Alternatives

As the leftist government continues their quest to make the most of this good crisis, to paraphrase the White House Chief of Staff, the most common charge made against the weak opposition posed by the right is that they aren't offering substantive alternatives.

Although I'd have to agree that there is no visible leadership or coherent message coming from the Republican Party, I tend to think the charge is somewhat unfair; Republicans have been offering alternatives, but have been ignored by the media perhaps because the talking heads prefer to help the left make their point.

So if I were crafting public policy in this disastrous time, what would be my priorities?

In the short term, my priorities would be to turn around the economy. Here are the basics of my own economic recovery plan:

Temporary tax breaks for companies that hire Citizen employees. Tax increases for companies that hire foreign workers during the same time period.

A reduction in the Corporate Tax Rate, from today's 35% to maybe 15%.

A reduction in the Capital Gains Tax Rate.

Make sure the funds of depositors are insured, but stop bailing out financial institutions that made bad business decisions.

Allowing everyone to temporarily deduct their investment losses, at least equal to the amount of interest and dividend income for 2009.

Begin enforcement of Anti-Trust laws.

Step up the sale of leases for oil and natural gas development, making sure profits from the oil and gas production are shared.

Freezing all salaries for Federal employees for 2 years. Eliminating non-essential government programs. Forcing all Federal programs to prove they are meeting their express goals within 2 years or be closed. Freezing growth in all other government agencies budgets, unless growth is required for national security.

Long-term priorities:

Trade policies must be focused on free and fair trade. The US market will be open to the extent that the trading partner's market is open. A trade court will be established where US businesses can file complaints about unfair practices by foreign competitors; tariffs for imports from those competitors will be implemented for those cases proven by civil standards.

Welfare will be transformed away from today's transfer payments program to a non-cash assistance program. People who need food will be given food; if they need a place to stay, they can get a temporary place to stay; if they need a job, they will get a job with the government if a private job can't be found; if they need healthcare, they will get temporary insurance. A system designed to keep people dependent will be transformed into a system designed to help people become self-sufficient.

Healthcare will be transformed into a pay-for-service model and away from today's third-party payer system. Insurance for "major medical" must be accessible for everyone, so hospitalization and rehabilitation are covered when needed. Pay-for-Service for all routine medical care and prescription drugs will lower costs for all.

The military will remain the best and strongest and most technologically advanced in the world, but the mission will gradually change to a focus on defense of our own country. Foreign military interventions will be, by policy, limited to those cases where America's own security is directly threatened.

Illegal immigrants will be given 2 years to correct their status or face deportation. Anyone in the country illegally must return to their home country and apply for a "Green Card". The application for the permit requires the applicant present a notarized statement from the employer that will employ them, pass an English proficiency exam, and have committed no felonies. After the 2 year grace period, all employers will be forced to verify their employees' qualifications or face serious fines and/or prosecution for knowingly employing illegals. Illegal immigrants found in the country after that time, whether in routine traffic stops, arrests, or other means, will be deported to their home country within 48 hours.

Education will be transformed, with emphasis on strategies that work and a compensation system that rewards the best teachers. The best proven programs able to turn around at-risk students will be implemented wherever possible. However, the federal government will serve an advisory role only; each state has total control over their own educational systems and programs.

The First Amendment will once again reign supreme. No more persecution of people for their expression of religion or political opinion.

Notice my policies can't really be portrayed as either Democrat or Republican. I'm not a left-wing socialist like most Democrats, nor am I a free-trader at all costs like many Republicans. I believe in freedom and fairness. Fairness isn't taking wealth away from some citizens to give to others, nor is it giving unfettered government support and preference to big business.

The only way any of this stuff can happen is by a combination of a great awakening of the public to the truth of how business is done in Washington by both parties, and the election of people to national offices that put the country over their own desire for personal power.