Let's play a little game. Let's say you're the President.

[Savannahmann]

Everyone likes to say "If I was in charge" so let's play that game. You've been elected, and it's the first day, you were sworn in yesterday. What is your first order? Your first day's work?

For me, my first order, the very first thing I'd do is so easy it's almost a no brainer. I'd order the Attorney General to get me the files and pardons on every single person who was convicted of a drug offense because drugs were found in their cars or homes but were never linked to the individual concerned. I'm thinking of those women who are serving time because a boyfriend ran and left the drugs in the apartment. Then I'd call for files and pardons on anyone convicted of a Marijuana offense. I need nothing from Congress to do this, I need no authority other than that which is granted to me as President by the Constitution.

How about you? What would your first day's work consist of?

[dkf]

1. Roll back the surveillance system. Go back to probable cause. Protect the 4th amendment.

Transparency transparency transparency. Welcome whistleblowers to make government work better. Continuing Ed to reinforce proper procedures.

[MicaelS]

2. Call a press conference and state that

We will pass single payer health / dental / mental health care along the lines of Canada and the UK within 90 days. And that I won't sign any other bills until it does pass. And if we need to cut the budget in order to do so, it is coming straight from the Pentagon's budget.

[Mr. David]

6. About 90% of the DoD budget can be reallocated.

and still run our defense efficiently. We do not need any more billion dollar technology when most of the countries aren't there yet.

[Cheap_Trick]

3. What you say you're going to do

and what you're actually ALLOWED to do are very different things.

[Savannahmann]

5. Which is why I choose the way I did.

The Constitution gives the President sole authority and power on Pardons. Congress can't do more than complain, it would take a Constitutional amendment to change that authority. The Courts would sigh, and admit that the Constitution gives the President sole authority, and there is nothing anyone can do. Oh the Press would complain, the Prison Industrial Complex would complain, but there is nothing that can be done to prevent it.

Next up would be instructions to the various agencies, but I'd wait until day two for the policy questions. Long enough for everyone to find their offices. Generous aren't I?

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_pard.html

[Mr. David]

4. Pardon and free Don Siegelman

and order the arrest of Karl Rove, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfield, Condoleeza Rice and more to be sent off to the Hague for war crimes.

Then order the arrest of the Koch Brothers for illegal tampering of America citizens and seize all assets to be repatriated to the U.S. Treasury. Make a major example of the scumbag and the ALEC bullshit.

Revoke all benefits granted to them, including their citizenships - they are persona non grata in the United States.\

COLA is increased by 35% for the next 25 years, adjusted by the reduction of the Department of Defense budget.

And order all 1% repatriate their offshore moneys in the United States or risk being citizenless and assets seized.

Minimum wage is ordered by executive order at $20.00 pending Congressional approval, Republicans will be indicted if they do not agree.

[JaneyVee]

7. MASSIVE Nation-wide infrastructure and technological upgrades.

From roads and bridges, to power grids and high speed rail, to massive public works projects. A 21st century America. Not only is this the best stimulus, it gives the country a renewed sense of morale and pride, seeing our Nation being built and upgraded. BIG projects. An America under construction.

[randome]

8. Climate change, climate change, climate change.

If we don't have a planet that can sustain us, everything else is irrelevant.

[hr]
[font color="blue"][center]I'm always right. When I'm wrong I admit it.
So then I'm right about being wrong.[/center][/font]
[hr]