ACCOUNTABILITY

The Key for a successful Stimulis Package is to monitor the use of the funds given and to hold the receiver responsible for its proper use. Those in charge of deciding where funds should be given should also be responsible for their decisions.

The issues of poor judgment, incompetence, and malfeasance are seldom used against government officials in the discharge of their responsibilities unless fraud or immorality is involved. A lie under oath and an immoral sex act are the primary charges that elected officials are held accountable for. Poor judgment and incompetence are never a consideration.

Age and criminal conviction are the only visible qualification to disallow a citizen from running for public office. Theoretically, the public holds elected officials accountable for their actions and non actions, but in a practical sense, elected officials police themselves and determine their own remuneration and perks. Basically, elected officials are not strictly held responsible for their actions or non actions, and consequently there is a tendency for many of them to act irresponsibility. The success of the latest stimulus package appears to lie in the hands of the Obama/Biden Administration. (The failure of the prior stimulus package appears to lie with the Bush/Cheney Administration.)

TAX INCENTVES

Tax incentives could be one of the most effective means to stimulate the economy. For example, a $1000 or $2000 tax CREDIT to taxpayers for purchasing a fuel efficient auto would be far more effective than several billions given to the auto makers to produce more autos that are not being sold. This is just the tip of the tax incentive iceberg.

KEY TO CRISIS SOLUTION

The key for a solution to the current crisis is to hold those in charge responsible for their decisions and actions. Congress is responsible for the irresponsible 700 Billion bailout and they pass on the blame to others. Until members of Congress are held personally responsible for their actions they will continue to make irresponsible decisions.

This same is true for the CEO's who "plundered Wall Street." This concept of giving immunity for irresponsible management of a business and the authority to name their own remuneration and bonuses even when their business has suffered a loss is insane. When leaders are not held responsible for their actions, they tend to act irresponsibly.

ABORTION

Abortion is a human rights issue and should not be decided by Government Officials, elected or appointed. At the present, a Mother has the right to decide whether on not to have an abortion. If the law is to be changed, it should be changed by the people via a Consitutional Amendment. Such an amendment should start in Congress.

COMPLETE PULLOUT OF IRAQ

Rumor has it that President Obama is going to keep his promise to pull out of Iraq by pulling out all Combat Troops but leave 50,000 troops there to help control the terrorists. To some, troops with a mission to help control terrorists could be called combat troops.

The administration could pull out all of our troops as promised, and cooperate with the UN to take over the mission of helping to control terrorists in Iraq, providing perhaps 50% of the force until the UN decides that this mission is no longer necessary.

It might be adviseable for the administration to consider working with the UN to work out all of our foreign affairs requiring military action. Foreign bases such as the one in South Korea could also be turned over to UN control with a maximum 50% participation. This same policy could be enacted in the Israel/Palestine conflict. Such a policy could cut our foreign military aid costs by at least 50% plus cutting our troop casualties by at least 50% as well. --------------
It may also be the right thing to do.

U. S. NEEDS A SPECIAL FEDERAL GASOLINE TAX

After years of promoting cigarette consumption that caused countless deaths, a heavy tax was placed on cigarettes to curb the consumption. The tax was accepted and it not only helped to curb consumption, it gave consiberable funds to the government that could have been and and may have been put to good use.

Now we are faced with another problem that may be eased with another Federal Tax. The new administration is committed to relieving Global Warming by promoting the production of automobiles with reduced gas consumption; which was readily accepted when the price of gasoline soared at the pump. The success of the automobile companies with the new production will be a major factor in the recovery of our economy. The lower price of gasoline will jeopardize the new production success. An added substantial tax could bring the price at the pump to a level that would again motivate the promotion of automobiles with reduced gas consumption, thus assisting the success of the automobile companies and a recovery of the economy. The funds generated could also be used to help pay for the stimulation package.

An added gasoline tax is not only smart, it may be necessary.

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN PROMISES

Will Obama become the typical politician and forget his campaign promses?

Rumor has been spreading that the Obama Administration may not repeal the Bush Tax Break to the wealthy , "right away." Forget the fact that the government desperately needs funds to help with the massive stimulus packages to revitalize the economy; what is the motivation to continue to subsidize those who unfairly gained so much and helped bring about the financial crisis with their greed?

Perhaps, most important would be the disappointment that the "man of change" would not keep his campaign promises, and be like the typical politician.