Solutions

LorD asked in a previous post:

"Although I find your opinion completely lacking credibility, what real action do you propose taking, other than listening to the far right religulous (sic) talking heads and regurgitating their bane (sic) diatribes?"

First, I wouldn’t dismiss the message of the "far right religious", so called, with contempt. In the absence of God, no REAL "unalienable" human rights exist. They come from Him. As His children, we are natural heirs to those rights.

Men and nations have no power to confer human rights; they only may prevent others from enjoying them. Logically, any “right” bestowed by human authority may, by similar sanction, be revoked. Under the false assumption that government ordains human rights, all manner of evils, including infanticide and genocide, has been “legalized”. Can this be justified? (“Hey, what I did was LEGAL! That makes it 'okay'!”)

No. We are not God.

We cannot, but by procreation, confer human rights. Neither dare we indulge the proposition that we exist merely under the prerogative of the state. We are freeborn! Each of us possesses unalienable (divinely-bestowed) rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Of course, these rights come fettered with responsibilities. We maintain those rights only as we live in conformity with "the laws of nature and of nature's God". Inasmuch as we violate that authority (i.e., God’s laws) – by lying, cheating, stealing, killing unjustly, etc. – we legitimately forfeit those rights.

A proper understanding of the moral and religious foundations underpinning all human rights is essential to preserving and maintaining them. All other foundations are built on sand.

Our Founders believed that “no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.”

What do we do then? We preserve these things.

Inasmuch as our government has undertaken to usurp conscience, control property and deny life to countless millions, I would say “cut it W-A-A-A-Y back”! We must ween ourselves of the government teet: that false god and golden calf to whom many now look both for sustenance and direction.

If I were "king" I would do all of the following, as soon as possible, but not in any particular order:

1. I would means-test Social Security to insure that only the truly needy received government assistance while the rich received none. But only until such time as S.S. could be eliminated entirely! (If you're under 55 now, too bad. No SS for you!) Ultimately, I would phase out S.S. entirely.
2. I would rescind the 16th Amendment, abolishing federal income tax. Government has NO BUSINESS meddling in personal affairs and effects. The IRS 1040 is a gross affront to personal privacy, an unnecessary burden, and a violation of the 5th Amendment proscribing involuntary self-incrimination (should one fail to fully account for every penny).
3. I would finance ALL federal government programs by a national sales tax -- and REBATE to ALL citizens that portion paid equivalent to expenditures at or below the poverty level. The tax collected on the first $12,000 spent (if that's the poverty line) per year would be refunded to EVERY citizen, rich and poor, REGARDLESS of how much they earned or spent. (No one in government would be keeping track of income anyway!) Thus, no ("unfair") regressive taxation would be levied upon the poor and everyone would pay “their fair share". The "rich" generally pay more because they spend more. This is called the "fair tax". With this change, the IRS would be relegated to corporate sales tax collector status. The IRS would no longer have access to personal data, nor be feared as the intrusive, belligerent agency it is now.
4. I would abolish the clandestine Federal Reserve, that corrupt cabal of internationalist bankers and global elitists who have stolen our nation's wealth by manipulating our currency through insidious inflation, creating a fiat currency and destroying 97% of all America's real wealth. Imagine where we'd be if $20 today had the same value as $20 back then? ($20 then was the equivalent of over $1,000 today! All that wealth has been "stolen" by the Fed.) I would return control of our money supply to Congress and the Treasury, as required by the Constitution.
5. In addition to Social Security, I would abolish Medicare, Medicaid, and all federally-funded "welfare" and "charity" of any kind, no matter how well intended (i.e., disaster relief, foreign aid, etc.).
6. I would eliminate the Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Commerce, Energy, and many other layers of bureaucracy, and greatly reduce the power of those remaining (i.e., Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, etc.).
7. In place of these defunded agencies -- and, as a function of good government -- I would erect a "charitable clearing house" on the internet. Government would not control, endorse, or regulate those services offered (thus no "separation of church and state" issues would arise), only provide "public space” for people to encourage citizens to interact. Those wishing to contribute voluntarily could donate to the charity listed of their choice. They could see the sums collected, how the monies were spent, and determine (for themselves) if they wished to continue contributing. Those "in the business" of charity would live or die by their reputations. I would have the poor taken care of by this (and any other private) means. Liberals (who statistically give much less to charity than conservatives) could "put their money where their mouth is" and pony up the monies they deem “appropriate” to be collected for the poor, without “stealing” from others by compulsory taxation. Of course, when the money is gone, that would be it! No more aid would be given until those with means deigned to give more. No more “entitlement” mentality. No more imposition of government between those who give and those who receive. Also, there would be NO tax deduction for charitable beneficence. It would be TRULY charitable.
8. I would get government out of the medical business entirely -- with the exception of Veterans Affairs and oversight by the FDA (which would take on an “advisory” rather than a “regulatory” capacity – much like the “Good House Keeping Seal-of-Approval”). The military would retain its own doctors and medical facilities (understandably). The military would be obliged to care for vets and their minor dependents, in perpetuity. All other citizen would be required to take care of their own medical needs, as they see fit. (See "charity" website for assistance, if needed.)
9. I would have California (and all other states hopelessly indentured to public employees unions and “on the hook” for under-funded pension funds) immediately declare bankruptcy and renegotiate those retirement plans and benefits. I would DRASTICALLY cut public employee pay and benefits (now 40% ABOVE the private sector) to private-sector levels. There would be NO civil servants collecting 90%, or even 75%, of their salary for life, upon retirement. There would be no "defined benefit" programs as we now have. Such "guaranteed" income schemes are an unfair and unrealistic burden upon the people who have had little or no say in the formation of said contracts. There would no longer be a “guaranteed free lunch” for anyone.
10. I would DRASTICALLY cut back fire and police protection at the local level, if I could. We have "first responders" needlessly running around on hook-and-ladder trucks (costing millions of dollars) on EVERY call! Simply to justify having the vehicle! Absurd! It would be cheaper to let a few buildings burn down (if necessary) than to operate such a plethora of over-protective self-indulgence and expense.
11. I would allow any and all law-abiding citizens, of majority age and in good standing, to carry a concealed weapon at all times.
12. I would make union membership (including the right to strike and collective bargaining) ILLEGAL for ALL public employees. They are public SERVANTS, not masters. We the People tell THEM what we will pay them, when and how they will work for us, and not the other way around. They are still free to associate and join professional and trade associations, clubs, etc.
13. I would make the losing party to any lawsuit liable for the court costs and expenses of the prevailing party, thereby discouraging frivolous litigation.
14. I would get the federal government OUT of education entirely. No more grants, loans, fellowships, etc., for education at ANY level. Education is now expensive because it is publicly subsidized, compulsory and unnecessarily restricted. Remove these factors and the upward pressure upon tuition prices, due to government funding and “easy” debt, would diminish. Slots would become available for eager students. Prices would fall as competition among schools increased. Opportunities for scholars would grow. (Technology renders “traditional” education obsolete anyway.)
15. I would encourage states and municipalities to abolish ordinances and regulations restricting entrepreneurial private participation in public services, i.e., taxi services, hair cutting, mail delivery, etc.
16. I would bring our troops home and end all involvement in foreign wars, i.e., “nation building”.
17. I would beef up our Naval submarine and surface ship forces; greatly reduce the size of our Army infantry; and greatly expand our remotely piloted Air Force capacity. I would also strengthen our military presence in space. “An armed population is a polite population.” (Anyone who thinks space isn’t already militarized is kidding themselves.)
18. I would advise friend and foe alike that we are a “peaceful, patient people”, slow to anger and quick to forgive. We will willingly suffer indignities, even atrocities, at the hands of those who mean us ill, with the expectation that they will repent – or be brought to justice. However, after the third such act of aggression, piracy, murder, plunder, etc., we will unleash unholy hell, the full might and fury of the America military, in response, heaven help the haven that harbors those fugitives from American justice. Nations will quiver in fear of America’s wrath, once summoned. And they will soon learn not to trample upon the rights of American citizens.
19. I would de-fund all federal subsidies for “alternative” energy, including wind, solar, ethanol, etc. If such technologies hold promise, private enterprise will fund them. I would encourage private investors to form a national consortium to build 100 new nuclear power plants around the country, using common “safe” designs, and phase out virtually all fossil fuel consumption for generating electricity. Because of economies of scale, electricity rates would fall and our standard of living would rise as electricity-dependent technology (including air conditioning and heavy manufacturing) would become more affordable again.
20. I would discontinue all government efforts to combat "anthropogenic global warming/climate change" as the farce that it is, including "cap and trade" legislation. I would direct the EPA to change its designation of carbon dioxide from "pollutant" to "essential component of life".
21. I would change the laws to allow the sale of insurance across state lines. Current restrictive laws “carve out” state-wide monopolies for insurance companies, thereby eliminating competition and driving up costs.
22. I would end the tradition of “tenure” for public school teachers. In fact, I would end “government education” as we know it. An educated citizenry is in the interest of good government. And communities should establish schools for the benefit of their people, as they see fit. But this is not a federal, or even a state, issue. Education is not a “right”, but a privilege. Government authority should ALWAYS devolve to the smallest/most local authority, thereby remaining most responsive and accountable to the needs and concerns of the community served.
23. I would legalize all “recreational” substances by establishing “FDA-approved” and “non-FDA-approved” sections in every 7-11, Circle K and supermarket, with “dangerous” drugs maintained securely as “controlled” substances (as they are now, but with the list of "available" substances greatly expanded). Those drugs and commodities found by the FDA to be “safe and effective when used as intended” would receive the FDA’s seal-of-approval, rendering the manufacturer, marketer, distributor and retailer IMMUNE from prosecution or liability of any kind from detrimental effects resulting from their use and/or abuse (barring fraud, negligence, or other criminal conduct). The buyer/possessor would thus be 100% responsible for any harm done (as people now are with knives and scissors). Those involved in the manufacture, marketing, distribution or sale of non-FDA approved substances would be held 10% responsible for any and all adverse consequences arising from their use. Trial lawyers would be unleashed to “track down and prosecute” the offending parties. Consequently, stores would stop selling non-FDA approved "dangerous" drugs (if they ever did), but such would still be "available" (at reasonable prices) inasmuch as people could grow or make their own, join self-insured clubs, etc. The DEA, ATF, and other such “quasi-military” government law enforcement agencies would thus be rendered superfluous and be disbanded. People would be free again to do with their own bodies as they deem fit, but would still be prosecuted and punished for any harm they do to others. Children, of course, would still be prohibited from using or possessing “controlled” substances, as they are now.
24. I would release EVERY federal prisoner incarcerated for non-violent, drug-use related offenses and pardon them – after they have been punished (as described below). Otherwise they may serve out the remainder of their sentences. I would give all others the option of being punished as outlined below in lieu of serving their sentence.
25. I would bring back flogging, caning, and/or stocks for most offenses, i.e., vandalism, shoplifting, adultery, etc., with the penalty doubled for each recurring offense. Those adjudicated and found guilty will be incarcerated until (1) they have exhausted all appeals, (2) they have been found medically fit to receive punishment and (3) they have paid their financial obligations, including their upkeep while incarcerated. Medical authorities will ascertain that the condemned is drug-free and of sound mind before punishment. Those punished will continue to be incarcerated until they have substantially recovered – without anesthesia of any kind – from their imposed injuries. They will be provided opportunities to labor to earn the funds necessary for their redemption (see “charity”). Prisoners may voluntarily elect to receive punishment in lieu of continuing appeals and/or remaining incarcerated. There would be no “lifetime” (or prolonged) sentences, only severe punishment. Those sentenced to death for their crimes will have one year after their conviction to file any and all appeals. All appeals must be submitted simultaneously. Consequently, most prisons and jails will be closed and most corrections officers will need to find employment elsewhere.
26. I would reinterpret the “birthright citizenship clause” of the 14th Amendment, namely, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside” to exclude those persons whose parents were residing ILLEGALLY in the United States (inasmuch as they were NOT “subject to the jurisdiction thereof”), just as children of foreign diplomats and enemy forces in hostile occupation of the United States do NOT qualify for U.S. citizenship. Why should we grant our greatest national treasure – citizenship – to the offspring of criminals and trespassers? Doing so is akin to saying to someone who has just broken into and robbed a bank: “You're guilty of trespassing, but you get to keep all the money!” Ridiculous! No Western European, Asian or Middle Eastern nation grants citizenship to children of invaders, trespassers or law-breakers. Why should we?
27. I would make Election Day a national holiday.
28. I would require anyone who participates in any election for federal or state office, either as a voter or as a candidate, to provide proof of American citizenship to the proper regulating authority. 
29. Inasmuch as our Constitution was written to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity", I would outlaw abortion except in those cases involving rape, incest or where the physical life of the mother is in jeopardy.
30. I would support any candidate for office whose opinions and/or goals harmonize with those I've outlined.