My view is that the two debates were interesting, but did not add much to the distinctions amongst the candidates.

I was impressed by Carly Fiornia’s responses to the questions, especially her statements about cybersecurity and the Middle East problems.

I was impressed by Dr. Ben Carson indicating that we lift up the “baton of freedom, because freedom is not free,” and that all of us need to get involved to fight for our children and the next generation. He is absolutely right!

I was impressed by Ted Cruz’ statement that on day one he would tear up the Iran agreement, repeal all of Obama’s illegal executive orders, and more. These are all good things for the USA.

Only Mike Huckabee mentioned the FairTax, and I encourage all readers to study this plan. My study of the FairTax demonstrates to my satisfaction that it is the best tax overhaul plan: only goods purchased would have the FairTax imbedded in the retail price (so lots of people who pay no federal tax today will pay some of their share); all federal taxes would be eliminated by the FairTax, so our take-home checks will be increased accordingly; and perhaps most important, a manufacturing concern like Caterpillar could purchase all parts and components with no imbedded federal taxes and be able to export their machines with no imbedded tax. I believe this would bring us many new manufacturing jobs.

I would add to Mr. Cruz’ day one actions these additional steps, no matter which GOP candidate is elected:

• Invalidate all EPA regulations issued in the last three years and instruct the EPA to get Congressional approval for all future new regulations.

• Instruct any federal agencies that are blocking the Keystone XL pipeline to immediately sign their approvals.

• Ask Congress to repeal the laws restricting export of United States crude oil. (Is it possible that we could increase our oil production more as a result, and also eliminate our import of foreign oil?)

• Ask Congress to repeal any laws restricting the offering of health insurance plans to all Americans, regardless of the state of residence. (All health insurance companies should be able to sell their policies to any citizen in any state. Currently this is not possible. Doing this would give all these insurance firms more customers over which to spread the risk and likely give us overall lower cost health insurance.)

• Instruct the Department of Justice to investigate Hillary Clinton’s email mess, the VA and the IRS. Any lawbreakers should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law!

• Instruct the Department of Justice to prosecute the managers of “sanctuary cities” for their part in the atrocities committed by illegals protected by those cities.

• Announce to the public that the United States will no longer provide taxpayer funds to illegal aliens, including food stamps, welfare, medical care and any other means by which illegals gain access to federal tax payments.

• Ask Congress to pass the FairTax proposals that are sitting idle there.

• Ask Congress to pass a federal e-verify program and, once this is done, ask the Justice Department to prosecute employers who violate the provisions.

• Inform Congress that any bill longer that five pages will be vetoed, no matter the content or the purpose. We have too many bills that Congress has passed and no one bothers to read, and we all know how beneficial those statutes are.

I have more thoughts but I will leave them for perhaps another day.

I ask that all of us encourage our relatives, friends, neighbors and colleagues to vote for the eventual GOP nominee November 2016 so we can move America forward to her best days. As Dr. Carson reminded us, “Freedom is not free”!

Jim Dick is a lifelong conservative and a California resident.