Priorities

God, Country, Notre Dame is the inscription over the eastern door of the Sacred Heart Basilica on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. It is meant to convey the conviction of graduates: service to God above all, then to country and alma mater thereafter. Got me thinking about politics and priorities. The party of “no” during the first two years of the Obama administration, Republicans successfully ran last November on putting job creation first and foremost. And they captured the House of Representatives by a vast margin. Six months into this new Congress, what has become of the promised “jobs” agenda? Eliminating funding for NPR and Planned Parenthood grabbed headlines. Read my lips, no new taxes – even for the richest 2% of Americans, for corporate jets or for oil companies – has been a familiar refrain. I’m sure these important issues are aimed squarely at employing more Americans. Some in the lamestream media now suggest that the GOP’s overarching strategy for the next 18 months will be to derail efforts aimed at spurring the economy and job growth, and thus Obama’s re-election chances. Robbed of oxygen, the fire will be snuffed out. Which comes back to priorities. How about: God, Grand Old Party, Country. Now that’s an agenda I can believe in!