I f elected, I promise to make changes
                       Letter From Ted Taylor
                                           ©2-1-2008

Don’t we get tired of hearing this from so many candidates?
 It seems that during every election cycle
 we hear the same words from every candidate.
The candidates then throw dirt at each other while
no issues are presented or discussed.
 It seems that in the last few elections, those who threw mud
instead of answers moved on towards the party convention.

If I Were Running For Election

Well if I were running for election I would give ideas of things to change.
Some would be small, others would effect our entire population
and definite solutions would be given.
I would also estimate the financial implications of these changes
and how WE will benefit.
Now, I doubt if everyone would agree with my ideas
 but at least the American public would have a feeling of my intentions.

Metric System

One of the first ideas would be to make the metric system our standard.
Since we are one of the last of two countries in the world hanging on to the English system
we could better compete worldwide using the metric system.
Every person under the age of 60 has been exposed to the metric system
and it would only take a short time to get used to different numbers.
 We have used many excuses over the years not to change
 but to see the number of different tools required to work on a car or machine,
the savings would mount. NASA even lost two Mars Landers
when there was confusion on which system to use.

Standardization of Products
I would use a group of working professionals to check every new type product
 to determine what could be standardized to reduce costs and frustrations.
 I would standardize every type of product produced or imported to the US
to reduce the problems and expense of finding the right item. Just think how much we could save by having only a limited number of battery types for watches, cell phones, battery operated tools or other devices.  If they were the same size and were interchangeable.  This idea also works for all wear and tear items on your vehicle. Instead of having numerous types of, oil, air, and gas filters for each vehicle, there would be 4 -5 to choose from.

 Let’s figure out which type of screw head works best then make it standard.
It might be Phillips, Allen, or Torx  but use one type and get rid of all the others.
With fewer models to carry, a store can have more variety and reduce the costs of inventory. These are a few examples but almost everything we use would benefit by this process.

Change Medical System

Our medical system would be changed.
 Children would only receive inoculations deemed necessary
for their immediate safety.
All vaccines would be better tested  to prevent recalls
and possible side effects.
To receive a medication, the patient has to read or listen
 to possible major side effects
and determine if the risks of the drug are more important than the problem.

 Each drug would have a method of determining
 if the patient is actually benefiting from the drug.
 If there is no benefit, you stop taking the medication.
There would be a limit to how many types of medication one can take at one time
 as there is no way to determine the interaction of drugs.

 If there are no side effects, then a different drug can be added
as long as there can be proof each drug works for the patient.
We would challenge doctors to give each patient quality of life and not just quantity.
 If a terminal patient becomes dependent on pain killers,
then the quality of life overrides quantity of life.
 

Executive Pay and Benefits.

For our laws,
 I would push for setting the maximum benefits executives receive for their job.
No board director could be on other boards or managers of other companies.
As an idea, I would push for first year managers receiving no more  than  50 times
what the average wage  the company's  workers receive.  As an example, if the company employees averaged $30,000 a year, the first year CEO would make up to $1,500,000  and would include ALL of the benefits the CEO and managers receive.
 The rewards would go up in the following years,  depending on the success of the company.  The top executive salary and benefits would be 125 times the average employee salary. An incentive to increase productivity and compensation for everyone would benefit the CEO and managers alike.
If the managers fail in their role, there is no golden parachute for them
as they would receive the same benefits a regular worker would receive.

White Collar Crime

Our laws would be changed to make penalties different depending on the position the person held and the amount of damage done to the company or the nation. There would be no minor jail sentence for a person who steals millions
and expects either a parole or minimum security prison for a short term.
A habitual criminal would be sent to a desert prison where they would have the comforts of a tent and outdoor living as established by the sheriff from Arizona.
No extreme medical service would be provided to incarcerated people, such as transplants or chemotherapy. If there is valid evidence a person has committed a crime, a court date of no more than 30 days would apply. No trial would last over two days and all experts have to be actively doing the job and be current in the process.
 
Education  Or   Prison ?

For education, a test would be given at the end of the eighth grade to determine if the student should go on to high school or go to a technical school to learn a trade.
A dropout has two choices, either a trade school to learn a skill or prison.

Student Athletic Participation

For all athletic activities in High School or College, the student
would have to pass a test of the rules for the sport they want to participate.
 If they make the team, each athlete would have to actually play a part of each game. We have to remember it is a sport not a profession.
The coach would have to figure out how to use the players.

For college coaches, they can only make a salary
equal to the highest paid professors.
 

f the coach or managers violate any major N.C.A.A. rules,
then they are barred from being a coach.
 If an athlete has problems with team rules or the police,
they are banned from practicing or playing until the school or courts
have reviewed the infraction.


 Each athlete would receive money to help him/her have support
while they spend their time practicing or studying. All scholarship players have to sign a contract to forgo professional sports for four years. If they want to go professional, then they have to go to semipro teams for the experience.

Health Care and Illegal  Immigration

Some of the more controversial subjects such as health care
 and illegal immigration would be covered.
Any illegal who has been here for over five years and prove they have paid
 Federal and State taxes can apply for citizenship.
 If they have a significant criminal record, they are deported.
 Without  a personal validated ID, any employer who hires illegals
is personally fined and goes to jail.

 For health care, a certain amount is set aside each year and a treatment schedule is made similar to Oregon’s. As the money is used, the treatment schedule reflects a reduction of services. There would be no class action suits as each patient would be advised of side effects and determines if they want to take a drug or procedure. As an example, the advertisement for Vioxx stated that if you have a history or family history of heart problems, then you needed to check with your doctor before taking the drug.

War  or Self Defense

Unless physically attacked, we will not go to war.
 Other countries have to let its people settle their differences.
 If we decide to go to war, then a draft is instituted  and all people in the age groups can be drafted.
There would be few exceptions and each Congressperson would have a family member or relative drafted. The American people would have to immediately pay for any war with increased taxes and a reduction of services.

These are a few of the ideas I would propose at each debate or town hall meeting. For each public meeting, I would add to the list and be able to justify my ideas. You probably would not like all of them or any of them, so you could really choose the candidate that you can support.

I doubt if I would vote for myself as it is a different logic than we have seen from any candidate. But what are the alternatives? ???

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