# What would you do if you were president right now. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 31, 2003, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-were-president-right-now/198761 "2003-08-31T04:57:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-were-president-right-now/198761/21 "2003-09-02T05:07:28Z")
[ul]:smack: [sup]_For every good idea there are four or five horrible ones. \*Including the last one._\*[/sup][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![jmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dbc845/32.png) [@jmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmonster)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-were-president-right-now/198761/22 "2003-09-02T19:43:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hazel \* > \*\*I’d order that the State governments have no say in selection of textbooks, nor should the Feds; that should be a local matter. Likewise, neither the Feds nor the States will set curriculums. \*\* I think there needs to be a certain standard in education and science training (ie, not involving the word “creation” at any point) that I’m not sure every local school board is up to maintaining. And do we really want to live in a world where nobody knows the plural of “curriculum”? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-were-president-right-now/198761/23 "2003-09-02T20:27:24Z")
Most likely, I’d start with an overly ambitious domestic agenda that would be bogged down by constant fights with Congress. I’d eventually have to settle with promoting more modest programs, but by that point, Congress will be so hostile to me that they’ll even block those programs. I’d probably try to go to the American people for support, but as I’m not particularly charismatic, that wouldn’t go well. My administration would grow more and more poll-driven, as, in vain attempts to increase my approval rating and score easy legislative wins, I back popular programs. Pundits will blame me for the political culture of negativity and a general lack of leadership, leading to my defeat in the election by my opponent. And I’d have more state dinners. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-were-president-right-now/198761/24 "2003-09-02T20:29:00Z")
**Economy** Institute a flat tax. EVERYONE pays 15% of what they earn, no deductions, no loopholes. Take your W2 and write a check for 15%. Have a prepaid envelope sent to each tax payer’s home to mail the check to the govt. **Terrorism** You’re with us or against us. That phrase will dictate foreign policy to every country out there. If they can’t can’t keep their population in check, and American interests are threatened as a result, woe be to them. **Middle East** Offer to Israel the opportunity to buy a large portion of Montana or Alaska to relocate. We will make great neighbors. Let the middle east collapse under it’s own weight. **Political Reform** Reduce the salary and benefits of all legslative branch positions. Make them jobs that people are truly called to, not an opportunity to earn a small fortune. Get out of the UN. Get out of NATO **Social Issues** Institute a one year mandatory federal civil-service at age 18. Not necessarily military. Remove all federal gun control laws. Leave these to the states, where they belong. Don’t like your states GC laws? Change them or move. Develop and encourage high-speed rail for both cargo and tourism. Sponsor a competition to encourage citizens to develop new energy sources. Prizes would include federal backing to promote the new idea. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-were-president-right-now/198761.md?page=1)