America seems to be divided on Iraq war policy. It is not about the past efforts up until today, but what do you, as voters,
want
for the future of Iraq and foreign policy in the mid East. I have talked with many who have been a part of
the Iraq and Afghanistan picture. Here is what they say is lacking:
- Stakeholder interest by the average Iraqi citizen
- Money for infrastructure
- The surge is working.
- Time to do the job
- Fresh troop rotation and replacement
- More IED protection
With a Mid east culture and mindset, freedom has not grabbed hold of the
interest of the common Iraqi citizen. Having money, jobs, security and
safety is their interest. Overall, American citizens are saying they
want peace in Iraq, not to withdraw with chaos and bloodshed, and the
leadership of America to have a plan. When I ask them, as a voter, what
is your message to send to Washington, most do not really know. The
surge is working, but the success is in inches. Political stability
seems still elusive.
Policy action:
- To make the Iraqi a stakeholder, Nationalize the oil as top
priority, insure funds from profits directly reach each citizen and the
community. Citizens should receive direct financial benefit. People work to protect what they own.
- Establish a central banking system immediately.
- Remove selective rules of engagement. If our troops are assaulted there should be no safe haven.
- Engage all Mid east parties at some official level of dialogue for peace and partnership.
Arab culture understands strength as power. Relentlessly pursue those who do not partner in peace.
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When a fisherman ventures out to catch fish, he looks for schools of bait. Bait is food for predatory fish,
That is what immigration problems are about. The American people themselves are providing the bait (employment)and are willing to do so illegally. The immigration problem is divided in the American heart of opinion and manifests itself in the division of policy at the Federal level.
We, the people, are at fault for not mandating a clear voice on immigration policy. Now the Federal government has done wrong, allowing weakly contested entrance by 12 to 18 million illegal immigrants and they are in America because they can find work and live better than in Mexico.
So what do you as a voter really want to do? As long as there is bait, the fish will come. No decisions are going to come forth until you, as the American voter, Democratic, Republican or individual voter, come together in a unified consensus. Then, your candidates and your currently serving elected officials will know what to do. You, the voter, own the country. You decide.
Policy action:
- Secure the border completely.
- Deal with cash wires out of the country through Western Union and other "gates".
- Require legalization through enforceable work visa enrollment or deportation.
- Fine Americans who are employing illegal immigrants.
- Provide efficient legalization centers along the borders south and north.
- Repeal Section 1 of the 14th amendment. Children born in America should not receive citizenship unless a parent is a U.S. citizen. Illegal immigrants are flagrantly violating the spirit of this law.
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The nation needs health care, but many choose to neglect the care of their health.
People willingly, knowingly, and purposefully, avoid the regimens of good health.
Nationalized health care cannot be funded by the economy.
Policy actions:
- Provide free health screening through RFP providers.
- Implement the Fair tax. This means you take home 100% of what you earn.
- Implement tort reform.
- Set up tax credits for the establishment of medical support funds that are charity managed.*
- Focus on prevention medicine incentives and programs.
*It is a well established fact in local government, government is not the answer. People who care about
people and partner with government will achieve effective results. It is the people who take care of
people the best. We cannot afford national health insurance provided by the Federal government.
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| Taxes, Tax Reform, and the Fair Tax Plan |
The American voter is divided on the issues of taxes and wants tax reform. Few like the IRS in concept, but the agency does a good job for what America authorized it to do. The problem is the larger the Federal bureaucracy, the more waste and inefficiency. This also consumes resources from small businesses meeting tax filings and costs. But what about the future, what do you want?
Entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid and the interest on the Federal deficit will consume 100% of the current tax revenues projecting an annual economic growth of 2% to 3%. The Comptroller General has described the future for our children as unsustainable. Two things will occur. Taxes will have to be raised and benefits cut. Congress and the current Candidates slightly acknowledge this issue. In a Presidential campaign, promises are not to raise taxes. This is blatant vote buying when they are not willing to come forth with a plan that will overhaul the current tax system.
As a local politician at ground zero, I understand the relationships of funding and funding sources for local, state, and federal projects and concerns. States are struggling with the same issues of finding revenues because they are taxing the productive element of the workforce only.
China and India are emerging economic competitors. Corporations keep up to 10 trillion dollars in offshore accounts instead of investing in the American economy. Under our current tax system, if the money were in America, they would be taxed 35%.
Reckless and unbridled Federal spending is bankrupting our future. With the work force shrinking and the retirement entitlement group growing, common sense math tells you the balance of the equation equals negative cash flow.
There is only one answer and it is due yesterday. The Fair Tax plan. Without this type of plan in place, America will not economically grow out of the future destiny of bankruptcy.
Policy action:
- Immediately pass the Fair Tax package.
- Repeal the 16th Amendment and do away with the Internal Revenue Service
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This is one of the many issues defining America and its future as a nation. And you, the voter, must fully
understand this with great sobriety. Abortion is the black hole of America. It is not really about the law, but the
culture of America. With abortion we clearly say we do not value life. Let us be honest, abortion is used primarily
as a form of contraception. We as a nation say it is more important not to distract or complicate our lives. It is not the
law against abortion that will do any good, it is us as a nation saying this is not our culture. What we need to do is change
the values in our society. Illegal immigration supplies the work force that abortion destroyed. The birthrate
decline is a symbol of a culture that puts hedonism above family. So you, the voter, holds the destiny of the nation concerning this matter.
Would this describe the convictions of society today?
- The faith based believer would not allow any abortion because he knows it violates God's will and brings judgment
on the nation.
- The conservative voter will allow the woman to choose.
- The minority of our nation's voters support abortion.
- Every man who has been a partner of abortion should get right with His maker, the Lord God.
- Every woman who has had an abortion has regret and needs love and forgiveness.
- We should provide tax credits and benefits to encourage births of babies and families staying together.
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Like all of the above issues, the war in Iraq, immigration, health
care, and abortion, gay rights is another example of the
change in American culture. This issue looms larger each year in America and is a symbol of
change where a society's culture is moving from conservative to liberal lifestyles.
The Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence and the Word of God
all declare the same principles. That there is equal justice and liberty for all. But, this does not
mean government endorsement of lifestyle preferences nor should they be honored and encouraged with laws
and judicial rulings that support a culture that is counter productive to a healthy nation.
Here is what is true:
- Civil unions between gay people will not increase the birth rate and future populations of America.
- No law should endorse or encourage this lifestyle.
- The faith based community should know that love and kindness to people changes hearts, not laws.
- The Bible clearly declares that a nation that supports this lifestyle and encourages it will fall.
- Every gay person is a human being and deserving of kindness, compassion and respect.
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| National Marriage Amendment |
The first ten articles of the Constitution are designed to protect citizens from the Federal government. In a morally balanced society there would be no need for an introduction of a national marriage amendment. This action would be the responsibility of the states to enact such legislation. We the people understand America is not being led morally right and the nation is out of balance on a slide of downward decay. That is why a national amendment to define marriage to be between a man and woman only is needed.
Policy Action:
1. Turn the course of morality to how mainstream America feels, but is not being voiced loud enough. Pass a national marriage amendment.
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What is not mentioned in the 2008 campaign and debates is the failure of the education system at the high school level.
The high school system of education needs to be overhauled and re-tooled for the modern day demands.
Most high schools have extremely high drop out rates with no parental
involvement and those who do not go on to college usually enter
society unprepared for the challenges ahead. Statistics show many who enter college do not graduate.
All through America, Schools in Excellence Program awards are given where family units are strong and
parental involvement is high. The No Child Left Behind Program is not liked
by most school systems because it forces accountability for
performance. It does work, but it is a bureaucratic
answer to the problem, not the solution. Charter schools
that have strong partnerships with the education system produce
dramatic results and success in graduation rates and post graduate pay
levels. Because most students do not grow up under the
traditional value based family unit, there is a sore lack for success
in student education and training. The result is a declining skilled
work force on the local level of government and communities meaning less business investment and growth.
Education is the foundation for our future and the high school system
needs overhaul. The high school student needs different skill sets to help succeed in the modern world. Most poverty level
citizens of young age are high school drop outs.
We need to prepare a new generation for new demands, and that needs to
be done in high school, even in areas of work ethics, relationship
skills, family management practices, and personal financial management.
What should be done?
- Restore local control over school education.
- Overhaul the high school system.
- Create more charter schools.
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| The Criminal Justice System |
As a local County Commissioner, we are faced with a never ending cycle of building jails.
In fact, every state in the U.S. is building jails at an explosive rate and cannot keep up. Jails
serve as punishment, repayment to society for crimes committed, and incarceration to protect society
from further hurt. It was supposed to be such an intolerable experience that no one wanted to return.
But today, the facts are in from all over America and here is what is true:
- 70% to 80% are repeat offenders.
- 70% to 80% are in jail due to crimes committed directly related to substance abuse.
- Juvenile violators with no intervention in their lives become hard felons by age 22.
- Most DFACs cases with children involve parents with substance abuse and criminal behavior.
- Domestic violence assaults and sexual abuse are a part of a child's environment in these families.
- Most criminals come from single parent families.
- Incarcerated individuals and repeat offenders usually have not had a father present growing up.
- Most diversion programs, drug courts, family courts, and mental health courts have a success rate of 80%. This means individuals treated through programs have relapses but, upon successful graduation, do no re-enter the criminal justice system.
This issue is not even a topic of discussion on the 2008 elections and debates yet it is the crumbling of local
communities and thus the toppling of the nation in the future if ignored. What can we do? Are you as a voter even concerned?
Suggestions:
- Implement a nationwide system of diversion programs for non violent, low level offenders.
- Centralize case diversion management from juvenile court through the superior courts for individuals approved by judges.
- Continue to promote neighborhood resources to stop crime.
- Provide 2 year residential enrollment programs for the rehabilitation of individuals approved by judges in lieu of prison terms.
- Establish a national database for diversion programs and coordination.
- Provide residential and training transition programs for prisoners re-entering their communities.
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Should we continue to be dependent on imported oil? Most people would answer no, yet the truth is like immigration.
The American public is not willing to choose independence from imported oil and consumption. So, once again, our leaders
cannot be effective in policy making because we the people are not willing to make choices. Yet we ignore the simplest of
mathematical equations that-China and India are becoming large
industrialized nations and will be the largest consumers in the world.
Do we think oil will continue to be reasonably priced?
If Americans will not embrace a moratorium on imported oil, then we
should partner with government to reduce consumption. When the Toyota
Prius came out, my wife and I purchased one, motivated to reduce high
fuel costs and benefit from a federal tax credit. The car runs great
and our fuel
bill is 1/2 what it used to be. But I am still buying gas.
Ethanol and other products are underway and more commonly available in other parts of the country. But the truth is
America still runs on oil.
Policy action:
- Would America accept a 100% ban on foreign oil-an embargo to start in 10 years?
- Open up oil reserves in America for drilling.
- Support refinery investments.
- Continue bios fuel research and product development.
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Many of the voters feel Washington is in a vacuum and not interested in listening to the citizens. Congress has failed to provide solutions to the needs of America and citizens tell me they are ready to implement term limits for Senators. We the voters should reward their lack of performance, bickering, and partisanship by implementing term limits.
The Founding Fathers never envisioned career politicians in Washington. America should have a rotation of fresh ideas and energy arriving in Washington carrying the people's desires forward in legislative action. Voters seem ready to support term limits and I fully agree.
Policy action:
1. Limit Senate terms to two terms only and House of Representatives to four terms.
2. No bill will be named after a Senator or House Representative, but a citizen it will benefit.
Those elected should not claim fame for themselves, but acknowledge those whom they represent and benefit.
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The baby boomer generation will be eligible for early retirement on Social Security starting 2008 and for Medicare in 2011.
Because Congress has plundered the funds creating a projected deficit by 2017. Americans who faithfully have reported wages and expect funds to be available will find a reduction of benefits and higher taxes unless Congress acts to provide solutions.
Policy actions:
1. Implement the Fair Tax package.
2. End Social Security. Put a cap on the current promises and finance it with long term financing.
3. Pass amendment barring Federal government access to the Social Security fund balances.
4. Let Americans who have invested in Social Security be allowed to withdraw their monies.
This will assist in our problems with the Trade deficit and restore financial health to the Social Security system.
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Projections for the future of Medicare and Medicaid spending will add up to 6% of the GDP by 2016. By 2030, federal spending for these programs will be about 16% of the GDP. This means with Social Security and the interest due on the Federal deficit, all of these programs will consume 100% of government revenue. Each Congress passes the buck to the next with no action.
They are willing to bankrupt America. Why? These programs are ripe with fraud and abuse of horrific size. It is a system that exemplifies the attitude of corruption in our society and the tolerance and apathy of many American voters.
Policy actions:
1. End Medicare and Medicaid by the year 2015. Eliminating the bureaucracy will put cash dollars back into the private
sector for use in administering care.
2. By passing the Fair Tax package in 2009, the American economy will generate private fund balances that will
provide for the needs of Americans.
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| Religion & Government: The Sum of All Things |
The values and mindset of the current America is representative of a divided country. Many would deny this country was founded on Christian principles, practices, and values. Any objective true student of history would know this is not true. The decline in all of the social trademarks of a healthy and moral society are irrefutably linked to the shift in our society that began in the late 1950's and the early 1960's. The breakdown of the family unit, increases in domestic violence, singe parent marriages, abortions, decline in SAT scores and educational rankings, increase in transmittable diseases, jail incarceration increases, all, are linked to the decline of faith based values and morals.
The sum of all things is found in the relationship of religion and
government. America was created so these two forces would
partner together, not separate from each other, and thereby
establishing such a partnership would ensure success.
And it has. America is like no other government in the world, nor
has any other government and its people enjoyed such success. If you do not believe that morality and religion are indispensable parts of a successful nation, what do you think history shows about the future of nations that remove that partnership out of society? The nation's health and successful prosperity fail.
America was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs
and principles. We as a people should claim that heritage and manifest
that heritage in our culture, our policy, and
our government. A faith based government brings the
highest of moral value and regard for each human regardless of their
religion
and belief. I believe there is a majority of faith based believers in
this
nation. They are not all in a church, they are in many places. This
nation is at a pivotal point and it is in this
regard I ask, "Will we be one nation under God?" The new
Presidential dollar coin honoring our founding fathers does not have
"In God We Trust" on the front or the back. It can only be found
with a magnifying glass on the rim. This demonstrates the
spiritual condition of our nation. If we enact any reform legislation for the good of our country and fail to bring faith based moral and ethical standards back into our society, our efforts to restore this country will fail. Just view the quotes of our founding Father's on this issue.
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