If you were the President of the Untied States,

[Rumple Foreskin]

I'D DEMAND A RECOUNT!

Rumple Foreskin

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Re: Re: If you were the President of the Untied States,

I'D DEMAND A RECOUNT!

Rumple Foreskin

LOL

Nice one, Rumple

~lucky (I'd vote for you twice, just for that attitude)

 

[shereads]

Well, since I don't smoke, I guess we could dine in the same restaurants. My support of smoker's rights is based on support for all the Veterans that got started during WWII and Korea and now have to hang outside in the cold like a bunch of High School reprobates. The demographics are shifting so well to reduce smoking overall, can't we let them have a few places to drink and eat and have a little dignity?

My ex husband had some framed Lucky Strikes cigarettes ads from WWII.

Not only was everyone issued free cigarettes when they went overseas, there were ads about how smokiing Lucky Strikes "clear your t-zone" (sinues and throat) and were "recommended by doctors."



I'm for legalization for the same reason we had to repeal prohibition: it made crime pay. Only this is a lot more far-reaching, and is destroying a lot of hungry small nations. I don't think legislation will happen, because there is also a hugely bloated bureaucracy devoted to fighting the drug war. If we either "win" the war or end it, a bloated bureaucracy will find itself with no reason to exist. Why would they do that to themselves?

Also, don't mess too much with the military budget, at least for the Navy in Pensacola. On my days off, I want to get Carrier Qualified and then go fly with the Confederate Air Force when I retire.

I'm not likely to mess with airplanes. I like airplanes. And I know a Navy pilot who was obnoxious enough to suggest that my dad had it easy as an Air Force test pilot. "Runways that sit still and do nothing while you land. A cake walk."

I might make the Joint Chiefs of Staff work on weekends for the families of soldiers stationed overseas: doing home and car repairs, baby-sitting and so on. In fact, maybe everyone at the Pentagon ought to be helping out for a while. They could fill in at work for all the Reservists who are in Iraq for the long haul, so they'll have jobs to return to.

Happy flying. I promise you will be the only Confederate Air Force pilot allowed to land on military carriers at will. Just tell them the White House said it's okay.

 

[Dirt Man]

I would see to it, that no child in America went hungry, or lived without a roof over their head, and that a complete education became available for every citizen.

I'd put a mandate on the use of carbon fossil fuel use that would require a 20% reduction in five years, and a 50% reduction every five years after that. Hybrids would be more common than not, and even they would be phased out eventually.

Yes, we would go to Mars, but with the intension of colonizing it in the near enough future. To do that we would have to put a permanent mining base on the Moon to support a fuel depot orbiting the lunar surface. The Fuel Depot would also become a space shipyard, for future exploration. This is doable right now if we used the little known: Keller, J. S. Starbase One plan to make it happen. (Picture attached.) PS: His/her way is cheaper, and creates an artificial gravity with centrifugal force in the living areas.

I'd set up special homeless shelters with the intent of re-educating, and finding jobs, and transportation for those who require a hand up kind of help. This could become a part of the responcibilities of the unemployment agencies of each state. In this way we would have a more accurate count of the unemployed in America from now on.

Also, in conjunction with the above I would try to institute a new mandatory national 401K type of plan for all American citizens which would take no less than 5% of their gross before taxes, or more if they wish up to 15% that follows them from job to job from the very first moment they are employed until they retire, but no earlier than age 45. This national 401K plan would have nothing to do with Social Security, or Social Security benefits, but would be solely based on each individuals input of earned monies. The companies that the people work for at any given time would have to match whatever amount the worker put into these funds while working for them. In doing so, every company would get a mandatory special tax break to offset their half of the expense. In this way, mandatory retirement would no longer be an issue of any importance, as everyone would have enough to retire on. Working under the table would soon become obsolete, and silly.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know.

DS

I'd vote for ya.

As Always
I Am the
Dirt Man

 

[Svenskaflicka]

If I was the president of the US, I'd make a law requiring all conservative Christians to receive weekly therapy.

 

[Dirt Man]

Okay, just for a serious moment here...

First off: If I were voted President of the United States, I would promise only to suggest laws to congress that the people really wanted. And once passed by congress the bill, or law would have to then be voted upon by the the entire voting public of America with a majority of just one vote to pass it. The same would be true for Supreme Court Judges that I suggest. I would not however change the electorial voting system for the office of the President of the United States.

Second: If elected President of the United States, I would promise to suggest changing the campaign contributions law to incorporate a fair government policy spending for any and all candidates in the USA wishing to serve in any government office with the exact same amount of funds for each candidate. For instance if two people are running for City Counsilman, both get the same amount of money to spend on their campaign by the city's budget, and only that amount. Any outside contributions would become illegal, and as such prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The candidate accepting illegal offers, and using them would lose his right to be voted for in any election, and if in office already, would be ousted immediately, with forefiture of any and all back pay for that office for cheating. The same would be true for every elected office in the USA all the way up to the President.

Thirdly: I would see to it that a law was passed that Government spending adhere to the budget, and that any overage goes into one large Social Security, health, Education, and housing slush fund, and stays there.

Fourth: If elected to the office of the President of the United States, I would require congress to pass a bill requiring a 50% reduction of all fossil fuels within the next 5 years after the passing of said bill. Then an on going 10% reduction for every 10 years after that. This bill would also incorporate legalizing a free 20 year usage of patents on anything related to making this possible.

Fifth: If elected to the office of the President of the United States, I would see to a mandate that every lottery that was supposed to be of benefit to our educational system, and voted on for that reason would do just that, and be responcible to their local boards of education to prove it annually.

Sixth: If elected to the office of the President of the United States, I would encourage congress to pass a bill legalizing marigiuana, cocain, and heroin within a controled environment only. Anyone can go there. But those who enter can only leave once they are absolutely clean, and deamed ready to rejoin society. It would therefore be punishable by death by leathal injection of said drugs to; smuggle, deal, or sell drugs illegally. The list of drugs now known as illegal would expand as they came into existence.

Seventh: If elected to the office of the President of the United States, I would suggest a more common sense, and comprehensible way of dealing with health care. "To do no harm," should also mean to not steal someone's eyeteeth, and put them in the poor house just for healing them. I'm not saying punish doctors, and nurses for their profession here, but let's get real here. The only ones making any big bucks are the HMO's, and certain hospitals known for over charging just because they can. So my suggestion would also include a new government controled HMO whose sole function is act in the same capacity as other HMO's already out there screwing everyone. And in conjunction with their power will be that which regulates the costs concerning all health care in an amiable manner. Meaning: That everyone gets the same excelent treatment, but that the healed only pay what their HMO policy can really afford, and that nobody be turned away. And that anyone wishing to can have the option to join the Government's HMO no matter whether they are employed, or who they are employed by. No additional taxes should be required to support this HMO as most people are healthy most of the time, but pay into their policies the same way that they do with other HMO's.

Eighth: If I were elected to the office of the president of the United States, I would suggest to Congress that a bill stipulating that no less than 1%, and no more than 3% of the budget be permanently allocated to the National Aeronautics, and Space Agency for our posterity. At present, and ever since it's inception, NASA's cut of the budget has never even equaled as much as 1% of the federal budget, and that includes when we went to the moon. So people who say space exploration costs too much are just talking bull shit. Of all of the government agencies that dip into the federal budget this one is, and has always been the most consistently cost effective in our budget. Granted, exploration of space is always a hit, and miss proposition as far as success is concerned, but that's what science is all about. Even the misses add something to the equation, as we don't do that that way again. And let's face it, I'm only talking about a penny, or three out of every tax dollar here depending on the current needs of our country elsewhere. And none of this budget is part of the national defense budget.

Yours Truly;
your once
and future
presidental
hopeful
Dirt Man

PS: I would eliminate the Chad System of voting entirely

 

[gauchecritic]

Okay, some things to expect from president Karen:

2. An immediate insistence that all Israeli settlements be withdrawn from territory taken in 1967 or later, with most of the West Bank and Gaza Strip being placed under United Nations supervision, where it will remain until the Palestinians both renounce terrorism and terrorism against Israelis is effectively stopped. In the interim, a massive social and physical rehabilitation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will be initiated, paid for by the oil-rich Arab states, but under UN supervision. As the USA and the world is weaned off oil, our leverage to get the oil-rich Arab states to cooperate will increase. The USA will also help finance a wall along the pre-1967 borders of Israel if the Israelis indicate they want one.

7. A formal, public and written apology will be issued by president Karen to all those peoples and countries who American foreign policy has harmed over the past 50 years, together with an immediate change in foreign policy that ties American support for governments in to that government's human rights record. An exception will be made for American humanitarian aid, which will be given to anyone, anywhere, who needs it. When possible, fair restitution will be made to those who America's policies have wronged (understanding that this cannot be perfect).

Best to re-think these two. Unless your presidency is inaugurated after 2007-8

The second obviates the need for the first.

On the other hand you did manage to squeeze in the political get-out clause of "when possible."

If I were elected President I'd demand that Rumple do the re-count.

Gauche

 

[Guest]

If I were elected President I'd demand that Rumple do the re-count.

Gauche, you caused me to think further: Perhaps the voting system could include 'personal comments' as on Lit. stories. It would also help authenticate votes.

best to you, Perdita +

 

[shereads]

Gauche, you caused me to think further: Perhaps the voting system could include 'personal comments' as on Lit. stories. It would also help authenticate votes.

best to you, Perdita +

Hell, why not remake the entire system after the Lit story-scoring system.

 

[KarenAM]

2. An immediate insistence that all Israeli settlements be withdrawn from territory taken in 1967 or later, with most of the West Bank and Gaza Strip being placed under United Nations supervision, where it will remain until the Palestinians both renounce terrorism and terrorism against Israelis is effectively stopped. In the interim, a massive social and physical rehabilitation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will be initiated, paid for by the oil-rich Arab states, but under UN supervision. As the USA and the world is weaned off oil, our leverage to get the oil-rich Arab states to cooperate will increase. The USA will also help finance a wall along the pre-1967 borders of Israel if the Israelis indicate they want one.

7. A formal, public and written apology will be issued by president Karen to all those peoples and countries who American foreign policy has harmed over the past 50 years, together with an immediate change in foreign policy that ties American support for governments in to that government's human rights record. An exception will be made for American humanitarian aid, which will be given to anyone, anywhere, who needs it. When possible, fair restitution will be made to those who America's policies have wronged (understanding that this cannot be perfect).

Best to re-think these two. Unless your presidency is inaugurated after 2007-8

The second obviates the need for the first.

On the other hand you did manage to squeeze in the political get-out clause of "when possible."

To an extent you're right. However, #2 deals specifically with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while #7 was more aimed at the world in general. Sadly, the American government has done some pretty awful things around the world (as well as some pretty great ones -- let's not forget that), and I think it would help to try and atone for those too.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Deleted

 

[KarenAM]

Well, that's quite a lot, Colly, and if nothing else you've put you finger on just why solutions are so difficult to come by in that part of the world. I can't address all you said and not overload the Lit. server, but here are some thoughts on your thoughts:

Obviously the United States cannot solve the region's problems by itself, nor should we be expected to. My hope with this idea is to undermine Palestinian terrorism with Arab help as much as possible, and by getting the wealthy Arab states to contribute not only helps them satisfy one of the central tenents of Islam (giving to the poor, and the Palestinians are sure poor), but also to to help heal a rift in the Arab world itself between rich and poor; one of the reasons Osama and Saddam were and are so popular among many Arabs is because they are seen as opposing the corrupt oil rich Arab states, whose rulers live in luxury while millions of their fellow Muslims are trapped in poverty. It is in the best interests of these wealthy Arab nations to spread the wealth, because as it stands now, they're just asking to be wiped out in some very bloody revolutions.

As to Israel and American influence there, you are quite right that as a sovreign nation the Israelis have the right to reject any plan I might put forward. But it's also increasingly appearant that their current strategy isn't working and a lot of Israelis are themselves looking for different solutions. The same is true of many Palestinians. It's also true that American interests and Israeli interests are not always the same thing, and the Israelis have no more a right to expect unconditional American support from us than we do from them.

Leverage with the oil-rich Arab states will increase because we will have the option of buying their oil if we no longer need it, as opposed to the current situation where we support corrupt regimes in the region because we can't live without their oil. It's a basic rule of economics and customer service; you are more likely to treat a customer well if they can either get your product somewhere else or not need it at all.

Building efforts to improve Israeli infrastructure are not really needed; the Israelis have done a very fine job of that themselves. Palestine needs a lot of work but with the hope for peace in the region it seems to me likely that the Europeans, who talk about all their foreign aid a lot, could also contribute. Remember that Palestine is much smaller than either Iraq or Afghanistan, which we are currently rebuilding.

Ultimately, diplomacy and negotiation are all we can do; if there is any lesson to be learned by our current involvement in Iraq it is that unilateral force is in the long run not a very good way to solve problems of this kind. If the Israelis and the Palestinians do not at some point soon solve their bloody stalemate themselves, both are doomed. Because the United States is currently the world's dominant power, we can help if we choose to.

You will note in my original post, Colly, that I said I would have advisors from all different political positions in my cabinet, and your response is exactly why I said this. Impassioned discussion and challenges to their ideas are good for presidents. If I really was going to be president, I'd make sure I had you or someone like you in the White House with me.

Finally, the thought exercise of this thread, should, I hope give us some idea of the difficulty and complexity of the job of president of the United States. Though I personally dislike and often disagree with Mr. Bush, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Dad Bush, Mr. Reagan, and so on, having to articulate just what I would do in their shoes reminds me that in their job things will not always go the way they or I want, and that they are to be respected at least a little, because we here can argue and speculate about this stuff without consequences, which is a luxury they don't have.

Edited because a tutu wearing president really ought to be able to write sentences that make sense when she rereads them.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I had returned to this thread with the intention of deleteing my post. It' a hypothetical fun thread and I think everyone should be allowed to have fun with it without someone else brow beating them with the infeasibility of their proposed actions.

-Colly

 

[KarenAM]

No worries from my end, Colly. I appreciate your making me think my ideas through -- that's good for me. If you're bothered by anything in my response, I'll be glad to delete it too.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

No worries from my end, Colly. I appreciate your making me think my ideas through -- that's good for me. If you're bothered by anything in my response, I'll be glad to delete it too.

Nope. Nothing you said bothered me. I simply thought about it and realized this thread isn't a political thread as much as it is a fun thread and thus my response was inappropriate.

-Colly

 

[Svenskaflicka]

If I was the president of the US, I'd make a law that all male athetes would have to play their games naked, and all players must be 20-40, muscular, well-equipped, have sexy asses, and cute faces.

Imagine watching American Football, where they all throw themselves on top of each other...

 

[gauchecritic]

If I was the president of the US, I'd make a law that all male athetes would have to play their games naked, and all players must be 20-40, muscular, well-equipped, have sexy asses, and cute faces.

Imagine watching American Football, where they all throw themselves on top of each other...

One of the first amendments to any bill of rights during my presidency would be to hunt down and exterminate this kind of sexist, degrading propoganda and replace it with jello-wrestling, foxy boxing and such and such.

Gauche

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Jello-wrestling hunks... I like your way of thinking, Gauche.

 

[shereads]

If you people would just make me ruler for life, I'd solve a lot of this stuff. It's so simple.

 

[destinie21]

It's so simple.

much like our current leader

BTW your AV and title have an unappealing little ditty about a dallop of daisy running through my head. Thanks a freaking lot

 

[BlackSnake]

If I was President I was recommend a constitutional amendment allowing marriage between any two legally aged consenting adults. However, I would also recommend that the legal age for marriage be 21.

 

[sweetnpetite]

I would suggest a constitutional amendment to ban constitutional emendments with no purpose that will basicly not do anybody a damn bit of good.

I can understand not being *for* gay marriage, but what's the point of being actively against it?

I mean, I understand for politicians, but what's in it for the average american?

 

[sweetnpetite]

ON the other hand, if we do decide that the sanctity of marriage is the *most* important issue I'll pass a LAW (not a freakin amendment for cryin out loud) that prohibits weddings from taking place in Las Vagas AND on Reality TV Shows.

In fact, I'll prohibit all dating shows exept the old fashioned "Dating Game" and "Love Connection" Ever since "STUDS" dating shows have all turned into "Slut's and Cads" it's quite disgusting to watch. Therefor, I shall forbid everybody from doing so since it offends MY sense of good taste and decency.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I would suggest a constitutional amendment to ban constitutional emendments with no purpose that will basicly not do anybody a damn bit of good.

I can understand not being *for* gay marriage, but what's the point of being actively against it?

I mean, I understand for politicians, but what's in it for the average american?

The scary part is that the average american dosen't really care that much, one way or another. Certainly not enough to go out and vote if an amendment on it is proposed. That leaves a lot of states where the anti majority could vote to pass an amendment over the objections of the pro minority and the disconcern of the average joe. It only take 38 states out of 50 and I can say pretty confidently that the 14 below the mason dixon line will probably vote to ratify with the possible exception of florida & georgia. Scary proposition.



-Colly

 

[CharleyH]

Hm, thinking y'all wanna be Canadians, except for the god damn taxes, and it's too god damn cold, oh, and the sudden influx of god damn terrorists, but besides that . . .