If I Were President

When my boys were younger, one of their favorite stories for me to read was "If I Ran The Zoo" by Dr. Seuss. It is a whimsical story about a boy who regales a zoo worker with how the zoo would look if he were in charge, the changes he would make and all the new, fanciful animals he would include. This story came to mind the other day when I was somewhat bemused by the continuing turmoil and turnover that sadly has become commonplace within the White House. It got me to thinking; what would the White House be like if I were in charge? Those who have known me from 6th grade up through college know that at one time my dream was to be the President of the United States, and this was not some braggadocios claim made in order to attract attention. No, I was dead serious. I wanted to be the President of the United States. Now however- not so much. I've found my passion and I know what I'm good at and that is being in the classroom teaching history. Besides, I am neither narcissistic nor arrogant enough to pursue the presidency. Nor am I wealthy enough...I'm a teacher after all. However, the goings-on in the White House have nonetheless got me to thinking how would I have done things differently?

For starters, not all of my cabinet would be conservative or even moderate Republicans. Chances are most of the cabinet would be Republicans of one ideology or another, but certainly not all of them. I firmly believe that there are some issues in government that Democrats are naturally (if you can be naturally predisposed in such a way) better at than are Republicans. For instance, I tend to believe that Democrats tend to have a better grasp at internal, domestic issues than do Republicans. Therefore, many of the cabinet positions would be filled by competent Democrats. I believe that Republicans tend to be naturally more adept at foreign policy, thus most of the cabinet positions which involve foreign policy would be filled by competent Republicans.  Economically, I would surround myself by conservative fiscal thinkers, however, they would not design policy that would only benefit the wealthy nor shift tax burden from those able to pay to those less able to pay. To many, this may sound incompatible with conservative theory, however, I assure you it is not. It just seems that way because of current crop of "leaders" who have usurped power in the Republican Party. I could go into more detail, however that is, I believe, a different blog post. I would not, however, surround myself with a bunch of "YES" people who would fawn over me and assure me that all I was doing was good and correct. I want people to disagree with me, I want conflict (peaceable and thoughtful- not vulgar and angry). Having different ideas and some conflict creates better outcomes. I wholly subscribe to the axiom that if everyone is thinking the same thing, then no one is thinking at all. Yes, this is one way things would be different if I were the president.

I would put people in charge who know and understand the role and function of their department and who actually support that departments mission. If I were President I would not put someone in charge of Housing whose only qualification was that, when they were a child, they were poor once as well. Hello Ben Carson.  Gosh, I've flown on airplanes several times, so obviously I'm qualified to head the FAA. If I were president I would not put someone in charge of a department that they want to shut down. Hello  Rick Perry, although to be fair, Rick couldn't remember the name of this department when he said he wanted to shut it down. Heck, I really dislike Wal-Mart and it would not break my heart to see them go under, therefore I should be the CEO of Wal-Mart. If I were president I would appoint people to positions in which they have some qualifications and experience to justify their position. Hello Betsy DeVos. Did you know that if the ONLY time you've ever stepped into a public school is for a craft fair on a muggy Saturday afternoon in 1997, you already have more public school experience than good ol' Betsy? (That is a fact by the way.) I have absolutely no experience in building cars, but I hear there is a lot of waste in the automobile industry so I am an obvious choice to head up General Motors. If I were president I would nominate people who not going to work against the very agency they would lead. Hello Scott Pruitt. I am against any baseball game that lasts longer than 2 1/2- 3 hours, so I'm a shoe-in for baseball commissioner. No, if I were president I would nominate people who I knew understood and would champion the cause of their agency. Even if- no- ESPECIALLY if I knew they and I would butt heads at times. That's what I would do, I were the President.

If I were the president, I would seek some common ground with our adversaries around the world and work towards agreement with them on those grounds  All the while being very wary of them in all other arenas. Detente` ala Richard Nixon. Yes, I'm speaking, of course, about the Russians. I know communism is dead and gone in Russia, but that doesn't make them any less dangerous or any more trustworthy. Vladimir Putin is an old school Cold War Warrior and would love to see a renewed Cold War, this time with Russia holding all the cards. I certainly would not be willing to get cozy with them or create any backdoor friendships with them. I definitely would not be meeting with them for any reason during a campaign. I mean, why would I anyways? If I'm running for office, I hold no official title or capacity, at that moment, I'm just a candidate who wants to be president. Furthermore, I would not encourage our historical adversary to hack into my opponents computers. Wasn't openly encouraging a foreign power to attack a fellow citizen at one time considered treason? I don't know, jus' askin'. Remember the good old days when even the slightest hint of contact or friendliness with Russia considered political suicide? Yes, If I were President, I would know who my allies were and more importantly know who my enemies were. That's what I would do, if I were President.

Now, don't get me wrong. There ARE some things that this current president has done that I do agree with. There are some things that I would have done if I were the President, it's true. Nikki Haley is a fine choice for U.S. Representative in the U.N. From all accounts she has done outstanding and is truly working on behalf of the country and its interests. If I were President, I'd like to think Nikki Haley would have been my choice as well. I do like the idea of repealing as many regulations as possible. I think sometimes we get seduced by the thought that government can cure all the ills that take place in the world. So, whenever an issue raises its ugly little head, no matter how small or insignificant it may well be, our inclination is to pass a rule or a law about it. There, we say to ourselves with righteous indignation, that'll solve that pesky little problem. But in reality, all that we've accomplished is strangling businesses and hamstringing the economy. Now, understand me, and hear me clearly; I am NOT  in favor of repealing regulations that actually protect things and people who are unable to protect themselves in the name of profit and the welfare of business. No, if the regulations actually protect and maintain the safety and well being of people and the community, then it is a well placed regulation. However, if it is a regulation that is pretty much senseless and only aids in and growing bureaucracy or the tender inclinations of the perpetually offended, then that, that my friend, is an unneeded regulation indeed. I applaud the nomination of Neil Gorsuch. He is conservative to be sure, but his conservationism seems to be rooted in Constitutional principles, not crazy, whimsical conservatism whose only justification for their opinions are "because I know how the Founding Fathers would have thought about this issue." However, my next Supreme Court nominee would be a more liberal justice. For, as in life, politics- and yes the Supreme Court- works better when there is a balance in all things. Ideally, my Supreme Court would consist of three liberal justices, three moderate justices and three conservative justices. That's what I would do if were the run the White House. Yes, these are some of the things that I would do the same, if I were President.

Alas, however, I am not President, nor will I ever be so. But it's nice to dream and it's good to think, what would I do if I were the one to do. But take heart, if you disagree with this President, know he won't be forever and we have been through worse. And if you agree with the President, be kind to those who are of a different mind, for remember you were on the short end at one time and will be again. Treat all as you would want to be treated yourself. Even if that is not what this President would do. Because, that's what I would do, if I were President.