It used to be that just speaking the name “America” conjured a sense of fundamental decency. I’m waiting for that to be true again.

These are the three things I’m watching:

• Healthcare. Will there be a strong public healthcare option that forces the insurance industry to compete, or will Washington capitulate to the insurance industry and give us something watered down - something that looks good in name and on paper but does little to help us.
• Economy. Now that trillions of our money have been handed over to the very companies that brought our economy to its knees, will there be meaningful and comprehensive regulation to make sure it NEVER happens again? And will the administration do anything to rein in the big banks, which are helping themselves to a second, silent bailout (ALSO on the backs of ordinary people) by hiking up fees and interest and inventing new ways to siphon money from account holders?
• Torture. Will this administration do more than pay lip service to the idea that this country does not tolerate torture in any way, shape, or form? Will those responsible for disgracing our country by authorizing torture ever be investigated, prosecuted, and brought to justice?

A lot of unsavory things have been done, both to us and in our name. We are waiting to see if there are CONSEQUENCES for this kind of behavior, or whether - once again - the perpetrators get a nod and a wink, or at worst a light slap on the wrist.