If YOU Were Running For President...

[MChat]

I was thinking more along the lines of Switzerland; mandatory service seems to work well there, and they're not communist as far as I know. Additionally manatory service has been used in this country in the past.

[Joe Wicked]

Never knew that about Switzerland. I do not believe they are Communist. Definitely a different view point there. I know that the Draft has been used, but it has been lifted every time that the immediate need was no longer there. Once the war was over, the draft was repealed. I don't agree with the Draft, but I would follow it because I would believe that it would be repealed when the war is over. I think that is what makes us different is that only at specific times do we make it mandatory. It is not our normal operating procedure.

Good point on the Swiss though. Interesting thought there.

[NeoConMan]

Many of the Swiss take their weapon with them when they leave active duty.
For readiness, they keep an M-16 and ammo at home.
Nothing wrong with that...

I have to agree that some sort of mandatory service should be required.
Don't want to "stoop" to such a level? Then you don't vote.

I would say it's akin to losing your civil rights to a felony conviction, or dishonorable discharge.
Hey, if yer daddy can set you up making big bucks and you don't need to vote - fine.

What kills me about those who refuse to serve in any capacity, but want to "protest" instead.
They deserve to be fire-hosed, tear-gassed, and chewed on by German Shepherds.
Many times I've asked those pudding brained types if they would swear an oath to their country.
Maybe one kinda like this;

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;
That I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
That I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law;
That I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law;
That I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law;
And that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.


That's the Oath of Allegiance sworn by anybody who has chosen to come to the United States and become a citizen.
How many "protesters" would take such an oath?

Sorry, if you can't play on the team you should be removed from the field.
Deport their sorry asses, let them protest in France with all the Muslims overrunning their country.

[VRM]

1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Amendments:
No 'free speech zones'. Any public place is fair game, but you will be arrested if you block traffic. Private property is exempted.
Religion in public life: If you want religious stuff in government, fine, but if the Hare Krishnas ask for space to put up a celebration of George Harrison next to your manger scene you will be sharing the space. Devil worshippers count, too.

There will be a national weapons permit. You will pay for the background check, but once you have the permit you will be allowed to purchase/carry any type of weapon you want. You will need to renew every 10 years. Felons need not apply.

Wiretaps will only be issued with probable cause, and will only last for 1 month. Re-upping the tap will require that some new evidence was found during the first tap.

Any person held will be listed as either a POW or a criminal. Any criminal will be charged with the crime. Congress makes the rules regarding captures, they can change this if they want.

Torture is a crime under the Constitution and treaties signed by the US. Congress can change it if they want, but until they do it will remain a crime.

Fed
No Earmarks, all bills will cover a single topic only.

Budget will be balanced - no deficit spending. Military, infrastructure, energy development, and SS will take priority.

Taxes
Personal tax – everybody pays this or you get locked up doing labour until your debt is paid off. This pays for basic government operation. Military service will reduce your rate. Death whilst serving will reduce the rate for your immediate family (wife. kids OR parents/siblings).
National Sales tax - you pay for what you buy (including imports). Big ticket non-consumables (houses, cars, aircraft) will be taxed annually. Taxes on stocks, and investments will be due upos the sale. This rate will also be reduced by military service, but will go back up gradually once you leave the military
War tax – If Congress declares war everybody will be assessed a 5% additional tax on everything until the war is paid for. Anybody serving during the time of conflict will not be required to pay this tax.

Social
Sex-ed will be taught in schools. Parents can opt their child out, but doing so will eliminate them from any public assistance programme.
Welfare will be phased out over 4 years. The money removed from the welfare system will be used for education.
Public assistance will be available for the unemployed for 6 months after the birth of your first child. After that you will be on your own. Having a second child without any means of support will result in sterilisation for both parents, and the second child will be put up for adoption.

Social Security will give every worker enough income to live at the poverty level only. You want more you will have to earn it. Every worker will be taxed on this. Sorry, but I think that the only other alternative would be a big increase in crime when people are stealing so that they can eat.

Abortion will be legal, but only for the 1st 3-4 months of pregnancy. After that the only abortions allowed will be in the case of the mothers life being threatened. And the choice will be hers.

Marriage is between two consenting adults of legal age. This does not mean that a church is obligated to marry two people that it does not think should be married. Churches are private entities and can discriminate within their own walls (see the exemption for free speech). This only means that for purposes of state and fed that everybody gets the same rights and responsibilities.

Justice:
You can kill or wound anybody breaking into your house.
The death penalty is on the table.
Pot will be legal, but will have the same penalties and restrictions as liquor.
No drinking/pot age, but penalties for abuse will be significantly harsher, and will include the death penalty in the case of any murder.
No luxury prisons for CEOs or celebrities.
Rapists will be neutered using the hammer and chair method, thieves will lose body parts (and they will not be eligible for any sort of disability).
Illegal immigrants will be deported when found, companies knowingly employing illegals will be fined heavily.

Did I cover everything? When can I be declared dictator?

Steve

[FWB]

hmmm, steve, there's hope for you yet....

[VRM]

Originally Posted by FWB

hmmm, steve, there's hope for you yet....

I'm a firm believer in personal freedom and responsibility. Sometimes that puts me on the liberal side of things, sometime on the conservative.

Perhaps there is hope for you, too...

[FWB]

Originally Posted by VRM

I'm a firm believer in personal freedom and responsibility. Sometimes that puts me on the liberal side of things, sometime on the conservative.

Perhaps there is hope for you, too...

no hope for me, i will always be a bible thumpin' gun totin' conservative.
praise the lord and pass the ammo......

[VRM]

Originally Posted by FWB

no hope for me, i will always be a bible thumpin' gun totin' conservative.
praise the lord and pass the ammo......

Feel free to thump whatever you like...just keep that thing away from me!