Candidate Declaration: SteveR, Independent

SteveR for President

I, SteveR, hereby declare that I am running for the office of President of The United States and are running as an Independent.

I have chosen to operate independent of party line. I submit that political competition should be based on the merits of each candidate, and his ideas for the nation as a whole. Not parties, clubs and the petty inefficient bureaucracy that is entailed.

To expand:

I have FOUR words that shall define our government:

TRANSPARENCY, the right of the citizen to observe, scrutinize and guide the democratic process.

STRENGTH, our Nation is becoming weaker by the month. Militarily, Economically, Morally, and Psychologically. This is unacceptable in a superpower and is becoming a magnet for trouble. We must lead by example, displaying fortitude and honor to be proud of.

RESPECT, for every human being within our borders and out. No more shall disparity between race, age, creed, or wealth be allowed to subvert our unalienable rights and draw lines in the stratification of society.

SUPPORT, your tax dollars shall no longer be wasted on impractical programs and 'free money'. Integration within society is paramount, and with the proper support, every individual will be guided to develop and contribute.


My implementation will be democratic but swift. Once elected, I aim to achieve the following reforms -


Part A: Democratic and Grassroots Issues

i. We will expand upon current efforts and maintain records of all activity in the Administration, Senate, House and Local government; we will filter information integral to national security and provide freely to the public.
ii. Deals and associations outside of the democratic process shall not be tolerated. Corruption will be aggressively pursued, no member of government will take part in any closed-door cabals such as the Bohemian Grove, Bilderberg Group etc. We shall work towards an established definition of such subversion and a moral code for all politicians to swear by.
iii. I beleive in encouraging and promoting citizen feedback on government and policy. We will launch initiatives and bring an established solution to every community. At the school level, we will reshape education to teach that it is a citizen's responsibility to view governance with critical, yet constructive, thinking.
iv. We shall expand independent review of government programs, focusing on their efficiency and solutions to optimize.

Part B: Military Technical & Social Issues

i. Military recruiting shall refuse convicted and suspected criminals entry, with no more leniency or overlook. Certain crimes shall be exempt from this. Good character shall be of paramount importance in our military.
ii. Similarly, we will reverse the lowering of all entry requirements and training standards. Doesn't matter about the quotas, those who don't make the grade are not accepted.
iii. We will repeal all limitations on women and people of all orientations. I beleive there are many benefits to having women on the front lines.
iv. Our nuclear inventory is excessive. We will actively reduce size and upkeep costs to the taxpayer. Warheads must be tactical and relatively clean.
v. End the 'War on Terror'. Cut global deployments to the minimum recommended for strategic value. Professionals in the Department of Defense shall be in control of this, I don't beleive in Presidents playing wargames or pretending to know how.
vi. As a whole, we will focus on character building virtues: honor, valor, morality, endurance.
vii. True threats in the world will not be landlocked third world countries. If we must fight a real war, we need absolute control of the oceans. Following this line of thinking, we shall double the size of the submarine force without compromising on quality.

Part C: Business and Trade Issues

i. We will take a firm stance against all cases of "soft money", and other undemocratic means of influence. Corporate lobbying shall be limited to genuine concerns, and bills clearly in favor of any corporation shall be scrutinized.
ii. We will lower taxes on small business and provide assistance at the local level to enhance their competition.
iii. A main theme in our economic platform is an aggressive reduction in outsourcing. I will aim to do this by laying out a range of profitable incentives for employing an American workforce.
iv. The dependence on foreign oil can be tackled directly by developing a bigger internal energy market. This shall be based upon previously controlled free-energy technologies. We will be a global pioneer in their implementation.
v. I will raise the important issue of reintroducing the gold standard as a means to back our currency, thereby eliminating several other interconnected issues.
vi. With a uncompromised leadership and fiscal responsibility America's debt and reliance on imports shall diminish.

Part D: Demographic Issues

i. English shall no longer be our de facto language, but our official language. Multi-lingualism will not spread and separate our society.
ii. We will reduce the number of illegal immigrants by structuring an immigration system that provides opportunity and training for those with little to offer except their own enthusiasm. I beleive they can contribute to our country regardless. Therefore with less illegal immigrants, jobs shall not be solicited illegally and undercut, to the detriment of our citizens.
iii. The immigration system shall welcome skilled and professional candidates from Canada, Europe, and elsewhere. Our toughness on immigration shall no longer blanket the entire procedure and cause the wrong kinds of delays to the wrong people.
iv. Those who misuse the social security system will find it hard to continue doing so. People shall be helped on a case by case basis with advisors, counsellors, and any other resource deemed helpful. Ultimately, the goal will be intergration and achievement.
v. A safer America is one where all citizens have an inalienable right to bear arms. I do not beleive in stronger gun laws as a method to fight crime.
vi. With a strong stance against the death penalty we will have the barbaric practice outlawed, and until law is written the practice shall be frozen by executive order.


As a candidate for this office, running on this website, I promise the following:

I will uphold the Terms & Conditions of AboveTopSecret.com at all times

I will conduct a campaign that focuses on issues

I will seek to always answer issue-based questions with direct honesty and integrity

I will not, through my actions, communicate libelous or slanderous statements or advertising messages directed toward other candidates in the primaries or general election

I will not, through my inaction, allow libelous or slanderous statements or advertising messages directed toward other candidates to be made on my behalf

I will participate in every debate and avail myself to questions from the general population

If selected in a primary election, I will accept the nomination to run for my party for The President of The United States and select a capable running mate for my Vice President

I understand that if I fail to live up to the higher standards described herein, I may voluntarily or forcibly be required to end my candidacy or Presidency if elected.





[edit on 5/3/07 by SteveR]

I await your questions!











.

How would you deal with the problem of drugs and the resulting crime?

.

Originally posted by SteveR
v. I will raise the important issue of reintroducing the gold standard as a means to back our currency, thereby eliminating several other interconnected issues.

Reintroducing the gold standard would be one way to wrestle control of our economy from the bankers, so I hope you want to do more than just raise the issue. How important is taking back our economy from the bankers to SteverR?

If you determine that the reverting to the gold standard is practical, how do you think we can get our gold back from the bankers? It doesn't appear anyone knows it's location and I suspect that the bankers will not be cooperative in giving it back. Also who in the aftermath will mint our currency?

If you determine that reverting is bad idea, do you have any alternative ideas on how we could regain control of our money supply and the printing of our money?

Good day, Carslake.

I support the movement to legalize soft drugs including marijuana. My reasoning being the lack of violent and addictive tendancies, the absence of serious physical harm, and the cost of enforcing law. However, hard drugs strongly concern me and will therefore recieve full attention.

I will impose trade embargos on the big producers - Colombia, Mexico, Afghanistan and the Golden Triangle. This shall be a punitive action and encouragement to get their drug cultivation under control.

I see benefits in increasing port security in Miami, and raising the frequency of our inspections. Another popular destination for smugglers is the Mexican border. With all related problems in mind, I see no other option than to militarize this border. Additionally, we will fund humanitarian initiatives to help coca farmers develop alternative means of income.

In dealing with drug addicts, we will focus strongly on education and rehabilitation.

Good day, df1

I fundamentally beleive that our money should be of tangible worth. Right now we are faced with a fraud of historic proportions. With our worthless paper dollars, we buy from the world whatever we wish, and they pay us 'tribute' as one man aptly said. Without a 'gold discipline' our deficits shall continue to run astronomically high. It is a broken system.

I will strongly press the issue of backing our currency, however I expect a long and complicated process to secure reversion. The logistics also pose a challenge. I wish to avoid naviety, I don't beleive that this can be fixed with a simple decree.

Ideally we will work with bankers, not against them. Again, I see the value of educating the people on this issue. They shall be the driving force of this change.

In answer to your mint question I suggest nationalization.

[edit on 5/3/07 by SteveR]

You mentioned abolishing the death penalty... does that mean your pro-life? If you are pro-life, are you going to be reversing Roe vs Wade in the abortion issue? What is your stance on partial birth abortions, late term or middle term abortions, the abortion pill and birthcontrol?

I am pro-lifetime.

I have a strong belief in the god-given potential of all people. I see the death penalty as state-sanctioned murder of those who have crossed the wrong lines of law. I beleive there can be better deterrants out there, and I also beleive we can treat our people alot better, too.

Regarding your abortion inquiry, I see both angles of the issue. Death for frivolous purposes is plain WRONG. Abortion simply because one was not careful enough is tough luck.

However I take special circumstances into consideration, I would not impose a nightmare to a woman who's life is at stake, or has been sexually abused.

With these special circumstances in mind, I'd have to wonder why an issue got so far as a late term abortion. I'd much rather suggest a woman considers adoption than to go through with a late term for obvious reasons.

I do not have any radical thoughts about birth control in general. My personal belief is that people should always be aware of the possibilities they are getting into and should accept that beforehand without whining afterward when things "go wrong".

You also mention you want us to get back to morality. How do you propose that to happen? Will it be through religion or through the belief of god? Is god going to be allowed back into the schools through a quiet prayer time, and the display of the 10 commandments? Will there be stricter restriction on Movies and Television?

I have no intention of dictating what you should beleive, nor am I an advocate of mixing church and state. The individual is perfectly capable of defining his or her beliefs, and it is ultimately upto the individual to lead his or her spiritual journey.

That said, we have allowed capitalism to control our environment, and I have to say it is not a spiritually productive environment. Our egos and negative personality traits have all been exaggerated by modern society.

I intend to target TV commercials, and reshape the guidelines. As an aside, I'm a firm beleiver that they have done much to increase the occurence of attention deficit disorder. Secondly, I would raise discussion on our lacking education system. All inputs welcome. I would also think the behavior of our leaders and their priorities may help in setting a positive and inspiring example. My other ideas include urban regeneration and a "war on poverty".

Originally posted by SteveRI intend to target TV commercials, and reshape the guidelines.

What, specifically, do you intend to do? How are you going to target them (what issues will you address) and how do you intend to reshape the guidelines?

My other ideas include urban regeneration and a "war on poverty".

What are your objectives in thes areas, and how are you defining a "war on poverty"? How will you know when you succeed?

Good day Byrd

Our commercial advertisements are already screened by censor boards, however as long as garbage will be rubber stamped, it will be produced. The immorality here is our lack of restraint with capitalism.

My guidelines are as follows. I would tone down the visual and audible impact. I would reduce frequency of interruptions in shows. I would make a clear point that commercialism is to be subtle, not infectiously reaching into our homes and commandering our attention. I would deny all advertisements that are based on instant gratification.

To expand, I seek to illegalize telemarketing that isn't initiated by the consumer. Also, 'Junk mail' is called such for a reason. I would subject it to stricter legislation.

quote: My other ideas include urban regeneration and a "war on poverty"
What are your objectives in thes areas, and how are you defining a "war on poverty"? How will you know when you succeed?

I'm glad you asked. Following my defense policy above, our expenditures will be reduced significantly. However, I don't intend to save that money, I will redirect it to where it needs to be. Regional councils shall receive a cash injection to begin the process of urban regeneration. Our objective will be to appropriate developments in neighborhoods and towns across the country. Not just new developments, but repair and clean up work shall also be undertaken. We will create a more attractive and psychologically better environment for lacking areas.

To implement this well, and our War on Poverty, we need statistically accurate information. Our current census data is 7 years out of date. I propose increasing the frequency of the U.S. Census from 10 years to 4. Also, we will finance more extensive monitoring of our programs and reports at the local level.

To expand on the War on Poverty, I beleive in the merits of self-determination, so this shall not be welfare orientated. We should make life easier in terms of education costs, health care costs, and tax. As of the current situation, I submit it is easier to make a good living in Western Europe. The plan is simple, free national medicare and a scrapping of college and university fees. A revamp of tax banding schemes. The latter two are straight forward, as for the medicare however I beleive that we should be open to a system that is part nationalized and part privatized. We would maintain a high quality service by offering incentives to professionals and refusing to pay big pharma' inflated prices for their drugs.

Thanks for your time

[edit on 8/3/07 by SteveR]

Steve, glad to see you running for Prez. You couldn't be any worse than the Bush Corporation or the Clinton Foundation .

I like to see lax laws on soft drugs that do little to no harm, as well as your other issues.

In regards to the military, is a large active force necessary? If we are not at war, shouldn't there be only a civilian national guard?

Try to abolish most if not all taxes, maybe an optional "income" tax .

bs

Originally posted by SteveR
My guidelines are as follows. I would tone down the visual and audible impact...I would make a clear point that commercialism is to be subtle, not infectiously reaching into our homes and commandering our attention.

But than, would that not make it easier for the corporations to sell there
things by being able to more or less add more hiden content, I can't think
of the term, but basically influencing your subconscious via adding like a
picture of a product in 1 out of every 60 frames.

I would deny all advertisements that are based on instant gratification.

But why should a person not be able to gain instant gratification?
I mean if they don't advertise it, it will be more difficult for an individual
to know about it.

Also, and perhaps I should have asked this first, what do you mean by
instant gratification?

Good day Iori

Originally posted by iori_komei
basically influencing your subconscious via adding like a
picture of a product in 1 out of every 60 frames.

I trust that we have no interest in allowing advertisements based on such kinds of subversion. This loophole is easily patchable. . To be clear about the commercials, we will still allow corporations to deliver an effective message as long as it is done in good, moderate character. This means we are only eliminating the obvious. For example, I see this as perfectly fine to be aired.

But why should a person not be able to gain instant gratification?

A consumer can seek all the instant gratification he or she may desire. No personal liberties impacted. We are simply not going to condone it.

A primary element of the platform is to foster better character amongst our peoples. Develop values we can be proud of, and once again set an example for the rest of the world and our children.

Originally posted by biggie smalls
Steve, glad to see you running for Prez. You couldn't be any worse than the Bush Corporation or the Clinton Foundation

.

Granted..

Originally posted by biggie smalls
I like to see lax laws on soft drugs that do little to no harm, as well as your other issues.

Thankyou. Feel free to acquire as much marijuana, salvia and dianabol as you wish.

Originally posted by biggie smalls
In regards to the military, is a large active force necessary? If we are not at war, shouldn't there be only a civilian national guard?

Yes, a large active force is beneficial. I strongly beleive in the use of military as an empowering, character building, unionship. Consider my ideal a utopian military.

A civilian national guard is a pleasant oxymoron, we will go half way and give enlisted men and women more liberties.

Remember, our government must only be a stepping stone to the light, we will evolve with the pace of the world.

Originally posted by biggie smalls
Try to abolish most if not all taxes, maybe an optional "income" tax

.

We'll work on some ideas to reform tax. I agree with your reservations about the current system.

Originally posted by SteveR
My guidelines are as follows. I would tone down the visual and audible impact. I would reduce frequency of interruptions in shows. I would make a clear point that commercialism is to be subtle, not infectiously reaching into our homes and commandering our attention. I would deny all advertisements that are based on instant gratification.

So you intend to make yourself the head of an advertising control council? Isn't that the area of legislation... lawmaking... which is under the control of the Supreme Court and Congress? What method are you going to use to deny advertisements?

To expand, I seek to illegalize telemarketing that isn't initiated by the consumer. Also, 'Junk mail' is called such for a reason. I would subject it to stricter legislation.

(slightly ironic tone) Would this also include campaign postcards like the one I got today, announcing political candidates for the next mayoral race in our town? Before you leap, this if for someone I knew and liked years ago but the mailing was just part of the campaign and not directed at me.

quote: My other ideas include urban regeneration and a "war on poverty"
What are your objectives in thes areas, and how are you defining a "war on poverty"? How will you know when you succeed?

I'm glad you asked. Following my defense policy above, our expenditures will be reduced significantly. However, I don't intend to save that money, I will redirect it to where it needs to be. Regional councils shall receive a cash injection to begin the process of urban regeneration.

How will you apportion the cash? By population, geographic area, poverty level...?

To implement this well, and our War on Poverty, we need statistically accurate information. Our current census data is 7 years out of date. I propose increasing the frequency of the U.S. Census from 10 years to 4. Also, we will finance more extensive monitoring of our programs and reports at the local level.

So you're proposing adding a lot of government employees during your tenure, then? And what will you be doing to speed the collection of the data and speed the processing of the data? It takes quite awhile to enter and process 301,000,000 bits of data.

The plan is simple, free national medicare and a scrapping of college and university fees.

So you're going to have government funded healthcare and government funded universities?

We would maintain a high quality service by offering incentives to professionals and refusing to pay big pharma' inflated prices for their drugs.

Incentives to professionals for what? If you nationalize health care then the professionals really would like to be paid.

Good day Byrd

I would like to make some things clear. Contained in this thread are my personal politicial beliefs on how to make our country a better place. When elected president, I will seek to raise intense discussion with my colleagues in the Administration, professionals in our politics, and the Nation as a whole. Together, we will work out fine details and shape a better America. Our people shall be the driving force of legislation, not me.

I have no master plan, I have the heart and the will to lead, and I intend to fully engage in the democratic process. I have been very clear on what points I shall exercise executive power, and it has by far been a small minority of the issues I bring up here. I shall only exercise it in the safeguarding of the people.

For the record, all that follows will be my personal stance. I am appreciative of your ongoing interest and hope to see you here for a while to come. Best of luck with your vice presidential campaign.

Would this also include campaign postcards like the one I got today.

No, this is a misunderstanding of my position. Elements of the democratic process including that one will be protected under my administration (by veto byrd if it is ever required). Junk mail, telemarketing, and TV commercial opinions of mine in the previous posts referred only to profit driven business.

(Urban Regeneration). How will you apportion the cash? By population, geographic area, poverty level...?

By the condition of the urban environment. We will commission and review reports at the local level. This ofcourse forms a new defined responsibility, and will require further civil employment and the creation of new jobs.

So you're going to have government funded healthcare and government funded universities?

Damn right I am.. main tiers of my War on Poverty as defined above. That is to say it is my political stance.

Incentives to professionals for what? If you nationalize health care then the professionals really would like to be paid.

Ofcourse they will be paid at comparative levels to our privatized health care sector, which will still continue. Our incentives are a bonus to that. Working as a health care professional for our nationalized sector will be made an attractive opportunity. In many other nations this is where nationalization failed. As part of an incentive package we will provide golden hello's and tax bonuses.

Originally posted by SteveR
Good day, df1

I fundamentally beleive that our money should be of tangible worth. Right now we are faced with a fraud of historic proportions. With our worthless paper dollars, we buy from the world whatever we wish, and they pay us 'tribute' as one man aptly said. Without a 'gold discipline' our deficits shall continue to run astronomically high. It is a broken system.

I will strongly press the issue of backing our currency, however I expect a long and complicated process to secure reversion. The logistics also pose a challenge. I wish to avoid naviety, I don't beleive that this can be fixed with a simple decree.

Ideally we will work with bankers, not against them. Again, I see the value of educating the people on this issue. They shall be the driving force of this change.

In answer to your mint question I suggest nationalization.

[edit on 5/3/07 by SteveR]

SteveR, have you costed moving back to the gold standard? And would not moving back to the gold standard massively increase the cost of gold?

I do like the idea of our mkoney having real value, but have questioned if any country can afford to revert to the gold standard.

How do you balance the rights of consumers to be able to purchase cheap and affording items and your pleadge to reduce the dependance on imports?

Thanks for your questions Freedom ERP.

As of December 2006, the United States gold reserve totals over 8000 tonnes, or $164 billion. I am no expert economist, but reclaiming the reserves for the new gold standard will certainly offset the cost and upheaval.

That said, I also intend to implement a nationalized gold mining project. We will acquire and buy gold at a slow but steady rate. The same shall apply to backing our currency with it. The key to making this work is patience, nothing about returning to a gold standard can be sudden or absolute.

How do you balance the rights of consumers to be able to purchase cheap and affording items and your pleadge to reduce the dependance on imports?

In regards to your import question, offering incentives to discourage corporation from outsourcing is hardly strong arm legislation. Nor is altering tax to this end. This agenda is not about implementing radical and possibly detrimental changes. We beleive that these initiatives will work, and business shall evolve and adapt at its own pace. We are simply opening up an alternative pursuit of profit. The playing field will be levelled, but no party will be forced or put in a crippling situation. The market will still be as free as it is now, consumer choices will not be affected or limited, nor will the cost of living rise.

Our initiatives will give us a knock on effect resulting in less market dominance for imported goods, and a reduction in the profit prohibitive cost of internally made goods.

So, who will benefit in the end? The American workforce ofcourse. Let's take that U-turn our economy so badly needs.

Vote SteveR 2007 and make it happen!

[edit on 22/3/07 by SteveR]