21 March 2024

Imagine if I Had Total Power Over the United States -- Never Mind, I've Done it For You


Ever wonder what would happen if I had all encompassing power over the governance of the United States (of America)? Wonder no more. Here’s a sampling of what I’d do.

Eliminate the electoral college effective immediately. Presidential elections would be decided by the popular vote just as in civilized countries.

*Roe v. Wade would be added to the Constitution. A woman's right to choose would be sacrosanct. 


*Similarly, the right for gay people to marry would be added to the Constitution. Love is love.


*The District of Columbia would get two senators. The same as Wyoming which has a smaller population than DC.


*The federal minimum wage would be raised to $17.50 an hour. No more serfdom.


*All three of Donald Trump’s Supreme Court appointees, along with the corrupt Clarence Thomas, would be removed from the court and replaced by progressive judges.


*Federal election day would be a national holiday. There would be same day registration.  The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 would be put into law. 


*Citizens United would be struck down. Corporations are not people.


*Donald Trump would be forever banned from holding public office and would be held without bail pending trials.


*All student loans would be forgiven.


*The military budget would be reduced by five per cent for the coming fiscal year and an additional five per cent the following the year and yet another five per cent for the year after that.


*The IRS code will raise individual tax rates for billionaires and equalize taxes on capital gains and labor income so work isn’t taxed more than wealth. 


*Billionaires will pay a wealth tax, and tax loopholes that permit the rich to stash profits in tax havens will be eliminated.


*To reduce tax haven abuse and the offshoring of corporate profits, corporations will pay the same tax rate on their foreign profits as on their domestic profits, and all large multinational corporations will pay a global minimum tax rate.


*The following people will be removed from their current offices and permanently banned from running for office: Ron DeSantis, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, Kristi Noem, Tommy Tuberville and Greg Abbott.


*Anyone running for president, vice president or the senate will have to pass basic tests before their name can be placed on the ballot. These tests will judge their cognitive abilities, understanding of basic economics, U.S. History and the Constitution.


*All gerrymandered congressional districts would be, for lack of a better term, ungerrymandered.


*Federal prisons will transition into rehabilitation centers and away from being over-crowded, over-heated, halls of torture where people are brutalized and raped. Ownership and administration of prisons will be solely in the hands of the government.


*There will be vastly increased government subsidies for all forms of public transportation making it cheaper, more reliable and more energy efficient.


*Salaries for all teachers and staff (excluding administrators) will be increased by ten per cent.


*School funding will be increased commensurate with the earlier mooted reduction in military spending.


*Sweeping gun control legislation will be passed. Assault rifles will be banned. Background checks for the purchase of any gun will be required. Anyone wishing to buy a gun will have to pass a safety test.


*Possession of marijuana by anyone 18 or older shall be legal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.


*All non-violent drug offenders will be released from prison.


*Universal health care for all. No one pays a dime to a doctor whether for an annual check-up or open heart surgery.


*Money bail will be eliminated for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. The accused are either freed without restrictions while their case plays out, or released under certain conditions like electronic monitoring.


*Inasmuch as sex between consenting adults is legal and paying a person for services rendered is legal, prostitution will be legal.


*Stricter anti-trust laws will be passed. Huge corporations such as Amazon, Walmart and the bigger fast food chains will be most effected. There will be renaissance of Mom and Pop stores, small farms and locally-owned businesses.


*The problems of the homeless will be addressed as if it is a national crisis (it is). Mental health facilities, rehab centers, housing, jobs and guaranteed incomes will be made available. Compassion not the cudgel.


*At every level of baseball from little league to the majors, the designated hitter will no longer be employed with the sole exception of all-star games.


*College football will be restored to what it looked like thirty years ago. Regional conferences will return. Traditional rivalries will be restored. Past bowl affiliations will return. There will be no “playoffs" but a vote at the end of the bowl season to see which two teams play for the national title. Also, all kick-off times will be announced a month before the start of the season and no team shall be required to start more than one Saturday home game per season after 6:00 PM local time.

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