In terms of federal priorities, it has to be defense, even though right now I believe that we have the best, most potent military establishment in the world. Conventionally, we should be able to kick just about anybody's backside in a hearbeat, but, unfortunately, the nature of warfare seems to be changing to more of an unconventional mode, so Stealth fighters and the whole panoply of similar high-tech weapons might not be the appropriate weapons to combat our current enemies. We certainly need to keep our defense capabilities high, over a broad spectrum. As a former intel weenie, I think that we need more of an intel capability within the defense establishment. Education is a priority, but at the statre and local levels - and from current, direct experience, I can say that there are some serious problems with the education system. Health care - pumping federal dolars into the system won't help much if they aren't spent wisely. The idea of universal health care, ultimately funded by taxpayers, doesn't really appeal to me. I don't want to pay for my health care as well as for the health care of a bunch of other people, and in the process getting stuck with an over-regulated, inefficient, bureaucratic system that provides sub-standard care.
