Political Christmas Wishes for 2009

With about 15 Shopping days until Christmas here, I thought I would start making a political and economic Christmas list of things I'd like to see put in place during 2009.

Automotive--Looks like GM and Chrysler are going to get the loans they need. The lines of credit, and long term loans are on hold, so it looks like Congress chose the "middle path" (not turning their backs on the industry, but not capitulating to all demands either). The installation of a "Car Czar" is interesting, but I am not sure there is a viable candidate for this position. In reality, this person is probably best served being a financier who knows how to restructure a company in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy courts, and can help GM and Chrysler to reorganize their business that way. The Government can then step in to provide financing relief, only after Pension benefit obligations have been restructured.

My Wish--we get to March 31, and the Chapter 11 Reorganization allows for a profitable business model, so that every car sold isn't at a loss. There is only one way to that end. Retirees take a haircut on their benefits. The workers have already given up all of the benefits that the bailout detractors decry. Time for the retirees and older workers to take a haircut too. I hate saying it, but it has to happen.


Energy--So much for the "Pelosi Premium" on oil prices (did anyone seriously believe that anyway!?). Oil is down. NOW is the time to get our government auto fleets, our car makers, our Trucks, our homes and businesses off of the oil standard. The benefits are extraordinary, in domestic AND foreign policy. Certainly discussions with Tehran, Caracas, Moscow, and Riyadh should take on a slightly different tone, when we AREN'T begging them for oil as an agenda point.

My Wish--Tax incentives and Government grants to productionalize viable wind, solar, nuclear, tidal, hydroelectric, LNG, or any other energy source that is domestic. Let's go BIG. Send a message to the world. This includes a program to rebuild the electricity grid to accept all such energy sources into the mix. Whatever the cost, every penny will return a dollar in value and foreign political leverage. Regardless of political ideology, there is a concept here that is a true winner across the spectrum. I am flexible on the political route to this end.

State and Local Government Works Programs--If there are "shovel ready" programs to achieve employment and keep people working and economically viable, then let's get 'er done. Get the money out the door, get the people on the ground. This issue solves about three concerns at once--Local budget shortfalls this year, Local unemployment, and pension/tax revenue shortfalls in the upcoming year.

My Wish--Make this part of the Stimulus package that gets passed on January 21. Spend the money.


Health Care Roadmap-- Lots can be done here, but I actually don't want to see action on this in the first 100 days. There are some improvements that have political viability that can be done sooner (SChip, Veterans Care funding), and absolutely should be. The longer term effort should have a goal in place to move a feasible amount of uninsured onto the roles. Let's shoot for a 10% reduction in our current 47 million uninsured. Is that reasonable? I am not sure, but the cost increases in health care are clearly a result of paying for more and more people without adequate coverage. I am not complaining about this fact, but not hiding from it either. Any plan should have at least this goal, and this issue will be a political struggle.

My Wish--Tackle this issue in 2009, but get some political wins under your belt first, Mr. President-Elect. This battle is not one you can afford to lose right now.

Iraq Withdrawal--Let's hope that this is a promise Mr. Obama keeps. I would love to see a draw down of troops in Iraq over the next 16 months.

My Wish--We start the troop withdrawal, we send in diplomatic envoys, and work with the Iraqis to establish a relationship of trust, and no significant unrest flares in that state during 2009. The cost reduction of having combat troops out of harms way could even make a little dent in the additional spending proposed above.


Iranian Talks--sometimes it takes a full-on battle, before warring sides look at the situation, decide there is nothing but further injury and destruction, and make a conscious decision to find out if there is a way to stop the war. I'd prefer that NOT to happen here.

My wish--Perhaps we can talk to the Mullahs, and even Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, about an economic agreement? This is a country on its knees right now, because of oil prices bottoming out. Time to push an effort to get off oil, and to discuss with Iran what it would take to have a true economic and diplomatic relationship. If nothing else, we can show the world we are trying to do the right thing.

Tax Cuts--This was a promise to the middle class. In these times, this is something to be done immediately. Not raising taxes on the wealthy would bring about 5-7 Senators into your camp, to be called upon during more difficult debates, such as health care. It will win Obama re-election as well.

My Wish--Yet another policy to be passed on January 21. These cuts should be complimented with cuts on any business providing alternative energy solutions. A large tax subsidy should be offered to business or even individuals who will use solar, wind, or other energy sources. Putting up solar panels on your house should have a 1-2 year payback, not a 10 year payback. Make it a priority.

Stem Cell funding--This has been held hostage for 8 years under the current administration. Time to start getting the labs fired up, and the best and brightest, back from Europe and Asia, and start working on disease cures HERE.

My Wish--Again, get this passed immediately.

Public School funding--I won't make an argument for Charter schools here, but accountability in the existing public school model is a must. Funding the public system adequately is a first step, but like the automotive industry, let's see a plan to measure progress, teacher performance, and the like. Test scores is one way. If NCLB is the program to do that, then let's fund it.

My Wish--Get the funding through during 2009. I want my kids to get a benefit here.

Military Enrollment boost--This should be an easier goal to reach if we can truly end the Iraqi conflict, and enhance GI and Veterans benefits. People will probably need jobs, and this is certainly a job.

My Wish--By the end of 2009, let's have 100,000 more troops in the Armed Services forces. Is that even doable? I hope so.


From a political perspective, this looks like a Liberal's dream. All of these programs (with the exception possibly of the last point) have been the Left's wish list for years.

From a pragmatic perspective, we have lived without all of these services long enough. The private sector was not taking care of the problem. It hasn't been working itself out. And as the bottom falls out of the economy, these problems will all get worse without intervention. So my wish list is to stabilize America. I would be thrilled to have success on even a portion of this list.