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Civilian leaders:
Appoint only those with military experience to the positions of Secretary of Defense as well as Secretaries of the branches of the armed forces. If you've never worn a uniform, you cannot completely identify with the consequences of your policies. It might also be a good idea to require candidates for President-elect/Commander-In-Chief to have a military background. Elected officials should be made to adhere to the same ethics and laws as everyone else. Never again, should we permit individuals like Clinton and Gore to use the Oval Office as a conduit for treason and criminal activity. One way to ensure prosecution of such offenses is to forbid the president to appoint the Attorney General. It's tantamount to nepotism, and a definite conflict of interest. In Janet Reno's case, that was abundantly clear. Make each and every member of Congress, Senate, and the Presidential cabinet (to include the President and Vice President) undergo a thorough security clearance background check. Too many elected officials have had past ties to radical groups. They should not be entrusted with the nation's security, unless they can prove loyalty and commitment to the United States and the Constitution.
Campaign contributions:
I would not limit them but I would, by law, require the candidates to reveal all major contributors.
Social Security and Medicare:
It's broke. The program has been bled dry because of excessive borrowing, fraudulent claims, and mis-management. The people who need it the most aren't getting the full benefit. Allow people the option to invest in it as a type of a personal retirement fund, rather than extracting a mandatory tax from salaries. This would enable an individual the chance to increase the amount of return (their monthly benefit) based on the amount of money invested. People who cannot work and are 100% legitimately disabled should get full benefits. The "spend-down" concept in Medicare has got to go. Example: My mentally retarded sister gets 800 dollars a month for SSI. When she has to go to the doctor, her Medicare doesn't take effect until 300 dollars in medical expenses have been accumulated. In other words, for her to receive Medicare payments, she (me that is, as her guardian) has to pay 300 dollars up front. When I inquired about this through the Social Security office in Columbus, I was told that according to a Congress-implemented formula, she makes "too much" in Social Security benefits, hence the "spend-down". For some reason they think the SSI would offset her Medicare costs. I was livid. My sister does not have the skills to compete in the economy and negotiate for a decent salary. I would love to see the braniacs who came up with the "formula" live on 800 bucks a month. Meanwhile, the millions of dollars which were taken out of paychecks for the Social Security tax has gone to??? No word from the GAO.
Government Spending:
Here we go with that "monster". To create a huge surplus, criminalize pork spending. The first thing to do is censure (and fine) the members of Congress and Senate who engage in pork barrel spending because they want to buy the affection of their constituents. The BILLIONS of dollars wasted on asinine projects is absolutely obscene. This is a bi-partisan issue and guilt is shared by both sides of the aisle. There are thousands of outrageous examples of tax waste and fraud. Here are just a few:
A tattoo-removal program in San Luis Obispo County, Calif. ($50,000)
The Fort Union Trading Post Bike Trail in North Dakota ($500,000)
The Center on Obesity at West Virginia University ($2 million)
An effort to combat "goth culture" in Blue Springs, Mo. ($270,000)
Sen. Robert C. Byrd's taxpayer-funded narcissism: He convinced the West Virginia Legislature to erect a statue of himself in the state Capitol.
In an interview with George magazine about loan guarantees for steel companies, Byrd claimed that "he has no apologies to make" to the American people for the more than $1 billion in taxpayer money he has wasted.
I would also add that it should be unconstitutional for the President to sign into law bills that have pork-barrel type spending riders attached.
The Citizens Against Government Waste site is a wealth of information. http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer
The military also has its share of problems with spending waste. For instance: Just before the beginning of the new fiscal year (October) we are pressured to spend whatever money we have so that we will receive a comparable amount the following year. In other words, the mindset is that if we don't spend money, we don't need money. This has got to be one of the most idiotic concepts I have ever seen. Instead of being rewarded for frugality, we are penalized. You would not believe the spending spree that occurs every September.
Taxes:
I don't believe taxes will ever be completely eliminated. Unfortunately, we have become too dependent on the government taking care of public problems with personal money. Don't expect private corporations to fund road, hospital, or school repairs. It won't happen. Forget about relying on individual households digging into their savings. They can't afford it. A flat tax at 5%, for instance, of personal income would be a good starting point. I don't believe in "corporate welfare" but there ought to be better incentives (including more tax breaks) to discourage the exodus of jobs to places like Mexico and the Philippines. (Unions, of course, did not help at all by pricing their own people out of work. )
Overhaul the IRS and limit their power. Though the Senate testimonies of 1997 resulted in the reins being pulled on IRS Gestapo-style abuses, it still wields too much power and should be closely scrutinized.
Unions:
They started out with an anarchist/socialist agenda, ended up with bed with the mafia, and went downhill from there. The leaders spend member's dues to suit their own political agendas, and line their pockets. So much for looking out for the "working class". I would sic the IRS (finally, a good use for them) pitbulls on these pimps, and find out where every single penny ends up. I see an 8x10 cell in their future. Prosecute and fine the Unions who attempt to harass and pressure workers into joining.
Economy: Like it or not, the world economy is determined by many factors outside the control of any one particular leader. The strength or weakness of one currency against another, the fluctuation of Nasdaq and Dow Jones because of erratic trading, international relations, and so on, contribute to the overall economy. The least that we can do is to look out for our own best interest. I would not tolerate some of the current trade practices. If we are to pay exhorbitant import tariffs to countries like Japan, (who in 2003 increased its import tariff on US beef from 35.5 % to 50%) we need to respond in kind. Free trade should be determined by supply, demand, and fair price for the import. Trade wars are not pleasant, but for our own economic survival, we need to take a tough stance against the outrageous trade deficit.
Education:
I once saw a bumper sticker that said "If you can read this, thank a teacher." I thought: If you can't read it after 12 years of public education, who do you blame? Teachers in public schools deserve a salary commensurate with the demands of their profession. By the same token, they need to prove that they are qualified to teach. If this involves monitoring and periodic qualification tests for them, then so be it. They should also be required to refresh their skills and keep up with significant changes in their course of instruction. The most important component in a child's education is the parent. Parents need to be aware of the who, what, why and how's of their child's learning.
Military:
Missions:
The United States military should not be spread so thin across the globe that any one particular mission suffers due to lack of focus, equipment, weapons, logistics, or personnel to do the job. More emphasis should be placed on training and combat readiness, to include tougher standards on the National Guard and Reserves. Actually, I would eliminate the Reserves. Most of them are ill-equipped, under trained, and sorely lacking in combat readiness. The results of this are all too clear when they are deployed. Rather than struggle to increase the recruiting numbers, reinforce the active forces by fully integrating the Reserves into the ranks. I would give the Reservists the option of going active or getting out and sticking with their full-time civilian job. Those who choose to stay will go active. The National Guard's primary purpose would remain status quo; to assist with disasters and state emergencies. The only exception would be to augment the deployed armed forces, if necessary.
Recruiting:
The recruiting slogan for the United States Army would be changed from that "Army of One" crap to "Duty, Honor, Country"; the concept on which it was founded. Focus on quality not quantity. The dilemma faced by recruiters is enormous. The Department of Defense expects quotas by any means. The regulations don’t state this specifically, but the pressure on recruiters by their chain of command to produce an assembly line of bodies is overwhelming. Many are told to make prospects "qualified" when it is obvious that a prospect will never make it through basic training. This is a flagrant waste of government funds and a Drill Sergeant’s time and effort. Another problem is the way that the Army has been advertising. Instead of enticing them with money for college and $20,000 enlistment offers, they need to emphasize the REAL mission of the United States Army: to fight and win this nation’s wars. College education, travel, and job skills are fine, but we need to inform them that EVERY soldier, regardless of MOS, needs to be prepared to utilize their M4. Sadly, the caliber of some recruits reflects the lack of parental guidance. Recruiters cannot issue motivation, character, or principles like TA-50. They must have a foundation to work with.
Service Pay:
Service members should receive a more substantial pay increase than 2% at a time, which is usually gobbled up by taxes. Either increase the pay and cost of living allowances to a realistic level or decrease the amount of tax taken out of a soldier's pay.
Military doctors:
They would be immediately screened for competence. If they have a prior (civilian) history of malpractice, they would not be allowed to treat soldiers. In addition, they would be required to provide proof of a valid state license, before they are commissioned. Since regulations state that while on active duty, they cannot be sued (The soldier's and sailor's relief act) those found to be grossly negligent would be discharged, thus enabling a soldier's family to seek legal retribution.
Veterans:
I would require a complete overhaul of the VA hospitals, services, and benefits. Any allegations of abuse or mistreatment of a veteran in a VA hospital would be investigated and any personnel found guilty would spend time in Leavenworth. These hospitals are understaffed and overwhelmed. Start a recruiting effort to fill the ranks with qualified , dedicated medical personnel who will give veterans the care they need.
The UN:
I'd them to pack sand in their ass. 'Nuff said.
Public Broadcasting:
Stop government subsidies. If they really are funded by the public, let them subsist exclusively on private donations. My taxes are wasted enough, and quite frankly, I don't like my money being spent on a leftist mouthpiece.
Energy:
Encourage and fund feasible alternate energy sources to wean ourselves off of oil dependence. We have thousands of intelligent, motivated students and scientists in this country. There is no reason why we shouldn't have already had other types of efficient, cheap fuel sources available for use.
National security:
One word: Profile.
Fingerprint, document, take DNA. If any foreigner entering the country doesn't like being scrutinized, turn their asses around and board them on a departing flight back to their origin. Close off the southern border of the U.S. and start deporting illegal aliens back to Mexico. Prosecute employers who hire them and people who shelter and hide them from authorities. If they are not here to escape oppression or seek bona fide political asylum, instant deportation. Train the airport screeners to differentiate between a little old lady in a wheelchair on oxygen and an Arab-speaking male from (pick a country) in the Middle East. They need to look for potential terrorists, not just weapons.
Abortion, Birth Control, and Adoption:
I firmly believe in a woman's right to choose. Years ago, there were two options for a woman: back alley abortions, or if you were wealthy, a discreet doctor. Teenaged girls were ostrasized and forced to leave town. Now that it's available and affordable for everyone, there's moral outrage. Late term abortions would be illegal, unless there's a severe medical condition or the life of the mother is in danger. This is because by that stage of the pregnancy, she should have determined whether or not she would carry it to birth. Abortion foes tend to lose concern for the child after it's born, except to complain about the number of children in families who don't bother with birth control and thrive on welfare. In these situations, as in unwanted pregnancies, the child ends up abused, neglected, and frequently dead. Do you think that adoption is the panacea? There are thousands of kids needing adoption, and very few takers. People look for the "perfect" child to reflect what they envision as what might have been conceived if it were their own. They want perfect little infants, not an adolescent or a teen, which are the bulk of the children needing adoption. This is one area where the state and local governments need to get involved. If these kids are placed in foster homes or state-run homes, they need care and attention by people who actually give a damn about their well-being. It's virtually impossible to replicate a "normal" family environment, but staffing the facilities with qualified people, even asking people in the community to volunteer their time to these kids would help them to become productive, well adjusted members of society. On the subject of birth control: There are mental midgets out there who seriously believe that it is a form of abortion, because you're preventing the fertilization of an ovum and sperm, and therefore, "killing" potential life. I'm not kidding. It stands to reason that if birth control and protection are practiced, abortion, unwanted pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases would be rare. Make birth control free and readily available to all people, including teenagers. Parents are either not talking enough with their kids, or the kids are simply (typically) tuning them out and doing what they want. For those of you parents who have kids and say "Not my teenager", you better think again. Teenage pregnancy has gone through the ozone. Sex education in the public schools should include (if it already hasn't) the responsibility of the teenage boy, as well. Too many of them get off scott-free. As far as abortion for minors, the parents should be informed and must ultimately make the decision.
Gun Control:
Repeal the Brady bill. Law-abiding citizens have to wait too long and criminals don't care. Violent felons would be forbidden to own or even think about owning a weapon. Those found in violation would be put under the prison. Require 18 year olds and younger to take a safety course on the proper way to load, carry, fire, clean and store a weapon. Licenses and gun registration are a waste of time. It's supposed to make it easier to trace a stolen gun used in the conveyance of a crime, but serial numbers, as well as stolen guns have a way of disappearing. To make a difference, strengthen the existing laws, and throw the book at punks using a gun to commit a crime.
The Drug "War":
I would bring it to an abrupt halt. It's a joke. Billions of dollars spent on trying to stop something that involves that good old economic axiom: Supply and Demand. Prohibition did not work. Nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol--all drugs--are legal because the government controls the production, sale, and taxation. What I would do is this: Legalize all drugs with this stipulation: You can do whatever you want to yourself, but if you harm anyone else during the production, sale, or use, we will put you under the prison.
Death Penalty:
Use thorough investigations, including DNA analysis, to clear up any question of guilt for those on Death Row. The wrongly convicted will be cleared, the unquestionably guilty will be sent to death. Cut and dried: The punishment would fit the crime. If you commit a heinous, unprovocated act of murder, you will die. If you rape, strangle, and mutilate you will be put to death in the same manner. I don't like lethal injection. It's like putting your kitty-cat to sleep, and the rancid waste of a zygote doesn't suffer like his victim. It's time to get medieval.
This post has been edited by GI JANE: 29 January 2004 - 09:15 AM
