What Would You Do Colonel?

Colonel Dan, SASS Life #24025, Regulator

I’ve been critical of politicians for recurring and inexcusable failures. But like you, I hate folks that complain and never offer any solutions. So here is how I’d answer the question, “What would you do Colonel?”

Security: The primary duty of government is national security but this responsibility has been criminally neglected. Since World War II, our forces have secured borders worldwide while our own remains wide open. Consequently, we have no idea of who’s here! The corrective action is straight forward—reassign our forces to America’s borders—north, south, east and west and deny all social benefits to illegals. I have great faith our military, law enforcement and intelligence agencies could secure this country given three critical elements—the mission, the resources and the backing—but they need all three to be successful.

Sovereignty: To remain independent and free, we must be the masters of our own fate. We cannot be held hostage by ANY outside element like the UN or countries funding our debt. We must not enter into treaties which take precedence over our constitution or become so economically indebted to others that they call the shots. This would require the guts to say No—primarily to the UN. I’d inform the world that we are Americans first and will gladly trade with all but entangle ourselves with none—sound familiar? I’d see myself as the quintessential “obstructionist” where the surrender of our liberty and sovereignty was concerned. The world would know precisely where we stood with no compromise. Commercial trade yes; compromised sovereignty no!

Economy: Americans are hurting. Unemployment is rising and the value of our dollar is falling while our debt skyrockets. Business and industry is being killed by government taxation and regulation at all levels. If this continues, we won’t have the resources necessary to sustain or secure our country. This needs attention! There’s no need for genius here, just the application of sound economic principles that have worked since man started trading with money. The greatest tool for success here is free-market incentives coupled with American initiative and ingenuity overseen through HONEST law enforcement by LIMITED government. Unleash the giant that originally brought this country to the pinnacle of prosperity, stand back and watch the miracle unfold. It happened before and it can happen again but it will take tax and regulatory reform. Remove the tremendous burden imposed by government and you’ll see an explosion of economic recovery. Ask any business man, large or small, about the hoops and taxes they must deal with and you’ll be astounded. Give people the freedom to improve their lives by creating personal wealth and that rising tide will lift all boats. For proof, we have only our own history to consult. The significant reduction of individual and corporate taxes making available increased investment capital is a much better solution than trying to tax and regulate our way to prosperity. With true reform, e.g. the Fair Tax, not only will more American dollars be available for investment but foreign money would come gushing in as they too saw that renewed awakening. Our overall standard of living would improve dramatically, people would be back to work and our debt would shrink so rapidly that those currently financing that debt would invest in our industry rather than our bonds.

Energy: We are literally over a barrel of foreign oil and there’s no reason for it. America has sufficient energy reserves and resources of all kinds required to satisfy our needs for centuries IF allowed to tap into and develop them. But this would require incentives and rewards for developing ALL forms of energy. By executive order, the President could declare a national emergency and make things happen. Tax and free market incentives, reduction of heavy handed regulation coupled with modern technology and we are on our way to TRUE energy independence.

Health Care: Two major adjustments are needed and neither inserts direct government control into our health care system—tort reform and competition. Much of what drives health costs is the liability threat. Doctors and hospitals are defensively reacting to ambulance chasers. Constrain the vulture element and those defensive costs go down. Secondly, allow insurance companies to compete for your business and watch what happens to your premiums. Currently you can’t buy insurance from other states even if they offer a better deal. Why? Government says so. Remove that impediment and let the competition begin. When businesses, including insurance companies compete for your dollar, prices go down and quality goes up. But government won’t get out of the way because that would mean surrendering power when more power is always their goal. If they control your health care, they control you and everything you touch—to include your guns. There’s a move afoot that seeks to classify guns as a health issue requiring government oversight but that’s a subject for another column.

Constitutional Amendments: I would introduce and push hard for three. The first two would repeal the 16^th and 17^th amendments. “What are they colonel?” Look them up. The third would impose term limits on federally elected officials—one term only for any and all offices. I call it the damage control and corruption limitation act.

“You’re too simplistic Colonel.” Well, complexities of the past have only served to entangle us in a worldwide political Gordian knot so let’s try a simpler approach—the philosophy our Founders preferred by the way. I’ve found that “simple” is best in most endeavors to include dealing with problems caused by humans—especially those with deceit and corruption at their core. Just the view from my saddle…

Contact Colonel Dan: coloneldan@bellsouth.net

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