If anyone really knows me (or has read one of my screenplays), they know how much I despise Republican and Democrats. I hate what they have made governing in this country. They are both to blame, but they are busy blaming each other.
We've had politics riddle our government all the way back to Washington (George, not the district). He warned of the ills of party politics. Yet we haven't heeded this warning from his farewell address:
"All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests."
Bush did this. Obama wants to do that. He said. She said. Finger pointing. For the love of all that is good in the world, STOP! Stop perpetuating a cycle that is leading to our destruction. All great republics in the past have never been conquered. Their demise came from within.
One of the main problems is that at the end of the day that no party defines the true identity of but a select few. People will say, "I am mostly conservative, but..." or "I am liberal except for this..." At the point you disagree with one aspect of an ideology, REJECT IT!
So though I am seven years removed from the qualifying age of 35, here is what I would do today if I were elected president. It represents me. It does not conform to any party or ideologies. It speaks for me. I encourage anyone reading this to make a similar document to discover what you really believe and profess. I think it would be much better than "25 things you don't know about me" or "state three things about..." These are the exercises we should be encouraging (Mere, Jax...this means you! Start the ball rolling! Let's make this thing happen! I think you can help create a phenomenon!)
* I would place a stay of execution for everyone on death row. Their penalties would be converted to life sentences with no chance of parole. Our judicial system is not flawless. It is run by fallible humans. If there is even the slightest chance of error, we should not be taking life. Dead is dead.
* I would call for legislation repealing crimes dubbed as "hate crimes." We are not thought police, nor should we be ever tempted to be that way. America is cherished on a rights of freedom of speech and expression. Penalties should already fit the crime. We should not force anyone to believe anything, though we may disagree with a person. That's why we love our freedom of religion.
* I would call for an end of all things barbaric: death penalty, torture, abortion. There is no way that any of these three things cannot be seen as anything but barbaric except by apologetics. How are we to judge who lives and dies? My Christian values have taught me to value every person. Their eternal judgement comes from God; do not deny them life that you can't give back. Torture me for 10 minutes and I'll tell you anything. What value does that express for America? And regardless of what side you fall on, you can't say abortion is not barbaric. It's either the killing of an innocent life or the mutilation of the female body. Either way, it's an act of barbarism.
* I would immediately end "don't ask, don't tell" and call for a equal rights for everyone, including allowing gays to marry. All it takes to end discrimination in the military ranks is an executive order. Truman integrated the military with one. I long for the day I find the girl of my dreams to make a lifelong commitment. God forbid anyone ever tell me I can't marry that woman! Why should we prevent anyone for doing such a thing?
* I would recall all troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. If asked what to do with any sort of equipment or structures that the military has put in place, I would offer this order: either bring it or burn it. If we are attacked on American soil for any reason because of this, I would accept full responsible and resign immediately. But I would continue to push the limits of the defense budget on American soil. This includes making streets safe everywhere for every person to walk down.
* I would call for a 15% reduction of the federal budget across the board and start repaying American foreign debt. What we spend now is wasteful. And it is getting out of control. We are literally screwing ourselves down the road. It can be more efficient. Those who cannot create efficiencies will be fired without remorse.
* I would assemble all 50 governors and say, "It's time you step up and quit relying on the federal government." The federal government has usurped too much power from the states government. In fact, the federal system works best when the state's have most of the power. I would tell them it's now on them to be held accountable. Limited federal government truly is what's best for this country.
* I would make education my number 1 priority. Without it, our future is lost. Education means our children, but also those that lose their jobs and need new skills to make a living. We must foster an environment to continue to better ourselves everyday in every way.
* I would end the embargo with Cuba. It's stupid and arrogant not to now. And the embargo did just as much harm to the United States as it did to Cuba. New Orleans's number one trading partner was Havana. Then the embargo kicked in, devastating the economy of New Orleans. The best thing that could save that city now is opening trade with Cuba.
* I would encourage free trade and stop protectionist practices. The United States has evolved into a tertiary economy. This means letting go of our agrarian past. We do farmers no good be subsidizing them at bay. We need to find ways to advance them with us. It benefits all citizens to do so. Free trade is capitalism at best. And regardless of what Michael Moore might think, free capitalism is a great thing.
* I would tell the Congress to start taking the reins. The presidency has become too much like a monarchy, which is what our founding fathers wanted to prevent. The protection one person receives above other citizens is frankly ridiculous. Let's be honest about this. We have lost many presidents in the past to illness, resignation and death. In none of these cases has the country fallen. We have a built in succession plan to ensure the future of this country. This country is not above any one person! We should not treat it as such. As president, I would be prepared to die for what I believed in, but would not want the country to shed one tear at my passing but press forward.
* Finally, I would act like I was not running for re-election. Politicians have one goal: to get elected. Either initially or to defend a seat, that is their goal. So they do not act as they should. They act so they get re-elected. To serve for four years at the chief executive of this country would be an honor above all. If I was not selected to continue, I would bear no thought of failure or remorse as long as I acted to my own beliefs and with integrity. A very, very, very select few politicians act this way today. Most of them care only about popularity and power.
This is what I profess. No one told me to believe this. I came to it on my own. We should all find our own beliefs and stand up for them. That's why this country was founded! For us. Not for what other people tell us.
Americans need to express more autonomy and not succumb to autocracy. It's okay to disagree as long as their is dialogue. Open your eyes, not follow others blindly.
