Richard "RPT" Torregano

Drug Policy

The sale and distribution of marijuana would be legal, but using the substance might be prohibited by the employer. An employer could decree (within legal medical boundaries) that a specified amount could be considered a safety factor and the employee removed for cause if above specified amount. Something like the US prohibition law of 1919 & the 18th amendment, but in reverse. Learn more

Education

Since the price of college has sky-rocketed for some unknown reasons, the federal government also needs to get involved and make an offer to all colleges, by asking them to reduce tuition accordingly or pay a percentage surcharge for all NSF funds granted to these colleges. The government would also initiate a percentage tax on all college tuition fees for those colleges not reducing their college tuition, until an independent 3rd party accounting firm is satisfied with its reduction relative to other colleges and the historical price of college tuition is enacted. Also to make this knowledge known to the public and what colleges accepted these "terms and  conditions" could have an effect on the enrollment of these colleges and their bottom line. A type of  “quid-pro-quo” for the equality of a college education. To attract money for these new tuition loans, the Federal government would also issue "Tuition Bonds" and these bonds again would be another investment tool. Learn more

The federal government should foster educational excellence by requiring public schools' curriculum to include minimum science, history and math classes via video instructional lectures that are used by all public schools across the entire country. Therefore all public school students are receiving the same level of education in these subjects and the same information. This would help future employers & colleges understand what level of education a particular high-school student had received. Schools receiving federal money would require all students to wear simple uniform of khakis or blue jeans and simple t-shirts.  Personally, I would also have public schools teach practical home economics (insurance, home & auto finance, balancing a check-book, etc.) and all students not involved in competitive athletics would have three years of competitive chess. Students would learn how to lose and win within our US education system where "competition" produces many more losers than winners, which is also part of "education". Learn more

Environment / Energy

The installation of  a wind and/or solar power generator for each new home or remodeled home where efficient. These products/appliances are needed for the reduction of carbon dioxide created by the fossil fuel energy needed to power these homes. A small, token response to global warming. Learn more

Solution to flooding in the central US states and Louisiana. Creation/Construction of pipeline (Corps of Engineers project) diverting fresh water from the Mississippi River along and through the southwest and into California  (win/win for all involved and all states involved). Since the polluted (phosphate and nitrate run off) river water contaminates the Gulf of Mexico waters, this river water could be used for agriculture and drinking water for the north-west and western states, especially California and Arizona. Due to the recent openings of the Bonnet-Carre Spillway in Louisiana, three times in the last 2 years, the water diversion has devastated the Louisiana seafood industry and therefore a new river water displacement process for the lower Mississippi, the Ohio and Missouri valley (underground water pipelines) would benefit the Gulf of Mexico, the Louisiana Seafood industry, agriculture in the southwest & west and possibly provide a new drinking water source for all western states. The Morganza and Bonnie-Carrie spillways are 20th century (hundred year old) solutions to river flooding in Louisiana, whereas the central US states and Louisiana needs 21st century solutions. A water pipeline in needed. Learn more

Government Reform

Across the US, voting zones (congressional districts) would be determined by natural boundaries and geometric designs (like a segmented pie or grid system). Borders/voting zones to be set up by US Geological Survey. Learn more

Every US citizen would have a valid pictured SS card and would be automatically registered for voting in their state and for national elections. Pictured SS card needed & required to vote in all national elections. The epitome of a representative democracy is not simply “voting when required” as suggested by the press and political candidates, but actually “running for office”. Actually participating in the election process by running for elected office is the epitome of a representative democracy. Learn more

Term limits, Abolition of the filibuster, Elimination of Electoral College, Voting by cell phone, Voting on all congressional bills to become a requirement. Change the Supreme Court max time in office, Change in the Secretary of State time in office, Congressional representatives should be required to resign their office before running for another elective office (which is only fair to the voters who elected that candidate in their state), etc., more changes to come. Learn more

Guns

Everyone to have a lock on all but one hand-gun and all rifles. Automatic rifles would be unlawful and not allowed for sale in the US.  Ammunition also would be required to be "locked up".  Heavy fines (percentage of income) for individuals found breaking these laws. Learn more

Healthcare

Federal Government to collect the percentage approximately equal to 1/10 the person's age and based on the total yearly income (up to 2 million dollars) on all individuals (working or retired, until death) above the age of 19 in the U.S. and all territories, for the financial requirement to provide medical, health, hospital, drug coverage, mental health, dental, insurance.  A premium of  4% to 8% for a non-working spouse or any family member residing at home, depending on age of spouse and 4% for each child (maximum 18%) until children enter college or work, or until age 19. Individuals planning to attend  college would be covered until high-school graduation or age 19 whichever is first and yearly premium deficits to be made up by adding 1% each year to an individual's health care account until amount of unpaid % is made up (Example: 5 years in college or trade school or medical school, so 4% x 5 years = 20%. Therefore, 20 years of additional 1% yearly wage deducted).  Individuals who are accident-prone, unlucky, have many hospital occurrences (drugs problems, fights, engage in risky behavior, engage in dangerous sports-activities, or smoke, etc.) all would pay a higher percentage of income.  All people with jobs, part-time or full time would pay the required percentage, regardless of the amount of income until death. Employers could pay for the employees new Super Health Insurance premiums as part of the employees' benefits. Learn more

Health Care solutions must include Tort Reform that limits liability for pain and suffering. This cuts malpractice premiums and reduces the cost of needless “Defensive” tests. The law should allow posting of local prescription drug prices on the internet so that providers can shop for the lowest price. Would encourage the medical industry to digitize medical records to reduce paperwork related costs. Learn more

Medicaid to be eliminated when new health care bill is signed into law.  Medicare to be phased out, and all new people entering work force would be under new Super Health Plan system. Learn more

Immigration

All immigrants (non-legals) to register within 90 days or some agreed time period. All non-registered immigrants after 90 days to take their chance with the law, with ICE and with deportation (new federal law). All companies to assure that no illegal immigrants are working in their company and penalty for this oversight and mistake would equal twice their normal corporate income tax. All illegal employees would be fined at twice their annual salary. Learn more

Illegals found randomly would be arrested/fined and sent back to naturalized country and each country would be fined for each illegal person. All new illegals would be sent to a holding camp until returned to their naturalized country. Learn more