OUT OF THE BOX...

The fastest way to end our dependence on foreign oil:
A free fuel efficient car for everyone... What would happen if the government gave out vouchers to everybody who owns a gas guzzling car, that would allow them to trade it in for a new, fuel efficient, 40-50 miles per gallon car, absolutely free! Imagine what the impact of every car in the US getting that kind of mileage? No more dependency on foreign oil!

Where would we get the financing for such a venture? - First of all, steel is the most widely recycled material in the United States. In recent years, about three quarters of the steel produced annually has been recycled. It is cheaper to recycle steel than to mine iron ore and manipulate it through the production process to form 'new' steel. Steel does not lose any of its inherent physical properties during the recycling process, and has drastically reduced energy and material requirements compared with refinement from iron ore. The energy saved by recycling reduces the annual energy consumption of the industry by about 75%, which is enough to power eighteen million homes for one year.

Currently, global demand for steel continues to grow, and though there are large amounts of existing steel, much of it is actively in use. There are approximately 300 million vehicles on the road today. Most of them older gas guzzlers. Automobiles are made of 66% steel. If all old trade-ins were sold to the steel industry as scrap, the government could recoup some of the expenditures.

The rest could be made up in a program that would allow the government to purchase the recycled steel back from US companies at prices far more competitive than foreign companies. We will need a lot of steel to rebuild our infrastructure. Better to buy US steel and employ American steel workers while cutting off dependency on foreign oil quickly.

STUPID AMERICANS?

Hey, we've seen on numerous occasions in movies, our favorite stars smoking pot and not going crazy or becoming 'addicted' or going on to 'hard' drugs. There are no massive public outcries or denouncements of these movies or the actors. No, we're not all stupid! More and more Americans are realizing that the 'scourge' of marijuana promulgated by the government is and has been a bunch of bullshit. Wake up!

OUT OF THE BOX...

Changes in government we should consider:
Reducing the size of Congress in half. - The laws in the Constitution governing the number of Senators and Representatives were written long ago, when important events happened slower and information traveled at a more reasonable rate. In today's technically oriented world, important events and information regarding those events are instantaneous. Changes that affect political policies must occur faster in order to 'keep on top” of the rapidly changing environment. Reducing the exorbitant numbers of Congressmen can greatly speed up decision making and reduce the time for crucial legislation .
Reducing the age limit of Congress. - A mandatory age should be applied when running for a congressional seat. This should be set by a national consensus of life expectancy and current normal retirement age.
Restricting the number of terms for Congress. - The number of terms allowable for all Congressional seats should be the same as the President, 2 terms of 4 years. This would negate the 'power' motives of most politicians.
Better yet... why not eliminate both Houses of Congress and elect 3 Presidents! A majority of 2 would be needed to pass any legislation.

WHO CARES...

The Republican Party is DEAD!
Who cares what a corpse thinks? GO OBAMA!

OUT OF THE BOX...

Reducing the size of Congress in half. - The laws in the Constitution governing the number of Senators and Representatives were written long ago, when important events happened slower and information traveled at a more reasonable rate. In today's technically oriented world, important events and information regarding those events are instantaneous. Changes that affect political policies must occur faster in order to 'keep on top” of the rapidly changing environment. Reducing the exorbitant numbers of Congressmen can greatly speed up decision making and reduce the time for crucial legislation .

Reducing the age limit of Congress. - A mandatory age should be applied when running for a congressional seat. This should be set by a national consensus of life expectancy and current normal retirement age.

Restricting the number of terms for Congress. - The number of terms allowable for all Congressional seats should be the same as the President, 2 terms of 4 years. This would negate the 'power' motives of most politicians.

Better yet... why not eliminate both Houses of Congress and elect 3 Presidents! A majority of 2 would be needed to pass any legislation.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

In 2004 Barack Obama said, "... in terms of legalization of drugs, I think the the war on drugs has been an utter failure... and I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws, but I'm not somebody who believes in legalization of marijuana, what I do believe is we need to rethink how we're operating in the the drug wars and I think, currently we're not doing a very good job."

In 2009, blah, blah, blah, more of the same... "an utter failure." Nothing has really changed.

FORECLOSED HOMES FOR RENT...

The Holmes Solution may have better odds of success if the 'transitional banks' had authority to immediately begin renting or leasing these toxic entities out to individuals, families, businesses or whomever, in need of a residence or a place to live and work. In this way we can begin to receive a return on our investment as quickly as we acquire them from the banks rather than sitting on these toxic assets that could remain vacant for months or even years.

In many cases, families who are unable to make their skyrocketing mortgage payments and incapable of refinancing due to their shrinking equity base who are forced into foreclosure, could be allowed to rent or lease their former homes at a much more affordable rate, possibly with the payments applied to the re-purchase of their home at a more reasonable current market value.

The government can avoid much of the bureaucratic expansion involved in the initiation of this program by partnering with the depressed Realtor industry who are well equipped to handle the many transactions involved in leasing and rentals including, establishing rates according to the current market conditions for specific areas or locations. They would be compensated by commissions established beforehand by the government. This would provide immediate relief to the many who are directly affected by the ailing Housing crises.

The solution mentioned here is not ideal. Banks are frozen with toxic assets and hundred of thousands of vacant foreclosed homes and property. We, as taxpayers want to help our economy and our country. But we want some assurance that we can get our investment back. This program will get the housing market moving again by creating immediate returns. It will help revitalize the Realtor industry and keep people and families in their homes plus providing additional housing for hundreds of thousands at affordable rates. There are no 'free' bailouts for anyone. Only the American people can benefit.