1. Become the isolationists we once were. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, America had
very limited military capabilities, with an isolationist policy. FDR refused to get involved in Europe’s
conflict, and would not have, if Pearl Harbor hadn’t been attacked. However, in the decades that followed, Americans have established bases in Germany,
the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan, and are now even helping bolster Australia’s defenses against
possible Chinese encroachment. We can no
longer afford to do all this, even if such policies may serve as a deterrent to
ruthless dictators. It is time that we let other countries defend themselves. Countries, like people, become dependent on
handouts and aid. They come to think of
help as a given. Recently, a desperate
Syrian woman got on television cameras, pleading in English, “Please, President
Obama, help us!” I feel sorry for her.
But really, why Obama? Why America? Why not ask President Putin? He’s closer!
The American President doesn’t have to rush to the aid of every
victim of international events.
2. Institute universal health care coverage for all
people (citizens, and non-citizens alike).
There has been much controversy over so called “Obama Care,” but the
real problem is that it doesn’t go nearly far enough. No one should have to worry about whether
they can afford to go to the hospital or see a doctor about a medical condition. If anything is a “given” in today’s society,
it is that we all should be have clothes, food, shelter and medical care. There’s no excuse for anyone being
denied. If we can spend billions sending
a roving laboratory to explore the planet Mars and billions more developing an
extensive network of roads and bridges for the people of Afghanistan, we can
surely provide medical care to all those who need it.
3. Institute a dollar a gallon tax on gasoline. This would not only be good for the
environment by reducing the incentive to drive, but also reducing our
dependence on foreign oil. Half of this tax could
go to repairing, replacing and maintaining the country’s crumbling
infrastructure, and the other half could go to the funding of an extensive light rail system, comparable to
the Interstate Highway system in the 1950s.
Such a rail system could connect major airports and rail and subway stations,
commuter lots, concert venues, shopping malls, major tourist sites and universities, further reducing our dependency cars and
gasoline, and creating a cleaner environment in the process.
4. Abolish the electoral college, requiring
instead that presidents be elected by a simple majority.
The last time (but not the first time) we elected a president who lost
the popular vote, we got George W. Bush.
Need I say more? His policies set America back 100 years. Al Gore won the 2000 election by a sizeable majority, but, in the most ironic way imaginable, in America, the bastion of free thought and the birthplace of the modern democratic movement, the majority most decidedly did not "rule."
5. Abolish the income tax in favor of a national
sales tax. The conservatives can get on board because it does not penalize the rich for being rich; the liberals can support it not only because exceptions for housing and medical care could ensure that the poor pay almost nothing, but also because the rich would not be able to find escape in the myriad of tax shelters that is currently available to them. It’s the fairest tax, because
the more people buy, the more taxes they pay, and those with the least amount
of money will still pay the fewest taxes. And let's not forget the Queen of Mean herself, hotelier Leona Helmsley, who once infamously remarked that only "little people" pay taxes. Such a move would also save
us substantial sums from tax fraud, IRS agents, audits, and tax
processors.
6. With the abolition of the income tax, also goes
the least logical of all tax breaks…the one for having children. It makes no
sense to pay less money in taxes, when each child that is produced actually costs the government money….in
schools, roads, bridges, medical facilities, water treatment plants…the list
goes on and on. China actually has it
right. Contrary to what some believe,
China does not have a “one child” policy. They just require additional funds be
paid if a couple wishes have a second or third child. It actually makes good economic sense.
7. Eliminate the House of Representatives. One of the problems that we’ve been
experiencing in Congress lately is that constituents elect congressmen from
districts, not state-wide offices. This
sometimes has the unfortunate effect of allowing radical extremists (from both
sides) who otherwise would not be elected.
A two-house system is also extremely inefficient, and was only put in
place because the founders could not agree on whether or not to have the people
elect representatives based on population.
I’d suggest a compromise. Get rid
of the House, have only the senate, but with
smallest states getting 2 senators, the largest getting 4 and the others
getting three. This would transform Congress from 425 members to roughly 150,
all elected by state-wide ballots.
click here to for free YouTube video by Steven W Rodgers
8. Establish mandatory service to the country. Every citizen should be required to devote
one or two years to planting trees, picking up trash, helping the poor,
volunteering in hospitals and nursing homes, and, yes, if they feel led, to
join a branch of the military.
9.
Eliminate the penny, nickel, dime, and the
dollar bill and reintroduce the 50 cent piece, dollar coin, $2 and $500 bills. Inflation is such that a dollar is what a
penny was 100 years ago. It costs more
to make the penny and nickel than they are even worth. The only logical argument I’ve ever heard for
keeping them is that we would lose the sayings “a penny for your thoughts.” or “Here’s
my two cents worth.” Forget about it. No
great loss. Get rid of it.
10. Stop wasting precious resources on pursuing
perpetrators of victimless crimes.
Stop harassing those who harmlessly engage in prostitution, gambling, smoking marijuana, sodomy, using crack
cocaine, euthanasia, and pornography. Is society really best
served by incarcerating those who do nothing
to harm others? Let’s concentrate
our efforts on locking up the people who cause harm, death and destruction, and stop worrying
so much about what adults do in their free time behind closed doors.
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