I may have posted this at a bad time yesterday (it was definitely bad for me) and it got only a few views. So, I'm reposting it to see if it was just bad timing.
Here are some ideas I have about what needs to be done about the political and economic situation in the United States.
Politics: These apply only to the Federal Government.
First, two terms for any politician. That is all.
Second, strict limits on campaign spending. Any politician running for office gets only so much money to spend on his campaign.
Third, no lobbying. Any lobbying or giving of gifts to a politician is punishable by jail time.
Fourth, any politician found accepting gifts of any kind during his term is impeachable and subject to jail time.
Fifth, salaries for Congress are $1000 per day while in session only. Salary stops when they leave office.
Sixth, no congressman may hire any person in his family or the family of anyone doing business in his state to be his staff.
Seventh, congressmen will participate in Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and all other programs they administer for the public.
Seventh, the president's salary is unchanged but only paid while in office.
Eighth, while in office congressmen shall attend all sessions of Congress and vote on any issues which have been brought before Congress. Abstaining from voting is not allowed and absence from voting for a set number of votes is grounds for impeachment.
Economy:
First, all work visas are canceled until all Americans seeking employment are employed.
Secondly, NAFTA and WFTA are withdrawn from.
Third, all goods produced outside of the United States and imported into this country are subject to very high tariffs. The tariffs should be high enough to discourage the use of cheap labor forces overseas.
Fourth, companies doing business in the United States are subject to higher tax rates if they employ foreign nationals.
Fifth, in order to be considered an American Company any production base must be located in the United States and employ at least 70% Americans. If your production base is not in the United States, you are subject to the extremely high tariffs and cannot call yourself an American Company.
Sixth, all goods exported from the United States to foreign countries are taxed. No goods may be exported to any country which does not have either a representative form of government or a democracy. Goods shall not be exported to countries which Congress does not consider to be " friendly" to the United States, by any American company.
So, there you are. Feel free to tear these ideas up or add to or expand them. Tell me what YOU think.