If things like a nationwide high-speed rail system, nationwide broadband internet, and substantial improvements in our failing system of education were actually made national priorities, they could all be funded with no increase in the national debt by simply stopping the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and cutting out the waste in the defense budget, which is about half of what we spend in that department. We're funding planes and ships and military equipment that even the military doesn't want and says is inappropriate for the types of national defense threats we'll face in the future.

The problem is a lack of leadership and vision for this country and a willingness to establish some clear priorities and take the heat from the special interest groups who will oppose such new ideas. Unfortunately, unless some leaders appear--and soon--our children and grandchildren will be living in a decidedly second class country.