In your opinion, what's the first thing the new Democratic President

[terrya]

Should do after taking office?

We all favor diffrent candidates. But we all have one thing in common. A loathing of George W. Bush and what his administration has done since taking office.

So, what's the first thing the new President should do, in your opinion, to undo the damage Bush has done?

Mine? Begin the immediate repeal of the Bush tax cuts. This is simply the right thing to do.

[goobergunch]

1. Free the enemy combatants

Doable by immediate executive order.

[ThomWV]

13. No.

I do not agree that those held in Guantanamo should immediately be released, but they should be brought immediately to Miami and there charged with whatever, or released and returned to whereever in hell it is they came from, and then those who are charged be given legal representation as they proceed through the LEGAL system.

Thom

[goobergunch]

14. I'm referring to U.S. citizens

that are being held as enemy combatants.

[WillyBrandt]

2. Visit Europe

...give a speech to the UN... then go to Iraq to see things (him/her)self.

Begin to show the world we are not (or no longer) a rogue nation.

[JVS]

3. Bring the military back home

[laura888]

4. wow - there are so many things!

I would do that as well as the what the other posters have suggested.

Can't this all be done with a wave of the hand, when you're president?

[quaker bill]

5. Sue for peace

with the rest of the planet.

[wryter2000]

10. Exactly

Go to the UN and let the international community know that things have changed. Do whatever necessary to get them to help us out of Iraq, ASAP. Especially, rely on the insights and help of other Muslim countries.

[BloodyWilliam]

6. Start an investigation into the previous administration.

Or at least explicitely say that no matter what comes up, he will NOT pardon the last bastards in the white house.

[The Commie]

9. Throw Shrub & Co. in jail...

...And toss away the key, Then repeal the tax cuts.

[molly]

7. Be logical and realistic

do things that make sense. Get this country back on track - DO NOT bend or sway to radicals.

[Liberal Veteran]

8. Repeal the Patriot Act!

That damn thing is more dangerous than Bush's tax cuts .

[ComerPerro]

11. Speak out against his impeachment hearings

Because he will be impeached for our massive deficits over the past two years, the failure to capture Osama bin Laden, and the failure to achieve a new government in Iraq.

[AWD]

12. Apologize to the world

...for the crimes of the previous rulers.

[Vikingking66]

15. a couple of quick and powerful items

-Make election day a national holiday by presidential decree. This well help the Democrats solidify their majority, by boosting constituencies which are Democratic by ideology but whose turnout tends to be rather weak due to economic and other restrains. African-Americans, Latinos, and non-unionized working class Americans tend to vote Democratic in large numbers, but they don't vote as often as the more affluent, more white, more organized sections of the Democratic coalition.

-issue a presidential decree declassifying the records of the Bush administration, especially those relating to casualty figures during the war, the minutes of the Cheney energy meetings, the Weapons of Mass Destruction claims during the State of the Union and the resolution vote, and the Wilson leak. If we can really tar the outgoing administration by focusing the media's attention on the uncovered evildoings of the Bush Admin, we can tarnish the Republican party and make a good foundation for the midterms.

-establish good and open links with the press. Re-instate the Reno standards for freedom of information requests, establish weekly presidential press conferences, as well as more informal off the record sitdown sessions for the major players. "Subsidize" the internet media, especially the bloggers, by offering them press credentials, advance notice of scoops, plenty of juicy interviews.
At the same time, hold Sunday night message meetings encompassing not just the White House staff, but also the Defense, State, Justice, etc. staffs so that our openness doesn't result in a Clintonesqie fiasco.
Emphasize Tit-For-Tat with individual members of the press - legitimate policy criticism is tolerated, but not unwarranted personal smears.

-Hand over political and economic administration of Iraq to the United Nations in return for troops and money, which should cover for the U.S withdrawal. Political and economic independence to follow as soon as possible, preferably within 3 months. U.N troops - primarily from Muslim countries - to remain until the Iraqi army can prevent a Baathist return to power. The President to make a public trip to Mecca or Medina to pray in the mosque and issue a speech translated into Arabic deploring the Bush administration's hostility toward Islam.

[Vikingking66]

18. oops, forgot about Patriot Act, enemy combatants

Since the Patriot Act will terminate in 2005, I say the president should throw a gigantic kegger on the White House lawn to celebrate.

I don't think enemy combatants should be necessarily freed, but certainly transfered to ordinary prisons, given access to legal counsel, and very publically moved through the criminal justice system with Scandaniavian levels of fairness. All rounded up immigrants and "material witnesses" to go through an expedited, public trip through
the U.S criminal justice system.

[ThomWV]

16. Executive Orders

I woud begin an immediate review of every Executive Order Bush has signed with an eye toward immediatly reversing those which should never have been signed in the first place.

[readmylips]

17. All the above...

Repeal the Tax
Get rid of Patriot Act
Bring our Troops Home
Free Guantanamo Prisoners/Get them Lawyers, etc.
Cancel all Halliburton Sweetheart Deals
Invite all world Leaders to White House for Love Fest
Pay Dues to United Nations/Strenghten United Nations
Hold open meetings with USA citizens
Get rid of Cheney's Secret Government
Strenghten the FBI/CIA/Intelligence
Open the White House to The People (Our House)

[kayell]

19. Geez, so many, and I agree with virtually all of the above

Add to those: Show that we're ready to be part of the world community by working towards signing some important treaties - Kyoto, ICC, anti-landmines.

[Mairead]

20. Instruct the Justice department to begin building a case against SmirkCo

Then let the ICC know we'll waive immunity
And then begin the process of withdrawing from the WTO and NAFTA

[jhmay]

21. Appoint a Special Prosecuter

[newyawker99]

22. Hi jhmay!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: