What Should Obama's Priority be After Inauguration?

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Few Americans would suggest that President Obama's first priority should be anything other than dealing with the economic crisis. The question before us is how to foster a recovery that benefits Americans in a fair and equitable way.

Catholics believe that the fundamental measure of any economy is how those living in poverty fare, and that in addition to each individual's personal responsibility, society has a shared responsibility to the common good. Our nation has, for nearly thirty years, sought to spur economic development by cutting taxes on the wealthiest Americans, removing regulations on big businesses and financial institutions, and demonizing government. Not only have these policies failed to create an economy that benefits all Americans, but as we now know they are largely responsible for the mess that we presently face. It's time to fundamentally rethink the very meaning of economic development by restoring this sense of shared responsibility, and by working together to make long-term public and private investments in America's future.

This means we have to be ready and willing to think big. Tax rebates and handouts to states and corporations might seem to help in the short term, but ultimately they're mere Band Aids on the gaping wounds of over-consumption and underproduction. America is poised to become a global leader in the energy and transportation technologies of the future, but this will only happen if we invest in new fuels and more efficient vehicles – which can create millions of new jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and reverse global climate change. Investing in our aging physical infrastructure – roads, bridges, and electrical transmission lines, for example – will also create jobs, as well as lasting resources we can all use.

We should take this opportunity to finally ensure that all Americans have quality affordable health care. Not only do Catholics view health care as a fundamental human right, ensuring health care for all will reduce burdens on U.S. businesses by eliminating insurance costs and lost productivity due to workers' lack of preventive care. Early in his term, President Obama is expected to sign a bill expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program – an important step in the right direction. In a post-election survey, 30% of Catholic United members favored health care as the new administration's top priority.

The war in Iraq also deserves urgent attention. Twenty-two percent of Catholics United members pointed to ending the Iraq War as the most pressing concern. The war has placed a multi-trillion dollar burden on the U.S. economy – resources we desperately need at home.

Some in our Catholic community will argue that ending abortion should be our nation's number one priority. While most Americans do not support criminalizing abortion, research shows that greater availability of jobs, health care, and other economic supports correspond to lower abortion rates. Many fear that the current recession will translate to an increase in abortions nationwide. If we're serious about addressing the tragedy of abortion, we need first and foremost to address the hardships faced by America's struggling families.