Let’s do this a little differently, shall we?
Who do you think should be the next presidnt of the U.S.? Do not mention any other candidates shortcomings, mistakes, or sins. Just talk about your candidate.
Reluctantly, I support Harry Browne.
On his first day in office, he pledges to:
“Pardon everyone who has been convicted solely on a federal tax-evasion charge, order the immediate release of those in prison, and restore their civil and voting rights.”
“Pardon everyone who has been convicted solely on a federal non-violent drug charge, order the immediate release of those in prison, and restore their civil and voting rights.”
“Pardon everyone who has been convicted solely on any federal gun-control charge, order the immediate release of those in prison, and restore their civil and voting rights.”
“Instruct the Attorney General to prepare a roster of persons convicted solely of federal victimless crimes, so that I can pardon them, too.”
He says, “Since there are no federal violent crimes listed in the Constitution (except for piracy), there will be a great deal of prison space available after the pardons. So we can help reduce the federal debt by selling unneeded federal prisons to state governments that do need them.”
After lunch that first day, he will take these steps:
“End federal affirmative action. End all federal quotas, set-asides, preferential treatments, and other discriminatory practices of the federal government.”
“Establish a policy to penalize, dismiss, or even prosecute any federal officer who violates the Bill of Rights in dealing with citizens.”
“Bring an immediate end to all federal asset-forfeiture cases, and initiate steps to make restitution to anyone whose property has been impounded, frozen, or seized by the federal government. Over 80% of such seizures occur when no one has even been charged with a crime.”
“As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I will quickly and completely remove all American troops from foreign soil. Europe and Japan can pay for their own defense, and they can risk their own sons and daughters in their eternal squabbles. This alone will save billions of dollars a year in taxes, but – more important – it will save American lives.”
“As Commander-in-Chief I will remove all American troops from United Nations’ operations.”
“Everything put into the Federal Register by previous Presidents can be taken out by this President. I will put a hold on regulatory activities while my staff reviews the Constitutionality of all existing regulations.”
Finally, he promises:
"I will abide by the Constitution – even parts I might not agree with. I will not carry out any function for which there is no Constitutional authority. I will take the Bill of Rights seriously. I will refuse to enforce any law that violates it.
"Congress or someone else may sue to force me to carry out a policy for which there is no warrant in the Constitution. But that won’t deter me. If a President is defending the Constitution, there is no reason to back down.
"Over and over I will remind my opponents that the Constitution serves no useful purpose if it can be bent to whatever seems convenient at the moment. If there is no fixed charter that limits the government to specific functions, we will have only so much freedom as the government wishes to allow. It is time to stop paying lip service to the Constitution on national holidays, and instead start taking it seriously 365 days a year.
“Over and over I will remind Congress and the American people, ‘No one is stopping you from voluntarily establishing any program you want, building it with your own wisdom and work and money, and persuading others to join or support you. Charities and churches and service clubs do this every day. But I will not let you use the federal government to force others to support and pay for your project’.”
He is far from perfect, but he’s the best out there in my opinion.
Lib, did I miss something?
Like the step where he assassinates the Congress and Supreme Court and declares himself to be king? 
Slythe:
Uh huh.
You will note, by the way, that what Browne pledges is well within the powers given to the president by the constitution. He would simply be the first with the balls to actually use them to secure the rights of peaceful honest people.
Lib, I didn’t bring up any other candidate, did I? I am curious as to what whould come first, though. The impeachment procedings or the assassination attempts? Now, you say that the president already has the power to do all this, on his own. Is this the Libertarian position, or has the Supreme Court, one of those other branches of government, ruled one each of these matters?
Oh, and by the way. I’m pretty sure Congress would still have the power to overturn some of these proclamations.
Oh, Slythe. Go read the constitution. It’s just a click or two away.
The president’s powers are enumerated in Article 2. He has the power “grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment,” which Browne will do before lunch his first day.
The president holds “executive Power”, so Browne has full authority to rescind executive orders signed by former presidents. He has power to make “Appointment of such inferior Officers” as congress has authorized, like his enforcement officers and Attorney General. He is the “Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States”, so he can withdraw troops that other presidents have dispatched to more than half the nations on earth.
I thought you wanted sincere responses. I gave you one.
You said in the OP, “Just talk about your candidate.” Unless Browne is your candidate, you are breaking your own rule.
Now, you can search Article I to see whether congress would have “the power to overturn some of these proclamations”. But maybe you’d rather just remain “pretty sure”.
The president does not have the power to do this. These are all laws passed by congress.
Lib, why is the first order of business on that list to pardon all tax cheats? I could understand that you guys may not like the income tax or something, but selective enforcement (which this basically would amount to – everyone who didn’t cheat on their taxes would be getting shafted) seems extremely anti-libertarian to me.
Well, he had to start somewhere.
If your house is a pig sty, and you’re trying to clean it up, someone might ask, “Well, why are you starting in the kitchen? What about people in the bathroom?”
He isn’t suggesting selective enforcement, but pardons for anyone convicted of such noncrimes. He would also refuse to enforce unconstitutional laws, like affirmative action.
Now, like I said. He isn’t perfect. He wants a ridiculously high $500 million dollar federal budget, for example.
Now, since the rule of the OP has been thrown out the window, even by its writer, I eagerly await the posting of someone else’s candidate.
Cthulu for President.
Nyarlahotep as Veep.
They’ll make Yog-sothoth Sec’y of Defense and Shub-niggurath Sec’y of State.
Why do I support Cthulu?
He pledges to immediately, upon election, enslave and devour the human race. Then then plans to proceed to all remaining life on earth, reducing it to a dead chunk of rock orbiting a dying sun.
More importantly, he pledges to make each and every individual human death as painful and agonizing–and long–as possible.
Cthulu–because I’m sick and tired of choosing the lesser of two evils.
-andros-
Oh, forgot to mention:
Ph’nglui mgwl’nafh Cthulu R’lyeh wgah’nagl ftagn.
Sounds to me pretty much like the usual crop.
“Don’t blame me . . .I voted for Kodos.”
-H. Simpson
Cecil Adams…he is the smartest person in the country.
Lib, I’m sorry if you mis-read the rules. I didn’t say that nobody could criticise your pick. I was just trying to stop the promoting of your pick by demonizing another candidate in comparison.
You know, like saying,“Vote for Bush because Gore is just a weaselly Liberal!”
O.K.?
I my self will vote for Raymond Dixon of the A-PAC Party.
His veiws go along with the Democratic/sosilism ideals of goverment.
His First day in office he’s promised to suspend the constution. a replace it with a new one. alone the lines of this.
The president has control of all forgien affairs Related to the Safty of Americans everywhere. (note: this can be voted down by the senate by 3/4 majorty.)
The Congress still has power to make laws. but the veto of the president is total. (note: the supream court has a veto over the president on issues of laws. only on a 3/4 majort of the siting judges will over ride the president.
No more Privte Health care companys. the goverment will take care of health care.
the Death Pentail is extended for all Violent Crimes (i.e. Rape murder. very violent assults will Deserive 25 years no less.)
Senate will be elected for 8 years and the House for 4, President for 5 years. can hold office 3 times.
no more Affremtive action. your granted a job based on your skills. if you still can’t find a job submit your appclation the the goverment. A goverment agency will search for a job that fits your skills. when one is found you will be notified. if it is out of your area. we will also find a home for your and your’s to stay in your price range.
Campain’s for Election or Re-Election will be free (aka tv ads and newpaper ads for the candaits) limiting Coruption, Lobyiest and special intrest groups greatly. note: transport will be payed for by the canadaits if they can’t affored it. then the goverment will give them a set figure to get along with.
Major Major issue for Mr. Dixon is Everyone will be treated Equall Dispite Age, Race, Religion, or Sexuall Prefernce.
Also i almost forgot. Re-building the Armed Forces.
opps almost forgot. Gun Control Mr. Dixon has a Veiw about the Second Admendment that only state Militas my have Guns. now people think that that mans the avarage man can own a gun. not true. now a days theres no milita. but the Nationl Guard is like 99.99% the closet there is to a milita. there like the home guard (milita) and the US goverment may take them to war if need be (just like the second admendment says) there for if u want to protect your state join the Guard.
and hes Pro-Choice.
And what might his views be on publik ejukashun?