Policy Prescriptions For A Sick America Part V

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

41. Outlaw Smoking Everywhere But Home

Smoking anywhere but in your own home should be outlawed. Period. Having freedom does not mean people have the right to do things that directly affect everyone around them in an adverse manner.

42. Outlaw The Trading Of Debt

One of the biggest reasons we are in this current economic mess is the purchase and repackaging of debt to sell in various financial markets. It is useless and does nothing for society, as it creates nothing. Whomever issues debt must own it.

43. Concrete Credit Card Standards

If you are issued a credit card the terms should never change. If you pay late or go over the limit, the issuer should have the right to cancel the account but not change the terms. This will provide a greater level of consumer protection that is desperately needed.

44. End Abstinence Education

This useless tool has been propagated by the religious right and conservative politicians, and it has failed miserably. We must teach kids what sex is and how it works. It must be taught in a way that will actually allow them to pay attention and understand the content. Contraception must be free of charge to all students.

45. Embrace Metric

This is more of a pet peeve. Embrace the metric as our standard of measurement. It is just the right thing to do. We say we know it, but until we actually teach it, we will be the one weirdo left in the world using our current, crazy system.

46. Trade Money For Tech In Foreign Aid

Throwing money at problems without any type of plan usually does nothing more than create more problems. We must send out a "Techie Peace Corps" to bring poor areas up to standards, allowing them to prosper. This will help other nations while repairing our own image. It certainly beats dropping off cargo jets of food and money to dictators.

47. Break Down Insurance Borders

Even in a single-payer system there will be a role for private supplemental insurance. The Federal Government must eliminate individual state regulations and borders to force these businesses to compete.

48. Water

Our water is disgusting. No fluoride or other chemical should be added. There must be a national public works project focused solely on improving the quality of our water.

49. Research Grants

As much money as can be spared must be pumped into research at our universities and labs in any area that will benefit humanity. Tax breaks should be given to anyone willing to donate to research in any reputable field.

50. Privacy

This will be one of the biggest issues of our time. A new agency must be created that has the sole purpose of protecting an individual's privacy. Repealing the Patriot Act would go a long way, but in the age of cloud computing more will need to be done.

This wraps up my 50 Policy Prescriptions For A Sick America. I could go on forever, but my hands are tired and I have to stop sometime. I want to hear yours. Email me at shoestoporn@gmail.com, follow me on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook.