What should be the number one priority of the U.S. Government?
355270
Encouraging good leadership.  If they call people names, spread rumors, or undermine our elected leaders, they are not acting like U.S.A. citizens.  They do not deserve our support and continue to shame us in front of the entire world by attacking each other for polical gain.  Political gain is not a problem.  Such childish behavior as I listed above it.  Until that is removed, but us, the U.S. government, then we will continue to have people trying to get Democrat and Republican to hate each other.\n\nI'm a Democrat.  Time we stood together against these undermining cowardly people.  Speak up!  Choose people of character and ethics on both sides and cheer each other on while disagreeing about the details.  The main thing we agree on.  We're U.S. citizens.  WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT!
582686
I think the fundermental answer to this question is what you want basically. Personally, I think it should be ourselves because surely if we look after ourselves then we can look after all the others as well. \n\n\n\n\n\n*I managed a totally sensible answer :D)
860701
I place all of those issues below the following in importance or urgency or both:\n\nThe war in Iraq.\nThe federal deficit.\nInadequate funding for education.\nLoss of high income jobs in the legal, accounting, and technical fields to overseas markets.
970875
I'd start with a compelling quote from the Declaration of Independence.  I'd describe the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.  You might want to include some statistics from the Census Bureau and maybe figure out how many people living in the US are citizens.  The links below may get you started.\n-MM
809700
people\n\n\n\n\nWe the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty, to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
915225
CONGRESS would be the answer until the new house gets sworn in.\n\nTHEN we'll see what real PROGRESS is.   The US will be out of IRAQ within the year.
616990
To keep America in check.
1042334
Its a good start, Number one would solve most problems on its own. The rules I would like to add would be;\n5. Politics will become open and free for all people to have their say, a true democracy based on the right to attend law making debates to raise and vote on the issues  that concern you.\n6. Politicians will not be paid, but will only get expenses based on the average wage of a person from the area they represent
1132404
i totally agree with you. we need to help our own country first and then if their is enough left in the budget then help. i see our country in need. we don't have what we need do we??? the government needs to make or get their priorities straight.and quick. if they don't they will soon be regretting this. they need to wake up fast.the real question is will they????????? most likely they wont! people need to start complaining about this. maybe this is a start??? go for it it is a good cause. Kat
623951
Given that the federal government has very limited enumerated powers, it's ability to withhold (or offer) federal funds as the carrot/stick to get states to do things is one of the few ways that they can affect local laws.\n\nPersonally, I think the federal government should be absolutely minimalist, just enough to support the military (for national defense, not nation building) and  ensure that the federal courts and the interstate roads remain functional.\n\nAh, the good old days, when "necessary and proper" really meant it.
702777
Does not matter if that would be best. We are there until a stable friendly pro US government it set in place.
1116634
home first.\n\nthe truth is there is enough money for everyone. why can't we figure out how to help everyone?
869364
The democrats did make that their #1 priority but there has been no solution offered yet!!!! Do they really have a plan!!! Very doubtful!!!
614002
The local/city governments should be responsible for planning and the state & federal government should be there to assist on what the local government has planned.\n\nBetter planning and citizens getting involved, not waiting on the federal government should be the goal to avoid such loss of life in the future.
489272
Your question should be what should the US do for its citizents to improve the conditions for the average US citizen living in the US.\nWe must take care of home first.
1175796
its probably a little obvious, but you could use a gavel for judicial, and maybe a megaphone for executive since their voice is heard loudest and overrules the others.  maybe a pen and paper for legislative.  they're all supposed to balance each other, but executive should be the middle and highest because it can veto or declare martial law (i think) on it's own without the other branches approval.  i would put judicial above legislative because the supreme court is a smaller group than the legislature, and because they have the power to over rule or make rulings about previous laws and such when they are taken to court.  hope that helps...  :-)
906201
YES!!!  I agree with you that it should be a priority, but it wont happen--it would've happened already.  If we let him stay after the Florida debacle and the Ohio debacle, they arent going to remove the administration any time soon.  Doesnt matter who gets elected.  I agree that it could restore confidence around the world, but they already hate us and our arrogance, I dont think much will change that.  Will never happen.