What a dangerous thought? Any person who holds what is considered the most powerful position in the world wields power which can easily corrupt. So what would I do?
My first priority would be…
To change the dynamic which currently exists in Washington. Now talk about taking on every aspect of our democracy. I want to take on every powerful interest and change their thought processes.
Currently, our political system rewards those who find differences and punishes those who look and find the similarities. That has to stop if true democracy is to succeed.
Interest Meetings at White House over a Meal…
I would implement a policy where senators, representatives, and lobbyists for both sides or an issue are invited to attend. We would hold an open discussion on the issue with everyone providing a viewpoint.
At the end of the meal I would appoint a committee, representative of diverse viewpoints and charge the committee with presenting a comprehensive paper detailing the issue. The paper written in the following form. Items.
- Topics we agree on
- Each side would be able to provide a section detailing their goals for the legislation with their viewpoint.
At completion of the paper a series of negotiation sessions would be held to determine if a compromises can be reached. The paper would be made public.
How I would prioritize my efforts…
There are many issues which recent congresses have discussed in great length and detail, but accomplished little.
- Health Care
- Gun Control
- Immigration Policy
- Campaign Finance Reform
- Social Security
- Climate Change
Health Care
Obama Care was passed and is now in the process of being dismantled and replaced by an new package. Instead of reworking and correcting what was wrong with Obama Care, the conservatives of this country have chosen to replace it with something which is in my opinion inferior and less well defined.
The main purpose of destroying Obama Care is discredit our previous President’s legacy. This is a mean streak which is counter productive, and unworthy of an open minded public. Why shouldn’t we adjust new legislation as needed, instead of gutting and starting over again. Health care reform has been a central part of the debate in Washington for over 40 years.
When will we understand, that not only is universal health care idea. Everyone at some point in their life needs to see a doctor. But that the only way for a health care legislation can be fair is for it to be universal.
Gun Control
Wow, talk about laws which are out of date…
I believe in the right to own a gun. I do not believe that right includes the right to own and carry a weapon which can fire 2 or more rounds with a single pull of a trigger. The pro gun lobby worships a 2nd amendment right written before 1800. At that time a gun required 15 or more seconds to reload between each shot. Which meant that in a crowd, a single person could shoot, but by the time he was ready to shoot again he would be over powered by a mob. That is not the situation today. With a single weapon an individual can shoot and kill a small crowd before the mob can react and defend themselves.
Immigration Policy
This country is a country of immigrants. We need those immigrants today as we have through out our history. The ideal’s of this country are extremely high. We dilute our ideals, when we mistreat people at our border. When we mistreat any human being. When we make refugees from conflicts wait for a determination of whether they qualify for entry into our country.
We dilute our ideals, when we don’t recognize that an illegal immigrant who has peaceful pursued work in this country for over a decade a path to citizenship. Yes, they may have broken a law, but they have also provided a useful service to us. I believe in forgiveness and in a statute of limitations.
Campaign Finance Reform
I had a junior high school social studies teacher state that meaningful campaign finance reform will never occur. His reasoning was, that we are asking the people in power to change the system in which they successfully got the job they currently hold.
I agree with his reasoning, but it has gotten worse.
- Why should a company or group be more important than an individual? The supreme court ruling a few years back, basically gave the rights to corporations as an individual. This is a mistake, as our the preamble of the constitution starts “We the People…” and says nothing about corporations.
- Why should wealthy individuals hide their donations behind organizations? Every group, every political ad, should adhere to a requirement to report donors.
But the only true way, to enact meaningful campaign finance reform is for “We the people…” to demand it and consistently support it with our votes and our letters.
Social Security
This one scares me, because the truth is it has not been talked about enough. The truth is because of the lack of progress in other areas, there is a lack of backbone to address this coming crisis. Our current retirees will at some point deplete the social security reserves. Action taken now will protect our future and futures of generations to come.
Climate Change
An international crisis requiring a diplomatic solution. Another situation where we backed out of an international agreement.
So my conclusion…
If I were President, I would not dictate what happens, I would facilitate. I don’t need credit or having programs or bills named after me. We need solutions and it is not important who proposes a solution, it is important that we act and move on to the next issue.
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