Policy Prescriptions For A Sick America Part II

A continuation of Policy Prescriptions For A Sick America Part I:

11. Increase The Highest Tax Bracket

The 1950's was a time of great expansion in American wealth and infrastructure. Coincidentally, it was a time when the top tax bracket was 90%. Now the top bracket is taxed a fraction of what it was a generation ago; the top 1% is holding a greater share of wealth than the bottom 90%. If you want income equality, and the cash to rebuild crumbling infrastructure, the tax code is the only way to achieve it.

12. Year-Round School

It amazes me that teachers think it is a good idea to take three months off from learning. Too much time is spent reteaching basic concepts that were forgotten. Year-round school is necessary to close educational gaps and move our children forward intellectually.

13. National Curriculum

All schools should teach the exact same things. Why should a child in Vermont learn about evolution while a child in Texas is taught intelligent design? It does not make sense.

14. National Service
All graduating seniors must serve two years of national service away from home, such as serving in the Peace Corps, a national reserve, or volunteering in our urban and rural areas. Fostering service will build teamwork, ambition, and a national identity amongst our youth. The rich and the poor must know each other; we must end the era of "Who cares as long as I get mine?" by learning how the other half lives.

15. The Draft

I do not foresee wars involving the U.S. if we stop our preemptive actions. However, if we do find ourselves under impending attack, the resumption of the draft is critical. All races, genders, and income levels should be included. This is the only way we ensure that war is the last option.

16. Civil Unions

The government must be kicked out of the marriage business. It has no authority to recognize who is and who is not "married". The issue of gay or straight marriage should be between two people and the institutions they choose to be involved with. The government should only recognize civil unions for tax and legal purposes.

17. Removal Of Faith-Based Institutions

The government should not be making any agency based on faith. Thomas Jefferson is rolling over in his grave. Bush brought this initiative into the limelight and Obama has chosen to continue it. It serves no role in government and should be abolished.

18. All Children Must Be Bilingual

All children must be taught a second language. This will scare nativists, but what doesn't? It is necessary for our economic future and our general well-being to have the ability to communicate with others in their native tongue.

19. Social Sciences From Grade 1

Philosophy, history, psychology, sociology, and all other meaningful social sciences must be taught to children upon their entering the academic world. There is no reason not to do this. We are doing a disservice to them by waiting until they are in high school before anything beyond social studies is offered. They must understand critical thinking, the human mind, and the world around them if they are to have any hope of figuring out how society functions.

20. National Transit Web

Looking at a transit  map of this country should remind a person of an intricate spider web. Right now it is sprawl and crumbling highways. We must rebuild our transit systems. Cars in giant urban areas should be replaced with trains, street cars, and free trolleys. A web of high speed trains should criss-cross the country. The suburbs must be made walkable; people living in them should drive electric cars to transit hubs that take them to shopping centers or the nearest city within minutes. Citizens, especially those in rural areas that will still need to drive, should be offered a tiered tax credit based on the fuel efficiency of any new car they purchase.