Would anyone here ever run for office?

[Excel]

My #1 priority would be man on mars!

 

[hippie_hunter]

Well, I figured that we differed on a few things, but honestly, most everything you said I agree with...

Well, I've always considered myself more of a liberal Republican. I like to consider my type of Republicanism as the type of Republican before the neo-conservative Reagan Revolution. The type of Republican of Eisenhower, Nixon, and Ford.

 

[cookiva]

Well, I've always considered myself more of a liberal Republican. I like to consider my type of Republicanism as the type of Republican before the neo-conservative Reagan Revolution. The type of Republican of Eisenhower, Nixon, and Ford.

I went back and edited some info, such as my differences in yours/my ideas.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Yes,i think i could.Let me explain..if i was President,i would hang the Confederate flag over the White House.

With Health Care,there would be a Nationwide plan. There is no fear of socialism or communism,it's just a effective way of keeping the population healthy.

Immgration,you need to be here legally to enjoy the American dream. If your not here legally,you will be deported immedately. Hard working Americans keep the dream alive,you can't take advantage of that. There will be a boarder with soliders at Mexico.

The national budget? It will be hard,but there must be taxes to get rid of it. Bush has rammed the country into the ground,Republicans must pay taxes to fix this.

Relations with other countries? It will be a repair mission,apologizing to other countries for the stupidity of Bush. But if you say your sorry,then in time..things will be better.

Terrorism? There is no such thing,keep them in their country not in ours.

Education? I would make it like it was from the 1950's to the mid 1990's. Full classes,and each child can get help if they desire it. I would eliminate the GED,and every child would be given a diploma.

Please....tell....me...your....joking

 

[hippie_hunter]

Enspecially education. I lived in Shanghai for a year (and sounds like you lived there for awhile as well),

I was only in China for about 18 days. But I saw a lot such as the motivation of Chinese students, staying with a Chinese family for a couple of nights, and how China is really modernizing especially in Shanghai. It really changed my perspective on things.

Gay Marriage

I fully support same sex marriage. Period.

I fully support same sex marriage as well. If a man wants to call another man his husband there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. The government should give civily married couples the exact same benefits as a straight couple and recognise them.

However, we can't tell a religion that they have to bless and recognize same-sex unions. The Constitution guarantees a separation of church and state and as long as they are not doing anything harmful we have absolutely no right to interfere with religious affairs. If the Catholic Chuch doesn't want to recognise a gay union, they have that right. Same with the Episcopalian Church having the right to recognise them.

 

[The Senator]

Yes,i think i could.Let me explain..if i was President,i would hang the Confederate flag over the White House.

Do that, and you'll have roughly 250,000 African Americans who live in DC and its suburbs storming your office in a Coup d'etat.

The national budget? It will be hard,but there must be taxes to get rid of it. Bush has rammed the country into the ground,Republicans must pay taxes to fix this.

You can't force a political party to only pay taxes. That's discrimination.

Relations with other countries? It will be a repair mission,apologizing to other countries for the stupidity of Bush. But if you say your sorry,then in time..things will be better.

Yeah, I hear sorries are the best way to rebuild infrastructures.

Terrorism? There is no such thing,keep them in their country not in ours.

There's also no such thing as the sun; it's just a giant lightbulb in the sky that gets turned off when we go nighty-night.

Education? I would make it like it was from the 1950's to the mid 1990's. Full classes,and each child can get help if they desire it. I would eliminate the GED,and every child would be given a diploma.

Um.... what?

 

[Addendum]

I fully support same sex marriage as well. If a man wants to call another man his husband there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. The government should give civily married couples the exact same benefits as a straight couple and recognise them.

However, we can't tell a religion that they have to bless and recognize same-sex unions. The Constitution guarantees a separation of church and state and as long as they are not doing anything harmful we have absolutely no right to interfere with religious affairs. If the Catholic Chuch doesn't want to recognise a gay union, they have that right. Same with the Episcopalian Church having the right to recognise them.

I agree, since you don't need a religion's approval for marriage.

Now, if a denomination decides on their own to perform same sex marriages, that's their choice. But if the government decides to recognize same sex marriages and give them the same benefits as the straight marriage, religious institutions are in no way threatened.

 

[The Senator]

I do believe the technical term for all marriages performed outside of a religious ceremony are civil unions.

My parents had a civil union, I think, where a justice of the peace resided over their ceremony, rather than a minister/ priest/ pastor/ etc.

 

[Chris B]

My main problem is that I'm devoid of any real solutions to the problems that the country is facing right now. Once I got over that, I believe I could pull it off.

 

[The Senator]

My main problem is that I'm devoid of any real solutions to the problems that the country is facing right now. Once I got over that, I believe I could pull it off.

Well, if Barack Obama can run for President...

 

[cookiva]

Health Care

After seeing a true government run heath care system in Belgium, I know it doesn't truely work. It sounds great, but no one wants to wait 8 hours for some medicine, and in doing so see someone abuse the system to get their "fix". That said, the heath care system in the US is appauling. The "progressive auto ins." idea is interesting, and I need to think more about that.

Social Security

The top 10% doesn't ieven need to whiff social security. I do agree with HH in saying by 2050, everyone over a certain salary must take over their retirement, but I do not agree with the number. With inflation, I will say $150,000, rather than $120,000.
Illegal Immigration

Everyones family, at one time, an immigrant. We cannot forget our past, but with the population growing at the rate it is, we have to change our beliefs. I do not want a wall on Mexico, but rather work with the Mexican government to find out what we can do to keep these men and women in their homes.

Energy

Nuclear energy is the enemy. Plain and simple. Foreign oil, as well, is our enemy. We are our own country, and banking a source as needed at this point in time as oil from a foreign country is the last thing we should do. That said, we are NOT drilling in the US. We need to start funding renewable energy options, and start now. This is very important.

Education

The right to regulate the education systems lies to the states. However, the states have failed miserably. Therefore it is up to the federal government to take up the job. We need to make our education system on par with that of Japan and Europe. We need to get our students motivated like in China, which I have seen first hand.

Teachers will have a minimum wage of no less than $40,000.00.

We need to rely less on test grades and more on the skills in science, math, history, writing, etc.

Students need to learn a second language, particularly Spanish. Starting at an early age.

Prepare students for the workforce.

Thats what HH said, and I fully agree with it.


Gun Control

There is no reason to own anything other than hunting rifles and/or hunting shotguns. Hunting is a sport in our country, and no reason to take it away. That said, we need stricter gun laws. I want to keep the 2nd amendement, but I think we need more testing/researching for potential gun purchasers.

Like, HH said though, the final blow cannot go to the gun manufactures. Do you go to the slaughterhouse because you had a heart attack from your Big Mac???


Gay Marriage

I give full support to gay couples, and they have all of the rights that a male-female marriage would have.

The Military

We still have major bases in Europe. Why? Our military is here to protect us, not invade other countries. Diplomacy is our first option, and military action should only be inforced if a major attack from another nation, such as Pearl Harbor.


The Enviroment

Ford is advertising that they have cars that run at 30mpg. Really? Its come to that? How about the standard 40mpg that Europe has, which is about to go up to 45.

Abortion

While I despise the idea of a 3rd trimester abortion, I do think its a womans right to chose during the first two.

 

[cookiva]

Please....tell....me...your....joking

I took that as a joke....

 

[hippie_hunter]

Social Security

The top 10% doesn't ieven need to whiff social security. I do agree with HH in saying by 2050, everyone over a certain salary must take over their retirement, but I do not agree with the number. With inflation, I will say $150,000, rather than $120,000.

I can't take credit for the Social Security idea, that was jman's idea.

 

[Chris B]

Well, if Barack Obama can run for President...

t:

Well if it works for him...

 

[Kenny Eugene McCall]

Why don't we abolish the Democratic and Republican Parties altogether, because they're both corrupt anyway, and just start over from scratch.

I do agree with the Fair Tax anyway. But Let's abolish the Electoral College and base the election on the popular vote.

My idea for the United Nations is that it should be based in whatever country the United Nations Secretary General is from for the entire run of his leadership. That way, the United States won't have to be burdened with their problems as if they were based in New York City, making the UN a more mobile organization. You can even build a floating base in which the UN can conduct business and launch their peacekeeping forces from anywhere in the world.

But one thing I would've liked to see is that Congress would authorize the Central Intelligence Agency to hire mercenaries in the United States to put a contract out on the life of President George W. Bush and Dick Cheney before they have a chance to leave office for all the lies and false intelligence they put us through to get our soldiers and Iraqi people killed during this unjust war.

I may get blacklisted for this, but our soldiers should be mainly in Afghanistan looking for that Bin Laden fella and bringing him to justice, and not in a resource war in Iraq in the so called war on terror

 

[Havok83]

No and Id never want to be President. Too much pressure

 

[rdh007]

The first part of my platform includes a licensing system for parents. If you don't have a license, we take your kids and put them into foster care three states over.

 

[Malice]

Lets name all the "platforms" we need to identify for the "SHH election"
Foreign Policy Issues
Defense
The Environment
Immigration

Domestic Issues
Abortion
Gun Control
Gay Rights
Defense
Environment
Health Care
Social Security
Immigration
Energy
Education
Minimum Wage
General Finance
Budget
Transportation
NASA and Space
Politics and Political Parties
Terrorism and Homeland Security
Welfare

 

[SuBe]

As you see, the Constitution states that voting is a right and cannot be denied or abridged.

Your posts made my point Hippie. All of those say that Voting shall not be denied for various reasons, but not who is a voter. It does not state that you have a Right to Vote, only that the Government shall not deny voting by Race, Sex, poll tax, or age.

 

[SoulManX]

And what drugs,homeless, jobs, the dollar, and crime?

 

[hippie_hunter]

Your posts made my point Hippie. All of those say that Voting shall not be denied for various reasons, but not who is a voter. It does not state that you have a Right to Vote, only that the Government shall not deny voting by Race, Sex, poll tax, or age.

No they do not prove your point. They specifically state "the RIGHT of citizens of the United States to vote." They say that it is a right. But it also is a privilege which the Constitution states that privileges cannot be denied or abridged.

 

[Matt]

My #1 priority would be man on mars!

Why? What good would REALLY come from it? I like the idea of space travel and all, but we divert billions if not trillions of dollars to NASA each year and for what? So scientists can analyze some rocks that may or may not be useful? The space program just seems like such a waste to me.

 

[The Senator]

Voters Rights? : You have no right to vote! Current Welfare Receipiants no longer can vote. They would just vote in people that promise to give money to them for not working. Does that seem Fair? If you want to vote, Contribute to society by getting a job.

That's nonsense. Utter and complete nonsense.

This means that people who are disabled and are supported by the government because they PHYSICALLY cannot work are unable to vote.

This means that those who are in impoverished areas of the country where work is either unavailable or gradually disappearing cannot vote.

This means that the single mother of four who CAN'T work because she has to take care of her children cannot vote.

This means everyone YOU don't like can't vote.

You talk about your United Democracies Union... Ha! I guess the United States would be excluded from that, right? Because you're explicitly denying people the ability to elect their leaders, regardless of whether or not the Constitution guarantees the right to vote.

 

[LexCorp]

Owner of my own company yes, president no.

 

[Malice]

Here is the updated Platform of Malice for Prez:​

Overall Government View
Here is my opinion of how the government should operate in the general (the specifics are below) I think the Federal Government should entirely stay out of most things. So I would say I am a Constitutionalist on the Federal Governments view. I dont believe that the government is here for the most part to provide much more than freedom and protection of its citizens. All issues not assigned the Federal Government should be handled at the State level.

Abortion
The issue of Abortion is a very divisive issue.
If the government was to outlaw it, those seeking abortions would end up "finding" places to do it, or do something so insane such as using a coat-hanger.

I personally think, that it is up to the mother. That be the case, I think they should talk to the mother and then with adoptive parents about it. They should work out a deal that the mother completes the pregnenacy for costs
and then hands it over to the adoptive parents. Basically turning the unwanted pregnancy into a surrogate pregnancy. Aside from that, I think abortion in the first 2 trimesters is allowed, then its illegal.


Budget
The US Congress and Presidency as of late has gone unchecked in its spending. This needs to stop if there is any hope in the future of actually having a fiscal budget that is nothing but covering existing debt.

This will be a hard fought battle but needs to be done.

I believe that there needs to be a good 10%-20% cut in many of the Government funded programs if not cut entirely. This is obviously going to be a case by case basis, and there are so many programs in existance getting government funding, that honestly, they needs to sit down and go over them one by one. I would be willing to bet that 1 billion dollars alone could be eliminated by the govt, and 99.9% of the pulic would never know it because those programs cut would have little or no impact. Of course my goal would be more than 1 Billion, but this would be a hard battle.


Defense and Military
Defense of the US serves numerous purposes.
I think first of all, they are to support the defense of the states as is standard. I am all for having a large standing military and a large reserve. You never know when we may be called to perform a large military action.
During World War II, Roosevelt had the forsite to see us coming into the war. He enacted the draft even before we were in war. I dont see that happening again in the near future. The US Military provides men and women both
with a career path also, I think this is a good thing. I figure (granted I trully dont know the numbers of the current troop levels, we should have around 2 million troops, and then 1.5 to 3 million in reserve and then of course with the National Guard. Remember the National Guard is the force that we use to assist with natural disasters, so a well oiled machine there, is only a huge benefit to us as a people.

As far as the military bases around the world. I dont think we honestly need to have troops stationed in something like 60 nations (aside from Marines stationed in Embassy's). I dont think that is needs, close a number of them
and create more virtual and mobile bases on ships.


Education
The education system in the US is in really bad shape. This is a well known fact. I believe we need the Federal Government to get out of the Education business. They need to get rid of all mandated policies and let the States
themselves take this over. I think the Federal Government should simply hand education funds to the states, and that is all they should do. Why?

When you have one mandated policy, you have no room for inovation in instruction. They are told exactly what to teach. If each state had their own way of doing things, you would eventually have some ingenious innovations occur in teching students. For instance, if Oregon started teching a different way and had huge success, and Washington was not having any, Washington would have the opportunity to learn from Oregon and adapt to their own issues. Inflexibility in teaching methods is one problem I see by having the Federal Government involved.


Energy
There are numerous problems we face in the future, and Energy use is one of the largest. We use massive amounts of energy and we need to start finding a way of being self-sufficient with it.

Oil - Right now, we get a majority of our oil from countries we would not even let come to our own homes. We are supporting governments that we would not ordinarrilly support, simply because they produce oil. I find this a security risk and simply put, bad business.

Nuclear - Nuclear is a "fairly" clean process. It does have its negatives, but with current known technologies, its by far one of the cleanest. We need to start utilizing this more and more, until we can find a trully clean and renewable energy source.

I am now coining a new term, the "Clean and Rewnewable Power Education Project" - CarPep This project would be similar to the Manhatten Project of the 40's. The government would give large grants to research institutions in researching ways of getting rid of our unclean ways of power, by building a new one. This means companies and institutions would be given large grants (based off proposals to a scientific group) for money. The group then does their research, constantly sending all data to a new agency setup strictly for this venture (when its acheived, the agency would go away).

Once a viable solution is procured and meets approval, this technology is given FREELY to the US auto and power companies as well as the US military. Of course, the companies its given to, must have export compliance policies in place so that this technology as least for some time, is in the hands of only the US (granted we all know it would be reverse engineered by others in a short amount of time).

Environment
In the last 50 years we have seen some changes to the Earth, and we need to do something to keep the Earth a viable place to live for our children. We need to find the alternative power source to completely replace oil (listed above in the Energy section). We also need to do a more effective job of recycling waste.

We need to start trying to convince manufacturers to packge in papers, not plastics. There are numerous devices we use on a daily basis that are significantly more poisonous to the environment then ones that might cost a few cents more to make. We need to change the attitude of the people to accept the slight increase in price for the knowledge that we are performing a global service.


Gay Rights
This is another incredibly divisive issue. I myself grew up Catholic but now have significant problems with the church and am basically non-practicing. If a couple, who happen to be of the same sex, wish to state to the Government they are to be a partnetship (via a civil wedding) I am all for it. Of course different religions will have a problem with this, but this is not the governments problem. Lets the Religions fight with the Gay couples, not the government.


General Finance
The government needs to be significantly more responsible with the money of the people it works for.

I dont believe in a balanced budget, because unfortunately, the government sometimes must spend more money than it takes in (ie, times of war or possible financial crisis)

But I would imagine, something can be done, to force a balanced budget until specific criteria are met. For instance, if we have "not declared war" then the budget each year must be balanced. (granted my fear is war will be declared
to get legislation passed, so they can get extra money). Also, the budget must be balanced unless Congress sees the US economy needing more money to be spent becuase of hardships.

Those listed above a very theoretical, and I am not even sure if they could work, but I thought it would be worth mentioning.


Gun Control
The 2nd Amendment says I have the right to bear arms. When that was written, it was geared towards a Militia and for personal defense. Although right now, we really dont need the militia (unless we get invaded). Personal protection is still a viable precedent. Thru the years, armaments have grown in destructive power. I honestly dont think anyone should ever own an Anti-Tank weapon (RPG, LAW rocket, etc...) I am ok banning a class of weapons in that range or above it (the devil is in the details of course). I am adamently for you being able to own an rifle, pistol and shotgun you want.

I stated in a previous thread, if it can damage a tank, its too big.


Health Care
This is one of the most talked about a debated issues in the Presidential race today. Rightly so, its an important issue to discuss.

I dont believe the Government getting involved and putting together a Government sponsored Health Care program is the right way to approach this. The government tends to be very inefficient, this needs to be a government RECOGNIZED private market solution.

I have heard of different systems where people post money into a health account, and it gets used from there. I have not found enough information to trully be able to speak about it.


Immigration
I think the first things we need to do, before everything else, is enforce the US borders. Enfore immigration laws. Noone gets in without proper documentation. This MUST be enacted and functioning before the next step goes into action.

The next thing I think, some would clasify as a form of Amnesty. Unfortunately, we cant in all good conscience deport 12 million people. I say we do the following:

1) Set a date 6 months (after the borders are classified as secure) where illegal immigrants are required to contact the Immigration Offices, and register. This registration gives them a valid ID. They are required to state where they came from and how long they have been here. They are to pay a 5K fine (this is honestly an arbitray number, but can change) for being here illegally, breaking our laws. They are given a VISA for 5 years. At the end
of those 5 years, they must learn to read and write English. If they dont learn English, the 5 year visa, is pulled, and the immigrant is deported.

2) At the end of the 6 months, the free registration ends. Then, any illegal found gets deported, simple as that. This means, if you get pulled over by a cop, you get your info run. You go to a hospital, you get your info run.
Basically, when an illegal immigrant gets deported when they are discovered. We wont go after them, they will "be found thru normal means."

Also, at the end of these 6 months, companies are required to verify that their employees are Legal. If they are not, the company will significantly fined. This will force the companies to get their illegal immigrant to register
and get into the system.


Minimum Wage
Minimum Wage is technically against Complete Free Capitalism. Honestly though, we are not a Complete Free Capitalist society because the government interferes in business affairs. The raising of the wage must be done to ensure employees are fairly compensated. Technically the employer would do this as a reward for good effort to the employee. We are mainly doing this to prevent exploitation.


NASA and Space
I honestly believe that man needs to explore and colonize space in the hundreds of years to come. If we do nothing, we endanger ourselves. To help get to that point, we need to heavilly fund the space program here in the states, to a similar degree as was done in the 60's. I think we need to fund and devise a way to put a settlement on the Moon.

Once that is done, we will learn new technologies and way of doing things. This will lead us to heading to Mars next. The space program has perform thousands of experiments that we cannot perform here on Earth. This is a huge scientific platform that in the end benefits us all, granted it may take many years.

Also, this gives the nation a point on which to rally together. In the 60's almost every person alive can tell you about the moon landings. I want to continue that tradition.


Politics and Political Parties
Politics has become a way of life for people. Honestly, I believe there should be a 2 term limit for Senators and a 4 term limit for Congressman. This would most likely never come to pass, since the Congress would have to ratify it.

I believe there should not be career politicians in Congress, not for 40 years.

I completely abhore the political parties as they exist. The parties work to their own ends, to keep themselves in power, not for the good of the people. Unfortunately nothing cna be done about the parties.


Social Security
I would retroactively change the age of Social Security to 70.

This means, all people under the age of 50 would have to wait till 70, to get Social Security benefits, and those over 50 will get their benefits as they are now.

12 years down the line, this will actually create a decrease in Social Security members, as no new members are entered into the system (except some that might get disability). This will give the Social Security administration some time to make other reforms I have not enacted.


Terrorism and Homeland Security
This has most likely been the largest and most divicive issue in the last 10 years.

I find the Patriot Act to be unconstitutional. It would be repealed. Wiretapping without a warrent is illegal. Reading emails without a warrant is illegal.

I believe the CIA needs more funding for human intelligence gathering all around the world. They will be the ones that help us in the time of need by gaining information. There is no substitute for having someone in the enemys
camp.

The US invasion of Iraq. I personally dont think we should have gone there, but since we are there, we need to see it thru. If we were to leave on a "scheduled timeframe" the opposition would just lay in wait for that day, then
come out in force, so a scheduled withdrawl is simply unacceptable. We are going to have to be there for some time to help the Iraqi government do for themselves.


Transportation
The US is a country of roads and airports. We MUST keep the aging infrastructure in place and functioning. If it was to really start to breakdown, the US businesses would be negatively impacted, thus hurting the people even more.

I think the US needs to try to invest more in Mass Transit. MagLev trains is one idea, and of course, teleporters (just kidding).


Welfare
Originally welfare was simply put, a package to help those in need during a dire time. Currently the US is not in a dire time. The system now, is creating a problem. It propogates itself. Someone gets on welfare, and they are not
given incentive to get off it.

I propose a new system that only allows a recipient to only be on it for a total of 20 years in their lifetime. With that in mind, they can only be on it, for 5 years at a time. Then they must be off it for 5 years. So basically,
someone could be one and off it in 5 year stints for 40 years. By that time the person is most likely in their late 50's.

The way the welfare system hands out money is also unacceptable. They should simply give out vouchers for essentials. No cash is given out at all.