dogtowner,
et al,
Well, let's agree, it will not be easy.
well I half agree with you
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I realize I'm a little harsh. But these are critical times.
what would you have us making ? we are uncompetitive over labor costs
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We would have to embark upon a "National Competitive Advantage Program" in America. The DOD has a group called the JASONs; a very special think tank to engage monumental problems.
These are Just a few.
- We need to engage a IMHOTEP Think Tank to help on development.
- We need to bring together another group of minds on Energy Production. Electrical Energy Production is something that America can become dominant. We need to make so much energy, that the cost of industrial overhead is near free. Giving US industry a production advantage, and dropping the cost to the general public.
- We need to engage a very serious effort in a fuel, that will replace gasoline and diesel dependent highway freight transports, to lower the cost of freight.
The idea is to bring America together to seriously solve
have to get government out of the education business or at a minimum the unions. then give it two enerations and we can strart to repair that damage.
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I'm not sure about this. To a degree, I believe that the Government (Federal Level) should not be involved in k-12 Education Management, unless the state level consents. State education funding should be home grown and stay with the state.
Unions, just on past history, should be regulated; or at least observed. There is a great potential for corruption. But to the extent that Unions should not be involved in politics, I agree. Not one dime of Union money should be earmarked for PAC support of lobbyist. Unions are a relationship between the employer and the employees. Government involvement should be at a minimum.
sounds expensive how you plan to pay for that ?
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US involvement in foreign aid should be completely cut out of the budget. Nation building should be cut from the budget. The use of US Military Forces (foreign military engagements) should be strictly controlled by Congress, with no deployments without an act of war, or under the 90 Day Rule. This money should be diverted to domestic projects. If the US runs a deficit, it should be for domestic means and not foreign.
how do you suggest putting the genie back in that bottle ?
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The principle problem here is the lack of understanding of foreign policy. Very few people can tell you what our foreign policy is; and how it applies to the use of military force. The US needs to make it clear what that policy is. And the US should never commit forces where there is no exit strategy.
The US needs to gradually withdraw from those regions where the US is not appreciated. Foreign countries should choose their own destiny without interference or intervention from the US. The commitment of US Forces should be a matter of "last resort." The US needs to make it clear that it is not the "World Police."
you seek a lot but offer no way to accomplish it.
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The list goes on-and-on.
- The greater the employment, the greater the general revenue is for domestic spending.
- The better the industrialization in America, the lower the underemployment, the greater the revenue stream, the more we can focus on domestic programs. This money circulates on the streets of the US economy, where there is a return on the investment; not in the streets of Baghdad, Kabul, or Islamabad, where the US is the great evil; where there is no expected return on our investment.
- Simplifying the Personal Income tax so that everyone pays the same percentage on income, NO Loopholes, increases the revenue stream.
- Properly taxing capital gains on stock in corporation based on the percentage of the product made in the US. The lower the percentage of material and components made in the US, the higher the tax on the corporate gains.
- Strict regulation on financial institutions. Bailouts equals Government takeover. Bailouts means jail time for Corporate Officers and Board Members. Stiffer penalties for institutions that sell fraudulent products.
you talk more of a 19th century one
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I may be! If building a stronger America is a 19th Century concept, then - it is what it is. But what made America strong in the past was its industrial might. We may not need the smoke stacks, but ask yourself about the economy. Are you satisfied?
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Yes, this is correct. And anytime we are acquiescent about the honesty, integrity and moral character of the leadership, we loose a bit of America. We need to change the model on which are politicians are based. We can accept the status quo, but then, by default, we accept the performance and outcomes.
the road to this path was not short, any other path away wont be either.
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No one is saying it will be easy. But it is the right thing to do. A strong and powerful nation doesn't just happen. Someone has to put some work into it. And we need the right leadership to muster the effort.
you have a binary choice like it or not. chose wisely.
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Yes, at the end of the day, most Americans are going to leave it in the hands of one or the other. But make no mistake, there is another way (false dichotomy). I am not convinced there
is one of only two options, when there are other possibilities.
Most Respectfully,
R