I think I could do it. Here are a few things I'd run on:
Platform
HEALTH CARE
I support extending Medicaid programs to those who cannot afford basic health care coverage. Additionally, I would have the Department of Health and Human Services set up regional health care markets which could be used to direct consumers to individual health care companies, including Medicaid 2.0. These health care markets would work a lot like Progressive Auto Insurance: They would get you a quote from all the leading health insurers, and would compare those quotes to Medicaid 2.0. The goal would be to open Medicaid 2.0 to every individual (those who are not entitled to the "free" benefits would have to pay to be covered), offering a low-cost alternative to private insurers, with the hope of reducing private insurance companies' prices over time.
SOCIAL SECURITY
I support gradual privatization of Social Security. The money is going to be gone before I can get my hands on it. I believe the government should give people the option to opt out of Social Security if they so desire. Furthermore, the government should encourage the wealthiest 10% of Americans to take control of their retirement, and leave Social Security for those who make under a certain income. A series of benchmarks should be put in place to ensure the program runs successfully, with the final goal of having 50% of those eligible for Social Security benefits investing in their own retirement by 2050. Assuming I'm running in 2008, the benchmarks would be as follows:
2020: 10% Privatized-- The Wealthiest Americans, in addition to some middle-class households, have taken control of their own retirement
2030: 25% Privatized-- Most of those making above $120,000 a year have taken control of their own retirement
2050: 50% Privatized-- Everyone making above $120,000 have taken control of their own retirement; most of those making between $50,000 and $120,000 have invested in private retirement options.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
I believe that the United States should set up a guest worker program which would allow so-called "undocumented workers" to work towards full United States citizenship. I also support increasing border security presence along the Mexican-American border, and oppose building a fence... that's just silly.
ENERGY
The United States should re-invest in nuclear power. Furthermore, the U.S. should raise CAFE standards, and look into alternative methods for fueling automobiles.
IRAN
It is our responsibility to begin diplomatic talks with Iran, while simultaneously watching their nuclear program with a hawkish eye. Military force against Iran should always be an option, and the United States should remind that whackjob over there that we can and will engage them militarily if they do anything provocative.
EDUCATION
Reform No Child Left Behind; offer school vouchers to low-income families in poor school districts or struggling neighborhoods; raise the level of student aid available for middle-class college students; establish a national standardized test system to measure student performance... and other similar things.
GUN CONTROL
I support banning automatic weapons, and anything which could be an assault weapon. Everything else, though, can stay.
WELFARE
Eliminate most welfare programs and replace them with a broad, extensive Public Works Program. Make people work for their money. Those with disabilities, or those who are unable to work, will be able to receive unemployment benefits and social services for an extended period of time.
TRANSPORTATION/ INFRASTRUCTURE
Why don't we have Mag-Lev trains on the East and West Coast? I believe we should invest in Mag-Lev technology. AMTRAK just doesn't do it anymore. The slow, inadequate service often makes driving seem like a faster alternative. Not to mention that it's as expensive as all hell. Mag-Lev technology would be able to transport commuters from Boston to Washington, DC in just over four hours. Imagine traveling from Los Angeles to San Diego in an hour; San Francisco to San Diego in three and a half hours; Seattle to San Diego in eight hours or less... it would bring in the customers almost immediately, and would pay for itself in less than a decade.
Also, if anyone thinks the 'gay' thing may be a negative... polls show that 55-67% of Americans would be willing to elect a homosexual President, depending on which poll you look at.
