Glimmerjim wrote: just don't know if anyone can come along and do the necessary job, Spin, I honestly don't. There is just too much turmoil in the world, divisiveness in our system, complexity of issues, etc.
That is EXACTLY what they said about things after Jimmy Carter, but someone did come along that did a vastly superior job.
There are two keys. One short-term and one long-term.
The short term key is ELECT SOMEONE QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This does not guarantee success because of the reason you say. However, electing someone who has never been the chief executive of a massive organization has all but zero chance of success.
Secondary to that is that that person cannot aspire to make wide sweeping changes to something that is as you describe. It is a fool's errand which is why Obama looks like such a fool and it was a big part of why Bush crashed and burned when he went from regulator to manipulator and fixer of the economy.
This is why Bill Clinton failed during the first 2 years. He wanted to institute Hillarycare which would have created turmoil and chaos and the economic stagnation, unemployment, etc. that comes with it. His failure to institute sweeping changes in his first 2 years and the election of a Congess that would not allow it, combined with his actual qualification for the job at hand is why the country did well. If only he had not committed perjury and lied directly and purposefully to the nation, we may have taken the threat of Osama seriously and not looked at it as him wagging the dog. Maybe he would have taken it more seriously if he did not put himself into such criminal hot water that lead to his impeachment, disbarment, being found in contempt of court, loosing a large civil lawsuit, etc.
The long-term solution is to descope the federal government. If it can be done at the state level, then it should be done at the state level. Romneycare x 50 if that is what you want and not Obamacare imposed on 50 states. Education, drugs, welfare, unemployment, social security, ... virtually ever domestic issue should be primarily handled at the state, local, or family level with the federal government having a small niche that only they can fill such as ensuring that states are not flooded with foreigners illegally entering their state.
We should not do that in sweeping overnight changes. It should be done by freezing the federal budget in absolute dollars. Inflation will cut the purchasing power at around 3% per year. Then descope by 3% per year. After 5 years we have cut the government by 14%, 10 years by 25%, and 25 years about 50%, which is where my gut tells me we should be. However, this approach allows us to adjust to the changes (states can decide how to deal with the changes, the economy digests the changes, etc.), we see the impacts and unintended consequences, both good and bad, and its not simply hope and change, but actual rational decisions.
Glimmerjim wrote:What do you think about 2016?
I think we are going to get an unqualified president. I am not bullish on America's future. I think we have crossed a line where populism, cronyism, acceptance of corruption and law-breaking (see opinions on violation of immigration laws and acceptance of tax cheats) and me-firstism has passed a critical mass and our long-term trend is down. I do think the slope is not too steep that I can run out the clock before it does too much harm to me and my wife since we have a pretty good chunk of wealth and will accumulate a lot more over the next decade or two as necessary.
I think the winner of the Republican primary will be a reaction to the status quo and will be someone seriously lacking. Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, none of them are anywhere close to read for the job. Go be governor and come back in 10 years or so when you are actually ready for the job.
I don't see anyone on the left that is qualified coming out of the Democrat primary. Bill Richardson was probably one of the most qualified people to run for office in a long time and he gained zero headway. I may have voted for him over McCain. I know I would have IF Congress was not in Democrat hands. I think Hillary is not an overwhelming favorite. If I had to bet even money, I'd put my money on her. At 2 to 1 for the field against her, I don't know which way I go and 3 to 1, I take the field.
What I hope is that we elect someone that has been governor for a couple terms, has real practical experience outside of government as well (not nearly as important), who understand and promotes American values and actively defends of American interests abroad (very important and a huge failure of Obama) and understands why small decentralized government work (actually least important if Congress has sufficient presence of these type of people as it did when Bill Clinton was successful).
My preferred candidates at this time, probably in order of preference, but this could easily change a lot when I get to no more about them: Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker, then with a sizable gap Mitt Romney, Rudy Giulliani, Mitch Daniels, John Kasich
Glimmerjim wrote:Hillary would be a disaster, other than the experience that Bill could provide.
People cannot provide experience. It cannot be done. Obama could have had Bill at his side everyday and he still would have failed to to a complete lack of experience.