The USA cannot be a world peace keeper. I think we can have some bases overseas and be on the ready but to fight other's wars is not right. I can see us helping with the Global forces in the United Nations but why should we commit 30,000+++ and many countries send 10 people 20 people as non-combatants. The UN is in NY-NY and maybe it should be an island not in any one country. I read that we spend 10X what the nearest other country spends and we also spend more than all other countries combined.
Right now the National debt is over $46,000 per person in the US. I cannot even comprehend a trillion, let alone a billion. (One trillion dollar stack would be 67,000 miles high, fairly near to one third the distance from the Earth to the moon). We don't need a space program just pill up the money and walk to the moon! And yes I think we need a good space program.
Social Security and Medicare should not be counted because these are self funded programs that if left alone will operate fine for many years to come. Medical costs are too high but that should be a new post.
We need to stop (most) all government overseas travel, They want to go let them take vacation and pay for it.
We need term limits on Congress with a break if they want to get back in again. They should all reside in their home states and have nice apartments in DC. (I am in government housing and my unit is 480 sq ft. and married with family get a little more). Each state should pay for their own people in Congress. The President lives in the white house as he should, and he does need AF 1 for some travel needs. He does not need 2 -3- 4 planes to carry others. If the press wants to follow rent a plane. Speaker of the house the VP and the President. Two out of the three need to be in the DC area at all times.
Congress needs to be present for 100% voting and if they do miss they "best be in the hospital".
It may take 20 years to balance the budget and with all journeys they start with one step. That is vote.
As voters we are the only ones that can change this.
Keith Pegg
Zama Japan
And yes I'm a little left of center.
wahlins said: As most of you know, I am way left on the political spectrum. The idea of war for the sake of regime change and nation building seems like a complete waste money and life to me, while the idea of health care and education seems like a complete waste of money to my brothers on the right. I understand that we are diametrically opposed in terms of our thinking, but every once in a while we should acknowledge our common ground. We both consider ourselves patriots, we will both willingly give our lives and our treasure for our country, when the S hits the fan we have each other's backs - we are all Americans first.