Political ideas that will keep me from ever being elected

[mikekn]

If elected I will push for the following:
1. $1-2 per gallon gas tax (in addition to all current gas taxes), collected money to be used for alternate energy research.
2. Federal law making smoking illegal in all public spaces (especially bars, restaurants, casinos and sidewalks).
3. $1-2 per pack cigarette tax (in addition to all current taxes), collected money to be used for Medicare (or some other heath care program that needs it).
4. Impose an export tariff on all tobacco products.
5. Legalize marijuana, and make it subject to all of the taxes and restrictions imposed on cigarettes.
6. Term limits on congress.
7. Line item veto for the president.
8. Constitutional amendments supporting same-sex marriages and abortion. And one making the death penalty illegal.

There are probably more, but I think those will do the job.

Comments

[mikekn]

What is your objection to term limits? Would you object to removing the term limits on presidents?

[jkusters]

In general, I have found that people clamor for term limits as a reaction to bad politicians who just seem to keep getting elected, the so called "career politician." It's an understandable reaction. But I've seen some very good lawmakers, people who were champions of the people, who stood up to the corruption of state legislatures, be removed from office by arbitrary term limits. Here were people who could continue doing a very good job but were precluded from doing so because of the actions of a few rotten politicians.

I'd rather people work to remove the bad apples from office than apply an overly broad "solution" like term limits.

As for the President, I'm on the fence for that one. While my previous statement should apply for Presidents as much as city council members, the President holds a LOT more power than any other individual, so I think it warrants a special case.

JOhn.