Often times we talk about geopolitical problems but rarely do we talk about actual solutions. It’s usually in vague terms like, spend less, for example.
I’d like to hear & discuss orthodox and unorthodox solutions to the many problems we face.
For me, the deficit, debt, and unfunded liabilities are by far the biggest issue facing America.
I propose:
#1: Ending Social Security:
In order to do this, I would institute an age-based tiered system to, over time, eliminate the program while simultaneously ensuring the oldest American’s aren’t completely fucked over. It would be something like:
65+: As is
55+: 75% of the benefit. Continue paying in until retirement
45+: 50%
So on and so forth. Unfortunately, that means younger generations (this includes me) will have to ante up and continue paying for social security until the program ends. Yes, that blows. Does the under 35 crowd want a country or their social security payout in 30 years?
This shouldn’t be that hard to pass since young people don’t vote…
#2: Eliminate the Air Force… Would not be popular, but a) they are the newest and least useful branch and b) while sucking up nearly 25% of the military funding.
I would use the savings from the elimination of the air force to revitalize the other 3 branches over the course of the next decade and then earmark the remaining funds + inflation to either
a) pay down debt
b) remove to make balancing a budget (#3) easier to achieve.
#3: Balanced Budget Amendment:
I would propose a balanced budget amendment and tie a Congressional & Executive bonus plan to it. USMC, you want to pay government workers more…? Yes, in this case. How else do you incentives the two branches to balance the budget? You pay them to do it just like you would in the private sector.
#4: Congression Term limits Amendment
6 maybe 12 years, tops. Probably for both houses.
#5: A TBD debt to GDP ratio Amendment: Appropriate level would be difficult to agree on, but it should be less than 1.
#6: Immigration:
Incentives border states to strengthen patrol their border. Tie federal funding to outcomes. Fed should back with resource, but states should take the lead.
Once the border is secured. Then offer amnesty… I’m sure that will go over well. Do not require illegals to pay a back tax, many of them can’t. Just give them full amnesty. After a pre-determined date, all illegals found in the country are immediately deported (with due process) and any business found employing an illegal is required to pay 10% of their Net Profit per illegal up to a maximum of 100% of profit. Stop fucking around with this and just get it done… All penalties are earmarked for border enforcement freeing up funding for other activities.
#7: Incentives private investment in infrastructure projects. Sort of like what Baltimore and Kevin Plank are doing:
These are ones I can think of at the moment. Some, obviously need to be fleshed out more.