With the GOP debate in Iowa last week, and all the excitement/controversy surrounding Rick Perry’s announcement of his intention to run this week, I’ve been thinking about what I might realistically hope for in a 2012 Presidential candidate. How about, at the very least, they sign a vow that they will:
1. Repeal Obamacare, preferably within the first week of taking office. If this were done, I would expect the stock markets almost immediately to show signs of recovery. Bonus points: promising to actually reduce (not merely decrease the rate of increase in) government spending — during the first term in office. [Update: Of course I mean the candidate pledges to sign legislation Repealing Obamacare, assuming it is passed by the House and Senate.]
2. Stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons; destroy (or help Israel destroy) any existing nuclear weapons program if necessary. Bonus points: promising to neutralize any state sponsorship of Al-Qaeda or other Islamic terrorism.
3. Never sign a bill into law, the adjudication of which would require interpretation of Islamic law. Bonus points (unrealistic pipe dream): promising to make the separation of church (any church) and state an explicitly acknowledged part of our legal system, so that no judge may be asked to interpret religious law of any kind in the adjudication of disputes, and no religion (or religious rationale) can be the “but-for” cause behind the enactment of any legislation.
4. Never say, “Islam means peace.” Bonus points: having read the Koran and a variety of commentary, including Robert Spencer’s.
Am I asking for too much? Too little? Discuss.
Oh, and if you happen to be a candidate reading this, feel free to sign on, below 🙂
Don't Let It Go 