Posted on 03/05/2003 4:56:41 PM PST by listenhillary
1. Attack World Hunger and Poverty as if Our Life Depends on It: It Does. Anchor our foreign policy in the compassion for the poor that unites all the world's religions. Reduce the debts of impoverished countries. Shift foreign aid from buying weapons to feeding people.
To eliminate world hunger many, many despots will have to be eliminated and republican forms of government implemented. That would make eliminating debt a reasonable act since the limited wealth of the impoverished nations will be less likely to end up in Swiss bank accounts (such as the fortunes in Arafat’s and Saddam’s foreign accounts). However, in the beginning we will need to purchase more arms, and recruit more soldiers, to set this all in motion.
2. Champion the Rights of Every Child, Woman and Man. Make America stand for justice, not expediency. Stop turning a blind eye to governments that abuse their own people. Ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. If punishing a foreign tyrant means, in actual practice, punishing the women and children who are his victims, desist, and find another path.
See the answer to #1 for the primary solution. Outlawing Islam worldwide will go a long way in the elimination of discrimination against women. Revamping the U.N., allowing only representative forms of government to have seats, will be necessary before any so-called “convention on rights” will pass the credibility test. For example, Libya currently heads the Commission on Human Rights, which does not (repeat, does not) pass the credibility test; Syria sits on the Security Council; etc.,
3. End our Obstructionism to the World's Treaties. Throw America's full weight behind the United Nations, the only political body that holds all the world’s nations in the age of globalization. If the United States participates in the United Nations more effectively and fully, other nations will follow suit. Pay our U.N. dues on time and without conditions. Withdraw our lonely opposition to the landmine ban, Kyoto Protocol to halt global warming, and International Criminal Court. Show once again the "decent respect for the opinions of mankind" that our Declaration of Independence affirms.
The United States is much too important a nation to the future of the world, and to potential world freedom, to hand over its sovereignty to the current conglomerate of self-serving nations, many of which are ruled by despots. It might work, however, if the United States had sole veto power, and if all proposals submitted by the United States were automatically approved by the U. N. Otherwise, jealousies and other human character flaws will continue to render the U. N. irrelevant.
The International Criminal Court does not recognize the United States Constitution and the rights endowed to us by our Creator. Therefore, it would be necessary for the United States Constitution to have controlling authority over its operations for it to be a just court.
See answer #1 for the primary solution to the land-mine problem. That is, get rid of the despots of the world, and the elimination of land-mines will be practical. The underlying principle is to disarm the bad guys, not the good guys. This works equally well in neighborhoods and nations.
Kyoto was so flawed that the United States Senate voted 95-0 against it. Senate Resolution 98, introduced by Senator Byrd, and with 64 co-sponsors, states:
(1) the United States should not be a signatory to any protocol to, or other agreement regarding, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 1992, at negotiations in Kyoto in December 1997, or thereafter, which would--
(A) mandate new commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the Annex I Parties, unless the protocol or other agreement also mandates new specific scheduled commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions for Developing Country Parties within the same compliance period, or
(B) would result in serious harm to the economy of the United States; and
(2) any such protocol or other agreement which would require the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification should be accompanied by a detailed explanation of any legislation or regulatory actions that may be required to implement the protocol or other agreement and should also be accompanied by an analysis of the detailed financial costs and other impacts on the economy of the United States which would be incurred by the implementation of the protocol or other agreement.
There are few senators I trust individually, but it is difficult to argue with a 95-0 vote. We are also fortunate to have a leader such as President Bush who understood that the Kyoto Treaty was flawed beyond repair.
4. Reduce our Dependence on Oil & Lead the World to an Age of Renewable Energy. Oil holds us hostage to regimes hated by their own people; their hatred transfers to us. America is 5% of the world's people but we generate 25% of the pollution that causes global warming. It's our duty to lead. We will reduce our energy consumption 25% by 2010. Make a Moon Mission scale commitment to develop solar and wind power technologies. Set and meet a goal of generating 20% of our energy from renewable sources by 2010.
First, as an environmental engineer I can assure you that, with known technologies, solar and wind power are not viable alternatives for any significant portion of the energy requirements of the United States. Hydrogen, while clean burning, requires more energy to produce than it would generate using existing technologies, and would be a viable alternative only if other sources of energy (e.g., nuclear) were available for its production. Alcohol is reasonably clean burning, and is produced from renewable sources. But production in amounts necessary to fuel our technological engine, and those of the world, would require vast acreage and significant machinery and other technology. It would also reduce the land area available for food production. Water Power is renewable and cheap, but environmental extremists have made it difficult to build new dams. Maybe we will get lucky with nuclear fusion, or with some other breakthrough. But in the meantime we must make do with what we know and what we have. One immediate and practical step to reduce foreign dependence on oil would be to open up all ANWR to drilling.
I desire a clean environment, but I am practical, realizing that technology is necessary to extend human life and to increase the quality of life. God gave us the intelligence to reduce human misery and suffering, and it is our duty to utilize it. I personally use mass transit for commuting, preferring my BMW SUV for local travel or for vacations. On the other end of the scale, others prefer limousines, heavy armor-plated SUV’s, and private jets or helicopters for all travel. Where do we start on energy consumption? Do we first ban all private jets, and private vehicles over, say, 5000 pounds? Do we tear down all mansions in California, South Florida, the Hudson River, Hyannis Port, and Long Island and force the rich owners to move into smaller, more energy-efficient Mac-Mansions? Do we set a fixed congressional term of, say, 6 months, and force the congress to stay in Washington the entire time (thus eliminating congressional junkets and all the “wasted” fuel). Or do we continue to promote the wealth engine of capitalism with the understanding that capitalism, and only capitalism, provides the incentive to create the new technological wonders to solve the world’s problems, including the world’s food, energy and pollution problems? I choose the latter.
I am still unconvinced that Global Warming exists, and even less convinced it would be a man-made phenomena, even if I could be convinced it was occurring. There is no scientific consensus among climatologists, so I am in good company. I do not, however, discount the climatic effects the world’s volcanoes might generate, realizing that increased activity could alter the world’s climate somewhat, while contributing to particulate and gaseous pollution.
5. Close the Book on the Cold War and Ease the Nuclear Nightmare. Cast a cold eye on giant weapons designed to destroy giant enemies that no longer exist. Cancel obsolete Cold War weapons. We applaud the nuclear force cuts announced by President Bush, but even 2,000 warheads poised and aimed at Russia are unwise. We squander $35 billion a year on this obsolete arsenal. Save half of that money, take our missiles off "launch on warning" and invite all nuclear nations to negotiate a nuclear weapons ban.
Get back to me when all despots are in the grave, and the world’s people are free and living under representative republican governments. Until that time, the maximum deterrent is preferred.
6. Renounce Star Wars and the Militarization of Space. After spending $134 billion dollars (twice our lifetime commitment to cancer research!) our military has nothing to show for its obsession with a dubious Missile Defense but the deep suspicions of our new allies. Enough is enough.
See my answer to #5.
7. Make Globalization Work for, not against, Working People. Open the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to the public. Let sunshine into the councils of the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Affirm that the welfare of the planet's people supersedes corporate patents and profits.
Most of what you ask in #7 is reasonable. I, too, prefer open-ness, when not in conflict with national security. However, I believe the welfare of the planet ultimately depends on the incentives of capitalism, and its associated corporate patents and profits. Severe penalties for lies and/or deception within the corporate environment (which includes the media and advertising environments) would be acceptable. Tinkering with capitalism in other ways is foolish.
8. Ensure Equal Treatment Under Law for All. Vigorously enforce and strengthen the nation’s civil rights laws that guarantee freedom from discrimination based on gender, race, sexual orientation or physical ability. Reform America’s criminal justice system laws so that justice is no longer systematically dispensed in a way that disadvantages minorities.
In other words, you propose we support and defend the Constitution of the United States. With one exception, I couldn’t agree more, and I am happy you are opposed to affirmative action. But considering the unclean nature of homosexuality, particularly among males, a certain amount of “discriminatory” regulation is preferable.
9. Get Money out of Politics. Curtail the vast corrupting influence of corporate campaign contributions, which make Congress beholden to private interests. Enact public campaign financing--we can fund it entirely by closing a single offshore corporate tax loophole!
Adopting a flat consumption tax, with no exceptions, present or future, will get a lot of money out of politics since politicians currently use the bewildering maze of tax laws as leverage against business (hence, the offshore corporate tax loophole and other loopholes). Deregulation will further reduce the money in politics by also reducing the leverage congressmen have against businesses.
Public financing sounds good, but who determines who runs for office -- who receives the public funds? For example, suppose 10,000 people decide to run for a single congressional district. Do all receive public financing? Do we flip a coin or draw straws for, say, 4 of the 10,000 to compete against each other? Or do we require each prospective candidate to receive a certain number of signatures from their constituents before receiving public financing (and who pays for obtaining those signatures)? Maybe I am overlooking something considering all the hype about public financing.
10. Close the Gap between Rich and Poor Kids at Home. All these words will ring hollow to the world if America does not close the chasm between rich and poor in our own society. We will fully fund Head Start and health insurance for the millions of American children who can't get either. We will invest the money needed to build and nourish schools worthy of this great nation.
We have two choices with regard to the “chasm”, and to such luxuries as health insurance: (1) we can make everyone healthy and poor, or (2) we can promote capitalism. But no amount of money will help the current public school system, nor make it a safe environment for our children. To ensure every child receives the best education he or she can mentally and emotionally handle, scrap current public policy, return all control to localities (dismantle the U.S Department of Education and throw it on the scrap heap of bad ideas), and restore the rights of parents and of teachers to discipline the children. It is also necessary to restore the teaching of traditional ethics, for example by posting “Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you” signs in all hallways, to promote a safe environment.
TrueMajority’s principles are endorsed by Greenpeace, Rock the Vote, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Peace Action, the National Head Start Association, Global Exchange, The Interfaith Alliance, The Nation magazine, Sojourners, Rainforest Action Network, Women's Action for New Directions (WAND), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), National Council of La Raza, and a long and growing list of Americans.
I see that TrueMajority is endorsed by an impressive array of idealists. Spice it up with an equally impressive array of pragmatists and you may be able to come up with more workable, less contradictory, proposals.
My kids can't get health insurance, either (bummer!) That's why I get it *FOR* them.
An advocacy of action against an nebulous and ill defined "evil" is always a blanket justification for centralized collective and mandated action. In this principle the sentiments best held for moral and religous faith, such as compassion, become the trumps to over-rule law and property. Under this sort of principle as the first one, no normal uses of political order stand immune.
The Grace of salvation is not obtainable in the politcal formulas of such schemes.
2. Champion the Rights of Every Child, Woman and Man. Make America stand for justice, not expediency. Stop turning a blind eye to governments that abuse their own people. Ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. If punishing a foreign tyrant means, in actual practice, punishing the women and children who are his victims, desist, and find another path.
It is always a warning sign to the intellect when the "Child" is mentioned by the world-government, democratic-totalitatrians. As Voegelin said, militant ideology seeks to immanitize the symbols of transcendence. Divinity of God, Grace and Purity are substituted by the Secular Humanist with "Innocence" of the "Child". Repudiation to an Enduring Moral Order is made by again presenting a Trump Card, this Child-Innocence to sweep away all Law and Order established through the ages.
Likewise, Justice is evoked and then neutralized by the use of "epediancy" because justice that is not epediant, sure and swift is no justice at all. The use of expediancy allows the tationalistic-totalitarian-democrat to always alter the application of justice.
Again in closing the paragraph, they call for application of Law of committee, that is not Law of a Soverign Nation, formed, applied and judeged with proper checks and balances, as well as protections, but instead applied by the Annointed of World Councils alone. Then to truely shatter any hope of true virtue being wrested from even such a cause, they instist that its application never be applied against the evil it percieves if "the child" is endagered...as only the Annointed Left can analyze.
3. End our Obstructionism to the World's Treaties. Throw America's full weight behind the United Nations, the only political body that holds all the world’s nations in the age of globalization. If the United States participates in the United Nations more effectively and fully, other nations will follow suit. Pay our U.N. dues on time and without conditions. Withdraw our lonely opposition to the landmine ban, Kyoto Protocol to halt global warming, and International Criminal Court. Show once again the "decent respect for the opinions of mankind" that our Declaration of Independence affirms.
Treaties are important. Our Nation has been a bulwark for honoring such agreements. The nations of the left have not. By use of the word, Obstructionism, we see it is not honoring a treaty that is desired by this item but, instead, capitualiting to a leftist formulized type of treaty. The raising of the UN to paramount political body when it is nothing of the sort, exposes the motives of the rationalist-totalitarians. Without proper representation and protections, the people of our nation and others are ripe for the schemes we saw from the French Revolution, to Lenin, to Mao and on to the Ted Kennedy's and Daschle's of today.
Our nation's Declaration to the "opinions" of mankind was made to state our reasons for action, not to appeal to the sentimentality and opinions of others for guidance. We were claiming our "Rights" as they existed and were making clear our motives, not our desires.
4. Reduce our Dependence on Oil & Lead the World to an Age of Renewable Energy. Oil holds us hostage to regimes hated by their own people; their hatred transfers to us. America is 5% of the world's people but we generate 25% of the pollution that causes global warming. It's our duty to lead. We will reduce our energy consumption 25% by 2010. Make a Moon Mission scale commitment to develop solar and wind power technologies. Set and meet a goal of generating 20% of our energy from renewable sources by 2010.
Conservation is a good cause as well as energy independence. I think they have made the point of how important it is to drill the north Alaska fields and apply technology to our problems. I hope they can follow through and not just mandate percentages.
5. Close the Book on the Cold War and Ease the Nuclear Nightmare. Cast a cold eye on giant weapons designed to destroy giant enemies that no longer exist. Cancel obsolete Cold War weapons. We applaud the nuclear force cuts announced by President Bush, but even 2,000 warheads poised and aimed at Russia are unwise. We squander $35 billion a year on this obsolete arsenal. Save half of that money, take our missiles off "launch on warning" and invite all nuclear nations to negotiate a nuclear weapons ban.
Isn't such force reduction already happening in a general and prudent manner? Why the rush to abandone defense? Who is served?
6. Renounce Star Wars and the Militarization of Space. After spending $134 billion dollars (twice our lifetime commitment to cancer research!) our military has nothing to show for its obsession with a dubious Missile Defense but the deep suspicions of our new allies. Enough is enough.
Technically applied deterance and defense here in number six, is the balance to number five. If threats we are exposed to are not large states, then they are small, difficult to target without technology and pin-point accuracy and the needs for such defenses are clear. Why abandone them? Can threats then made realizable be ignored? Are we then open to command by tyrants, criminals and the worst of the world? Its obvisous we are if this is applied.
7. Make Globalization Work for, not against, Working People. Open the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to the public. Let sunshine into the councils of the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Affirm that the welfare of the planet's people supersedes corporate patents and profits.
Read the Mystery of Capital by Hernondo de "Soto and see that application of true Whig principles protecting property are the items missing for the successful application of Free Markets and their benefits around the world. Welfare as a goal won't start that engine, Rule of Law will.
8. Ensure Equal Treatment Under Law for All. Vigorously enforce and strengthen the nation’s civil rights laws that guarantee freedom from discrimination based on gender, race, sexual orientation or physical ability. Reform America’s criminal justice system laws so that justice is no longer systematically dispensed in a way that disadvantages minorities.
In a way, we of the Conservative tradition have allowed such manifest double-speak such as this to become acceptable. Freedom from Arbitrary Power, the true justification of Rule of Law, and the reason for its dilligent application is not explained and so the Planned Outcome becomes the left's easy substitute.
9. Get Money out of Politics. Curtail the vast corrupting influence of corporate campaign contributions, which make Congress beholden to private interests. Enact public campaign financing--we can fund it entirely by closing a single offshore corporate tax loophole!
Again, Property Rights are shattered by the nebulous "Human Rights" just as that substitute was explained by Woodrow Wilson. Why can't the left abide the Constitution? 10. Close the Gap between Rich and Poor Kids at Home. All these words will ring hollow to the world if America does not close the chasm between rich and poor in our own society. We will fully fund Head Start and health insurance for the millions of American children who can't get either. We will invest the money needed to build and nourish schools worthy of this great nation.
Again, the Children are invoked rather than Law or true Enduring Moral Order. Its now getting obvious that little care is really meant for them, just the programs they justify.
TrueMajority’s principles are endorsed by Greenpeace, Rock the Vote, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Peace Action, the National Head Start Association, Global Exchange, The Interfaith Alliance, The Nation magazine, Sojourners, Rainforest Action Network, Women's Action for New Directions (WAND), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), National Council of La Raza, and a long and growing list of Americans.
Well, that list of endorsements explains it all.
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