Here are ten things the moderator should ask the Republican Presidential contenders about tonight, but probably won't. Still, we'll have to see.
1.)How can politicians, who seem to have lost the trust of the American people, win it back?
2). To save Social Security, should we raise the retirement age for people who won't be collecting benefits for a decade? Stop giving cost of living increases to millionaires and billionaires? Stop sending SS checks to rich people altogether, since they don't need the money? Is this fair?
3). Should we let states set their own legal drinking age, speed limits, decriminalize marijuana, allow gay marriage, determine their own vehicle emissions standards, and allow, restrict or prohibit abortion, without Federal interference? Or should Washington impose a single law on the entire country, regardless of what the people in each state want?
4). Should we reward (through the tax code) companies that hire and invest here in America, and punish those that ship jobs overseas? Or should we leave them alone, and let them make the best decisions they can, to make money for shareholders according to what works and what doesn't?
5). Should we bomb Iran, if there's no other way to stop them from developing nuclear weapons? Or can we let them aquire nukes, and just deter them from using them by warning Tehran that the US will strike back if they do?
6). Polls show the American people are tired of the war in Afghanistan and want us out. Is it time to pull out? How can we get out without making it look like our enemies drove us out, and allowing them to celebrate victory when we leave? What if terrorists once again use Afghanistan as a base from which to attack us?
7). Would you favor a national sales tax, to help pay down the deficit? And if so, how can you make sure it doesn't hurt the poor most of all?
8). The rebels in Syria have appealed to the West for help overthrowing their dictator, as we're helping the Libyans topple Colonel Gadaffy. Should we stay out of it, or come to their aid? Should we send them weapons? Destroy the Syrian air force, and provide the rebels with air cover?
9). Should Washington bring help to famished Somalia? How can food aid be gotten past the terrorist al Shebaab militia, who will try to seize it for themselves? Should we recognize the independence of the breakaway statelet of Somaliland?
10). Would you be willing to support a proposal to amend the Constitution, to require a balanced budget?
These would be my answers to your suggested questions.
ReplyDelete1 - It takes years to build up a good reputation and just a second to lose it. Nothing but doing what is right for an extended period of time will be enough to regain the trust of the American people. There is no magic bullet to regain the peoples trust. As much as we have been lied to and neglected by our elected officials there is nothing they can say that will restore that trust. Only by consistent honest actions can the trust of the American people be regained.
2- I do not think that it is fair for a person that does not need social security to receive it, but it also isn't fair for someone that has paid into social security to be denied access to it. Social security cases should be re-examined to determine if one truly needs it or if they are simply playing the system. I believe that a lot of fraudulent cases are draining the system and should be stopped. On the issue of the rich getting a social security check I think that an appeal should be made to the rich on the grounds of patriotism. They should be asked not to receive it if they don't need it, but not be denied it if they want to be greedy and collect anyhow.
3- I think the federal government has too much power as things stand now. It would in my opinion be a violation of State rights to decide on these issues. However i do believe that by legalizing and taxing marijuana we could cut down on a lot of our deficit.
4- I believe that we should offer incentives to companies that keep their business in America rather than going offshore to have their products made at a cheaper price. I understand that companies are in business to make money. These current times we live in though true Americans should put their country before making extra money. It is the "ME" attitude that is hurting this country. Instead of thinking of our individual needs we need to start thinking of what is best for our country as a whole.
5- Once again we can not afford another war. There are certain States though that we would have to war with before letting them acquire nuclear weapons. North Korea and Iran are two that come to mind. I believe that Iran would use nukes on America or our allies like Israel if they had them. To let Iran acquire nuclear weapons would in the long run be more costly than a war with Iran.
6- I believe that with our current economy we can not afford to stay in Afghanistan. Though we have gotten Bin Laden there are still Terrorist which are a threat to us there, but if we stayed another ten years the same would be true. It is dangerous indeed for our enemies there to feel as if they have beaten us. It could give them motivation to attack us again or give another state the assurance that we are weak and attack us. We would just have to stay alert on the home front because it is not possible to achieve victory in Afghanistan.
7- I would not favor a national sales tax to help pay off the deficit because it would affect the poor any way you slice it.
8- I do not favor intervention in Syria just as I did not favor intervention in Lybia. It is terrible what is going on there, but we need to concentrate on the needs of our people instead of the needs of other countries, most of whom do not like us anyhow. Aiding others in their time of need has gotten us no where. Who is aiding us right now? We can not afford to bear the cost monetarily to police all the corners of the globe. We need to let others in that region aid them.
9- If we want to aid famished peoples of the world we can start by aiding the hungry and the poor in our own country. I feel empathy for the hungry people of the world, but we can not afford to help them. Charity should begin at home. We have Americans that need help first.
10- I would absolutely support a proposal to amend the constitution, to require a balanced budget. I believe that until this happens Washington will continue to spend money without regard for our future generations and continue to procrastinate on balancing the budget.