Milt Palacio

Let's post some suggestions as to how President Bush and Congress can make our country better in the next 4 years. We know where he stands on some issues but other issues he seems open to.

Here are 3 of mine that would be a good start:

1) Raise the minimum wage to $7.00/hr. Bush never spoke out on the minimum wage but it would be a great start to do this. The minimum wage hasn't been increased in something like 8 years. Doing this will help lift many people out of poverty.

2) Allow Canadian drugs to be imported. Save Americans many thousands of dollars each year. Bush said he was worried about the safey of this but that he would consider it. Will it happen?

3) Scrap plans to privatize social security. This will cost our country $2.1 trillion over the next 10 years. How would we pay for it? I am concerned that our country will be close to bankruptcy if this passes. Social security is in good shape for another 60 years or so anyway.

What are your ideas?

mh67511

I completely disagree with you that SS is ok for the next 60 years, but it seems like even the experts on the situation can't agree. I don't believe that the trust will do any good because the Treasury has to come up with the money in 2018 when benefits are more than the SS taxes...they can't just print more money...or can they?

Good things Bush can do are:
- Reform the tax code

- Let me be in charge of my retirement

- Increase the maximum Pell Grant you can get

- Start a healthy living campaign so that in the future people who HAVE healthy lifestyles don't have to pay higher medical insurance premiums or higher Medicare taxes due to the 65% of adult Americans and climbing who are overweight or obese and the shocking amount of fat kids in this country...( yeah I'm taking a Healthy Lifestyles class right now, so that's why I am all on this healthy living kick).On second thought, maybe not; if someone wants to eat McD's every day and not exercise, let them. They'll probably die early and that means less SS we have to pay to them!

mh67511

Double post.

TheAngel

Obviously that depends on your stance as to what a better country is. Whether you are for or against big businesses or a small or large central government. I think the main thing is going to be getting more jobs, although I think Bush should focus on small business since even if we do tax goods imported to the US, big companies still make too much profit for it to matter. I also agree with the minimum wage increase, but 7.00 is a large jump. Perhaps he should do it in steps over a few years so companies can adjust to having to pay their workers more instead of just suddenly having to pay thousands more a year without producing thousands more a year. It would be a shame to do that to help people and then suddenly go out of business. Also, I think schools need to be looked at. I know that state frunding goes to school but it seems like whenever states have budget problems the schools are the first places to get funding cut to arts programs.

mh67511

I believe the minimum wage should be increased like this:

2005 - $5.75
2006 - $6.50
2007 - $7.00

Of course that's just me and my wishful thinking. If that causes the cost of products to go up...then I dunno about that.

alli balli

He could do a hell of a lot, but he won't.

Raonaild

This is a bandaid solution at best. The reason drug prices are low in Canada is because of federal price controls. If Americans really want access to cheap drugs, you need to have your own price controls in place. If people keep sidestepping the issue and buying from Canada instead, Canadian supplies will dwindle because the drug companies won't be interested in selling in Canada at a lower price anymore. I'm not saying the practice should be banned outright, but this is not the answer.

SuperDeluxe

My state has like the 2nd highest minimum wage, which is good..until you look at the fact that we also have one of the highest cost of living areas as well. there are pitfalls to raising the minimum wage.

I agree about the canadian drugs, anything that lowers the prices on PX drugs for seniors is a good thing.

You think Social security is good for 60 years? do you have any studies? I keep on hearing it will be bankrupt in like 25-30 years.

SuperDeluxe

As always all threads are invaded by comments like this.

Milt asked what Bush COULD doo..not what he wont do..comments like these just basically make the title of the topic useless and goes back to a Republican vs Democrat battle again.

alli balli

Fine. Here's something he can do - scrap No Child Left Behind and start over. It doesn't work. I don't know if this is how the program works nationally, but where I live (suburbs of Philadelphia) schools that perform well on standardized tests receive more funding than schools that perform poorly. So basically schools that are located in areas with high property taxes get even MORE money for their students, and those in low-income areas get less. They can't improve their scores if they have no funds to do it with.

Putting such a big focus on standardized testing is also wrecking the curriculums at a lot of schools. I've read several articles about schools that have cut things like field trips, science projects, and even recess for little kids so that they can fit in everything that will be tested on standardized tests.

Education needs a revamp. Hopefully it will get one.

TheAngel

I don't think schools are funded federally, I thought they were all state funded which means the national government doesn't really have anything to do with it...but I could be wrong. Besides, all schools do that. The schools that perform well get the funding and those that don't do well on ISTEP tests get their budget cut. But then it was that way before Bush came into office.

JW77

I agree with that one. We definitely need to do something about the tax code.

Can't really say that I agree with that part of your post. I guess I'm just one of those "compassionate conservatives" that you hear about but never see.

Exactly!

I think Bush needs to rework his generic drug initiative from a couple years ago. Personally, I think it can be much better.

Sparrowhawk

Descend our country into facsicm? Oh, I'm sorry, that's what he is doing.

What could he do? I seriously doubt he'll revamp the tax code, or lower the costs of perscription drugs. I don't believe that he realistically can revamp the tax code; at least, as much as it needs.

He could try and close the borders. He could enforce our current laws (instead of creating new ones that won't be enforced) of penalizing businesses for hiring illegal aliens. That might put a dent in terrorists coming across the border (less business for coyotes = fewer coyotes to help terrorists).

He could try to rebuild America's shattered image around the world. He could take our constitution and apply it to our foriegn policy, not dealing with countries who violate the human right's of their citizens. He could give aid to countries with no strings attached (I have yet to find substantial aid we've given to another country with no serious strings attached, such as AIDs aid without specifying that it cannot be spent on abortion services).

He could pull out of Iraq and give control to the citizens and leave no bases behind to enforce our interests. He could stop us being Israels economy and make them answer for their crimes against humanity. He could try diplomacy with those nations who disagree with us instead of funding coup efforts or invading them. He could not lead us into being an imperialist nation. He could stop nationbuilding.

But he will do none of these things.

JohannafromIHJ

Well, some general tips:

1. Stop letting everyone and his uncle buy guns. As far as I know, the NRA stands for "National Rifle Association", so why are they so obsessed with handguns? You can't hunt with a handgun. I have relatives who hunt, and they've assured me I'm right about that.

2. Ban candy, sodas and greasy foods from schools. Not only would this help American kids both physically and mentally, but it would also save parents a lot of money. Most candy and junk food is empty calories, and you'll just eat and eat and eat (especially if the food is sugar-free), which gets expensive. Healthy, real food will fill your child's tummy quicker, and longer, and it will save you a lot of money. Not to mention how much you'll save on not having to pay all those pesky hospital bills that come with having an obese child.

3. Pro-family politics. Make it illegal for an employer to fire and employee because of pregnancy or maternity/paternity leave. Make sure each parent, regardless of gender, is entitled to at least 6 months of leave. Make sure daycare centres are safe, hygenic and affordable -- and FUN. Give all children free dental and healthcare until they are at least 18.

4. Hire better history teachers. If I have to listen to one more American telling me "You'd all be speaking German if it wasn't for us", I'm going to head-o-splode myself. Again.

5. Scrap No Child Left Behind. In fact, scrap all grades until H'''''s.

6. Sign the Kyoto treaty.

7. Kill Ashton Kutcher.

8. Focus on the issues, not grand speeches.

TheAngel

And who's going to pay for this little wet dream of yours. I pay enough taxes already.