Sydney: It seems that Government is way too big. There are plenty of Departments that could either improve their efficiency, or be removed altogether. Alternatively, there are clearly some Departments that should be administered by the States. There is also duplication at the moment, such as in the welfare system where both States and the … Continue reading Symposium 2011: We are currently over $15 trillion in debt as a nation. What changes should be made to restore fiscal responsibility and direct the country towards a balanced budget?
Government
Symposium 2011: Should English be made the official language of the United States?
Sydney: I thought English was the official language of the United States. I think it would make sense because it is the main language spoken here, even if so many other languages are spoken as well. I think it would encourage immigrants to learn English which would make it easier for them to integrate into … Continue reading Symposium 2011: Should English be made the official language of the United States?
Symposium 2011: Should the U.S. have policies pursuing democracy in the Middle East?
Orlando: The spread of democracy is a noble ambition. Peoples have a right to live in freedom, without oppression, and with certain basic rights. There are a lot of places in the Middle East that have never known democracy in recorded history. To suddenly thrust democracy upon these peoples is a little presumptuous and dangerous. … Continue reading Symposium 2011: Should the U.S. have policies pursuing democracy in the Middle East?
Symposium 2011: Most everyone, Democrat and Republican alike, agrees that we must control the border. How do we achieve a secure border? Was the intent of the 14th amendment to grant citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants? Should illegals receive welfare benefits or tax credits?
Orlando: Thinking Outside the Boxe has long thought that a real border fence is impractical. We’ve supported both a virtual fence using cameras and drone technology as well as an increased presence of military personnel on the border. Now that we’ve got a lot of troops coming home from Iraq, let’s reposition them on the … Continue reading Symposium 2011: Most everyone, Democrat and Republican alike, agrees that we must control the border. How do we achieve a secure border? Was the intent of the 14th amendment to grant citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants? Should illegals receive welfare benefits or tax credits?
Symposium 2011: What role, if any, should the federal government play in education? Should we demand a repeal of No Child Left Behind?
Cartwright: None. Who’s better at deciding how to teach the kids—a bureaucrat in Washington or your local educators? There are quite a few problems with our education system today. We’ve got teachers in some places who because of tenure can’t be fired and who are just riding their chairs until they retire; they’ve given up … Continue reading Symposium 2011: What role, if any, should the federal government play in education? Should we demand a repeal of No Child Left Behind?
Symposium 2011: Over the past few decades the Postal Service and Amtrak have racked up billions of dollars in losses. Should we privatize them?
Cartwright: With regards to Amtrak, I’ll put that in the infrastructure discussion from above. We need to modernize our railways and add high speed rails. Once that’s done, we can talk about privatization. For the Postal Service, here’s an idea. Let’s break it up and turn it over to Wal-Mart and Target and UPS and … Continue reading Symposium 2011: Over the past few decades the Postal Service and Amtrak have racked up billions of dollars in losses. Should we privatize them?
Symposium 2011: The Republican candidates for president often state that the size of government is too big. There are hundreds of departments, agencies, boards, offices, and programs. Which ones, if any, should we eliminate?
Michigan: We can debate this forever. What elected official is going to vote to eliminate any agency or department? Everyone talks about it but until we let our elected officials know who they are working for, nothing will happen. Sydney: I think the main problem in eliminating, or reducing the size of Government is the … Continue reading Symposium 2011: The Republican candidates for president often state that the size of government is too big. There are hundreds of departments, agencies, boards, offices, and programs. Which ones, if any, should we eliminate?
Symposium 2011: What reforms, if any, would you suggest be made to the Federal Reserve? Should the Fed’s dual mandate to achieve maximum employment and price stability be repealed or should there be specific targets for each?
Orlando: Well, I think the Federal Reserve has a useful purpose but it has been responsible for the biggest economic disasters in the past fifteen years. Low interest rates fueled the internet bubble back in the late 1990s. That didn’t turn out too well for the economy or stock market. And accommodative policy helped fuel … Continue reading Symposium 2011: What reforms, if any, would you suggest be made to the Federal Reserve? Should the Fed’s dual mandate to achieve maximum employment and price stability be repealed or should there be specific targets for each?
Symposium 2011: Do you have a plan to reform Social Security, Medicare and Welfare? How do you feel about extended unemployment benefits?
Orlando: I see we’re starting off with a pretty big and complex question. I sure hope this doesn’t eat up all our time here today. But, let’s get to it. As you may recall, Thinking Outside the Boxe crafted a comprehensive Social Security reform plan back in 2005 which we submitted to various members of … Continue reading Symposium 2011: Do you have a plan to reform Social Security, Medicare and Welfare? How do you feel about extended unemployment benefits?
Symposium 2010: In the aftermath of sweeping Congressional losses in November, what is your outlook for the Democratic party?
They are in much the same situation that the Republicans were in when they lost the majority in the House in 2006. They need to reassess what is important to them and what caused them to get trounced. I think they squandered a lot of political capital in the healthcare fiasco, and I think the … Continue reading Symposium 2010: In the aftermath of sweeping Congressional losses in November, what is your outlook for the Democratic party?
