Looks like we have another long shot dark horse for the Democratic nomination in 2008. a one Lindy Davies, Director of
The Henry George School in Chicago. He proposes his candidacy and platform
here.
Yes his chances are long but he has some pretty compelling ideas. Details from his proposal in the extended text.
Besides we like underdogs, discussing big ideas and theoreticals...and I like to share
Here is some of what Davies has to say
National Defense
I'm for it. Seriously: in my Administration, a huge can of whup-ass will be opened on anyone who invades these shores. Because I abhor redundancy, however, I would abolish the Department of Homeland Security. Seems to me the Defense Department ought to be able to defend the security of our homeland. I would re-align the Pentagon with its traditional mission. Too many resources have been wasted, up to now, on National Offense. I would cancel the bunker-busters, mothball most of the Carrier Battle Groups and immediately stop buying new fighter planes. The fighter planes we had in 1980 outperform any planes anyone else has built since then. I'm not going to fire the jet mechanics, but we certainly don't need new ones.
I would give back, with thanks, the latest heap of "emergency military funding", only spending what is necessary to implement the immediate withdrawal of all of our troops (and all of our idiot contractors) from Iraq and Afghanistan. I mean everybody, out: now. Enough already. If they want us back, they'll invite us.
While we are on the subject of National Security: I would immediately, completely, unilaterally, without strings or riders, forgive 100% of the international debt of every nation classed by the IMF as a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC). Don't kid yourselves: the USA has the power to do that. Would that not bring a powerful fund of goodwill our way? Dollar for dollar, this is the best anti-terrorism initiative I can think of.
On Energy
The EZ-pump program. Bar-coded inspection stickers will register the MPG rating of each vehicle. These will be scanned at the gas pump, and the price of fuel will be increased in proportion to your vehicle's guzzle quotient.
Public transportation. Subways, commuter trains, Amtrak and energy-efficient buses will receive lavish infusions of Federal support. We'll send a clear message: if you want Pork, you must conserve energy.
Micropower. Many of the feasibility issues about alternative/renewable power sources become much more tractable when applied on a single-family basis. It's not for everybody, but economies of scale can make small, local wind, solar or fuel-cell generators viable. I propose a surcharge on grid-based power, higher when it comes from fossil-fuel sources -- the proceeds to go into micropower R&D.
Hydrogen. For the next ten years, we should use the same annual amount of fossil fuels as we do now. Our goal should be to conserve at least 25% of that fuel -- turning what is saved into hydrogen. I don't doubt that we could lick the storage/delivery challenges, if we devoted as much money to it as we do now to, say, fighter planes.
Here is the big one: Tax Reform
Well, everybody agrees that we need it, right? I realize it is a long-term project, but my administration will settle for nothing short of the
Full Monty complete elimination of taxes on wages and sales; full collection of the rental value of natural opportunities. If that sounds zealous, so be it. It's time America came to grips with the liberating truth that nothing else will work.
big proposal but a very smart one. Very stable, hard to evade, and progressive mode of taxation that spurs the economy without being a drag on it.
And finally: The United Nations
I would immediately pay, with interest, all back dues owed by the United States, and I would appoint Sandra Bullock as Ambassador. I know she may need to grow into the job, but we'll get her a qualified staff -- and hey, if Ronald Reagan could manage as President, I'm sure Sandra can handle this.
That would go a long way in the world community. He has my vote until I have a compelling reason to support someone else.
What do you all think?