Candidate Declaration: SteveR, Independent

I like this idea but I am interested to know how would you fund this?

As stated in the previous post. Slowly and steadily, that's the key. While putting to use the gold we do have, and starting a nationalized mining project.

What percentage of tax take would you be expecting to use in your term as president to get enought gold to support the gold standard?

You talk of a nationalised mining project, does this mean you would nationalise the existing privately owned gold mining concerns?

The hard details on tax is a matter for the Department of the Treasury. I beleive the project should be driven by what we can spare, so I can assure no taxes will be raised. We will responsibly apportion our budgets. Some areas will ofcourse be cut to fund this and other projects, which I detailed previously. It's a matter of prioritizing for a better America, not drowning our people in even higher taxation.

Assuming that during my Administration enough gold will be bought, mined, and reacquired to reintroduce the standard, I will not seek to do so until every dollar in circulation is theoretically covered. I do not see the value in partially covering our currency as we accrue gold as some have suggested.





I'm glad you asked about the nationalized mining. The answer is no. I support certain free market ideals, and I have no intention to impose socialism (such a radical change would destroy our economy). The private sector will still be free to mine gold, I see our national project working side by side and not infringing upon private ventures. However, I would not exclude the possibility of buying corporations not meeting their profit targets, if they were interested in such a merge.

As stated before, I think it is very important to make clear our efforts will be dictated by what tax dollars we can spare. This will be a responsible use of money.

I welcome further inquiring minds. I would especially like to hear from those who feel disadvantaged by the incumbent government and wish to relay their concerns to a candidate for office.

Thankyou

What would your administration do to help its ally, the UK, if faced with the issue that British troops have been taken prisoner by Iran? while supporting operations in Iraq?

Good question, ERP. As representative of the people, I would not give weight to the "us against them" mindset so prevalent in the world today. We must redefine our image internationally and rise above petty dispute. I would not speak out with any bias unless the facts of the situation were absolutely clear. Furthermore, I would not constrain the behavior of America to the rules set out by international alliances.

We will be independent but fair (to all).

Are you for or against an international governing body?

Will organized religious institutions be effected by your policies?

Are you pro choice?

How will you impact the war on drugs, poverty, and hunger?

Thanks Sir.

AAC

Communication and mediation should be at the top of any agenda, and in any circumstance.

That being said, Taiwan is fully encouraged to represent the interests of its people. That's important. In turn any declaration of sovereignty will be completely supported by our freedom-loving nation. We will not tolerate acts of imperial aggression.

The current Administration's statement that the "USA does not support administrative steps that would appear to change Taiwan's status or move toward independence" is the height of cowardice, considering the hard lines we direct at developing regions of the world.

Our foreign policy is to be independent in order to be self-reliant, non-discriminating, and fair to all. It would be immoral not to recognize and support these virtues around the globe.

A brief summary of my positions regarding government transition.

The current administration has engaged in undemocratic and constitutionally violating behavior since its inception. Upon taking office, I will at once open all relevant data archives for prosecutors to examine. It is my intention to deliver a strong message to all politicians that they are indeed accountable for their actions. I shall let this process continue without unnecessary drama and bureaucratic interferance.

Meanwhile, I will implement a 180 degree U-turn on our disasterous foreign policy. Permanent U.S. bases in Iraq will be dismantled. Every American man and woman on government business in Iraq will be shipped out by priority decree after crucial committments expire.

This is where some may disagree with me, but I shall be happy to explain in greater detail later - Iraq was a secular nation before our hand over of sovereignty to a Shia majority. The socio-political consequences of this have been deeply unfortunate for the Iraqi people. The Syrian Ba'ath party will be invited to assist in re-establishing secular government and non-sharia law. This is in effect a complete reversal and normalization.

Most importantly, at home I will seek to reverse the assault on our constitution and our civil liberties. We will recover to our pre-9/11 state. All initiatives in homeland security shall come second to the freedom of the citizen. That is important. And there will be new non-invasive initiatives in security as put forward earlier in the thread, most notably port inspection and securing of our borders.

While our foreign policy is strongly independent and fair to all, I am for a body to serve as a mediation and meeting place.

The UN has not fulfilled its noble founding principles - I am in support of pressure to reshape the UN to its roots. A proactive UN will be of benefit to all men, women and children. I strongly support its investigation of human welfare around the globe, and discussion of national development assistance. We may indeed pull out of the UN as a last resort if the corruption and foreign policy bias does not improve.

Despite necessary aid to raise human living standards, I am against international reliance and dependency. Development assistance should be carefully crafted - taxpayer money should not be surrendered to prop up other nations and regimes. I am also against restrictive binding pacts, and other biased allegiances. I do not wish America's choices to be constrained and her options limited.

In terms of economic governance I am strongly against the power of international monetary funds, and beleive they should be tightly regulated to prevent what could, and has, lead to immoral situations.



Interesting question. I beleive in freedom to worship - if the law is respected by all. I do not beleive in indoctrination - the state shall not assume any "religion" in it's domestic matters or services. This also extends to private education, such as catholic schools. I beleive in secular institutions and though I am signalling large scale reform, individual expression is always protected and even enhanced.



I am pro choice in every issue - unless that choice involves directly harming in a physical, emotional or financial way. For a specific abortion related response, please see here.



I support the movement to legalize soft drugs including marijuana and anabolic steroids. My reasoning being the lack of violent and addictive tendancies, the absence of serious physical harm, and the cost of enforcing law. However, hard drugs strongly concern me and will therefore recieve full attention.

I will impose universal trade embargos on the big producers - Colombia, Mexico, Afghanistan and the Golden Triangle. This shall be a punitive action and encouragement to get their drug cultivation under control.

I see benefits in increasing port security in Miami, and raising the frequency of our inspections. Another popular destination for smugglers is the Mexican border. With all related problems in mind, I see no other option than to militarize this border. Additionally, we will fund humanitarian initiatives to help foreign coca farmers develop alternative means of income.

In dealing with hard drug users who need help, we will focus strongly on education and rehabilitation. We will help people - criminality will not be so much of a factor anymore.

Poverty? I'm glad you asked. Following my defense policy discussed earlier, our expenditures will be reduced significantly. However, I don't intend to save that money, I will redirect it to where it needs to be. Regional councils shall receive a cash injection to begin the process of urban regeneration. Our objective will be to appropriate developments in neighborhoods and towns across the country. Not just new developments, but repair and clean up work shall also be undertaken. We will create a more attractive and psychologically better environment for lacking areas.

To implement this well, and our War on Poverty, we need statistically accurate information. Our current census data is 7 years out of date. I propose increasing the frequency of the U.S. Census from 10 years to 4. Also, we will finance more extensive monitoring of our programs and reports at the local level.

To expand on the War on Poverty, I beleive in the merits of self-determination, so this shall not be welfare orientated. We should make life easier in terms of education costs, health care costs, and tax. As of the current situation, I submit it is easier to make a good living in Western Europe. The plan is simple, free national medicare and a scrapping of college and university fees. A revamp of tax banding schemes. The latter two are straight forward, as for the medicare however I beleive that we should be open to a system that is part nationalized and part privatized. We would maintain a high quality service by offering incentives to professionals and refusing to pay big pharma' inflated prices for their drugs.

Hunger? No-one needs to go hungry in the United States of America. Those who cannot afford basic food will have their finances investigated, given advice, and surplus food produce. We will encourage farmers to grow more - and at the same time social security paychecks can be less (a fair adjustment).

Your question reminds me of our water problem. I will immediately reverse (by executive order) policies put into place by the Bush Administration to allow higher levels of toxic compounds in our water supply. Our water shall be purified without the use of health endangering additives!



No, thank you!

[edit on 16/4/07 by SteveR]

I condemn this move by the Bush Administration to veto an Iraq pullout.

No President has the moral right to act in defiance of the will of the people!

My official word on this sickening news.

What will you do with the illegal immigrant 'problem?'

What do you plan on doing with the low morality and lack of conscience that has been going on over the past 50 or so years?

What do you plan on doing about the rise of Corporate 'America?' (Happen to be multinational, but I won't get into that one)

Thanks Steve, answer when you have time.

reply to post by SteveR

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Hey I'm wondering if you are still running Steve?

If so, you know what that means.

Keep me updated.