What would I do as president?
Yeah, I know. More politics. But because I've joked for years about running for President in '08, and ScuttleMonkey just happened to ask "What would you do as president" over on SlashDot, I thought I'd answer here.
First, I'd develop a plan for the orderly withdrawal of troops from Iraq. There are those who would push for an immediate and total withdrawal, but I don't think that's entirely feasible. While I would begin bringing our sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters home immediately, I think total withdrawal might take a little time to do properly. And by a little time, I mean I'd set a definitive deadline a year or so out.
Next, I'd begin investigation of all war crimes committed by US personnel. I believe that responsibility of these crimes goes all the way to the top, so Bush and Cheney might want to consider retiring to a country who does not have an extradition treaty with the US.
All illegal wiretapping would be immediately halted by executive order.
The "war on terror" would be called for what it is - a joke. Illusions of security would be halted and replaced with actual security. If actual security isn't possible, then the public would be told the truth.
The Patriot Act, Real ID, and other laws infringing on the rights of the citizenry would be repealed.
"Limited time" in copyright law would be scaled back to something more reasonable.
Patent reform would finally begin. Some patents would be abolished outright. Others would have shortened terms.
Affordable heath care would become a reality for 100% of the population. It is a travesty that *insured* Americans still can't afford heath care because of rising co-pays and deductibles.
The RIAA and MPAA would be investigated by the DOJ for abusing the DCMA and for collusion. Speaking of the DCMA, it would be repealed.
By this point, I probably would have been assassinated. If not, I'd certainly never be elected to a second term. Unless, of course, the geeks really have inherited the earth ;)
Obviously, there are other issues that would need dealt with that I haven't touched on, but they can be discussed in comments.
First, I'd develop a plan for the orderly withdrawal of troops from Iraq. There are those who would push for an immediate and total withdrawal, but I don't think that's entirely feasible. While I would begin bringing our sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters home immediately, I think total withdrawal might take a little time to do properly. And by a little time, I mean I'd set a definitive deadline a year or so out.
Next, I'd begin investigation of all war crimes committed by US personnel. I believe that responsibility of these crimes goes all the way to the top, so Bush and Cheney might want to consider retiring to a country who does not have an extradition treaty with the US.
All illegal wiretapping would be immediately halted by executive order.
The "war on terror" would be called for what it is - a joke. Illusions of security would be halted and replaced with actual security. If actual security isn't possible, then the public would be told the truth.
The Patriot Act, Real ID, and other laws infringing on the rights of the citizenry would be repealed.
"Limited time" in copyright law would be scaled back to something more reasonable.
Patent reform would finally begin. Some patents would be abolished outright. Others would have shortened terms.
Affordable heath care would become a reality for 100% of the population. It is a travesty that *insured* Americans still can't afford heath care because of rising co-pays and deductibles.
The RIAA and MPAA would be investigated by the DOJ for abusing the DCMA and for collusion. Speaking of the DCMA, it would be repealed.
By this point, I probably would have been assassinated. If not, I'd certainly never be elected to a second term. Unless, of course, the geeks really have inherited the earth ;)
Obviously, there are other issues that would need dealt with that I haven't touched on, but they can be discussed in comments.
Technorati tags: politics
