Your plan for America?

[L Ron Cupboard]

If you look closely you can see Q the winged serpent circling the Chrysler building.

[The United Soviet Socialist Republic]

(Image)

If you look closely you can see Q the winged serpent circling the Chrysler building.

What?

[Freiheit Reich]

A similar topic was already discussed. An easy answer: put Ron Paul in charge and implement his ideas, this will get America well on its way to success.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

A similar topic was already discussed.

This thread was created before you were founded.

An easy answer: put Ron Paul in charge and implement his ideas, this will get America well on its way to success.

Really? You didn't back up your statement at all?

[A Republican Empire State]

Pull out of Iraq completely and go hardcore in Afghanistan, extend the troops' stay indefinitely (victory should be the pullout date). Create an end date for social security, encourage private alternatives to medicare. Implement a national VAT tax and eliminate the income tax. Create jobs further by recruiting soldiers to patrol the Mexican border.

[United State of America]

If I were the president, I could stop terrorist attacks against the United States in a few days. Permanently. I would first apologize to all the widows and orphans, the tortured and impoverished, and all the many millions of other victims of American imperialism. Then I would announce, in all sincerity, to every corner of the world, that America's global interventions have come to an end, and inform Israel that it is no longer the 51st state of the USA but now -- oddly enough -- a foreign country. I would then reduce the military budget by at least 90% and use the savings to pay reparations to the victims. There would be more than enough money. One year's military budget of 330 billion dollars is equal to more than $18,000 an hour for every hour since Jesus Christ was born. That's what I'd do on my first three days in the White House. On the fourth day, I'd be assassinated.

[Mike the Progressive]

A similar topic was already discussed.

This thread was created before you were founded.

An easy answer: put Ron Paul in charge and implement his ideas, this will get America well on its way to success.

Really? You didn't back up your statement at all?

Does he need too?

Got cancer? Ron Paul. Hungry? Sick? Need work? Ron Paul. He's the answer to all, go meet him at a mall, he's not very tall, but he'll pass you the ball, maybe even give you a call over by the wall. And that's Ron Paul.

[Freiheit Reich]

A similar topic was already discussed.

This thread was created before you were founded.

An easy answer: put Ron Paul in charge and implement his ideas, this will get America well on its way to success.

Really? You didn't back up your statement at all?

Didn't need to back it up, most people by now know his message. Get rid of the deficit, end all foreign occupation, decrease taxes, cut social programs, decrease regulations, follow the Austrian school of economics which says free markets work. Check out his site for more ideas. Don't forget, Rand Paul won the senate race in Kentucky and has several of his ideas. Maybe he can make it furthur than his dad and be in the White House (assuming Amerikans ever regain their sense). Also check out the Libertarian Party's website. A lot of great ideas.

[DaWoad]

This thread was created before you were founded.

Really? You didn't back up your statement at all?

Didn't need to back it up, most people by now know his message. Get rid of the deficit, end all foreign occupation, decrease taxes, cut social programs, decrease regulations, follow the Austrian school of economics which says free markets work. Check out his site for more ideas. Don't forget, Rand Paul won the senate race in Kentucky and has several of his ideas. Maybe he can make it furthur than his dad and be in the White House (assuming Amerikans ever regain their sense). Also check out the Libertarian Party's website. A lot of great ideas.

so how do you suggest dealing with the problems inherent to libertarianism and *shudders* reaganomics (that, for example, buisness when given tax cuts don't actually tend to employ more people or that losing public sector jobs tends to have a negative impact on the economy rather than a positive one)? Moreover, how does one simultaneously lower taxes and pay off debt while maintaining essential services such as policing, infrastructure, and etc? And how, exactly, do you explain away the fact that deregulation led, in large part, to the economic reccession your country managed to drag most of the world into?

[Socialdemokraterne]

Didn't need to back it up, most people by now know his message. Get rid of the deficit, end all foreign occupation, decrease taxes, cut social programs, decrease regulations, follow the Austrian school of economics which says free markets work. Check out his site for more ideas. Don't forget, Rand Paul won the senate race in Kentucky and has several of his ideas. Maybe he can make it furthur than his dad and be in the White House (assuming Amerikans ever regain their sense). Also check out the Libertarian Party's website. A lot of great ideas.

The Denmark-style Social Democrat in the room greatly disagrees with notion that the positions of Ron Paul are in any way productive, and believes that your assertions amount to nothing more than:

Step 1: Elect Ron Paul or Rand Paul as the President of the United States.
Step 2: Do everything that Ron Paul or Rand Paul would have us do.
Step 3: Watch as the free market works its magic.
------------------------------------------
Result: The USA is saved!!!!

I would argue that you've given absolutely no reason for me to believe that things would go well after step 2, which is the exact same criticism you got from Prussia-Steinbach. Rebuttal?

[Freiheit Reich]

Didn't need to back it up, most people by now know his message. Get rid of the deficit, end all foreign occupation, decrease taxes, cut social programs, decrease regulations, follow the Austrian school of economics which says free markets work. Check out his site for more ideas. Don't forget, Rand Paul won the senate race in Kentucky and has several of his ideas. Maybe he can make it furthur than his dad and be in the White House (assuming Amerikans ever regain their sense). Also check out the Libertarian Party's website. A lot of great ideas.

so how do you suggest dealing with the problems inherent to libertarianism and *shudders* reaganomics (that, for example, buisness when given tax cuts don't actually tend to employ more people or that losing public sector jobs tends to have a negative impact on the economy rather than a positive one)? Moreover, how does one simultaneously lower taxes and pay off debt while maintaining essential services such as policing, infrastructure, and etc? And how, exactly, do you explain away the fact that deregulation led, in large part, to the economic reccession your country managed to drag most of the world into?

Reagan failed because he increased military spending, kept the mimimum wage and many business regulations (minimum wage is wrong), and he did not create a flat tax system. Infrastructure can be paid with user taxes like the gas tax or tolls if needed. Poor people that don't drive are not affected in that way and the deficit does not increase. The deficit can be cut gradually, even if you cut all funding 50%you would still have a police force (maybe a bit smaller). Neighborhood watches could be encouraged more due to a smaller police force. The people that bought houses they could not afford were greedy and foolish, they failed to follow common advice (put at least 20% down and never exceed 35% of income on housing expenses). They took a chance and lost, same with the banks which gave out the loans. China is gaining our jobs because they have less regulations and lower minimum wages. Their economy is growing for that reason. Many factories would likely stay in the USA if they could pay workers $4 an hour instead of $9 and not have a bunch of OSHA rules to follow. I feel sorry for the smaller business owners because they have to deal with a lot of red tape without the money to hire a lawyer to help them. Would you rather make $4 an hour as a factory worker or $0 an hour sitting on a park bench?

Herbert Hoover raised income taxes for the wealthiest Americans by a lot during the Great Depression and it made things worse. FDR raised it even higher and the Great Depression marched on.

[Napkiraly]

10. Illegalize pornography.

I hope you realise that you'd end up creating the largest black market. Ever.

[Freiheit Reich]

Didn't need to back it up, most people by now know his message. Get rid of the deficit, end all foreign occupation, decrease taxes, cut social programs, decrease regulations, follow the Austrian school of economics which says free markets work. Check out his site for more ideas. Don't forget, Rand Paul won the senate race in Kentucky and has several of his ideas. Maybe he can make it furthur than his dad and be in the White House (assuming Amerikans ever regain their sense). Also check out the Libertarian Party's website. A lot of great ideas.

The Denmark-style Social Democrat in the room greatly disagrees with notion that the positions of Ron Paul are in any way productive, and believes that your assertions amount to nothing more than:

Step 1: Elect Ron Paul or Rand Paul as the President of the United States.
Step 2: Do everything that Ron Paul or Rand Paul would have us do.
Step 3: Watch as the free market works its magic.
------------------------------------------
Result: The USA is saved!!!!

I would argue that you've given absolutely no reason for me to believe that things would go well after step 2, which is the exact same criticism you got from Prussia-Steinbach. Rebuttal?

an article discussing the USA and economic freedom. We have fallen a lot and Hong Kong is #1 (they recently passed a minimum wage after this survey unfortunately).

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... st/?page=1

http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking

North Korea and Venezuela have a lot of regulations that hurt businesses and did poorly while Hong Kong is famed for its pro market policies. Which country is more prosperous? Economic freedom usually mean prosperity (relative to other countries).

[Karkhozia]

Leave it to the professionals......

oh wait, you wanted an actual idea?

I will list some fundamental points:

Consolidation, or removal:
America is being torn apart from the inside out. We stretch over nine million square kilometers, we span to two oceans, have multiple time zones, over three hundred million people, and a plethora of religions, accents, and local histories.
You cannot build a nation this overly diverse, it will end the way any empire or pseudo empire (USSR for example) has.
Proposals would include such items as:
give semi autonomy for bible belt regions, but in exchange have them forfeit some of their federal representation, so your decent north eastern or northwestern American does not have to put up with this religious fanaticism. In the southwest, deport illegal Hispanic immigrants, and immediate family, save those who make major commitments via higher education or the military. In regions with Hispanic majorities that existed before the immigration system breakdown, offer semi autonomy or even transfer of territory back to Mexico (ideologically nice, but would never happen due to public opinion). Expand affirmative action, but offer birthing incentives only to white people, to maintain previous status quo of wealthy white majority paying to placate the less wealthy minority groups.

National identity
With what is left of the normal united states, after dealing with Hispanic and southern areas, institute a program to gradually push out identity politics out of mind. Focus on developing new, common American identity, and discourage Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, and any other Americans from developing too strong roots with their "homeland."

Economic fairness
Curb the influence of the wealthy, set up new, very strict anti lobbying guidelines. Offer reform of health and financial systems, while remaining staunchly opposed to any proposals for European style social democracy.

Civil rights
Curb power of DHS, reduce security, scale down scope of USA PATRIOT act, and promote more free speech.

This is a very small sample of some ideas I have.

[Alternate Universe 912]

how do you suggest dealing with the problems inherent to libertarianism and *shudders* reaganomics (that, for example, buisness when given tax cuts don't actually tend to employ more people or that losing public sector jobs tends to have a negative impact on the economy rather than a positive one)? Moreover, how does one simultaneously lower taxes and pay off debt while maintaining essential services such as policing, infrastructure, and etc? And how, exactly, do you explain away the fact that deregulation led, in large part, to the economic reccession your country managed to drag most of the world into?

Going at it one at a time:

buisness when given tax cuts don't actually tend to employ more people
This is true. Big businesses often buy smaller ones or buy services they'd otherwise provide themselves rather than hire workers. But this creates more opportunity for small business, which does grow jobs.

losing public sector jobs tends to have a negative impact on the economy rather than a positive one
This would be true if the public sector didn't cost so much to fund. By funding public sector jobs with borrowed money, we improve the current economy but sacrifice our future. If we continue both the Bush and Obama programs at recent levels of funding increases, the U.S will eventually collapse.

how does one simultaneously lower taxes and pay off debt while maintaining essential services such as policing, infrastructure, and etc?
Some services will have to be privatized or reduced. Much cost can be saved by reducing unnecessary waste and scrapping or eliminating enforcement of noncritical regulations, reducing salaries and other benefits, and weaning people off of entitlements that aren't really necessary (and I would start by looking at corporate welfare, tax loopholes, and social security for people who already have a larger - than - average retirement income.), as well as cutting nonessential programs and services like overseas bases or researching the sex lives of shrimp. Maybe enough to make a very big difference.

And how, exactly, do you explain away the fact that deregulation led, in large part, to the economic reccession your country managed to drag most of the world into?
Ironically, the crazy combination of lots of regulation, deregulation, and corporate welfare made things worse than either heavy regulation or deregulation alone would have. Our own government deregulated industries so they could economically encourage them to do things they wouldn't have done (e.g., encouraging banks to encourage low - income folks to buy houses on variable rate loans, knowing that they couldn't pay if rates went up), even in a completely deregulated market. In short, by trying to compromise between pure free market capitolism and a state - regulated economy, we got the worst of both worlds IMHO.

[L Ron Cupboard]

(Image)

If you look closely you can see Q the winged serpent circling the Chrysler building.

What?

Quetzalcoatl - he nests in the Chrysler building.

[Arumdaum]

Leave it to the professionals......

oh wait, you wanted an actual idea?

I will list some fundamental points:

Consolidation, or removal:
America is being torn apart from the inside out. We stretch over nine million square kilometers, we span to two oceans, have multiple time zones, over three hundred million people, and a plethora of religions, accents, and local histories.
You cannot build a nation this overly diverse, it will end the way any empire or pseudo empire (USSR for example) has.
Proposals would include such items as:
give semi autonomy for bible belt regions, but in exchange have them forfeit some of their federal representation, so your decent north eastern or northwestern American does not have to put up with this religious fanaticism. In the southwest, deport illegal Hispanic immigrants, and immediate family, save those who make major commitments via higher education or the military. In regions with Hispanic majorities that existed before the immigration system breakdown, offer semi autonomy or even transfer of territory back to Mexico (ideologically nice, but would never happen due to public opinion). Expand affirmative action, but offer birthing incentives only to white people, to maintain previous status quo of wealthy white majority paying to placate the less wealthy minority groups.

National identity
With what is left of the normal united states, after dealing with Hispanic and southern areas, institute a program to gradually push out identity politics out of mind. Focus on developing new, common American identity, and discourage Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, and any other Americans from developing too strong roots with their "homeland."

Economic fairness
Curb the influence of the wealthy, set up new, very strict anti lobbying guidelines. Offer reform of health and financial systems, while remaining staunchly opposed to any proposals for European style social democracy.

Civil rights
Curb power of DHS, reduce security, scale down scope of USA PATRIOT act, and promote more free speech.

This is a very small sample of some ideas I have.

Oh, summer. Sometimes you make me so sad.

[Inter de Milano]

My plan:

Economic:
-End Bush era tax cuts
-Lower taxes of the middle and poor class to a flat rate of 15%, 27% for the wealthiest
-Create a 10% national sales tax on everything except food
-Adopt a universal health care plan or "medicaid for all"
-Allow religious affiliated organizations to opt out of contraception coverage
-Cut spending across the board, military included
-Cut the Department of Education, with the money sent to the states
Social:
-Have no official national law on gay marriage, but allow states to vote for or against civil unions
-Restrict abortions in all cases, but leave the states to decide if abortion should be legal in cases of incest, rape, or if the mother's life is in danger
-Crack down on drug dealers and users, random drug tests at high schools and workplaces
-Require all states to teach evolution and intelligent design
-Reauthorize Don't Ask Don't Tell
Foreign Policy/Immigration:
-Immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan
-Pressure Syria into regime change, but do not commit US forces
-Stop the Cuban embargo
-Stronger border security including fence
-Implement DREAM Act

[Tlaceceyaya]

My plan:

Economic:
-End Bush era tax cuts Okay.
-Lower taxes of the middle and poor class to a flat rate of 15%, 27% for the wealthiest Not severe enough. Less for the poor and more for the wealthy.
-Create a 10% national sales tax on everything except food Okay.
-Adopt a universal health care plan or "medicaid for all" Yes.
-Allow religious affiliated organizations to opt out of contraception coverage NO.
-Cut spending across the board, military included No.
-Cut the Department of Education, with the money sent to the states That would allow the southern states to teach whatever they want. Do you really want to see Texans applying for careers in certain fields, only to realize that they were taught by an extremely biased system and have no valid qualifications outside of the south?
Social:
-Have no official national law on gay marriage, but allow states to vote for or against civil unions No.
-Restrict abortions in all cases, but leave the states to decide if abortion should be legal in cases of incest, rape, or if the mother's life is in danger No.
-Crack down on drug dealers and users, random drug tests at high schools and workplaces Not really.
-Require all states to teach evolution and intelligent design And flat earth 'theory' and that Quetzalcoatl created this iteration of the world?
-Reauthorize Don't Ask Don't Tell No.
Foreign Policy/Immigration:
-Immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan Sure.
-Pressure Syria into regime change, but do not commit US forces There's some pretty bad stuff going on there...
-Stop the Cuban embargo /Notanamerican and knows little about American/Cuban relations
-Stronger border security including fence Only if it becomes easier for the would-be illegal immigrants to do so legally...
-Implement DREAM Act Sure.

You seemed okay, then I saw the social section.

[Socialdemokraterne]

an article discussing the USA and economic freedom. We have fallen a lot and Hong Kong is #1 (they recently passed a minimum wage after this survey unfortunately).

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... st/?page=1

http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking

North Korea and Venezuela have a lot of regulations that hurt businesses and did poorly while Hong Kong is famed for its pro market policies. Which country is more prosperous? Economic freedom usually mean prosperity (relative to other countries).

And yet, and yet, there is this from the Heritage Foundation (which you cited before):

http://www.heritage.org/index/country/denmark

Denmark’s economic freedom score is 76.2, making its economy the 11th freest in the 2012 Index. Its overall score is 2.4 points lower than last year, reflecting considerable deterioration in public finance management. Denmark is ranked 3rd out of 43 countries in the Europe region, and while its overall score remains well above average, the country has dropped out of the top 10 in the rankings.

Denmark’s foundations of economic freedom are solid. The judicial system, independent and free of corruption, provides strong protection of property rights. Lower scores in fiscal freedom and government spending, already far below world averages, indicate further weakening of respect for the principle of limited government. Although the corporate tax rate is competitive, the overall tax burden remains heavy. Government spending still accounts for over half of GDP.

With its economy open to global trade and investment, Denmark benefits from high degrees of business freedom, investment freedom, and financial freedom. The overall regulatory environment, transparent and efficient, encourages entrepreneurial activity. The banking sector has been under stress but remains guided by sensible regulations. Monetary stability is well maintained, and inflationary pressures are under control.

So I see your Venezuelan strawman and raise you a Danish what I actually suggested. Now surely you're not going to tell me that Denmark is ascribing to the philosophical/political ideology that Ron Paul has espoused? And yet this organization, with its well-known conservative leanings, has found such good things to say about it. Perhaps my suggestion that we ditch Ron Paul and go for a Danish system isn't so crazy after all, eh?

[Divair]

My plan:

Economic:
-End Bush era tax cuts
-Lower taxes of the middle and poor class to a flat rate of 15%, 27% for the wealthiest
-Create a 10% national sales tax on everything except food
-Adopt a universal health care plan or "medicaid for all"
-Allow religious affiliated organizations to opt out of contraception coverage
-Cut spending across the board, military included
-Cut the Department of Education, with the money sent to the states
Social:
-Have no official national law on gay marriage, but allow states to vote for or against civil unions
-Restrict abortions in all cases, but leave the states to decide if abortion should be legal in cases of incest, rape, or if the mother's life is in danger
-Crack down on drug dealers and users, random drug tests at high schools and workplaces
-Require all states to teach evolution and intelligent design
-Reauthorize Don't Ask Don't Tell
Foreign Policy/Immigration:
-Immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan
-Pressure Syria into regime change, but do not commit US forces
-Stop the Cuban embargo
-Stronger border security including fence
-Implement DREAM Act

So much wrong with this plan..

[Wamitoria]

My plan:

Economic:
-End Bush era tax cuts
-Lower taxes of the middle and poor class to a flat rate of 15%, 27% for the wealthiest
-Create a 10% national sales tax on everything except food
-Adopt a universal health care plan or "medicaid for all"
-Allow religious affiliated organizations to opt out of contraception coverage
-Cut spending across the board, military included
-Cut the Department of Education, with the money sent to the states
Social:
-Have no official national law on gay marriage, but allow states to vote for or against civil unions
-Restrict abortions in all cases, but leave the states to decide if abortion should be legal in cases of incest, rape, or if the mother's life is in danger
-Crack down on drug dealers and users, random drug tests at high schools and workplaces
-Require all states to teach evolution and intelligent design
-Reauthorize Don't Ask Don't Tell
Foreign Policy/Immigration:
-Immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan
-Pressure Syria into regime change, but do not commit US forces
-Stop the Cuban embargo
-Stronger border security including fence
-Implement DREAM Act

So much wrong with this plan..

Less wrong than others, but still wrong.

I don't think abortion, drug dealers, or gay marriage have anything to do with the economy, personally.

[Freiheit Reich]

an article discussing the USA and economic freedom. We have fallen a lot and Hong Kong is #1 (they recently passed a minimum wage after this survey unfortunately).

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... st/?page=1

http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking

North Korea and Venezuela have a lot of regulations that hurt businesses and did poorly while Hong Kong is famed for its pro market policies. Which country is more prosperous? Economic freedom usually mean prosperity (relative to other countries).

And yet, and yet, there is this from the Heritage Foundation (which you cited before):

http://www.heritage.org/index/country/denmark

Denmark’s economic freedom score is 76.2, making its economy the 11th freest in the 2012 Index. Its overall score is 2.4 points lower than last year, reflecting considerable deterioration in public finance management. Denmark is ranked 3rd out of 43 countries in the Europe region, and while its overall score remains well above average, the country has dropped out of the top 10 in the rankings.

Denmark’s foundations of economic freedom are solid. The judicial system, independent and free of corruption, provides strong protection of property rights. Lower scores in fiscal freedom and government spending, already far below world averages, indicate further weakening of respect for the principle of limited government. Although the corporate tax rate is competitive, the overall tax burden remains heavy. Government spending still accounts for over half of GDP.

With its economy open to global trade and investment, Denmark benefits from high degrees of business freedom, investment freedom, and financial freedom. The overall regulatory environment, transparent and efficient, encourages entrepreneurial activity. The banking sector has been under stress but remains guided by sensible regulations. Monetary stability is well maintained, and inflationary pressures are under control.

So I see your Venezuelan strawman and raise you a Danish what I actually suggested. Now surely you're not going to tell me that Denmark is ascribing to the philosophical/political ideology that Ron Paul has espoused? And yet this organization, with its well-known conservative leanings, has found such good things to say about it. Perhaps my suggestion that we ditch Ron Paul and go for a Danish system isn't so crazy after all, eh?

Yes, Denmark is high on the list and they have some things going for them like an anti-corrupt business atmosphere. However, the site mentioned that Denmark is losing ground and points out where they can make improvements. How many wealthy foreigners are moving there from other countries seeking tax relief? Singapore and Hong Kong were higher on this list for a reason. Many countries have corrupt governments where you have to bribe agencies to grease the wheels or face miles of red tape. Denmark and many developed countries don't have these issues yet (although lobbyists are too common in the USA).

[Divair]

So much wrong with this plan..

Less wrong than others, but still wrong.

I don't think abortion, drug dealers, or gay marriage have anything to do with the economy, personally.

At least he's non-interventionist, I suppose. The rest is horrid.

[Hittanryan]

...did...did someone just cite the Austrian school of economics as evidence?

Oh the irony, it burns us.