Hello, New Mexico.  I am back and excited to be blogging on a regular basis for this site.  In particular, I am looking forward to hearing your bark to my banter.

Seeing that one of my last blogs was in reaction to the State of the Union it seems fitting to pick it up exactly there and think for a minute about America’s overall state. Furthermore, given that we are halfway through 2010 and America turned one-year-wiser this 4th of July weekend, it makes sense to reflect on the state of the states.

So, just how are we doing?  We, America, may be another year older, but are we really another year wiser? The answer to this question is: yes, no and maybe. A few subjective examples:

• Does America continue to produce the hottest technology gadgets (a la the iPad)? Yes.
• Is America doing a good job at protecting our 2nd Amendment rights? Yes. The Supreme Court’s June 28 decision is nothing short of a resounding yes.
• Does America educate its youngest minds on subjects like math and science at a level that is on par with other nations? Unfortunately, no.
• Is Congress acting in a more bipartisan manner? No. Of course, no.
• Is America making the right environmental decisions? Maybe.
• Is America progressing on immigration reform? Maybe.

Back to the original question: The state of the states since The State of the Union (SOTU). Overall, it’s been a pretty weak and bleak start. Allow me to refer you to the White House website to back up my argument. There, prominently displayed on the home page, you will see a rolling list of accomplishments to date. Here, listed below, are the accomplishments achieved since the SOTU. Read it and weep.

2009 Tax Breaks for Haiti Donations
Signed: Friday, January 22, 2010

Emergency Aid to American Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake Act
Signed: Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act
Signed: Thursday, March 18, 2010

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Signed: Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010
Signed: Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010
Signed: Friday, April 23, 2010

Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act
Signed: Monday, May 17, 2010

Not good enough

A glance at this list gives a decent snapshot of what this White House has been focused on thus far this year.  Health care times three, Haiti times two, an honorary act, and one measly jobs bill. Given the dire straights that our economy is in, this list – the White House’s best – is just not good enough.

In the SOTU, President Obama himself admitted that the economy was ‘rocked’ and ‘on the verge of collapse.’  He then was bold enough to assert that the solution ‘begins with the economy.’

“One year ago, I took office amid two wars, an economy rocked by a severe recession, a financial system on the verge of collapse, and a government deeply in debt. Experts from across the political spectrum warned that if we did not act, we might face a second depression.

“…[T]he devastation remains. One in 10 Americans still cannot find work. Many businesses have shuttered. Home values have declined. Small towns and rural communities have been hit especially hard. And for those who’d already known poverty, life has become that much harder.

“…So I know the anxieties that are out there right now. They’re not new. These struggles are the reason I ran for President.

“…So we face big and difficult challenges.

“… Despite our hardships, our union is strong. We do not give up. We do not quit. We do not allow fear or division to break our spirit… And tonight, tonight I’d like to talk about how together we can deliver on that promise.

“It begins with our economy.”

Genius – the solution to the economic crisis begins with the economy. Point well taken and so why has this White House not gotten busy on this exact point? (No, the Gulf crisis is really no excuse.)

Focus on jobs, jobs, jobs

The result of the Administration ignoring what they themselves prioritized – again, that would be the economy – is exactly what one would expect. The latest jobs report, issued this past Friday, is a window into the ongoing disaster. The New York Times perhaps said it best in their op-ed “Help needed for the Economy:”

“If the economy were a coal mine, the job market would be an 800-pound canary, warning of a recovery that is running out of oxygen.

“The economy shed 125,000 jobs in June. A loss of 225,000 government Census jobs overwhelmed a gain of 83,000 jobs in the private sector. The Census layoffs were expected, but the private sector additions were lower than anticipated, and far less than needed to keep pace with new workers joining the labor force.”

I agree with The New York Times and someone (anyone) at The White House should too. Please, White House, pay attention and focus on jobs, jobs, jobs. Let’s not further suck the life out of this economy by unprioritizing the priority.

Sarah Lenti is the blogger behind NMPolitics.net’s The Savvy. E-mail her at sarah@nmpolitics.net.