How I think governments (well, especially the US) should work

Everything posted here will be easier said than done.

But that's pretty much true with anything in life.

I hope I'm not making any enemies with this post, as stating political opinions is (probably) a #1 cause to disputes.

Taxes

• All income tax ought to be set at 10%, without consideration to income level.
• A maximum of 5% can be taken off of taxes through charitable giving or business-related tax deductions.
• There will be no payroll taxes.
• There will be no sales taxes. However, tariffs may be put in place depending on products (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, certain pharmaceuticals) and their origins (imported goods may have a tariff on them).

Services

• At the core of the government, there should be no entitlements other than being entitled to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
• No government aid shall be given unless one has paid into a system like unemployment insurance.
• Unemployment insurance will provide a maximum of three month's worth of pay of the previous job.
• If there is a global economic downturn, this period shall be extended to six months.
• All extension claims for periods thereafter must be inspected by a social worker with a background in financial things.
• The social worker shall spend at least one hour a month with each claimer as to the progress of finding a job.
• If the claimer clearly shows signs of not wanting to find a job, insurance shall be cut from that month on.
• Welfare shall be provided to those who are deemed to really require it, as determined by government guidelines and social workers.
• Again, said social worker must visit receiver of welfare at least one hour a month to talk about living situation(s) and also visually confirm that the standard of living hasn't dramatically increased over a short period of time.
• If a receiver of welfare is the head of a family or shares headship of a family, and is convicted of any criminal activities as deemed by a court of law, shall immediately have their welfare ended.

Loans to companies or individuals/government contracts

• As a basic rule, the government shall not lend money to any private or public institutions or individuals for the aim of a business.
• When a proposal is made for a loan, the plan must be carefully reviewed and if deemed beneficial to the world as a whole, may be granted.
• The loan will always provide less than requested, as there are always small things that can make processes or products cheaper.
• There shall be an interest rate, and is to be determined by a board of government members with a background in finances
• Military development funding shall be put on hold. Instead, as a required project for graduation in all higher educational institutions, students must have some sort of idea that is carefully thought through, put on paper, reviewed by a teacher/professor, and then submitted to an "ideas" department of each part of the government. Designs and ideas may be of anything, from bicycles to computers to weapons.

A new educational system

• Required courses in elementary school: 5 years English, 5 years maths, 5 years sciences, 5 years history, 4 years basic foreign language(s), 3 years creating something (art, industrial arts, computer programming etc.), 5 years PE.
• Required courses in middle school: 3 years English, 3 years maths, 3 years sciences, 3 years history, 3 years intermediate foreign language(s), 3 years creating something, 1 year basic economics/basic financial responsibility, 3 years PE.
• Required courses in high school: English major - 4 years English, 2 years maths, 2 years sciences, 2 years foreign language(s), 2 years economics/financial responsibility, 4 years history/world religions, 2 years PE. Science/math major - 2 years English, 4 years maths, 4 years sciences, 2 years foreign language(s), 2 years economics/financial responsibility, 4 years history/world religions, 4 years creating something, 2 years PE.
• Required courses undergrad: Depends on major.
• Required courses grad: Depends on major.
• Sports etc. -- all schools should provide sports/physical activities as an extracurricular activity. Students or their parents are required to pay for uniforms, split the pay for the coach(s), and any other fees that apply. Basic things (balls for soccer, volleyball, basketball, football, hockey sticks for hockey, field hockey etc.) shall be provided by the school.

Military

• 2 years minimum unpaid military service required for both males and females -- within 4 years after high school graduation or if individual decides to go to college, 2 years after college graduation.
• If individual wishes to stay more than 2 years, soldier shall be paid from the end of the 2nd year on.
• All weapons shall have a "standard" version that all soldiers are given, depending on specialization, as determined in the first few months of training.
• Soldiers may chose to purchase after-market equipment for their weapons if the modifications are approved by higher-ups and does not affect weapon performance in a negative way. There shall be a blacklist of aftermarket equipment for every standard-issue weapon that list equipment that has been proven to work badly with said standard-issue weapon. Modified weapons with parts not yet on the whitelist must receive final approval with a demonstration of how the modification(s) have improved use of said weapon.
• All individuals, after military service, are permitted to keep their weapons. All serial numbers will be recorded just in case said weapon is used in some sort of criminal activity.
• The weapons must be maintained properly, as in taking preventive measures against theft or other negative things. Neglect of these responsibilities will result in criminal charges.
• Bases shall provide education for children of soldiers as outlined in the "education system" above.

Financial responsibility of the government

• Always assume that the minimum amount of money will come in -- 5% of all people's income from income taxes because of tax deductions, and a certain amount of tariffs can be kept by the local governments for basic operating expenses.
• Adjust budget so that (average income * 5% [or .05] * taxable population) is going to be the national budget.
• Save the extra money that comes in -- not all income has to be used.
• Use saved money for investing and growing its value.
• 10% of all government income shall be given for charitable purposes.
• Never, ever borrow money from other governments or individuals. If there is some form of debt already, use at least 20% of annual income for financial obligations.
• The use of the other ~90% is to be determined depending on various situations.
• Military spending shall not be a priority.
• Welfare and other services are not to be considered part of the 10% charitable purposes budget.
• Social Security shall be put back in its own fund, not a general fund.

Well, that's all for now.

Long list, but I think most of these things should set the US back in a straight path.

I know all this stuff sounds really conservative but with finances we must always be conservative. As the world revolves around finances, naturally everything else becomes conservative.

Oh, and I say it again. I hope I didn't make any enemies with this blog post. Yes, that computer that is owned by a government institution that is analyzing my personality and giving me an "F" in conforming to current political ideas, I'm talking especially to you.