OK..What would you do?

As there is NO way for any of to KNOW the details and "info" that goes into running this nation (and not just the war) All of our responces can only ever be simplified plans

Certantly, waking up as the President, id have to take a week as well to become informed on all the nuances that our giant sized country/burocracy has to deal with, including energy, border security, social security, and internal needs/wants for the nation.

Buy hair color as it seems everyone who holds this office gets the life drained out of them and goes grey fast.

I would certantly NEVER BOOT LICK THE UN, nor would I give away American SOVERINTY to such a corrupt entity.

While diplomacy and world opinion/relations to American moves is important, Ultimatly I am the President of THE USA, NOT the UN or any other country. My sworn Duty as President is to protect American interests FIRST...regardless of world opinion.

As long as other nations are not doing things to hinder/harm the USA or its legitimate business and worldwide operations, they can think and say what they want....But make no mistake...
America is not going to become the floormat for the UN or ANY nation on Earth.

As far as the UN goes, i wouldnt apologise to them, I would put a fire under their butts....We pay the lions share for their operations,and gee, USA armed forces comprise most of the muscle anyway so getting them (UN) more into Iraq means american troops with blue helmets rather than green ones...some change there except that the UN would be using American lives instead of America, and Im not giving up my armed forces lives, control or responsibility to a corrupt and mostly anti USA body politic.
I would spearhead a full investigation of the food for oil scandal. and demmand justice!
Again, its time for the UN to put up and shut up.

THE WAR
Make it clear we will be victorious one way or the other.
Ensure our troops are recieving MORE than what they need AND are behaiving in the most proper manner that can be expected in the middle of combat..
(abuse of prisoners doesnt cut it)

End aid programs for countries that are not supportive of US interests. Unless its a disaster like hurricane or earthquake style emergency relief.

End tax breaks for the rich.

Crack down on corporate greed and abuse.
Enforce anti trust laws.

End the oppression of the media and encourage an open national PUBLIC channel be established, mandatory to carry on your cable/satalites in the USA if you want to do business here in broadcasting.

decriminalize marijuana

promote buy American

Effort less oil dependance and promote solar/wind power to supliment..(i never liked that hydrogen idea)

attempt to balance environmental needs with the needs of econimic growth, and try to lean twords the environment when questionable.

enact stricter enforcment of border control. even if it means creating a huge new burocrasey and branch of gov.

Attempt to end special intrests domination of politics, and encourage all Americans to vote. Politically and with their wallets. (to/for whatever cause floats their boat) and as i woke up as president, i wouldnt need a party to be linked too (could hurt as id have no support to start) i would be able to call out both parties crap and point out that both ends need to work together and end totally partisan politics as usual...in essence id be my own 3rd party.

LESSER ADGENDA
have sex in the oval office (i mean the room silly)

smoke a fatty at my desk (cuban cigars well as columbian gold leaf home rolled...after decriminalization)

look at the UFO files.

enjoy the crap out of air force 1, and the cool limo

Enjoy a salary about 8x what I make now

make millions in appearances and book deals after my term ends.

Originally posted by Duke_Nukem
Colonel, I just fear that while we are attempting to do all of this that there would be another attack of some type, if another 9-11 occured ( without any DOUBT about who did it) what would be an apropriate response?

You go after the ones that did it. No turning to other side missions. No linking. No making up sotries. You go after the ones that did it.

note: since this happeneing overnight i clearly havent been elected so im going to be reigme changed?

"You wake up tomorrow and TA-DA....YOU...YES YOU ARE NOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. So knowing what you know, more pictures coming out, the mess that is Iraq not to mention the whole Middle East, all the behind the scenes secrects, what do YOU do."

Im English so I will apply for a transfer!

If I was American i would say "we want no more to do with that little scrap of water filled sand in the middle east called Israel. If they Israeli want it they can fight themselves to keep it, and if the muslims want it, they gan go get it. America is no longer involved in the conflict."

Result: All muslims leave the US alone, as it is no longer an enemy, it is neutral in the conlict!

Then, just for fun, I would do the following:

1- Hold a huge military exercise with the UK using 3/4 of the US naval/marines forces and 1/4 of the airforce in the south coast of England and the channel, disregarding their airspace and borders.

2- Block the borders along the south of the USA. Close them totaly, anyone traveling over the border without full federal authorisation will be treated as a criminal, traitor or hostile force. Use the army to patrol the border as border control staff arent sufficient.

3- The EU sucks, let the secretary of state say what he thinks about it.

4- Puts import duties of 500% on all imports from the asia.

5- Implement missile defence fast track as the French, the EU and China will be getting really mad.

6- Outlaw ciggies (the ones you smoke)

7- Make beer cheaper

8- Make a base on the moon for exploring the universe.

Thank you everyone that has replied so far. I know that to some this is silly or nonsence. The point that I was trying to get across and that some picked up on is that this is a very complex problem. The way things are now we cann't just pick-up and leave, to get the UN involved will take time.

We drop support for Israel, fine, what will that do for the stability of the region? IN THE NEAR TERM.

That's why I put you as President. What ever actions you take from my point of view must keep Americas interests in mind. our people are there now and as President that must be your main concern. The American people must be your concern.

To many it seems the answer is clear, just pull out, but what are the full ramifications of such an action? Like it or not the Middle East is of strategic importance to the US. Do we back off and take our lumps? Do we say screw you we're the USA ? Do we say we screwed up but we're going to do the best we can to get things right?

What happens if Israel attacks Iran? Iran gets Nukes? Pakistan goes to a fundamentalist Islamic Rule? What ever actions we take are going to have an effect on the stability of the region.



[Edited on 5/13/2004 by Duke_Nukem]

If I woke up and instantly became the Potus, what would I do.

I would work out a deal with the U.N. to where for every American soldier sent home he/she would be exchanged with a U.N. selected soldier from a random U.N. country, until everyone got home, except for those called upon by the U.N. in the military lotto. I suggest that once Iraq is wholely U.N. protected then to continue to rotate forces until the Iraq military are strong enough to do the job on their own. This is good because the entire world would be represented and no one would have to stay in iraq for too long.
In the mean time, I would put a huge boost into reasearching Nuclear, Nanotech, and Space technologies. I would grant NASA the former strength it once carried on the condition that it would pitch in and help the military construct Anti-Nuke capabilities, and help with Scientific community with anything needed.
For the labor needed above to achieve those objectives above, I would mark the hiring pool to only be those who are skilled but out of work for more than 2 months or support an vocational system that would only require an H.S. Diploma/GED and further require that 2 years of labor duty in the mentioned projects for those who do this route. I would setup a 'Monetary prize' for any corp that would have the highest hiring rate that hires anyone who has been in the lowest 1/3 tax bracket their whole life. I would immediately cut out oursourcing by making a penalty of 12 billion dollars for those who do not comply with 30 days, xero tolorence! I would further add a bonus of $200 dollars for anyone sticks it out and gets a GED. A $500 dollar bonus for anyone who scores a H.S. diploma. Finally a $1000 dollar bonus for anyone who either finishes 4 years of college or 4 years in the armed forces. Any Eductional Institution that produces a grad that is a High Genius (170+IQ) would get a bonus of $250000 for each occurence.
Eventually the bonuses would be payed out from the money earned from out-sourced penalties.

I'd nuke Texas. That'd solve a lot of our problems.

On a serious note, I'd try and make peace with Islamic nations by showing them we aren't trying to oppress them by handing over power to the Iraquis, and stop giving Israel our unconditional support. Then I'd tell Democrats and Republicans that there will be no more political parties, only one big political party like it was supposed to be. Then I'd legalize marijuana and outlaw cigerettes, and the damn companies that make them.

Originally posted by Slayer
I'd nuke Texas. That'd solve a lot of our problems.

Damn, why didn't I come up with that?

I would pull the troops out of the middle east, get the UN to set up a govenment there and give all responsibility to the UN. Set up a better homelad security, try to lower taxes, make more jobs, not promise anything, try to raise the budget, and if anyone #ed arond with me i would put them down fast and easy, and not have my troops spent 2 whole years in some muslim country.
Amke me Dictator!

[Edited on 13-5-2004 by AD5673]

Originally posted by curme
They can keep the peace until free elections, and won't have all of the hatred to US does.

im not so sure thats correct, i think the same things will happen no matter who is there and anyways who do you think does the majority of peace keeping for the UN? who commands UN military operations? it really wont change much if the UN sends peace keepers, only difference will be less americans and more foreign troops.

The UN has to be dumped, they are as corrupt as the U.S.A. A new new world order NNWO ;P needs to be formed.

What would I do if I became Presidentress ? Hmmmmmmm.....I don't know if I should tell you guys, the things I would do would be pretty radical.

Quite frankly I don't think the majority of America could handle me *evil cackle*

1. Figure that the U.N. would never help us now. France and Germany want to see us suffer in our own stew for a while. They'd refuse to go in. They want to look helpful in the court of world opinion, but are not about to step into the 'oppressor' shoes we've cast in cement. Figure they are just a political rival at this point.

2. Announce a doctrine of "Incremental Withdrawal." We want to start giving up real estate as fast as we can and still maintain order. So I'm looking to cut deals with anyone who fits this bill:

a). Has enough firepower to protect his own people. And can run his canton as a miniature state without direct assistance.
b). Is popular enough to be a contender for national leadership.
c). Promises a unified post-occupaton national election.

3. Tell the local leadership of a covert plan of "back the best bet." We will be pulling out, and will no longer be in a position to say what goes in your province, but here are the guidelines.

a). I don't care what flavor of Islam you're into. Sunni, Shiite, Wahabi. Yezidi devil worshiper for all I care. You keep the pipes full of oil and keep the riots down, and we'll make the payments on your weapon systems.

b). I really don't give a crap what you do with your country. Both Bushes screwed up by fixating on not letting Iraq splinter like Yugoslavia did. Screw that. You want an independant Kurdistan? Fine. A Republic of Southern Marsh Arabs? Go for it. Have fun. Just keep away from deals with Iran or Syria. Why not link up with the Kurds in Ajzherbaijanistan? A greater Kurdia or something. How about the Free City of Fallujah, like a Shiite vatican? Whatever.

c). At this point, hosting democratic elections is kind of like feeding starving children at the Cheesecake Factory. What we need is stability against Islamist totalitarianism, Baathists, and Druglords. And like I said, not that worried about islam.

d). We will expect cooperation in about 3 years, when we are trying to tie a noose around Iran. You don't like them, remember? They are the ones who told the Taliban to kill all the local warlords, remember? You'll never be safe as long as Iran is unified. So help us when we call in our chips.

e). Explain to each surviving warlord, as their numbers dwindle and the situation stabilizes, that it is possible to modernize without having to westernize. We don't expect them to become little 'americas' or anything. If they will work with us, we will help them export their oil to the OPEN market, where we will help them acheive the highest honest bid. (This will ultimately cause prices to decline, long term, as oil becomes driven by markets instead of news.)

This whole rant is incredibly cynical. That's why it is probably our best bet for a relatively peaceful world for the next 5 years.

The big picture is Iran. It is destabilizing Arab Moderates Like Turkey and Egypt. We need Iran to have a pro-modernist, non-western revolution. The whole problem is that there are no benign models of non-westernized Arab states. Iran and (Saddam's) Iraq are the only models. We must help the 'Arab Street' find a positive model that doesn't make them feel colonialized. My plan above falls short, but is realistic enough to work. Maybe.

"Inshallah---if God wills it"

I just talked about Iraq. Y'all went off on the job itself. So here's mine.

1. Move the Capital to the Colorado/Kansas border. I hate the East Coast. Hehehe, it'd really mess with the 'inside the beltway crowd' if the country wasn't run from their little suburb anymore . . . So, if you see a guy that might be Dr. Strangecraft wearing Bush's face one day, start buying real estate in Co/Kan.

2. Make our Southern border look like Mexico's Southern border. Machine-gun turrets, concertina wire, etc. Then, enhance LEGAL immigration, including a bureaucracy to match immigrants with potential employers and apartments, as well as legal and union representation

3. Install a flat tax at 22% with no ceiling. 22 on ALL income, including capital gains, gains from annuities, all that.

4. Encourage, through favorable legislation, non-profit corps. to set up their own health insurance programs. Churches, Synagogues, Elks Lodge, Sierra Club, whatever. I'd but for-profit health insurance outta business. Then we'd take on car insurance. Ben Franklin meant for insurance to be protection, not a racket.

5. All 18 yr olds go for 9 months into their choice of forest service, border patrol, or police auxiliarly. The brats might have more respect for cops if they'd ever tried to enforce the law on a buncha . . . snotty high school punks.

6. Re-introduce hanging for the death penalty. Lethal injection, electrocution, firing squad are all way too expensive. Hang 'em, I say. Gravity is a renewable resource!

7. Make a presidential proclamation as commander in chief prohibiting torture and coercion of prisoners. From today on, all guilty persons will be punished for insubordination---by guess what---hanging. (see #6)

8. Oh yeah. Throw a hell keg party on the white house lawn before we leave for middle America. Has that place got a pool? Wake the neighbors, make 'em call the cops.

9. Issue the three dollar bill with with President James Buchannan on it.

10. Answer the door to the Westhouse myself, in my sock feet. Just like Jefferson.

Hey, after we get several Presidential adgendas for review here,

why dont we have a mock election and see who would get re elected based on the platforms they've provided?

Fun and political, and noone really gets hurt.

I would certantly NEVER BOOT LICK THE UN, nor would I give away American SOVERINTY to such a corrupt entity.

As far as the UN goes, i wouldnt apologise to them, I would put a fire under their butts....We pay the lions share for their operations,and gee, USA armed forces comprise most of the muscle anyway so getting them (UN) more into Iraq means american troops with blue helmets rather than green ones...some change there except that the UN would be using American lives instead of America, and Im not giving up my armed forces lives, control or responsibility to a corrupt and mostly anti USA body politic.
I would spearhead a full investigation of the food for oil scandal. and demmand justice!
Again, its time for the UN to put up and shut up.

wait, so we basically run the UN, but they still manage to hate us, and run around buying oil behind our backs? I love how the US is the dominant body in the UN, but manages to stay blissfully clear of its favorite commodity.

I vote for the COLONEL for president. I'd take him anyday over kerry or bush.

Originally posted by CazMedia
Hey, after we get several Presidential adgendas for review here,

why dont we have a mock election and see who would get re elected based on the platforms they've provided?

Fun and political, and noone really gets hurt.

I would have to second that notion.

I would like to select either Colonel or KayEm as my VP or vice-versa would work too. The 3 of us have a simular agenda, given a modification or two. Props to the both of you guys!

[Edited on 14-5-2004 by Crysstaafur]

Originally posted by Duke_Nukem

To get the UN in: first, you must apologize. Then build a coalition of nations (run by the UN). That means we would have to give up the oil. But, this is needed becasue we can't do this alone as you can see.

Colonel, I just fear that while we are attempting to do all of this that there would be another attack of some type, if another 9-11 occured ( without any DOUBT about who did it) what would be an apropriate response?

This is of course the major question. Who did it? If it was a bunch of terrorists with no real links to any particular country all would have to be done underground as it was done underground to us. The problem with the Iraq war was it was supposed to be done in the name of fighting terrorism. One can not fight terrorism by sending an Army into a country in most countries. Afganistan was the proper response for we knew Bin Laden was there and supported and secured by the Taliban. However, most terror organizations are very loose knit and deal "underground". We would have to fight the same way. Armies do not defeat a terrorist organization. They only spark more terrorism when a member of an occupied country doe not like being occupied.

Bin Laden now sits whereever knowing that he has accomplished his mission. He has hurt us economically, militarily, and we were even kind enough to send our soldiers within his backyard to be prey for anyone wanting to take target practice.

It is never as easy as sending an Army in.

I recall the President saying we'd see them "at a time and place of our choosing"

Good morning Iraq.
What a brilliant strategy!!!
Instead of sitting and doing nothing,
We put our millitary out in front of our civillians to absorb the fire....

We gave every islamist extreme nutcase, that couldnt ever get to the US to attack us, a nice big target....
And it worked
We've seen that we have lured out all kinds of these crazies to come get their butts handed to them in Iraq.

Better there than here!
better WE take it to them, then lay around being sheep awaiting slaughter.

Do you really think this strategy has not been used before in history?
Plenty of times an army has been able to either passify or eliminate their enimies. (wipe out a culture)
It just takes the determination to do the unpleasant thing of waging total war.

the question to ask is not should we go, but do we have the guts to do what is nessisary and unplesant?

As far as the idea of our actions making "more" terrorists.
More than what? the terrorists that already exist and have struck many times?
with our kill ratio of over 10 to 1, they better make them real fast.
NOW is the time the USA has chosen to say, if you hate us and want a piece, come get some. Iraq is the place.
lets not drag this out...stop being a coward and come attack our army....leave civilians out of it.

Tired of the USA occupying your country...
Get your act together, and run the ones were looking for out of hiding, turn them in....we'll be happy to leave.

but by not assisting in weeding out these derranged people, you give them a haven.
therefore you support them even if only passivly.

there are no havens for terrorists as far as we are concerned.
dont be stupid enough to get cought with them in your house, or you will have to see uncle sam fist.

this is a war about IDEAS, not grabbing land or resources.
The terrorists LOVE to watch us bicker over taking action.
they are all of one mind
kill the west.

1.) I would make a deal with Russians (must likely buy them).

2.) I would order the removal of a soldieries from a major city not Baghdad. Then I would tactically nuke that city with 8 kiloton device. I would warren all of the major nations of what my next movies would be.

3.) With the help of the Russians I would then attack, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Yemen, south Yemen, and all the other middle eastern countries on the Arabian sea. With tactical nuclear Devices to none important cities.

4.) I would then send an air assault on all military targets. Bring in a quick hard hit ground attack. Any resistance would be met with total violence and no mercy.

5.) I would round up people in cities. I would then prosed to create truly fortified positions around any thing of value. The armies would then proceed to remove anything of value from the cities (gold bullion, the total reserves of any none international bank) I would use half this money to give any foreign to these countries companies.

6.) I would spend the next two years draining these countries of every resources that can be removed (mostly oil). There would be a 45% 45% deal with Russia. 5% to Pakistan and India, 5% to China.

7.) I would then remove the troops slowly giving Israel any land they want the same with all the countries sharing the border with the conquered lands. Giving Israel and china first grab. I would maintain a presence in Kuwait.

8.) The resources removed would be sold (at a discount to Americans). And the money given to the people as a tax rebate.

First, I would demand that Israel give back all the weapons we gave them, including any nukes. I would even purchase them back if necessary.
Then, I would cut off relations with them in retaliation of the USS Liberty bombing. It would then be up to them to make amends in order to resume normal relations.