What the US should do
by David Barth, October 7, 2008
These are issues that the President and the Congress have not addressed
adequately.
- Get out of Iraq as soon as possible.
- Stop trying to be the "policeman of the world." We can't afford to solve all the world's problems.
- The US has spent a lot of money administering the war in Iraq. Because Iraq has a huge, multi-billion
dollar surplus, the US should have Iraq share in the cost of the war by sending the US an amount of money that
leaves that country with a minimal surplus. Iraq has significant oil reserves and the US is buying much of that
oil, so Iraq won't be hurt by this action.
- The President should have line-item veto ability. This should help curb "pork barrel" and "ear-mark"
expenditures that always accompany legislation of all types.
- Each October Government agencies must spend their excess budget funds or they risk losing funding in
the following fiscal year. All agencies should change to zero-based budgeting that details exactly what they need
for the following year. If an agency has an unexpected need for increased funding, that can be addressed by an
appropriate government entity any time during the year. This means that an agency can feel comfortable submitting a
budget that is realistic, knowing that if additional funds are required, they will have the chance to have additional
funds approved during the year. On the other hand, if excess funds are left over at the end of the fiscal year, they
will be returned to the general fund. Willy-nilly expenditures at the end of a physical year will be discouraged and
the managers allowing it should be punished.
- The borders should be closed to all but those people whose entry the US approves.
- Social security, welfare, and all other benefits that are afforded US Citizens should be immediately
curtailed for all illegal aliens.
- Any illegal aliens who are identified should be immediately sent back to their country of origin.
- Any illegal alien who enters the US unauthorized and bears a child in the US should be returned to the country of
origin, along with her child. That child should not receive US citizenship.
- Politicians should not legislate for or against abortion if they are not physically
equipped to get pregnant.