Obama has consistently talked about fixing healthcare by the end of his first term. Expanding the base of the FEHBP, the model he has always cites that already covers millions, will set the stage for the eventual goal of offering similar care to all. In the meantime, many local and state workers are at risk of losing their jobs due to budget shortfalls, and with it their coverage.

US oil production is dominated by small producers, not the majors. They should welcome the price buffer of a hefty import tariff and it is hard to see Republicans object to a measure that promotes extraction at home over imports from the Mid East and Venezuela.

Unfortunately, I don't think we have fully bought into the notion of nationalizing our banking system... yet. So in the meantime, we are merely underwriting the bad management of private banks.