices given, withdrawing from Iraq was the top vote-getter, garnering 70 votes, or about 28 percent of the 248 total votes. This isnt particularly surprising. Obama jumped to the front of the Democratic Party presidential field early last year in great part because of his stance against the Iraq war and insistence we must withdraw our troops. Whether he will or will be able to follow through with that promise will be whats interesting to watch in the coming months.
The polls second highest priority was to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which is a little bit of a surprise, given that gasoline still is below $2 a gallon today. But I dont think people have forgotten the $4 a gallon we were paying just six months ago. And I think people fully expect well see those kinds of prices again. An interesting thought on the price of gas. Remember how, during the presidential campaign, John McCain and Hillary Clinton talked about how a gas tax holiday would help the economy? Hmm. Well, the nation has basically had a natural economic stimulus from half-price gasoline for the past few months, and its had almost no impact on our fiscal situation. Just saying.
Back to the poll.
A very close third was universal health care. Sixty-one people said it should be the second priority behind the economy. With Democrats in control in Washington and Madison, it will be interesting to see where a universal health care plan goes into effect first.
Immigration reform received what I thought was a surprisingly high 43 votes. The subject hasnt exactly been on the front-burner lately. And finally, only seven people voted for global warming solutions as a top priority. Its 785 degrees below zero outside. Go figure.
