Aside from the Iraq war... what would you change if you were president of the United States?

Question

Sam1981, it isn't that I was assuming "everyone" would want to change the war in Iraq, I just didn't want that to be the direction this question went.
Though, personally... I would... but that's not what I wanted to hear about...

Santa Montana, again... this is not the direction I wanted the question to go towards. Yes, the Iraq war is a "hot button" item but fighting terrorism and this was are not in the same league any more. That is unfortunate. Terrorism is a vile thing... and out presence in Iraq right now has done nothing but to make terrorism more prevelant there. It used to be suicide bombings were much more common in Israel and Pakastan (spelling) but now it is much more common in Iraq.

Answer 1

Great Question !!
First of all, I would eliminate all government agencies that didn't deal with Defense or Infrastructure.
(2)I would give back all Federal Lands to the States,
(3) nationalize the Petroleum Industry, and give them a five year window to develop alternative transportation fuels.
(4)I would re-establish the "County Home" programs, that used to take care of the poor and infirm, using local taxes, and contributions.
(5) Close "All" borders to immigration for several years.(our melting-pot is about to boil over, let's let it cool a while).
(6) Empty the prisons, (a)sending all able-bodied inmates to trade schools,(non-violent only).
(6b) Build remote towns, with no exit allowed, for all the baby-rapers and perv's. They would have to run their own industries, supply food and health care to each other, and would never again be allowed around normal society.
(6c) Establish a "Pan-American Construction Corps", using former prisoners, volunteers, and illegal immigrants. I would require Haliburton, and other huge multi-nationals to train and equip this corps, and would give them tax breaks for their contributions. After this corps was trained, I would first use them to rebuild America's roads, bridges, dams and parks. I would then establish a treaty with all the OAS countries, and send this corps to build a super highway from San Diego to Terra del Fuego. Along the way, US enclaves would be built, these would have all tourist amenities, truck stops and repair facilities, and be guarded by the host country's, and US forces.
(7)States would pay all Federal Taxes, funds which they would generate with their own tax systems. This would be fair, because business would grow where the tax rules were most-favorable, and population would follow the jobs. This competitive Tax plan would encourage states to compete for who has the lowest taxes !
(8) A National Health Care plan would evolve from the best plans developed by States, and Cities.
(9) A working knowledge of the English language would be required for Emigration, and Nationalization would be by passing the tests, not by marriage or birth.
(10) The success of Teachers, Police forces, Firemen and Nurses would be featured on the evening News, and maybe our value system would get back to normal, and some steroid-soaked jock would not be admired above a really great teacher, or a very brave fireman or cop.
(11) You asked Dude !

Answer 2

If I could I would impose a traitor tax on all American companies that shut down here and move overseas but give a Friend of America tax break on foreign companies who start here. Imprison the boards of the oil companies for price fixing and screwing the American people over. Take 90% of all our foreign aid and redistribute it within our education,healthcare and infrastructure systems. Have lunch then start work on the rest.

Answer 3

1.) The power given to large corporations, oil and insurance companies would be targeted first. Something would have to be done about the price gouging done by oil companies, including Exxon. when the prices for the consumer keep rising to outrageous levels - due to the "supply and demand" but the same company is posting higher than ever profit margins, there is definatly something amiss. Same goes for insurance - both medical and property. While these companies profits are rising the costs to consumers are also rising, making them out of reach for average americans to afford. When people who hold property insurance and a natural disaster, like Katrina happens, the insurers should be responsible for helping the insured out, rather than just collecting thier montly premiums for years with out having to pay out on a claim, and when something does happen, leaving them high and (not so) dry.

2) Immigration - I would acknowledge that this country was founded on immigrants many years ago, but now there is rules on immigration and a process that must be undertaken to legally live here. If a person cannot undertake this process, for whatever reason - they know they will be denied for criminal reasons, they don't want to take the time to learn our history/language - then they cannot live here and benifit from our schools, hospitals or welfare programs.

3) Turning my focus to the problems in America, rather than the problems of the rest of the world. The same problems we are trying to assist with in other counties - AIDS, Poverty, Education, drugs etc, are present here in America. I think that: Until we can get these problems under control here, we cannot send millions/billions of dollars that we don't have overseas to help another country battle the issues.

4) End stupid lawsuits that take up tax dollars and hurt the innocent. Great examples are: the robber who sued the homeowners for getting trapped in thier house for eight days with out food, and the lady who got 1 mil from winnebago for leaving the drivers seat while on cruise control, because the manual did not specifiy that you cannot do that, and most medical malpractice lawsuits. These things cost tax payers money and raise our costs of healthcare and the care provided by doctors because most are afraid of lawsuits.

5) Stop pharmaceutical companies from 1) being able to adertise thier prescription only products on national television, 2) being able to partner with doctors and hospitals for kick back on the number of perscriptions written 3) over charging sick people for pills that cost literally pennies to produce, but cost over a hundered dollars to buy with out insurance. While they post excessive profits yearly - even with the cost of thier expansive marketing campaigns.

Answer 4

I would remove the social security tax cap, build America's manufacturing back up by providing tax incentives for American companies to stay in America,penalize those who outsource, outlaw temporary services and/or modify them so that workers may get full time position after 6 months of employment, introduce or modify energy uses ( such as use more nuclear), introduce air powered vehicles and/or cars propulsed by electromagnetics, deport all illegals yesterday, start a war with Mexico, and then have incompetent government officials charged with dereliction of duty and/or find some of them guilty for treason and have them executed.

Answer 5

haha well the iraq war would never have happened in the firt place and we'd be in the process of withdrawal right now, not trying to export our ideal government, while having a small but sufficient amount of troops to somehow help/solve this civil war bullshit erupting over there. (sorry had to say it lol)

umm if i were president....gay MARRIAGE (not civil union) would be completely legal in every state...seriously religion would have no place in government affairs. id change the pledge of allegance would be changed to "FOUNDED under god". however i would allow groups in public schools to form religious organizations if they wanted, only on the basis that there would be a mandatory class that educated students about SEVERAL beliefs including athiesm. abortion would no longer be a debate and it would be legal in every state. this white oppression crap over poorer hispanic and black communities would end and the socio-economic situation would be reformed to NOT distribute by race: kids would actually be encouraged in their communities to do more than what the media portrays. the education system in inner cities would be reformed and an actual priority. there would be a campaign for minorities to learn more about their history, positive role models in society today, opportunities in the world, and bring awareness that the gangster rap that desroys communities for minorities is funded by wealthy white teenagers - generally restore pride and encourage people to not dwel on european beauty so much (light skinned blk ppl, 'good hair', etc)....i would put a latin reform program in place so we can help their economy (which america helped destroy in the past) so that so many immigrants wouldnt be swimming a billion miles to jump over a border for decent living. id have a program set up to encourage immigrants to get well educated and then return back to their countries to help build economy. id allow the 12 million immigrants here already to have a chance at citizenship without increasing the taxes that many already pay. id punish employers who hire illegal immigrants under the table for exploiting workers for disgusting low wages....ummmid make it much harder to purchase weapons. id legalize certain drugs like marijuana. id bring the age for military recruitment to 21....id make it mandatory to vote lol ...um id nationalize health care and education ( but that would be more difficult than it sounds) uh id increase taxes for the wealthiest percent of the population..id work to get military support from other countries to help the situation in sudan and other african countries but that would be the most difficult since (as far as sudan goes) the people want help but the givernment doesnt...make recycling a requirement to own a home haha... and work with other countries like brazil to help us make alternatives to pure gasoline...id want to make non hybrid cars illegal but that might not work so well lol id have an entire campaign like al gore to help bring awareness of global warming..... the death penalty would be ILLEGAL and certain things in prison would be different like if you intenyionally kill someone (depending on situation) the minimum sentence you can get is 25-life, no chance of parol. education and health care would be provided but entertainment would be a last priority especially if you commit a disgusting crime(murderers and rapists getting cable and video games? what the hell?) uh counseling would be mandatory in prison. uh....america is just ****** in so many ways and we have so much work to do...theres a million things id change. funny how im only 18 and most adults i know dont give a **** about these problems. *sigh*

Answer 6

Take away affirmative action from a law. I'd allow private places to do it, but being a law is pretty ridiculous.
I'd implement universal health care.
I'd raise taxes to fix the national debt.
I'd tax the wealthy more, and the poor less.
I'd invest in education and research and development.
I'd strip all "terrorism laws" that affect freedoms of American's.

Plenty more that I cannot think of now.

Answer 7

There's not much the President can do without the backing of Congress...it's not a dictatorship or monarchy after all. The main issue I would push would be term limits for ALL elected officials.

Answer 8

institute a flat tax variation and abolish SS and FIT. though, the law would have to be changed. as it is, taxes can only be levied from the House of Representatives with the occasional passing through the Senate.

Answer 9

why would I NOT want to fight terrorism?

The Iraq war prevents radicals from turning this country into a ballistic and explosive playground

but hey, i don't think people would like me... after all we just want peace, love, happiness.... for free. NOTHING IS FREE MY PEOPLE

It would be nice though to have a president who didn't give two shits about violence in the Middle East and it's affect on America. I do have some weapons to test....(in mr. burns voice) Eeeeexxxxcellllent

Answer 10

1. I would increase the term of a House member from two to three years, which would enable them to actually focus on the business of the nation rather than fund raising all the time.

2. Change the presidency to one six year term.

3. Mandate public financing of political campaigns (no more selling out).

4. Abolish student loans and replace it with a state and federal funded college / vocational program.