E-C-O-N-O-M-Y Spells Relief

I don’t know about you but I’m relieved to be watching election results where the top issues aren’t abortion, gay rights and gun control. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a strong supporter of all of them. But it’s a relief to not hear these as talking points tonight.

I have no illusions that as we head into the general election that this might change. Immigration, many would argue, is the new “What’s the Matter with Kansas” issue and much of the debate is as hateful as any issue can be.
Tonight the voters are most interested in the war in Iraq and the economy. There’s a real advantage to having the economy as the top issue to voters of both parties.

You can’t talk about the economy without talking about inequalities. You can’t talk about how to get out of a recession with talking about fair tax policy.

You can’t talk about putting America on stronger economic footing without talking about improving our schools, making health care higher quality and more affordable.

You can’t talk about strengthening the economy without supporting working families with paid family leave, providing quality child care and having safe neighborhoods for our kids to come home to.

While a slumping economy is very bad in short-term for America, in the long tern perhaps is the only thing that can help get us back on course. The next President has a great duty to lead us. And let’s hope that we can keep the discussion on issues that bring us together and not wedge us a part.

Now wouldn’t that be a relief.