If I were President, there are a few things I’d set out to do.
1. Community Service in Exchange for Government Aid. Service in exchange for aid solves two problems. First, it means that there are more human resources to provide important services to parts of the community that needs them. And second, it provides a sense of belonging to people who may never experience it otherwise. As a recovering alcoholic, I’ve spent a lot of time in the company of drunks. One of the things that helps drunks get out of their own minds is service. In fact, Alcoholics Anonymous is based on the idea of service. And this concept works miracles. You require people receiving aid to start working in community service as payment for the aid, and you’re going to build communities and self-esteem.
2. Mandatory 2-year Service for All Americans. Following the completion of high school I’d make it mandatory for all Americans to spend 24-months in the service of the nation. This can mean joining the military, or serving in a civilian capacity that positively affects other Americans. Everyone would be paid equally. After the 24 months of service, you’re welcome to go on your way to do whatever you want. This two-year commitment solves two problems. First, it bridges the gap between rich and poor–resulting in a new understanding of what it means to be an American (to say nothing of establishing a sense of empathy.) And second, it further strengthens our nation from small communities all the way up to national defense. Too many people today have no sense of national pride. As a result, they don’t know how good they have it to live here. Mandatory service changes that.
3. Legalize Pot. According to research, no one has ever overdosed and died from using marijuana. Conversely, the CDC reports that roughly 75,000 Americans die each year from alcohol-related issues (and that number doesn’t include people injured, violent crimes as the result of alcohol, traffic accidents, etc.). I would commission a major study to support legalization, then I’d tax the hell out of it and put farmers across the country to work growing and harvesting it. This is 2012. It’s silly that we put 850,000 people in jail in 2011 for marijuana-related charges. Why? Because it’s illegal. Why is it still illegal? Because alcohol companies and prison facilities have powerful lobbyists on payroll. Enough. It’s time.
4. More Traffic Enforcement. This would be my pet project–force people to drive better. Figure out a way to disable phones and devices for drivers except in the event of emergencies. Discover a way to force vehicles to adhere to speed limits. Integrate technology in automobiles so that when a driver doesn’t use their turn signals, they’re ticketed. It’s clear that most drivers have forgotten that operating a vehicle is a privilege, not a right. Let’s fix that. Let’s get selfish people off the road.
5. 4 on 3 off. We put way too much emphasis on work in America. What we ‘do’ here somehow defines us. And that’s just wrong. If we put as much time and energy into making love and art as we do in making our companies profitable–the United States would once again be the best place to live on earth. It’s like this–we all work for money. We must. And working is good. But our work is not the most important thing in life. Spending quality time with family and friends beats sitting in a chair in a cubicle any day. We’re already the most overworked industrial nation on earth. But the fact we’re an industrious nation doesn’t mean we can’t learn to calm down a little to enjoy what’s important in life. To take less anxiety meds. To have normal blood pressure. On my first day as President I will begin the process of changing our archaic 8-hour a day, 5-day workweek to a 10-hour a day, 4-day workweek. Look, thanks to our strong work ethic, most Americans work more than 40 hours a week anyway–so I don’t expect a drop off in productivity. This is America. Let’s lead the world in what’s important–enjoying life to the fullest.
Feel free to write me in come November.
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hurriednotes
Oct 15, 2012
Love it. There can be little doubt these adjustments would have an impact. In the case of traffic, consider the option to mandate self-driving cars for repeat offenders.
Susanna K.
Oct 15, 2012
Playing devil’s advocate on the first point:
If looking for a job is a full-time job, how is a person receiving unemployment benefits supposed to find a job and get in their mandatory hours of community service? If you can’t find service related to their skills, doesn’t this take away valuable time they could be using to train and become re-employed?
What kind of service would you require for someone who is severely disabled?
How about a mother who’s just given birth?
Would you require service for children under 16?
It’s a nice idea in theory – I’ve seen many people propose it. But when you start thinking about how to put it into practice, you start to realize that it’s not really all that workable because it’s based on the assumption that everyone receiving “government benefits” is a mentally capable healthy adult with plenty of spare time on their hands.
Jim Mitchem
Oct 15, 2012
I’ve actually thought this through. First, too many people ‘looking for work’ may be looking wrong to begin with (if they’re looking at all.) No, service isn’t a job. But living in this country and contributing to its success is not contingent on making money either. In fact, that’s part of the problem (see the 4on3off concept). We put way too much emphasis on money in this country. Way too much. We are more than our jobs. And this ‘more’ is the spirit of the idea of service. Look, we have NOTHING in place like this right now – so punching holes in concepts at this stage is moot. I know first hand how important it is to serve – both as a recovering alcoholic, AND as someone who served honorably in the military – and my life has worked out fine despite some pretty low points. And yes, there were spells when I was unemployed collecting benefits from the government. But most Americans are paralyzed by fear of not having money so instead of doing something other than ‘look for work’ I propose service. For the reasons previously stated. And as for special cases, trust me – there is ALWAYS ways to serve. Always. For example, a person who is bound to a wheelchair can get trained to talk to people who are considering suicide. The trick is to broaden your idea of service.
Susanna K.
Oct 15, 2012
OK, now I better understand what you’re talking about. Something like this?
http://www.cityyear.org/CityYear/Home_New_2011/Home_A_2011.aspx
I agree that service is important. But I also think that in the zeal to make sure everyone is contributing, we need to not lose compassion for those who truly need help.
I’m coming at this from the perspective of being surrounded by folks who are always complaining that everyone else (never them, of course) is lazy and needs to be made to work harder, contribute more, toughen up, etc. Toughness equals righteousness and compassion is for losers, goes the mindset in the town where I live. So that’s why I get leery when I hear these sorts of proposals. I’m all for contributing to the community: I volunteer in a couple of different ways, and wish more people would as well. I just don’t know if mandatory service is the best way to lift up our community, to bring more people together and create a sense of civic pride.
Jim Mitchem
Oct 15, 2012
Well, I only mention these things because I have a direct personal reference point to service as a means of lifting the spirit. And believe me, I was around some pretty serious cases of depression and hopelessness. And here’s the thing – when we develop a culture of entitlement (in terms of the concept) it’s hard to lift yourself out of that ditch. Eventually, the aid runs out. Then the real hopelessness sets in. Desperation takes over. Survivalism kicks in. And crimes result.
Susanna K.
Oct 15, 2012
You make a good point. People are so disconnected these days, from each other and from their communities. It’s better for everyone if we can find a constructive way to show people they matter, and that whatever skills they can bring to the table are worthwhile.
UpsideUp Laurie
Oct 15, 2012
I’m not sure how one gets to be king these days, but I’d vote for you for sure.
addie | culicurious
Oct 16, 2012
I love all of these ideas 🙂 This country would be so much better if any one of them were implemented.
Dion V
Oct 17, 2012
Is it too late to nominate you for President, Jim? If so, how about coming up here to Canada to be our next PM? We have similar issues up here that these ideas could certainly help with. Some of the details need fleshing out (as noted and discussed above), but every idea has to start somewhere. The space shuttle didn’t just spring into being. Someone had to say, “Hey, what about a reusable spacecraft?”
Mike McBride
Sep 28, 2016
I vote for you Jim. Can you arrange RUSH to play at your inauguration?
My novel – Minor King
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