A 12-Step Program for America!

[Roland99]

1. Begin withdrawing troops from Iraq. Leave a small-scale size outside combat areas (like Turkey or Kuwait)...just in case. That will save billions per month.
2. End the *temporary* 2001-2003 Bush tax cuts that should have been tied to budget surplus triggers (as O'Neill and Greenspan originally envisioned).
3. Eliminate tax loopholes allowing U.S. corporations to post profits overseas to avoid taxes while moving losses in subsidiaries to the U.S. to lower any tax liabilities
4. Repeal the Patriot Act.
5. End the illegal domestic spying program.
6. Push thru a single-payer, Universal Healthcare plan. (invest in keeping our citizens healthy.)
7. Repeal NCLB and reduce Federal involvement in schools (move it to the States) but increase funding to fund college education for those who can't afford it. (invest in educating our citizens.)
8. Repeal NAFTA/CAFTA. Remove the incentive to move good-paying mfg jobs overseas or south of the border.
9. Mandate alternative energy vehicles (hydrogen, ethanol, etc.) and build new nuclear plants to lessen our dependence on foreign oil.
10. End the aggressive foreign policy we've had for decades and focus on domestic issues and stop making ourselves a target for attacks overseas and here.
11. Cut out the lobbyists/special interests from Washington. No money changing hands (no lobbyist can donate to a PAC or candidate directly).
12. Institute publicly-financed federal elections.



Could easily be expanded to include other steps, though. :-)