First Policy Priority: Healthcare

The Oblogger knows that the challenges facing the Obama administration are vast and complex.

However, my opinion is that Obama has got to fast-track a real and viable healthcare plan. One that will actually get done.

It makes sense that this should be priority number one for a variety of reasons. Regarding the war in Iraq, most rational people from both parties know that we have got to have some sort of timeline for withdrawal, so I think this is pretty much of a done deal. The only questions are the specifics as to how the withdrawal will take place.

Obama has an economic stimulus plan that encourages the building of a new Green Economy, which I support wholeheartedly. The only problem with that as a first priority is that it will take time to implement, to build the necessary infrastructure and economic policy to make this feasible.

That leaves healthcare. I think it's outrageous that we live in the most powerful country on the planet and there are Americans who do not have access to quality and affordable healthcare. To me, it's akin to childhood hunger or child labor laws. We are a civilized society. We should be able to have enough of a safety net to help Americans with their basic survival needs.

Also, I believe that an Obama healthcare plan is exactly what Obama needs to cement the trust of those blue-collar white voters that Obama needs to get re-elected. Healthcare legislation is something real that touches the lives of everyday working-class Americans.

If Obama could pass healthcare, he would be guaranteed re-election in 2012. The GOP knows that it is crucial that they block efforts toward passing healthcare, because it would be the final death blow to an already severely weakened party.