TEN programs for saving our country are:
Now, the stuff I came up with (all inter-related, and dependent on each other):
In reviewing the past, and looking where we are today, I surmise that today, we need the following:
- A Massive Reconstruction (infrastructure) rebuilding project to repair the "Eisenhower Highway" system (and also make it TRANSIT and FREIGHT Friendly). See Green transit here.
- A Massive Job Training Program to ensure full employment and the ability for workers to work for an honest dollar, and learn a trade that will keep them employed.
- A new, "Living Wage", not to be confused with today's minimum wage (which may be renamed as an "introductory" or "entry level" wage.
- A new federally paid system of day care starting at six months, to make our nation more competitive by enhancing education as well as making our society more competitive.
- Ensure EVERY American has Health Insurance that is NOT tied to an employer. Phase in over X years (to over-ride opposition from the insurance lobby). Eventually becomes a 2-3 plan duopoly, overseen by the government.
- Just like the "Manhattan Project" that built the Atomic bomb, we need a new, massive ENERGY project (as our
New president) stated that will eliminate our country's dependence on OIL within 10 years. - Tax reform. Start Here: I call this the Millionaire's Minimum Tax. Make over 1 million in GROSS income last year (individuals OR corporations!) You pay a MINIMUM of 1%.
- Mandatory Job Training/Conscription/Community Service (whatever we call it EVERYONE will do it, either in Military or NON-Military options!
- Lobbying Reform. Need to eliminate pay to play.
- A Truth and Reconciliation Commission to uncover fraud, lies, and dishonesty in our society.
Education starts at pre-school, and will continue through to high school, and an introduction to the new national training/conscription programs. These programs will be designed to help with job training in someone's chosen field.
Note: There are technically 12 proposals, but a 'top ten' list is more 'politically feasible', and some are inter-connected anyway.
2 comments:
hi, there, fellow blogspotworld'r...
I just have a few mellow comments on your ten points:
1: I presumed, and thought I'd read, that fixing infrastructure (highways, federal or state) was a big part of the 'stimulus package', am I wrong?
2 no comment;
3 It may interest you that 'minimum wage' here in Switzerland, where I maintain an apartment, is based on federal law establishing a minimum salary of (I believe) 3,200 CHf per month. That's a real-time equivalent of about 2,800/mo. People talk about SSwitz's high prices, but it appears to work for them;
4 no comment;
5 I've stated a hundred times, how I would interpret 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' reminds me of nothing more important that good Health! So I agree with you: good individual Health is a 'common good' to the same point as 'national defense': assuring families' well-being could also cut crime by as much as ten per cent...;
6 I'd invent a no-dam river turbine system, that could convert slow rotation to constant energy... barges or 'non-dams' across the Mississippi?, and elsewhere? Plus the rest, wind, etc;
7 I'd be more radical: if in your career you access a level where you have earned over 150 (or 300?) million: go retire! You WON: let another ladder-climber get there... and agree that there should be a minimum-floor tax that cannot be loopholed into the nonpayment zone;
8 No problem devising integrated service requirements and/or military service, contingent on the Congress re-asserting it's lost 'right' to be the sole body declaring war actions;
9 Corporations were first conceived as receiving a forty year license to operate; I think that should be legislated, and serious obstacles would arise to a renewal in cases of environmental or other political wrongdoing;
10 I seem to have an affinity to find lying people in my life; whether I'm too dumb, too trusting or too naive, who knows? But they know why they do these things, and history is full of the Lie that begat major problems...
Summary: one of our deepest problems is corporate ties to our intelligence communities, that foster 'events' that 'require' foreign intervention: I'd guess EXXON and United Fruit have been aided by the 'defenders of our borders' (not in any way an insult to the American Soldier, Pilot, Marine, or Sailor), thanks to our Politicians.
The only three major 'attacks' on the US: Black Tom Island in WWI, Pearl Harbor in WWII, and 9-11.
Cheers, ZENmud
Hi Zenmund:
Point 1: regarding the infrastructure proposal:
Look HERE for a FULL explanation. It's more then infrastructure, http://sos-newdeal.blogspot.com/2008/02/proposal-transportation-and-energy.html.
It covers job training, greening the USA's transport system (with NEW heavy rail instead of trucks), as well as other things.
thanks for commenting.
I wish that Obama's infrastructure was as big (and long term focused) as mine.
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