If I were President...
The American Civil Liberties Union has released a document today called Actions For Restoring America. It is a set of detailed recommendations on steps that the new president should take to 'clean house,' renew freedom, and restore the nation's reputation, actions that the executive branch could take on its own.
''On Day One, the next president should, by executive order, direct all agencies to prohibit the use of torture and abuse; direct the new Attorney General to appoint an outside special counsel to investigate, and, if warranted, prosecute any violations of federal criminal laws; close down Guantánamo and either charge and try detainees in criminal or traditional military courts or transfer them to countries where they won't be tortured; and end the practice of extraordinary rendition.
"In his first 100 days, the president should take actions, as detailed in the ACLU document, to end illegal spying and surveillance, to protect Americans from privacy violations and discrimination, to end the federal death penalty, and to increase government transparency."
Inspiring stuff, and as far as I could see, actually do-able.
I would limit all campaign donations to $10,000 and reform the lobbyist system; whilst reforming it I would make those funded by lobbyists wear boiler suits with the brand names of their sponsors sewn on as patches like F1 drivers.
I'd repeal Bush's tax cuts, and repeal immunity for US oil companies in Iraq. Throw myself into providing universal healthcare and call an urgent environmental summit, whilst signing Kyoto as a first step. Tax breaks for car-sharing, invest in public transport, allow stem cell research and sign up to the International Criminal Court.
And take Bush and Cheney's passports away whilst a criminal investigation was launched.
I'm still learning about the finer points of US politics. There's lots I don't know enough about it but I've loved learning as much as I can during this long election process.
What would you do if you were President?
''On Day One, the next president should, by executive order, direct all agencies to prohibit the use of torture and abuse; direct the new Attorney General to appoint an outside special counsel to investigate, and, if warranted, prosecute any violations of federal criminal laws; close down Guantánamo and either charge and try detainees in criminal or traditional military courts or transfer them to countries where they won't be tortured; and end the practice of extraordinary rendition.
"In his first 100 days, the president should take actions, as detailed in the ACLU document, to end illegal spying and surveillance, to protect Americans from privacy violations and discrimination, to end the federal death penalty, and to increase government transparency."
Inspiring stuff, and as far as I could see, actually do-able.
I would limit all campaign donations to $10,000 and reform the lobbyist system; whilst reforming it I would make those funded by lobbyists wear boiler suits with the brand names of their sponsors sewn on as patches like F1 drivers.
I'd repeal Bush's tax cuts, and repeal immunity for US oil companies in Iraq. Throw myself into providing universal healthcare and call an urgent environmental summit, whilst signing Kyoto as a first step. Tax breaks for car-sharing, invest in public transport, allow stem cell research and sign up to the International Criminal Court.
And take Bush and Cheney's passports away whilst a criminal investigation was launched.
I'm still learning about the finer points of US politics. There's lots I don't know enough about it but I've loved learning as much as I can during this long election process.
What would you do if you were President?
Labels: US elections
posted by Rachel at 10:43 am
Repeal the Patriot Act or whatever they're calling it these days. Reorganize the bureaucratic mess that is homeland security so if another major disaster like Katrina happens there isn't another massive cluster****. Get rid of 'leaders' appointed through cronyism and for good measure declare the US a data haven.
Yeah, the last one is mine. :)
Great post, I wouldn't have seen this otherwise, and a very interesting report from the ACLU.
Good plans Jason. And glad you like the post...
Sort out the health system - fast. But I'm no politician as you know, but it is one thing that would be my top priority.
Too close to home, maybe - but then, that's politics.
Healthcare free at the point of delivery so that people I know wouldn't have to purchase their meds from Mexico or go without hospital treatment because they have no insurance and are denied medicaid. Clinton promised that though and didn't deliver. Those pharmaceutical companies are powerful and effective lobbyists.
I'd nuke as much of the world as possible, which given 5,500+ nuclear warheads would probably be pretty much the whole world. After apologising to Nature for the mess, I'd then point out that it's a really bad idea to have a nihilist, atheist cynic in the West Wing.