The Patriot Post® · Now That the 2016 Election Is in the Rearview Mirror
Tuesday, November 8 was a stunning repudiation of the eight years of Barack Obama’s presidency. It was a revolution. The media and the Left are in a daze; they don’t understand what happened. They didn’t notice that the people were unhappy with the direction of the country, and the people showed them that they are in charge.
With a Republican president and Republican majorities in each House of the Congress — not to mention in the states — the stage is set for needed change, and the by-word for Republicans is “restoration.”
That’s a tall order, given the deep slide the country has been in for so many years. Among items badly needing attention:
Gain control of the borders and restore immigration laws and policies so that they benefit and protect the people of the United States. There is no obligation to accept immigrants or refugees, and if we choose to accept some, they must be carefully vetted to select those who will help America the most. Do away with sanctuary jurisdictions in the U.S.
Reverse many/all of Obama’s executive orders that are either unconstitutional, attempts to circumvent congressional treaty authority, or just bad ideas.
Revitalize and build up the American military to its former strength and effectiveness.
The IRS, EPA, DOE and other executive departments are staffed by many who, instead of serving the people, are serving political/ideological masters. Replace these people with true public servants.
Repeal or heavily modify the so-called “Affordable” Care Act to increase private sector insurance coverage and encourage more choices and more competition among providers of insurance and health care, and to lower prices. Get the government out of health care as much as possible.
Simplify the tax code and adjust rates, and reduce regulations. These things impair business development and stifle job creation, which makes moving jobs and companies overseas more appealing.
Restore the constitutional balance of power and reverse Congress’ unconstitutional transfer of lawmaking through regulations by executive agencies and departments.
Vacancies on the Supreme Court and other federal courts must be filled by people who not only understand the original language and intent of the Constitution, but will honor it. Changes to the Constitution must occur through the process outlined in the Constitution itself, not through unelected activist judges.
The election process has many weaknesses that allow the dead to vote and other problems that can be utilized for illegal purposes. Furthermore, there is simply no legitimate reason to not implement a photo ID requirement to vote in federal elections. A photo ID is required to buy alcohol or cigarettes; open a bank account; apply for food stamps, welfare, Medicaid/Social Security, unemployment, a mortgage or a job; drive/buy/rent a car; get on an airplane; purchase a gun; adopt a pet; rent a hotel room, and many other things. But not to vote. Clean up voter rolls, be more vigilant and punish cheaters.
A balanced budget is not immediately possible, but begin to decrease the size and cost of government and start reducing the gargantuan national debt.
Congress was not intended to be, and should not be, a career, and lengthy congressional service has produced an unhealthy culture. The Framers envisioned citizen legislators, people who did their elected job for part of the year and worked their jobs at home the rest of the year, and after a term or two returned to civilian life. We need to move toward that environment.
And last but certainly not least: Uphold the Rule of Law; eliminate the double standard: Government workers at all levels must be held to the same legal standards as the people who pay their salaries. This includes such folks as the IRS’s Lois Learner and, yes, Hillary Clinton.
It’s true that the defeat in the election was a true blow to her, and yes, that can be taken into account. However, as secretary of state, Clinton breached security and put at risk sensitive national security information, destroyed evidence, and lied to Congress about it. Others who have done similar things have suffered criminal penalties for their wrongdoing; retired Army General David Petraeus, active-duty Petty Officer First Class Kristian Saucier, and many others were punished through the legal system for security breaches. So, too, must Clinton be.
FBI Director James Comey introduced a new element into criminal law when he decided Clinton should not be indicted for her wrongdoing because he was unable to establish the intent to breach security. However, when lawyers for Saucier told the court their client did not intend to breach security, as Comey asserted about Clinton, the judge rebuked them for using that defense. She thus escaped justice where others did not.
She should not be pardoned; the legal system exists to find and punish criminal behavior. If appropriate for her deeds, she should be charged, and absent a guilty plea, tried. If guilty by plea or by trial, a large fine and/or probation would be appropriate. It’s only fair: equal justice under the law. Otherwise, it will be a huge statement that some are above the law.
There is much to be done. Let’s get started.