I have often wondered what I would do *if* I were President. (Not, that I’d want such a high stress thankless job.) But, everyone has an opinion, and, every candidate is asked questions about what they would do.
Often the questions asked have required that the responder already has all the information that the President gets in his daily security briefing. Such questions are really unfair, because, quite frankly, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes that even the best of investigative reporters have no clue.
But, even without all those security briefings and summaries, there are a few things I think can be answered candidly with the proviso that new data may be given that changes the underlying assumptions.
So here’s my To Do list:
1. The US Constitution, in its original context, will be the ruling premise for this administration. No treaty shall be entered into that violates *any* premise of the US Constitution. No attempt to enforce International or Religious Law will be tolerated. In all cases, the unique and total sovereignty of the United States of America will be preserved and protected.
2. The encouragement of lawfully assembled locally controlled militias shall be encouraged. The 2nd amendment will be preserved.
3. Hire a group of very smart people to review all “still in force” previous Presidential Executive Orders with a view at repeal or modification.
4. Secure the border. The border is a National Defense Issue and I see no issue with Posse Comitatus and the use of Federal Troops to secure our border.
a. Ample proclamation would be made to ensure that any person who might wish to enter the US illegally would know that a shoot to kill order has been issued.
b. Any attempt by a foreign government to encourage the circumvention of border security would be treated as a hostile act.
5. Research and present to Congress and comprehensive Tax Reform package moving towards a Flat or Fair Tax.
a. Such a Tax Plan would be a single point taxation. Preferably a National Point of Sale Tax.
b. The tax shall be structured as to require a 2/3 majority of both House of Congress for any increase. Decrease would be by simple majority. (Although a National Savings plan might be a better idea should we pay off the debt and have a surplus.)
c. The taxation shall consider the total average tax burden including State and Local Income, Sales, and Property Taxes on the Citizens.
d. Federal aid to States shall be reduced in direct proportion to their overall taxation of their Citizens. Tax More - Get Less.
6. Jobs Creation. I am neither for lowering taxes or raising taxes. What I am in favor of is granting short-tern Tax incentives for those businesses large and small that create American Jobs for Americans on American soil.
a. Such jobs cannot be minimum wage.
b. Such jobs must be in excess of a business’ layoffs in the past 12 months.
7. Research and present to Congress a comprehensive health care reform package.
a. This shall include Tort reform such that intentional mal-practice can be sued without limits. However, honest mistakes shall have limits to be determined by local legislation.
b. Shall include a national registry of medical professionals. The point of this would be to prevent bad doctors from simply moving and setting up practice in another state. (This would not be necessary, if the medical professionals would police themselves!)
c. Allow quick and easy pre-procedure access to a doctors “track record”. (That is the true meaning of implied consent.)
8. Present to Congress a Balanced Budget or offer a public explanation as to the reasons why I can’t balance the budget. As previous presidents have stated, “The Buck Stops Here!”
a. Tax Increases to balance the budget will be an absolute last resort and will be explained publicly to the American Public. The American Public should be given a vote in the next national election as to whether to raise taxes or not.
9. Insist on warranty compliance for all Contractors. Place Defense on notice that they *must* be mindful of whose money they are spending and that they serve at the voters pleasure.
10. Consolidate and Eliminate Duplication, Fraud and Waste in the Social Programs.
a. This includes prosecuting and recovering fraudulent claims against the Government.
b. People who need help aren’t getting it. People who don’t really need help are getting twice what they would get if they really needed it. This must stop.
c. Social Welfare programs are a last resort, stop-gap program for when nothing else is available. As such, it should *never* allow a recipient to receive more aid than an honorably employed Citizen.
d. Social Welfare programs will be structured such that an agents success will be measured by those they wean from the public dole and stayed weaned.
e. Social Welfare programs will be structured in such a way that if a family stays together they get more than if they separate.
f. Social welfare program shall be structured in such a way that a person is encouraged to work. And, will not automatically lose benefits because of gainful employment. And, that they will always have more by working than not working.
g. Favor locally tailored and administered programs with outside Federal Audits to ensure compliance to the letter and spirit of the programs. (This is something that displaced IRS agents can do. We *must* locate and eliminate Fraud and Duplication in the system if we have any hope of providing a basic subsistence to those that really need it.
11. Research and present to Congress a replacement Charter for the EPA.
a. Such a charter would spell out in precise detail what the EPA can and cannot regulate.
b. Regulations that the EPA feels is critical to the National Health and well-being shall be presented to congress for a vote. Issues of immediate concern shall be presented to both Speakers and a request for a recall of Congress issued if required.
c. In this day and age of information there is no excuse for any business to be intentionally destructive of the environment. In this case Ignorance is *no* excuse.
12. In no instance shall any Federal Agency pass or enforce any regulation exceeding a 5% impact on the Economy or Jobs. (Would require a 2/3 majority in both house of Congress)
13. What Federal Agencies can be merged as a cost savings effort? Example is there enough duplication in OSHA and the EPA for a successful merger?
14. Militants… This is a thorny issue. In no case will the Religious Freedom clause be allowed to be subverted to allow any of the following:
a. Replace any part of US law with religious law not already stated or legally enacted under the Constitution.
b. Conspire to attack United States interests at home or abroad.
c. Be sanctuary to illegal activities as detailed in the Federal Register.
d. Any sanctuary that provides sanctuary to an attacker of United States interests will be considered to have taken part in the attack unless such evidence to the contrary is provided.
15. Energy Independence. We will pursue all forms of energy independence as is possible in keeping with safety and reasonable environmental concerns. Risk must be objectively assessed against the gains and the long term viability of the United States as a sovereign nation.
a. Off-Shore drilling should be resumed. States shall not claim jurisdiction to off shore areas past visibility unless they are willing to take the US Coast Guard policing efforts upon themselves.
b. ANWAR should be objectively considered against the safety of actual historical records in the area (Alaska). Not by what might happen. (Though what might happen should certainly be considered in contingency planning.)
16. A national First Responders command of Military and Local assets shall be established for quick response in time of disaster.
a. While the US Military cannot be used for Law Enforcement duty, they can and should, have a plan in place for immediate response to disaster. The military commanders shall have authority to mobilize any and all assets available to them to alleviate the effects of the disaster.
b. FEMA shall provide coordination and logistical services in the background until such time as an actual declaration of disaster and request for assistance is issued and responded to positively.
c. FEMA shall yield to military assets in place until such time as the military is ready to cede control, FEMA is demonstrably ready to take over, and local authorities have asked for the shift in command responsibility.
I am sure there are many other issues that I would have to address. But, this is a start.
Feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts and ideas. I am sure it will be interesting. J