NGH, would you consider throwing your hat in the ring for prez?
You know, I've been asked that question before... Common sense and pragmatism do seem to strike a chord with most folks. Here's my ideas...
Line Item Veto would be GO.
Constitutional amendment to force balanced bugdet by 2359 hrs on the last day of the fiscal year. If no balanced budget, Congress would be sequested in chambers until resolution, then they would be fired and rendered ineligible to hold any public off whether elected or appointed for the rest of their life. Congressional salary would be capped at $100,000. Congress members would be housed in housing similar to modern military housing for senior officers. No exceptions, you get elected and you get sworn in and the next day you get an id card and keys to on-base housing. Six year max in congress and then you're out. No more service. Get rid of the profit incentive and get some folks in there who are there to do the job. If you miss a session, you don't get paid. Pay them on contract but hourly just like I get now.
Put the full weight of the government behind developing alternative energy solutions. Not just one but several. Wind power, solar, hydro, geo-thermal, tidal, etc. No one is perfect, but all would be a good start.
A government sponsored apprenticeship program such as they have in Germany. If you can't or won't hack it in high school, then we will find someone to sponsor you as an apprentice in a career field. Get these kids into productive jobs and off the rolls of public assistance.
Three year limit on government assistance for the physically and mentally able.
U.N. - Gone - They have one year to be out of the United States and we would pull out of the UN and take our funding with us.
Public proclamation of support for all organized religion but public statement that Sharia Law or any law not based on US Constitution will NOT be tolerated in any shape or form in the United States.
Immediate elimination of all non-police "law enforcement" bodies. No more IRS storm-troopers and such like that.
Immediate drastic down-sizing of one federal government cabinet level agency per year starting with the IRS.
Flat tax - 8% to 10 % no exceptions, no refunds. Everyone pays, straight off the top of the check.
All military supplies, weapons and systems would be built in the USA.
One major base per continent or AOR is all I would leave overseas. Probably Ramstein, Okinawa, Korea and maybe one in England. Everyone else would come home. Close GITMO but move the facility to somewhere out in the Pacific on some stupid atoll that no one has heard of since WWII.
Returning troops would be stationed at small posts about every 100 miles along the southern boarder. Land would be aquired in between for firing ranges, bombing ranges and exercises. These would be a free fire zone 24/7.
Those are the starting points... there would be more...
NGH