1. Cut the crap with Cuba, fast-track normalization.
2. Truly engage Iran – multiparty direct talks (EU, US, Iran, Russia, Israel … and Russia? and China?). If Israel doesn’t want to show up, tough beans. An Iran solution will unfortunately likely hinge on some Palestinian solution. But engage nevertheless. If fully engaged war is unlikely. Nuking people is unlikely. Just being able to piss on the table for a decade may be enough.
3. Progress on the tax code. Lower (hopefully much lower) less convoluted corporate rate (seriously work over corporate loopholes). Higher investment income tax rate, return to more progressive tax structure. The should raise FICA and Mcare and lose the caps.
4. Aggressively pursue strong relationships with the Arab springers. He is already doing that, he can do it more aggressively without an election in the way.
5. Climate change is a tough cookie. I think it is a waste of money. I can't see a scientific basis for meaningfully altering the trajectory. So, yes, a carbon tax … to pay for the infrastructure needed to deal with climate change, but not under some fantasy that efforts will alter the trajectory. If the market happens to respond swiftly to the carbon tax (reducing emissions) and it happens to alter the trajectory, then that is just a bonus. An unlikely bonus.
6. Single payer option. In my dreams.
7. Dumping resources into community/tech colleges (things that target specific certifiable competencies “certified lab tech” “certified welder”) with direct federal near zero-interest loans likely coupled to tuition controls at receiving institutions.
8. Keep/increase spending on green energy. Expect a lot of failure and a few gems.
9. Restore funding for basic research, more players, smaller grants, return to uncoupling research for the private sector. The public-private consortia are just private sector welfare.
*10. Immigration reform.
Arizona. Texas and Georgia are becoming purple states. He is a second termer, he can take the hit. Demographics will make up the difference. Folks in OH, VA, and NC don’t give a flying monkey about Cuba. Or do they?
Dig Space for President.
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