lead by example
let's lead other nations by our conspicuous public examples of honesty, tolerance, diversity, freedom, innovation, peace, generousity and prosperity. i'm not suggesting a stand down for our self-defense or that we forego intellectual property rights or that we allow the global economic system to descend into chaos. let's just compete fairly.
for example, if the topic is national security and self-defense, then i suggest an increase in special forces, targeted smart weapons systems and swarming intelligence solutions along with aggressive upgrades in the quality of the individual soldier and the rapidity of our logistics systems. we have just-in-time manufacturing, let's have fast and lean just-in-time military intelligence and logistics. and while we're at it, let's also have a wholesale abandonment of slow-moving, large-scale 20th century weapons systems; these tools are past their prime. what can't be retrofitted into the modern warfield must be jettisoned.
and if the topic is intellectual property, then let's have reasonable rewards for creativity, innovation and hard work, but not infinite monopolies. let's lose the arrogance of the powerful and the greedy. let's unleash the creative side without grandfathering in old monopolies.
and if the topic is free trade, let's make it fair. from my perspective every negotiator at the table is bargaining from a perspective of hypocrisy. the arrogance of the wealthy and powerful is mind boggling.
the proper role for government is protection of the weak and honest from the strong and dishonest. we do not need laws to institutionalise temporarily dominant players. we do not need targeted tax subsidies for the wealthy or the powerful. of course i want hard work to be rewarded, and those who work hard deserve to feel secure; but i also don't want to reward cheaters who game the system and prey on the weak or foolish. i want our our laws to protect us from looters. i want our financial markets to punish corrupt and deceptive commercial activities brought to us by the enrons, worldcoms and other fiscal criminals in our midst. if instead of this conspicuous corruption we provide a level playing field free of privilege or arrogance, then just watch america's can-do attitude soar to show the world how to get along and prosper.
we have the statue of liberty, we have the mission of hope, and i believe we can make the dream come true. i want my country to lead the world by example to an era of peace, prosperity, generousity, tolerance, and an absence of arrogance. our civilised descendents are already laughing at us for our pettiness, our cowardice and and our stubborn stupidity. when can we turn this ship around? and if not now, when? --wr--
2:09:26 PM 
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