Yesterday, a very good friend of mine and I were sending one another good natured (until someone gets hurt!) emails about our respective candidates for President. Her last one to me was left unanswered and not because I wanted to give her the final say but because I wanted to let her comments stew with me.
Well, here it is 4 a.m. and I think her comments interrupted my night’s sleep. In her email, she talks about what she wants, not in a candidate but in life here in the United States. Some background: I like to consider myself a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. She is right all the way. You can imagine that we are not in agreement all of the time but we do agree on more than she knows. That’s the reason I couldn’t sleep. Have a read of a small excerpt of her email to me.
I care about keeping government smaller and less intrusive in my life, lowering taxes and government spending, keeping the borders secure, keeping our Country free from terrorism (thank God we have not been struck here in 7 years), finding clean energy sources while simultaneously using what we can drill for here at home, saving Social Security, and having a leader who is proud of and unapologetic for this Great and Wonderful Country in which we are so priveledged to live! The straight talk express is leaving the station to a better place! All Aboard!
Guess who she is supporting? Admittedly, I agree with everything she says here but she is missing something. Yes, we are a “great and wonderful country” but unfortunately we are a great and wonderful country in decline. It happens. It happened to Greece, Rome, Spain, Japan, England and others. Can we reverse that trend? I think we can (familiar campaign rallying cry). We need to clean our house. We can start by committing to sound fiscal policies. We have far too much debt. If China ever decides to cut us off, that decline I was talking about will become precipitous.
We must get our hands around immigration. Immigration is good for our nation but it must be managed. Hell, we are all here because someone in our families immigrated from somewhere. In the Northeast, nothing would have been built at the turn of the 20th century without Irish and Italian immigration. Many people are taking isolationist views toward the subject of immigration without consideration of our nation’s past.
We need to wean ourselves off of foreign oil. The reason it hasn’t happened to date is because Detroit has always been reluctant to invest in retooling. Look where that got them. I have no problem with wind farms. Put one in my backyard. Build a wind farm in Nantucket Sound. You cannot believe how controversial that issue is here on Cape Cod. Here’s my proposal: if your company derives all of it’s revenue from alternative energy sources, you are tax free for 10 years. That would spur some investment. Ireland did the same thing 20 years ago with a tax free financial zone and built a major European money hub.
You may receive the “Bill Cosby: this is my platform” viral email in the next few days. I have reprinted it here behind the tab. Some of its shoot-from-the-hip commentary hits its mark. Some of it is preposterous. But it does get the discussion going. And that’s what we need. We need to find common ground to address our country’s issues. If we continue with the politics of divisiveness, expect our decline to continue.
1) ‘Press 1 for English’ is immediately banned. English is the official language; speak it or wait at the border until you can. I could not agree more about this. You want to come here? Learn the language.
(2) We will immediately go into a two year isolationist posture to straighten out the country’s attitude. NO imports, no exports.
We will use the ‘Wal-Mart’s policy, ‘If we ain’t got it, you don’t need it.’ Not a chance.
(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it. Not a chance.
(4) All retired military personnel will be required to man one of our many observation towers on the southern border. (six month tour) They will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens. This is not the answer but there may be threads of truth in the statement.
(5) Social security will immediately return to its original state. If you didn’t put nuttin’ in, you ain’t gettin nuttin’ out. The president nor any other politician will not be able to touch it. Again, a thread of truth but are we really leaving people curb side?
(6) Welfare – Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of the 40 hour school week and the successful completion of urinalysis and a passing grade. Ridiculous.
(7) Professional Athletes Steroids – The FIRST time you check positive you’re banned for life. Last I knew the government didn’t control professional sports. Again, ridiculous.
(8) Crime – We will adopt the Turkish method, the first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There are no more life sentences. If convicted, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for your victim; gun, knife, strangulation, etc. Again, ridiculous.
(9) One export will be allowed; Wheat, The world needs to eat. A bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil. This is actually way over the top but interesting nevertheless. Bet oil would come down.
(10) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will immediately cease, and the saved money will pay off the national debt and ultimately lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we’ll ask the American people if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make the decision whether it’s a worthy cause. Does this mean we don’t have to pay taxes anymore? If the world is filled with haves and have nots, it will be a matter of time before we have chaos.
(11) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school and every day in Congress. Bingo. And put God back into the pledge.
(12) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc. As it should be.
This one (talk about isolationism) came with this admonition:
Wouldn’t it be great to turn on the TV and hear any U.S. President, Democrat or Republican give the following speech?
“My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed.
Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.
This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning.
Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia and Poland are some of the countries listed there.
The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world’s nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. Then every year and every year thereafter, it’ll go to our Social Security system so it won’t go broke in 20 years.
The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world hell holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.
Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France.
In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.
Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France or maybe China.
I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bonne chance, mez amies.
I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don’t care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York
A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.
Mexico is also on List 2 its president and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra thousand tanks and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put ‘em? Yep, border security.
Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty – starting now.
We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we’ll be drilling for oil in Alaska – which will take care of this country’s oil needs for decades to come. If you’re an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there.
It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, “darn tootin.”
Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America It is time to eliminate homelessness in America. To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thank you, guys. We owe you and we won’t forget.
To the nations on list 2, a final thought: You might want to learn to speak Arabic and marry strangers.
God Bless America. Thank you and good night. “< ><–>
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