If you were King for 30 days

[slamdunkpro]

The show “30 Days” got me wondering. For 30 Days you are King of the US with absolute power to reshape our government. The only 2 caveats are that after 30 days it reverts back to the present system with your changes and you can’t do anything that’s against the Constitution or amend it.

Here are my thoughts:

Reduce spending

1st to go – Department of Homeland Security – what a waste – we already have a Department of Homeland Security; it’s called the Defense Department; Do your job folks.

Next in no particular order:

BATF – gone (If gambling is a State by State issue then why aren’t Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms?)
DEA – gone (see above)
EEOC – gone (an agency that forces discrimination to fight discrimination? I don’t think so)
TSA – more later
Most foreign aid – don’t like us? Fine, Hate us without our money
IRS – mostly gone

Reaffirm the following:

1st Amendment – There is no “separation of Church and State” There is just no “official “ Religion. (Think I’m the religious right – read on)
2nd Amendment – It’s there, it’s clear. Live with it. Bye Bye GCA of 68, NFA of 34, Class 3 ban from 82 and more. BUT Commit a crime and it’s gonna be bad, real bad for you.
4th Amendment – No more no-knocks,
5th Amendment – It’s your property
14th Amendment – No seizure of assets upon being accused of a crime or in some cases suspected.

There’s more but you get the idea.

Change the Tax base:

Since the Fed is now lean and trim we can reduce the tax burden. I actually like Canada’s General Sales Tax system. Buy more? Pay more. NOBODY or organization would be exempt. Churches, Charities etc would all participate. Food, medicine and life essentials would not be taxed.


Areas the Federal government should be in
Nationalize the rail and air travel system. Our transportation system is in a shambles. This is an area that need cross state intervention There can be a strong case made for a national (Federal owned) Airline.

The ICC returns – to mediate cross state commerce issues.

Regulate the health care industry – This doesn’t mean socialized medicine, but the health care industry has proven that it’s can’t police itself. The right to exist is the most fundamental right. The government has a duty to its citizens – regulate the industry.

Other basic human services that cross state line that should be or remain regulated: Water, Power, Highways. Hookers (just want to see if you are still reading)

Justice – a separate thread but in short.

Crime = punishment. Judges enforce the law as written: Cap the number of laywers to reduce the number of lawsuits.

World Affairs

Simple – We are nice guys, but attack us or our citizens and our response will be swift, draconian and final. As Zeno said in another thread “Time to take out the Trash”

Lastly – No more federal influencing (blackmailing) of States. Gone would be the 55mph speed limit, federal forcing of helmet and seatbelt laws. Roe vs Wade would have to go (It’s a State rights issue) the attempted regulation of technology and more.

Your thoughts?

[[censored]]

Eliminate the federal income tax all together, instead there would be a 1-3% national sales tax. I would eliminate state aid and just about every federal program except defense, transportation and a few others.

Eliminate most laws which set some type of federal standard for education and other similar programs.

States would be free to set their tax policy as determined by their elected officials. They would then determine what type of educational programs they have, whether they offer health care etc.

States would then be set up to compete with each other over jobs and quality of life. Those that succeed in educating their people would attract employers.

Social Security and medicare would be ended immediately, the amount owed to people would tallied and paid out over a 10yr annuity.

Completely secure the American/Mexican border.

[[censored]]

Strengthen State's rights and reduce the power of Federal courts. Matters like abortion, gay marriage etc would be decided on a state by state basis determined by the will of the people.

[[censored]]

Oh yah-- kill all the socialists and lawyers.

Bring the death row count to 0.

[PorscheNGuns]

<<Reduce spending: 1st to go – Department of Homeland Security – what a waste – we already have a Department of Homeland Security; it’s called the Defense Department; Do your job folks.>>

The Department of Homeland Security consolidated 22 government agencies and over 180,000 employees into one, far less wasteful agency. Its tasks and responsibilities are not "new", nor are they at all related to the tasks and responsibilities of the Department of Defense.

Nice insult at the people putting their lives on the line every day for your security though.

-Matt

[slamdunkpro]

First - what is the responsibility of the defense department? To keep our citizens safe and secure from foreign enemies and attacks. What was 9/11? An attack by a foreign enemies. Whose purview did that fall under? The defense department. Some reform was needed in the intelligence community but a lot of those 22 agencies were redundant. Even though they consolidated 22 agencies no one was fired, laid off, or let go, and the operating budgets increased. Other than enacting the Patriot act, which seems more aimed at you and me than terrorists, not a whole lot has happened.

When I read the Department of Homeland Security mission statement, I'm a little disturbed by the broad sweeping areas of domestic life that they have influence and access to. Maybe I’m paranoid, but it is a slippery slope and it’s not too far from “Your friend the Department of Homeland Security” to “Your papers please”

Second – This was a “what if” exercise. – Lighten up.

[quinn]

1. Ban all government-sponsored racial discrimination.
2. Round up all the rapists and child molesters and hang them publicly.
3. Build a castle for me in every major city.

[slamdunkpro]

[ QUOTE ]
3. Build a castle for me in every major city.


[/ QUOTE ]

You only have 30 days; may I suggest just the coastal cities [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[quinn]

[ QUOTE ]

You only have 30 days; may I suggest just the coastal cities [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
30 days is enough when I conquer Canada and Mexico on the first day and enslave all of their people on the second day.

[slamdunkpro]

All hail our new alien overlord!