Politics in a nutshell

Immigration: The US should abandon the quota system, and instead accept anyone who is literate (in english or their native language), speaks at least 200 words of english, and free of a felony conviction. The last item can be overlooked in the case of political prisoners or if the crime is not a felony in the US. The US immigration service should be scrapped and remade, and much of it should be turned over to several private companies that will compete with each other.
Greater immigration will help alleviate the social security crises, because immigrants will bolster the workforce and help correct US demographics, which are the cause of the impending crises. The immigration service is horribly inefficient and often insulting; it should help immigrants become Americans, not degrade them while they struggle through the process.

Social Security: my immigration plan solves a significant portion of the social security issue, but it will prove unsuitable for the extreme-long-run of 55+ years. The retirement age should be raised to 72 by the year 2009, and to 75 by 2015. It may be raised to 80 in 2020 or 2025, but that depends on longevity, the medical system, and the ability of the US economy to employ so many elderly. Social security tax should be lowered, and half of it should be converted into private savings. Currently, the company and employee pay equally into social security. In the new system, the employer and employee should still pay equally into the private account, but the employee can add personal contributions, which the government will match 50% of until the government adds $1000 per year. For example, company and employee each pay $2000 total into social security; $1000 to the government plan and $1000 into the private plan. Employee decides to add an extra $1000 of his personal money into his private plan, and so government will also add $500 into that same plan. But, if the man puts an additional $4000 into his private plan, the government will only add $1000, because it has reached its contribution limit. This limit is in place to prevent the excessively rich from draining government, but should be set high enough to encourage citizens to want to save some money.

Welfare and similar systems: state lotteries should be curtailed. A good way to do this is to place a $2 million limit on 'jackpot' winnings. This should reduce the irrational drive to buy lottery tickets, which proved to be a slightly better retirement plan than Enron stock. Also, expand overtime pay and benefits for those who work but do not currently qualify. And, here's an idea to ponder: government-funded job training, optional for the unemployed, those living near or below the poverty level, and those earning close to minimum wage. Raise minimum wage to $6.50 an hour by the first quarter of 2006, then to $8 per hour by the end of 2008.

School system: vouchers and free, optional after-school and summer classes for those who want to learn more or with nothing else to do. I took a college class in javascript after freshman year in such a free, optional program, and I see no reason that others cannot do similar. I jovially recommend such opportunities for those who are interested, a similar looking program can be found here. Those are not remedial classes, they count for college credit and extremely worthwhile. Evolution should be taught in all public schools, and creationism/intelligent design can be an elective if the school provides it. Ever wonder why liberals are often opposed to local control of schools? Some localities will turn school into a 24/7 Praise God orgy if they have the chance.
Additionally, give parents a small tax deduction if their children do well in school; maybe up to $500. This can count as a rebate if the parents do not pay $500 or more in tax. With any luck, the problem of parents taking no interest in their children's education should be solved.


Consider the major issues of this year nutshelled.