I realize now that it was wrong to criticise Obama's jobs plan without offering some ideas of my own. I hope this post corrects that error.
Our economy has some major systematic problems that will not be corrected by short-term stimulus. For the last 2 decades, we have been riding a debt bubble (government, individual and commercial) and that will not work itself out painlessly or quickly.
Energy - Peak oil is in our near future and will profoundly change our systems. No longer will we be able to have our goods shipped across the planet. While solar, wind and other "green" energy sources have their place, true energy independence will only be gained using a fossil fuel that is still in abundant supply in the US - natural gas. We should build an CNG infrastructure which will allow the country to switch its motor fleets to affordable CNG. We also need to build more nuclear plants - I say one new plant fore each state. Also, we need to encourage rather than discourage oil drilling in the gulf and around the country.
Tax Reform - We must throw out the entire tax code and replace it with one consumption tax that everybody pays. Individual, Corporate and payroll taxes have to be abandoned. The current tax code is a huge disincentive to free enterprise.
Free Trade - The free trade experiment which began under Clinton and continued in the W presidency is an irrefutable failure. It has allowed business to export jobs to all places around the globe while not exporting our living standards or pay. Our country began as one that imposed tariffs and we became a super power. As peak oil arrives, the tariff will provide more incentive for Corporations to return those jobs to the US as it is no longer feasible to ship goods around the globe.
Currency - I'm learning more about this but basicly we need to do whatever Ron Paul prescribes.
Government Spending - The government must shrink and shrink fast. Foreign aid, our multiplicity of foreign wars must end. Government needs to be run in accordance with the Constitution
One more bailout - We've bailed out the megabanks, now its time to do the right thing and reduce all underwater mortgages to the appraised value of the home. No taxpayer dollars. Banks lose like they should have lost in 2008.
Freedom - Our government must start doing its primary job - ensuring the freedom and liberties of its people and quit spying and infringing on those liberties.
Agriculture - I stole this one from Jack Spirko. Each American must begin to take charge of their own food supply and grow a portion of their food at home.
How's that for an eight point plan.
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