... what would your policies be? This idea just came to me, and I was wondering how other people would "do it right". Keep in mind that for the sake of realism you'll probably have to sacrifice some things here for political pragmatism - I'm talking about if you realistically wanted to be in a position of power (state governor/premier, member of parliament, president etc), what would your political platforms be?

 

 

 

Given that I'm still a teenager I obviously don't know a huge deal about the world or politics, but the libertarian ideology is the one that seems to appeal to me the most. My policies would be something like (this is in reference to Australia, by the way):

 

 

 

- Withdrawal from the Iraq war

 

- Legalisation of gay marriage (though this would lose me a lot of votes I imagine)

 

- Major education subsidies (namely for universities)

 

- Major health system subsidies

 

- Decriminalisation of marijuana (though this would most likely be an impractical policy - can't have people damaging their bodies without harming others, can we!?)

 

- Business de-regulations - businesses would be able to determine themselves whether or not they wish to allow smoking and things like that

 

- Legalisation of euthenasia - for bureacratic reasons this would probably be introduced for only people suffering from terminal/debilitating illnesses, and for those over 60

 

- A reduction in taxes (provided that the health/education subsidies didn't need those funds; stopping the war would definitely help in reducing government expenses)

 

- A reduction in censorship

 

- Abolishment of victimless crimes - not wearing seatbelts, not wearing a helmet etc

 

 

 

That's probably about it. Vote ATL! Your turn, infidel candidates.

I'd take over the world.

 

 

 

:D

Canadian so I can't do the Health Care lol >.>

 

---

 

 

 

- Raise taxes for two reasons:

 

1. Decrease tuition fees

 

2. To give a monthly pay to a mother who has given birth, until that child is two years old.

 

 

 

- Increase stem cell research in Canada

 

- Increase all Health Care benefits, and plans, and make a minimum bottom line pay out, which would be high.

 

- Add the Dentistry to the Free Health Care

 

- Increase taxes on Foreign Trade Ships

 

- Become larger involved in foreign affairs (i.e. help fight poverty, lack of education...etc)

 

- Increase research on Northern Canada, for population reasons.

 

- Decrease the salary of all Government Employees (even if only a few dollars)

 

- Increase, and promote tourism

 

- Make construction a federal business

 

- Increase ties with America, but allow Canada to become a more indepent country that isn't so easily influenced by America.

 

- Create multiple new structures, or athletes, or something to restore the key elements of Canada(we lost the the tallest building, we lost a wonder of the world, what else will we lose?)

 

- Harsher criminal laws, lower the age to 12, of which children can be prosecuted as adults.

 

- Promote more overall activity with children

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know, just some off the bat. =/

I'd take over the world.

 

 

 

:D

 

 

 

What we goin to do tonight, Brain? Narf!

I'd take over the world.

 

 

 

:D

 

 

 

What we goin to do tonight, Brain? Narf!

 

 

 

Haha that cartoon is priceless..

 

 

 

Anyways, on topic: Your election promises are pretty general, and not bad at all... But here are a few that would cause political and financial problems:

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Abolishment of victimless crimes - not wearing seatbelts, not wearing a helmet etc

 

 

 

2. Decriminalisation of marijuana

 

 

 

3. Withdrawal from the Iraq war

 

 

 

1. Not wearing seatbelts/helmets are punishable by law, because hurting yourself hurts the state. If you don't have any concern for your own health, the state can end up paying for some of your healthcare bill, you stay out of work due to injuries etc..

 

 

 

Or in the worst case, if you die.. It's not your life the government cares about, it's the fact when an average american dies, they just lost a potential $100,000-$400,000 in tax revenue over the rest of your lifespan. They NEED you to stay alive, so they can keep being in business.

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

2. The state doesn't control the supply of marijuana, if it becomes decriminalized, it'd still mean dealers reap huge profits from a product which can't be even taxed. If it becomes taxed, dealers will sell it for a lower price on black markets without paying the tax, benefiting both the buyer and dealer.

 

 

 

If the state can't enforce the taxation of a substance, thus earn revenue from it's distribution, they will criminalize it. They couldn't care less about your health, it's the 20-30% tax cut they want that they can't get.

 

--

 

 

 

3. Withdrawing 150,000+ troops, heavy artillery, helicopters, tanks, supplies, will take a very long time. It's not an overnight process.

 

 

 

Iraq is theoretically in a civil war right now, withdrawing from the responsibility (USA created the civil war by assaulting the country in the first place) has HUGE political repercussions. The american army can't leave Iraq before it becomes a normal stabilized country without warring factions who have their own armed forces and each levy their own taxes in their local bases of support.

 

 

 

American generals have even admitted it's possible the model of democracy wont even work in Iraq, and they might have to resort to other government models similar to Saddam's (dictatorship), which at least kept the country stable (though terrorized minorities under Saddam Hussein)

 

 

 

Attacking a country, securing oil flow to domestic corporations, then leaving the country in chaos isn't something the rest of the countries will look through their fingers.

 

 

 

1. Abolishment of victimless crimes - not wearing seatbelts, not wearing a helmet etc

 

 

 

2. Decriminalisation of marijuana

 

 

 

3. Withdrawal from the Iraq war

 

 

 

1. Not wearing seatbelts/helmets are punishable by law, because hurting yourself hurts the state. If you don't have any concern for your own health, the state can end up paying for some of your healthcare bill, you stay out of work due to injuries etc..

 

 

 

Or in the worst case, if you die.. It's not your life the government cares about, it's the fact when an average american dies, they just lost a potential $100,000-$400,000 in tax revenue over the rest of your lifespan. They NEED you to stay alive, so they can keep being in business.

 

 

 

2. The state doesn't control the supply of marijuana, if it becomes decriminalized, it'd still mean dealers reap huge profits from a product which can't be even taxed. If it becomes taxed, dealers will sell it for a lower price on black markets without paying the tax, benefiting both the buyer and dealer.

 

 

 

If the state can't enforce the taxation of a substance, thus earn revenue from it's distribution, they will criminalize it. They couldn't care less about your health, it's the 20-30% tax cut they want that they can't get.

 

 

 

3. Withdrawing 150,000+ troops, heavy artillery, helicopters, tanks, supplies, will take a very long time. It's not an overnight process.

 

 

 

Iraq is theoretically in a civil war right now, withdrawing from the responsibility (USA created the civil war by assaulting the country in the first place) has HUGE political repercussions. The american army can't leave Iraq before it becomes a normal stabilized country without warring factions who have their own armed forces and each levy their own taxes in their local bases of support.

 

 

 

American generals have even admitted it's possible the model of democracy wont even work in Iraq, and they might have to resort to other government models similar to Saddam's (dictatorship), which at least kept the country stable, though terrorized minorities.

 

 

 

Attacking a country, securing oil flow to domestic corporations, then leaving the country in chaos isn't something the rest of the countries will look through their fingers.

 

 

 

Hurting yourself hurts the state, yes, but I believe that it's ultimately your own personal choice as to whether you want to make those choices or not. You do make a valid point with the healthcare system and the resulting payments by the state; that's the only argument I see against them. It's sort of hard to balance, and it's where Libertarian ideals have their downfall.

 

 

 

Decriminalisation of marijuana allowing it to be privately traded; not necessarily provided by the state and its associated systems. Prosecutions for marijuana usage and possession cost the legal system lots and lots of money, as well as the taxpayers paying for the prison system. Fine, let the state enforce a tax system - it will allow a black market to emerge, but hey, there's already a pretty large one as it is, right?

 

 

 

Australia's contribution to the Iraq war, to which I was referring, is far less than that of America - to the best of my knowledge, there is not a great deal of Australian artillery or military equipment there, nor 150,000 + troops - I don't think our army is even that big. Of course it's not an overnight process - it would have to be gradual, but I think it would be ultimately necessary.

Aa didn't realize you meant in Australia :oops:

 

 

 

You're right, withdrawing troops in "coalition" countries is largely a matter of domestic politics instead of 'betraying' the nation they are supposed to help.

 

 

 

Most countries contribution is quite insignificant anyways, not to belittle it, but some sent like 10 engineers or 100 soldiers as a symbol, not as a real means to combat insurgents etc.

 

 

 

Demanding australian withdrawal could win you extra votes.

-Reduce troop count in Iraq, but give more control of troop movements to the Pentagon. Washington has no place setting war actions.

 

 

 

-Declare gay marriage open to individual state governments.

 

 

 

-Privatize the Healthcare industry with some stipulations. The government will still control the sector, but will not be paying for it.

 

 

 

-Fire tens of thousands of useless bureacratic jobs that are soaking up money. If Senators really need a staff of 40, they are going to be paying for it, not the taxpayers.

 

 

 

-(This will get me impeached) Cut the pay of all Congressional positions. Reduce Congress to working 24 of the 52 weeks of the year. I believe a fair stipend for being in Congress would be 25 thousand dollars a year for Senate, 20 thousand for the House. Congressional officers would be required to have their own jobs or live off their own money.

 

 

 

-Reduce Federal spending across the board.

 

 

 

-Abolishment of Welfare, and the introduction of Letter Agencies similar to the New Deal system. It worked back then, it will work now.

 

 

 

-Welfare will only be granted to those with disabilities and the homeless over the age of 55.

 

 

 

-The line-item veto. This is essential. With this tool, I will obliterate pork-barrel spending.

 

 

 

-Scholarships for higher education made possible by all the cuts I made.

 

 

 

-In contrast to the OP, further punishments on victimless crimes. If you get killed, your family will attempt to sue the other person, even if it was not their fault. It doesn't matter if your family won't, someone's will.

 

 

 

-Clarification on censorship. Define what is legal and what is not in regards to the First Amendment, in addition to TEACHING these standards in schools so people don't have this skewed view of their personal liberities.

 

 

 

-Further restrictions on abortion unless it's a health issue or rape. Learn consequences. I agree with the Canuck's view of giving stipends to women who carry the baby to term and care for it until two years after birth. There is a limit of two children in this manner, however, to avoid abuse.

 

 

 

-Raise the minimum wage to $8.75 an hour, increase health benefits. Let's lower that poverty line.

 

 

 

-Raise trade tarriffs.

 

 

 

-Become less involved in foreign affairs. It's about damn time we convince the U.N. to become more involved in foreign situations, instead of the U.S. catching hell for paying billions more than any other country.

 

 

 

-Federalize major construction projects vital to interstate commerce, such as new interstates.

 

 

 

-Make migrant worker programs attractable and even pay a bit for work visas for Mexicans. Make legal entry more attractive.

 

 

 

-Relegate more Federal powers to the States as defined in the 10th Ammendment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll probably think of more later.

I'll probably pay for supporters and rake up all of my country's money. I would also have to kill off any contenders just in case, so any one who's willing to challenge me shall perish. Then I'll retire to some paradise island and die there. The people of my country shall worship me like a God.

 

 

 

 

 

Kidding, that just describes most of the politicians in the Philippines anyway

Correct Margrat Thatchers mistakes. E.g everything. (Im British you see :P)

 

Also, get people to pay reasonable amounts of money if they live in Council Housing. Most of them are mooches to society. (ok, maybe that was too simplified, and slightly ignorant.....)

I'd start out with good intentions, but as the system broke me, I'd become crooked and filthy rich. Then, I'd either live out my days in my country mansion, or shoot myself after a long period of depression.

I believe a fair stipend for being in Congress would be 25 thousand dollars a year for Senate, 20 thousand for the House. Congressional officers would be required to have their own jobs or live off their own money.

 

 

 

While I couldn't agree more about the fact congressmen/representatives salaries are way out of proportion in contrast to what they actually do, there's 1 problem:

 

 

 

Politicians salaries in democracies are high for the sole reason that they become harder to bribe. Sociological fact is that the less you pay, the more prone to corruption officials become (just see the state of russian police, they basically live off corruption due to earning like $200 a month)

 

 

 

Sure criminals can persuade a group of congressmen to do something against their will for say, 10x their yearly salary, but there are few political advances worth so much money. You don't even get a guarantee they'll fulfill their promises.

 

 

 

By paying politicians $10,000/$20,000+ a month you discourage a lot of bribery and corruption from happening in the country's legislative chambers. Why take $100k in bribes and risk ruining your entire life and career, when you can just earn that legally in 5 months and say "no thanks"

-Legalize Gay Marriage

 

-Make Wearing A SeatBelt COMPULSARY In All Countries.

 

-Lower Taxes SLIGHTLY

 

-All weapon Purchases Must be Recorded And Put On NotePad with person name,Adress and phone number.

 

-Make Usijng The Tazer Legal Only When Someone Has Assulted An Officer

-Raise the minimum wage to $8.75 an hour, increase health benefits. Let's lower that poverty line.

 

 

 

 

not bad, except for this.... while the american dollar is sinking lower than it has in years, lets deal the death blow to it. no thanks.

 

 

 

other than that, i'd probably vote for you. =D>

 

 

 

if i were a politician, i would play along with everything until i got in a sufficient position of power, then, with the militia i've built underground, i'd overthrow the current government and install a fascist regime similar to the nazi party but without all the mass genocides. :twisted:

I'd start out with good intentions, but as the system broke me, I'd become crooked and filthy rich. Then, I'd either live out my days in my country mansion, or shoot myself after a long period of depression.

 

Then I'd make a film about you, starring Cate Blanchett as Helen Mirren.

I'd really like to see a guaranteed minimum income. So you get money (somewhere between 700 and 1000 euros a month) no matter what you do with your time. It's not that my country couldn't afford it. There are just political reasons why we don't have that. I even believe it could be cheaper then the whole bureaucracy currently involved in our wellfare system. Also the more money people spend the more money flows back into the state due to sales tax.

 

 

 

The whole idea might cause some controversy and problems, but i'm pretty sure it would pay in the long run. Now how would i managed to get elected with that kind of program?

That's probably about it. Vote ATL! Your turn, infidel candidates.

 

 

 

Let's just say you already have a nickname that fits with being a politician...

 

 

 

I wouldn't want to be a politician in nowadays so-called "democratic" systems anyway. Plus, I'd be making way too many enemies there anyway, so that doesn't sound like it's good for my own health either.

-Reduce troop count in Iraq, but give more control of troop movements to the Pentagon. Washington has no place setting war actions.

 

 

 

-Declare gay marriage open to individual state governments.

 

 

 

-Privatize the Healthcare industry with some stipulations. The government will still control the sector, but will not be paying for it.

 

 

 

-Fire tens of thousands of useless bureacratic jobs that are soaking up money. If Senators really need a staff of 40, they are going to be paying for it, not the taxpayers.

 

 

 

-(This will get me impeached) Cut the pay of all Congressional positions. Reduce Congress to working 24 of the 52 weeks of the year. I believe a fair stipend for being in Congress would be 25 thousand dollars a year for Senate, 20 thousand for the House. Congressional officers would be required to have their own jobs or live off their own money.

 

 

 

-Reduce Federal spending across the board.

 

 

 

-Abolishment of Welfare, and the introduction of Letter Agencies similar to the New Deal system. It worked back then, it will work now.

 

 

 

-Welfare will only be granted to those with disabilities and the homeless over the age of 55.

 

 

 

-The line-item veto. This is essential. With this tool, I will obliterate pork-barrel spending.

 

 

 

-Scholarships for higher education made possible by all the cuts I made.

 

 

 

-In contrast to the OP, further punishments on victimless crimes. If you get killed, your family will attempt to sue the other person, even if it was not their fault. It doesn't matter if your family won't, someone's will.

 

 

 

-Clarification on censorship. Define what is legal and what is not in regards to the First Amendment, in addition to TEACHING these standards in schools so people don't have this skewed view of their personal liberities.

 

 

 

-Further restrictions on abortion unless it's a health issue or rape. Learn consequences. I agree with the Canuck's view of giving stipends to women who carry the baby to term and care for it until two years after birth. There is a limit of two children in this manner, however, to avoid abuse.

 

 

 

-Raise the minimum wage to $8.75 an hour, increase health benefits. Let's lower that poverty line.

 

 

 

-Raise trade tarriffs.

 

 

 

-Become less involved in foreign affairs. It's about damn time we convince the U.N. to become more involved in foreign situations, instead of the U.S. catching hell for paying billions more than any other country.

 

 

 

-Federalize major construction projects vital to interstate commerce, such as new interstates.

 

 

 

-Make migrant worker programs attractable and even pay a bit for work visas for Mexicans. Make legal entry more attractive.

 

 

 

-Relegate more Federal powers to the States as defined in the 10th Ammendment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll probably think of more later.

 

 

 

Barihawk, I'd vote for you.

 

 

 

One thing, instead of making it easier to get into schools. Why not make more schools? And perhaps raise the salary of teachers and professors.

Correct Margrat Thatchers mistakes. E.g everything. (Im British you see :P)

 

Also, get people to pay reasonable amounts of money if they live in Council Housing. Most of them are mooches to society. (ok, maybe that was too simplified, and extremely ignorant.....)

Mistakes? You make it sound like she didn't mean to do it.

 

 

 

I personally couldn't be a politition. I am going to study politics at university however I would fail at being a politition due to my huge dislike of the fickle British public.

id be a "liberal Conservative".

So is this a what-would-your-platforms-be-to-get-elected thing, or are we already in power at the time? If I'm already in power, if you're a seriously democratic person, you may want to sit down. First off, I'de abolish all religion. None of it anywhere under penalty of law. All forms of media would be taken over and run by me (not me personally, kind of a bureacratic thing, but nobody in any department would know what the other departments [or others in their own department] are doing, so it limits their power :D ), thrown in a little bit of restriction on the freedom of authors (not a Fahrenheit 451 thing, books wouldn;t be banned...just the political types), install security (alarms for keeping out criminals and cameras for monitoring), rid myself of political adversaries, take drastic steps against illegal immigration (minefields at the border, electric fences, etc.), all while reducing unemployment (somebody has to watch the cameras, government jobs, etc). So there you have it. Oh yea, and amp up the military budget, just a lil' bit. That's pretty much it, I guess.

 

 

 

Barihawk, I'd vote for you.

 

 

 

One thing, instead of making it easier to get into schools. Why not make more schools? And perhaps raise the salary of teachers and professors.

 

 

 

What's funny is that all of you say you will vote for me, but I pretty much just summed up the goals of the Republican Party :P.

 

 

 

Almost all of my points are conservative in nature :D.

So is this a what-would-your-platforms-be-to-get-elected thing, or are we already in power at the time? If I'm already in power, if you're a seriously democratic person, you may want to sit down. First off, I'de abolish all religion. None of it anywhere under penalty of law. All forms of media would be taken over and run by me (not me personally, kind of a bureacratic thing, but nobody in any department would know what the other departments [or others in their own department] are doing, so it limits their power :D ), thrown in a little bit of restriction on the freedom of authors (not a Fahrenheit 451 thing, books wouldn;t be banned...just the political types), install security (alarms for keeping out criminals and cameras for monitoring), rid myself of political adversaries, take drastic steps against illegal immigration (minefields at the border, electric fences, etc.), all while reducing unemployment (somebody has to watch the cameras, government jobs, etc). So there you have it. Oh yea, and amp up the military budget, just a lil' bit. That's pretty much it, I guess.

 

 

 

I will lead the resistance.

So is this a what-would-your-platforms-be-to-get-elected thing, or are we already in power at the time? If I'm already in power, if you're a seriously democratic person, you may want to sit down. First off, I'de abolish all religion. None of it anywhere under penalty of law. All forms of media would be taken over and run by me (not me personally, kind of a bureacratic thing, but nobody in any department would know what the other departments [or others in their own department] are doing, so it limits their power :D ), thrown in a little bit of restriction on the freedom of authors (not a Fahrenheit 451 thing, books wouldn;t be banned...just the political types), install security (alarms for keeping out criminals and cameras for monitoring), rid myself of political adversaries, take drastic steps against illegal immigration (minefields at the border, electric fences, etc.), all while reducing unemployment (somebody has to watch the cameras, government jobs, etc). So there you have it. Oh yea, and amp up the military budget, just a lil' bit. That's pretty much it, I guess.

 

 

 

I will lead the resistance.

 

You will be crushed. Nowhere could you meet without being seen, heard, or both.

Ye of little faith. We will overcome.