I am described in both polls as a Libertarian, which is a very good thing IMO. Here's what I believe the solution to the posted issues are.
Employment: The government has no responsibility to create jobs that do not support the good of the nation. Outside of government, infrastructure and military, the government should not have a hand in creating employment. What the government's role is, is defining and enforcing policies that encourage business to employ people and make it extremely punitive to make profits off of terminating employees (downsizing for stock gain, layoffs during times of record profits, offshoring of jobs for quick profits, etc.). Government should try and create an environment where employers want to retain people, not terminate them. I believe that if you set up a system where a company must pay a termination tax equal to the employee's salary times the number of years service for letting an employee go without cause (theft, incompetance, etc.) it would prevent employers from over-hiring in the first place (a bad practice that still goes on) and encourage them to retain their biggest asset, their human resources.
Education: Privatization. Government's role is defining and enforcing standards and policies, and then enforcing them on the schools. Huge fines (nee taxes) on those institutions that do not maintain standards or fail to generate results that meet the standards (inclusion of suspension of charters) will lead to better run institutions that offer better education.
Drugs: Legalize them and tax the living crap out of them, just like alcohol and tobacco. Give the pub lic what they want, but in a way that is regulated. You are always going to have people that abuse things (over indulge) so you might as well have control over the substance and have revenues generated from its use that will help set up programs to treat and educate those that want to try the product.
Health and Public Safety: In general, defining and enforcing policies. Nothing more, nothing less.
Health Care: Normally I would say that defining and enforcing policies is their only role, but the system is out of control. I feel that the government must take the system back and create a national health care system. When it costs me and my employer (combined) almost seven hundred dollars a month for health insurance for myself and my wife I would say that the system is out of control. Too many people cannot afford to have even basic coverage and this leads to much hardship. The government needs to setup a system where they provide basic services for no cost (other than taxation). All other services, and electives, can be status quo, but for basic services (life maintaining and saving services) should be covered. The Alberta system is a great example of one that works.
Lifestyle Choices: The government should have zero say. What I decide to do with whom in the privacy of my own home is none of the government's business.
Social Assistance: Social Services should be a safety net. What happens should I fall? It is a temportary service, not a permanent one. I feel that those that wish to use the system should support it, through working in the social services department for their support payments in what ever capacity is required. Get people working (if physically able) even while they are on sicial services.
Support of Business: None. Businesses should not get a break because they are a business. They should pay taxes and be forced to operate under the rules in place. As harsh as that is, that's the way it should be. Businesses should not be making 20% profits off the backs of the employees and through government handouts (essentially triple dipping into the public's pockets).
Freedom of Speech: Protection of that right to the point where indescency is not crossed.
Taxation: Flat tax... across the board. Everyone, and I mean everyone, pays a flat 15% tax from their earnings. Its fair and equitable and is easy to budget from.
Immigration: As an immigrant myself I can say that the system is broken. There are too many immigrants let into the country that cannot function on their own, and too many are held out that could be contributing members of society immediately. The whole system should be over-hauled and only those that meet the minimum national standards in education (doing an SAT test would be a damn good start for people applying to the US for immigration) and ability to support themselves should be allowed access to the country. Political and hardship cases not withstanding naturally.
Foreign Policy: Worry about their own backyard and keep their nose out of other people's business. I'm not talking about isolationism, but I am talking about only responding to requests for help, not just sticking a gun in someone's face and asking how you can help.
Military: This is where job creation takes place IMO. Outside of infrastructure programs (the country could use every road resurfaced, but that's another story) the military is a place where you can educate and employ your people with benefits all around. The military should be strong and reactive. I believe that small special forces units with branch specialities is the way to go. Technology is extremely important and continual development of both human and technological resources make the a strong military.
Scientific Research: Encouraging science to strive for improvements in human life and understanding of our universe, even if it means it may go against accepted social norms (stem cell research as an example). I think the givernment should have large scale projects that are funded through grants and co-shares with industry to move research and development a head. Examples of projects like these are a) a manned mission to Mars by 2020. B) an alternative fuel source other than fossil fuels by 2020. c) a cure for cancer by 2020. etc. etc. etc. Many of the marvels that we have today were spun out of the space race. I believe that government should be pushing the people and the industry to be more inventive by giving them these grandious challenges.
Go a head, and pick these a part. As you can see I'm a real left wing wacko (I do believe that's how it was put) and want our society to work for every "responsible" individual, not just a select already priviledged few. Left wing? Nope. Pretty well center to right of center for the post part.
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