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Here's mine.
First I would truly set a tone of honesty, integrity, and openess. None of this closed door crap and withholding of information rightfully due the public. The Government should operate in the sunshine and we the people have a right to inspect everything that is going on, short of things that absolutely require secrecy for ultimate security reasons.
Second, I would immediately initiate ballot and election law reform, that would insure integrity, confidence, and accountability to our election system. You can't operate a democracy when votes can be manipulated.
Third, I would undertake a complete review of all economic and fiscal policy, including bringing in the brightest minds from around the world to turn around the economy. Included in this would propose undoing any legislation previously passed by this Congress that is non-stimulative or worse only exacerbates our deficit.
Fourth, I would undertake an immediate review of Social Security and our healtcare delivery system, including a complete review of Medicare and the recently legislated prescription drug scam passed by Congress. For the salvation of our society we need to offer universal and affordable health care. It is a national disgrace to have 40 million Americans without medical insurance. Ultimately we who do have it are paying for those who don't. Also, we need to face up to the fact that our Social Security Trust Fund has been raided to the point that it is financially bankrupt. The government has been playing a shell game and it has to stop now. Whatever is necessary must be done to get the system back on a sound financial basis, or scrap it and find something that will be more viable.
Fifth, I would immediately call a summit of world leaders and do a mea culpa apology for the past actions of this administration in alienating them. I would reenstate my support for global diplomacy and for the United Nations and would convene a meeting of The Security Concil to get their input and buyin to a plan to extricate us from Iraq.
Sixth, I would stop the crony capitalism that is ravaging our country. No more special favors, kickback, lucrative contracts, etc. Open bidding for all government contracts and everything out in the open for public inspection.
Seventh, I would immediately empower the GAO to conduct a detailed and thorough investigation to find out why we cannot account for $2 billion missing from the Treasury. This is a national scandal of enormous proportions.
Eighth, I would lobby very hard to scructure a truly effective Campaign Finance Law that puts all candidates no matter how rich, poor, influential or not on an equal playing field. We need to stop the games where money totally influences government policy and finances candidates who are beholden to special interests.
Ninth, I would immediately sign on to the Kyoto Treaty and abide by all global decisions regarding our environment. We need to assert our willingness to be part of the global community and it is our role as the world's only remaining super power to set an example for the responsiblity for preserving our environment.
Tenth, I would immediately review all legislative acts and adminsitrative procedures regarding the so-called "War on Terrorism". I would lobby to undo major provisions of The Patriot Act that are in contravention of our constitutional rights. I would also make sure that The Homeland Security Department is properly funded and that resources are allocated to areas that most efficently protect U.S. citizens from terrorist attacks. Most importantly, I would ask for the cooperation of the global intelligence community to make sure that the best intelligence is being harnessed and share with all countries.
Eleventh, I would ask for a Special Prosecutor to conduct separate investigations into the events behind 9-11 and who should be accountable. And to make sure that those responsible are brought to justice. This again is a national scandal and disgrace. I would also ask that the Special Prosecutor investigate the Valerie Plame affair and who in the past adminsitration was responsible for outing her.
I guess I could on and on, but at this point I think I have done a pretty good mind dump. I think it would be constructive for all DU'ers to help frame what they would do if they were running the country and let's convey this to our Democratic candidates.
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