If I Were President by Elaine Brown

How to Become President

saigebarren — 2015-03-05 15:42:54 UTC

U.S. citizen
35 years or older
Reside or have resided in the United States for at least 14 years

Should there be more requirements for presidential candidacy?

saigebarren — 2015-03-06 01:13:49 UTC

We believe a presidential candidate should have more qualifications before he or she can become the leader of the free world. We agree with the present requirements for running for office, but there are some unwritten qualifications that previous presidents have shared that we believe should be required:

past political experience (any position that is voted upon by the group of people they are representing: Vice President, senator, etc.)
a post-secondary education (minimum of a bachelor's degree)
military experience (service in any branch is acceptable, but the candidate should hold rank of any level)
good standing in their community

What are the roles of the President?

saigebarren — 2015-03-06 01:32:04 UTC

The President has many roles in maintaining order through the executive branch of the government. They include:

Representative of the Nation (figurehead of the nation)

Commander in Chief (leader of the armed forces)

Chief Executive (carries out nation's laws by deciding how to enforce them)

Foreign Policy Leader (works out treaties/agreements with foreign countries)

Chief of State (meets with foreign leaders; representative of American values)

Chief of Party (leader of their own political party)

We believe these roles are appropriate for the job of the President.

International Policy: ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria)

saigebarren — 2015-03-06 15:28:58 UTC

The terrorist group, ISIS has proven to not only be a threat to the Middle East, but to the US and other nations as well. With it's actions becoming more nefarious each day, Obama was forced to make a decision on the increasing threat. Recently, he devised a three-year timeline in the pursuit of ISIS, requesting military force against the group. Currently, this consists of 150 airstrikes in Iraq as well as flexibility for limited ground operations by the U.S. military, but longstanding ground force has been ruled out.

Many critics in Congress are questioning if the defeat of ISIS is possible without actually putting "US combat troops on the ground." Just recently another terrorists group, "Boko Haram" has plead its allegiance to ISIS. While the majority agrees with Obama's decision to take action against ISIS, there is a division on whether Obama will be remembered for ending the war or starting a new one. We think there shouldn't really be limitations set on HOW to defeat the enemy.

The GOP senator agrees, stating:

"If we're telling the Islamic State upfront that we will not be using ground forces, will they not tailor their strategy around that fact? he continued. "If we advertise when the authorization expires with the arbitrary date and time, won't they just hunker down and wait for that date?"

Domestic Policy

saigebarren — 2015-03-06 15:55:34 UTC

Throughout the past few months, there have been a record number of measles outbreaks across the country. This is surprising because in the 15 years before, this disease was officially declared eradicated from the entire country. These shocking reports have suggested that many parents have not vaccinated their children. This is due to some reports linking vaccinations to autism, though mainstream science does not acknowledge this. The National Autism Association states that there is no one cause of autism and that many factors can play a role. Many parents refuse to vaccinate their children on religious or philosophical beliefs. Regardless, we believe that the President should hold the power to make it mandatory for some citizens to get this vaccine because it is in the best interest of the country.

To Follow or Lead?

saigebarren — 2015-03-08 21:15:40 UTC

Arab nations should lead the fight against ISIS while receiving assistance from the United States and its other allies. Though the US has a strong military and ISIS has impacted many other nations, ISIS' home is in the Middle East. For that fact alone, Arab allies need to be leading so they can best serve their people who are being directly impacted by ISIS. In protecting their citizens, their actions will help to ensure the safety of the rest of the world's citizens. ISIS needs to understand that the people in their "backyard" will not stand for or support their crimes against humanity.

(Example: Jordan airstrikes in Feb. 2015)

What about the serious risks for taking the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine?

saigebarren — 2015-03-08 21:42:32 UTC

There are side effects of taking any medication, vaccines included. Many parents worry about these side effects and have every right to. However, the side effects that many are worried about like death and brain damage are very rare and because of their rarity, a child's death may not even be attributed to the vaccine, as confirmed by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).

Does the President have the right to enact mandatory vaccination and would it be constitutional?

saigebarren — 2015-03-08 21:52:06 UTC

When first discussing the outbreak of the measles, we proposed that Obama use his powers to make vaccinations mandatory, however, looking on the Control Center of Disease website, it is unconstitutional to force someone to vaccinate their child if it goes against their religious beliefs or philosophic beliefs, which directly violates their 1st Amendment right. However we do think there needs to be something done to put a stop to this growing epidemic. We think that there could be a tax placed on the decision to not get vaccinated, similarly to the tax placed on people who didn't get health insurance.

Cases in the United States 2014-2015

saigebarren — 2015-03-09 02:39:37 UTC

Fact Sheet About Measles for Parents

saigebarren — 2015-03-09 02:41:18 UTC

Measles: A Personal Story

saigebarren — 2015-03-09 02:41:58 UTC

Assistance in Paying for Children's Vaccines

saigebarren — 2015-03-09 02:46:24 UTC

ISIS Recruitment Through Social Media

saigebarren — 2015-03-09 02:55:49 UTC

Recent Iraqi Military Success

saigebarren — 2015-03-09 03:01:03 UTC

ISIS/ISIL

saigebarren — 2015-03-09 03:15:30 UTC

What do they mean? Look below to find out their meanings and why they've been used interchangeably.

If I Were President...

saigebarren — 2015-03-09 03:17:43 UTC

In this presentation, we will discuss what we would change about the presidency and focus on the international and domestic issues and policies that Obama and the government have established. If granted the opportunity to change the course of American politics, these are the changes we would make to alter history as we know it.

International Policy Concerning Terrorist Groups in the Future

saigebarren — 2015-03-09 03:25:14 UTC

This change in international policy would set a precedent of U.S. military use in future foreign conflicts. By allowing foreign countries to lead in conflicts in their region as well as offering effective assistance to them, the U.S. can strengthen foreign relations with allies and improve public opinion for future allies. Though the United States wishes to continue maintaining power and fighting for the rights of people around the world, we would like our allies to feel free to exert their own power necessary to resolve conflicts in their own countries and territories and be able to stand on their own.

Domestic Policy Concering Disease in the Future

saigebarren — 2015-03-09 03:34:28 UTC

In mandating vaccinations for diseases like measles, we hope to set the precedent of protecting as many American citizens as possible in the face of future diseases. We do not want the thoughts of a few to harm the majority, but we do not want to infringe on the minority's rights to express their beliefs.