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(RePost) Candidates aside, What are you looking for in a President?
Reposting this, as it didn't make it to the Election Central blogroll. Original post and comments here.
I've
wanted to ask this question for a long time, but the substantial
discussion on this thread posted by Jsmith0316 inspired me.
The question for this thread is what do you want the next President of the United States to accomplish, regardless of who it is?
Please avoid advocating particular candidates in an attempt to keep the discussion civil.
Please recommend this post if you feel this thread could become a meaningful contribution.
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Comments (5)
From my President, I'm looking for:
1) An Attorney General who will kick ass and take names.
This AG will investigate the various forms of espionage that have become routine in the executive branch and shut down the TIA and other spook shops that are buried deep in our "intelligence" system. This AG will end the affirmative action for young conservatives programs that have permeated our justice department for the last 8 years and clean feakin' house. etc.
2) A SecDef with guts and integrity.
This SecDef will CLOSE GITMO IMMEDIATELY. This S.D. will catagorically ban torture in any military entity, including Black Ops, and will work with the AG and the President to end torture in any entity of the US Government.
This S.D. will not be afraid to engage ALL PARTIES NECESSARY, including IRAN, on DIPLOMATIC fronts in order to create a blisteringly efficient withdrawal plan from Iraq while protecting the region from sectarian collapse.
Again, the SD should be willing to bring ALL PARTIES NECESSARY to the negotiating table, including al qaeda if necessary.
That's it for now. I basically want a President that will reinstate the protections of the constitution and get us out of Iraq in a way that doesn't bite us on the ass in the long term.
I obviously have other concerns, but I also have a job that I have to go do right now!
March 17, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
In my original post, BevD posted this reply:
March 17, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
1. Appoint liberal justices to the Supreme Court.
2. Repeal No Child Left Behind.
3. Slash military spending by 30%.
4. Offer a balanced budget.
5. Post an Ambassador to the UN that will help repair international ties.
6. Push for heavy investment (public and private) in alternative energy.
7. Recognize Taiwan as a legitimate country.
8. Publicly support gay marriage.
9. Push for free trade with responsible government guidelines.
March 17, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
In a President, I'd like a Y chromosome and African heritage.
Seriously though, I'd like a President who:
1. Runs a smarter war by phasing down Iraq and phasing up counter-terrorism (including capturing bin Laden)
2. End trade sanctions on Cuba
3. Reinstate habeas corpus
4. Present a clear proposal to Congress for rebuilding Katrina damage including attention to the wetlands
5. Dramatically shift the focus to green energy and getting us the hell off of the world's oil.
6. Repeal the Bush Tax Cuts for income levels above $200k
7. Cut back NAFTA to manageable levels and bring regulation down on American companies that shift jobs to Mexico and overseas.
8. Repeal or fund NCLB to sustainable levels. If repealing, come up with something better.
9. Increase security checks in ports, force core competencies on TSA
10. Eliminate Homeland Security and make FEMA a Cabinet position again
March 17, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Single payer health system (Congressman Conyers's H.R. 676)
Focus on educating every child.
March 17, 2008 7:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
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