I have watched the political discussions on here for the last several months. It has been very entertaining, educational and insightful. I tried not to participate too much in most of these threads that have come and gone with almost no one changing their positions. Most of these discussions have centered around various aspects of the candidates involved in the presidential election. This leads me to speculate about what priorities most of these political philosophers would promote if given the opportunity.

So, if you were given the chance to be the President of the United States for one term, what would you do to affect the outcome of this country ?

What would be your main priority to work toward changing ?

What part of the Constitution would you work to change or enforce more ?

What economic policies would you pursue to bring about a positive change and stop the deficit that is being accumulated ?

How would you handle immigration ?

How would you handle education from a Federal standpoint?

These are just a few of the questions that I'll throw out there just to get started. Please expand on any other ideas or policies.

So, if you were given the chance to be the President of the United States for one term, what would you do to affect the outcome of this country ?
I would enact conscription for our military, with a minimum of 2-years of service. There would be NO EXCEPTIONS based on religion or beliefs, the only exception would be medical. Unless you successfully completed your obligation, college and any other higher-ed or vocation schools would not be available to the individual. However, if the obligation was completed - higher-ed and/or vocational schools would be available free of charge. Failure to honorably complete the conscription period for able bodied men and women would result in significantly reduced rights and the status would be reduced to that of a non-citizen. I would then close every military base throughout the world and bring our service members home.

What would be your main priority to work toward changing ?
Eliminate social services for able bodied people by creating jobs. Enact a flat Federal tax and eliminate all other state and local employment, sales, and other related surcharge taxes. A fixed percentage of the Federal tax would be returned to each state based on the amount of revenue gathered by the Federal tax.

What part of the Constitution would you work to change or enforce more ?
I would enforce the entire Constitution as it was written.

What economic policies would you pursue to bring about a positive change and stop the deficit that is being accumulated ?
I would attempt to dissolve NAFTA and raise the tariffs to the point to buy something manufactured from outside the US would be cost prohibitive. I would think this would increase jobs in the US and thus eliminating the need for government handouts.

How would you handle immigration ?
If you have something that will benefit the US, welcome. Otherwise, stay home. There would be ZERO access to the US without a thorough background check and afterwards there would be a 2-year period that would be very much parole like.

How would you handle education from a Federal standpoint?
Education is not the responsibility of the Federal government, nor the State for that matter. It is the responsibility of the parents and children to WANT to learn. In the world that I would create - failure is an option, and if you choose to fail - then your opportunities may be limited.

Thanks for kicking off the discussion. I'm about 90% in agreement with these two.
Education should be a sought after goal not a civil Right.

What would be your main priority to work toward changing ?

What part of the Constitution would you work to change or enforce more ?
I would not change our constitution. Would govern as written.

What economic policies would you pursue to bring about a positive change and stop the deficit that is being accumulated ?
I would close all military bases world wide and bring the soldiers, sailors, and airmen back to the U.S. proper. Aid to any foreign country would be halted immediately and until we were debt free, it would stay that way.


How would you handle immigration ?
My immigration policies would resemble the immigration policies of the 1900's. You come here and apply for citizenship. During an 8 month period you must: Work to make a better life for your family by being a PRODUCTIVE member of society. Learn our language and customs. Pass a vigorous background check. PASS THE EXAM! Then and only then could you be considered for citizenship. If you break the law, or fail to find employment and contribute...off you go back to where you came from. NO MORE ANCHOR BABIES! If you have a child before you take the citizenship test and pass it, your baby will only get to be a citizen if you do. Otherwise, it goes when you do.
After obtaining citizenship, all males would be required to serve in some capacity in our military to give back to the country for the opportunity to live here as a full citizen.

How would you handle education from a Federal standpoint?
Education is the responsibility of the parents until you are 18.. then its on you (or your family) to pick up the tab.
Not everyone can go to college. We need ditch diggers and garbage men too.
If you serve in the military for a minimum 3 years and are honorably discharged, you would be offered the opportunity to attend a university near your home and receive an education at no cost for a 4 year degree as long as you maintained a C average.
The education profession would be the hardest field to get into, but the higher end of the pay scale.

Instead of a flat tax I would go with a value added tax. With flat tax, the folks working are still the only ones paying in. With value added everybody pays the same rate every time they buy something. I would also eliminate any kind of sales tax on food and reduce the tax amount for clothes and essential items.

I know that some of the answers to the problems we see, may exceed the powers granted to the Executive Office. What would be the goals of your administration ? This again is assuming you only have four years to make it happen. How do you play the political game to get Congress to support your goals ?

If the last 8 years have taught me anything it is that you can do whatever you want thru an Executive Order.

What would be your main priority to work toward changing ?

-Make corporations pay SOME taxes here. You'd do that by lowering the corporate tax rate in the US, so they'd repatriate the money.
- Completely eliminate government support of able bodied men and women beyond a period of 1-2 years.
-Make everyone pay a portion of their income in taxes, no matter how little one makes.

What part of the Constitution would you work to change or enforce more ?

- 4th Amendment-illegal search and seizure is being annihilated currently. We have to get that back.

What economic policies would you pursue to bring about a positive change and stop the deficit that is being accumulated ?

-See above with the corporate taxation.

How would you handle immigration ?

-CLOSE THE BORDER, then we talk

How would you handle education from a Federal standpoint?

-Make it state dependent, allow states to have their education money back, no strings attached.

These are just a few of the questions that I'll throw out there just to get started. Please expand on any other ideas or policies.

I saw this thread while at work and was going to make a point much like boxhauler's above. The executive branch only can do so much, so you would need to work with Congress to pass legislation. With the current Congress, I'm not sure what all would be possible to pass.

If I were the POTUS, first I would repeal all executive actions from the current administration. Second, I think you would have to let Congress know that you won't sign any budget that doesn't decrease the current spending levels and they would have to pass legislation that would completely rollback Obamacare before the budget would have a chance to be signed. After that you could work on trimming the fat in other areas.

After that, I would take my arguments for other legislative actions to the people. Reagan was great at articulating a case for whatever he was pushing and in turn the electorate's response would drive the legislation in Congress.

Foreign policy wise, I would try to work with some middle eastern countries for a solution to the Isis problem. If we go in and handle business without other middle eastern countries doing some of the heavy lifting we will find ourselves in the same conundrum we are in now. The Arab countries have to be a major part of any military action.

Establish term limits, weaken both political parties, pass laws to give the States more power

These three ideas are what I would call a National return towards "Responsibility". For many years I have always thought that virtually everyone should "Have some skin in the game".

What would be your main priority to work toward changing ?
Entitlements, most would be eliminated.

What part of the Constitution would you work to change or enforce more ?
I would push for a definition of marriage amendment. It would be my duty to enforce all of it.

What economic policies would you pursue to bring about a positive change and stop the deficit that is being accumulated ?
Cut taxes. Abolish IRS
Repeal 16th amendment.

How would you handle immigration ?
Put a stop to it.

How would you handle education from a Federal standpoint?
Reconize it as a 100% state matter.

I'd also empanel a 10th amendment commission to facilitate returning most government functions back to the states.

Push for smmentment to supersede 14th and put a stop to a hot babies even though this and a lot of other problems will be solved by the aforementioned stop to entitlements.

Repeal 17th amendment.
A

Education

Do away with common core and put education back into the states hands. Support the states with funding only if the were at the national average in regards to nationwide averages

Taxes

Do away with income taxes and create a Fair tax on goods and services (minus food and a couple other necessary items)

Main Priority

Overhaul the elected official "rules". Set a time limit for government service (25 years or 65 years of age). Make it mandatory for EVERY government official, elected or otherwise)
Ensure they must follow the rules as everyday citizens do. Completely remove all lobbyist from capital hill to eliminate back channel deals.


Immigration

Immediately defund sanctuary cities. Give border patrol and ICE the funds they need to do their jobs correctly. Elicite input from the states as well. Existing Aliens would NEVER be able to become citizens unless they leave the country and come back brought proper procedures. Immediately defund any and all welfare, food stamps, etc for illegals. It's not our responsibility to support them.

Economy

The fair tax would apply to businesses and corporations as well so that would reduce the current corporate income tax load that is TOO high. Increas tariffs on goods produced out of country, especially US based companies that do this to decrease labor cost. In addition I would severely hamstring the EPA and heir current role of stopping growth.

Social Programs

Bring back the WPA. If you are able bodied and want the government to support you then you will provide some type of work for that support. This would also enable us to drug test recipients as they would then be considered employees. Limit food stamps to basic necessities only (chicken, fish, certain cuts of beef, veggies and fruit, dried beans and rice, milk, bread and cheese) you want anything else you pay for it. Limit welfare to 2 kids, you are not gonna get rewarded for getting knocked up and limit all programs to 2-3 years. (Unless you are disabled)

Healthcare

Do away with the VA, any service member with an honorable discharge would be able to receive healthcare at any hospital or DR. Do away with obamacare and open insurance markets across state lines (free market system)

I'd also push an amendment to impose term limits on all elected officials and eliminate all retirement benefits.

Before I ran for president:

I'd support a socialist health care system and cover everybody.

I'd support higher taxes on the wealthy.

I'd support Amnesty

I'd support the government bail outs of the big banks and auto industry.

I'd endorse socialist candidates and give money to liberals to defeat conservative policies.

I'd support federal government control of education.

I'd support partial birth abortion.

I'd support impeachment of a republican president.

I'd form alliances with Al Sharpton,, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

I'd support a ban on AR type rifles.

After I'd done all that, and more over a 30 year window, I'd say I didn't really believe any of it and I'd run for president.

If at all possible, pass and ratify an Amendment to the Constitution.

Congress and all elected officials shall not be excluded from any legislation and regulation passed and ratified by Congress.

Time for the "Silver spoon" to be removed from the professional politicians.

I understand your frustration with Trump, and his "New found Conservatism". I was hoping that you would point out a few things that you would do if given the chance. Where would you start the turn around, what would be the most important goal to achieve?

I'd start with a flat consumption tax. I'd want to create an environment where production isn't punished but one in which those who spend the most pay the most. Ultimately, I'd like us to get back to where one income is enough to raise a family on. I'd quit rewarding having children with more government handouts. I believe 2 parent households would help curb several of our problems.

Next, I'd take on corporate welfare. I'd do away with all tax loopholes and special treatment for big business. I'd push for laws that punished violators with extremely harsh penalties.

What would be your main priority to work toward changing ?

Flat tax. Crap we have now is ridiculous.

What part of the Constitution would you work to change or enforce more ?

Probably leave it like it is, just make sure our rights are protected.

What economic policies would you pursue to bring about a positive change and stop the deficit that is being accumulated ?

Do away with NAFTA and make people work for welfare.

How would you handle immigration ?

For those already here that aren't dangerous criminals, I would give them a path towards citizenship through military service or other work that benefits all of society. No more tax breaks so they can buy and run convenience stores and motels with an advantage over citizens. Tighter screening on those that want to be here in the future. Build the wall!

How would you handle education from a Federal standpoint?

From a Federal Standpoint, I wouldn't. Let the states and locals handle it as they see fit.

These are just a few of the questions that I'll throw out there just to get started. Please expand on any other ideas or policies.