In an address to the U.S. Conference of Mayors recently, Bill Clinton predicted that prison sentencing would be a major issue in the next presidential election.

With the 2016 race for the White House well underway, the former president’s prediction is his not-so-subtle way of proposing a timely topic for the national agenda.

Based on the current numbers, his suggestion deserves serious consideration.

The United States has 2.4 million people in jails and prisons, the highest incarceration rate of any nation in the world (easily beating out second and third place Russia and Rwanda). The number has more than quadrupled since 1980 and the annual cost is $74 billion. Of those who are incarcerated, 430,000 have not been convicted but are awaiting trial, 340,000 are in for drug offenses and 59,000 for immigration charges.  And, to add further pressure to this overburdened system, another 4.8 million are on probation or on parole.

These statistics point to a broken system that damages both the nation as a whole and millions of individuals. They also provide clear and compelling reasons to broaden the current discussions into a full-blown national debate.

But a quick scan of the environment shows that there are other issues that merit early discussion and thorough debate. 

There are obvious ones.  It is impossible to put aside the economy, a shortage of well paying jobs, widespread dissatisfaction with government gridlock and partisanship, effective ways to stamp out terrorism, global warming and the lingering matter of immigration reform.

In addition to these, there are other high visibility issues that essentially have been resolved (e.g. national health care, abortion, and same sex marriage) but will continue to generate heated disagreement.

And then there are a series of issues that have escaped widespread attention but are critical to our future. Two examples follow.

Infrastructure: Our everyday lives and future depends on a strong physical infrastructure such as roads, airports, school buildings, dams, energy plants, and mass transportation. Unfortunately, there have been radical cuts in our spending in these essential areas. Public spending on construction is at its lowest point in some 20 years. The American Society of Civil Engineers gives our overall infrastructure a grade of D-plus. And the World Economic Forum ranks our infrastructure as 14th in the world.

Education: The U.S. Department of Education tells us that only 26 percent of the nation’s high school seniors are proficient or better in math; only 38 percent are proficient or better in reading; and less than 40 percent are academically prepared for college.

Presidents of the United States may be the single most powerful people in the world but they are not omnipotent. They are subject to outside events, often sudden and often unexpected. And every change they initiate is complicated and time consuming. Like the rest of us, they need to focus on those few issues they believe are most important to the nation and the world. 

Bill Clinton has made a legitimate point when he talks about reforming our prison system. But other responsible leaders from both political parties must join the conversation and lengthen the list. That will allow the electorate to select among the many competing priorities.