Forum Post: How to fix American Economy

I think the movement needs a coherent and reasonable list of demands. We are where we are from a systematic destruction of safeguards installed by Roosevelt during and after the Great Depression. All US citizens should watch the documentary "Inside Job". Not buying stuff hurts US blue collar as much as it does white collar, other than the goods that are manufactured (which admittedly we import a lot of goods; seems like most, but I am told that America is still the world’s largest manufacturer). This movement needs to take on epic proportion - and result in a wholesale change in congress or member support of the movement, because as we all know, they are currently owned by the super wealthy. The control of congress by Lobbyist is complete; we need a game changer. Many of my ideas have already been expressed by other members, however, I submit the following list for consideration:

1. Reinstitute separation of banking, insurance, and investment (stock); eliminate trading on margin; Provide regulation to limit the ability to speculate on commodities markets if feasible.
2. Reinstitute 90% tax bracket for incomes 40 times greater than American average; Allow 50% depreciation in first year for capital improvement projects within the United States and double deflation for following years.
3. Wean off of lending from China and Canada; Eliminate free trade agreements; institute trade agreements that recognize American cost for OSHA, minimum wage, and environmental protection. Tax or tariff imports in proportion to lack of these standards by competing country.
4. Recognize that some capabilities such as research, construction and life cycle support of warships and warplanes (not cargo ships or planes) does not have a competitive environment; government is fleeced by current companies. Construct and manage these projects in-house (government owned, government operated). Where competitive environments exist – maximize capitalism.
5. Recognize that some infrastructure (such as power, water, land-line communications road and rail) are natural monopolies – institute not for profit management with over-site akin to electrical coops for natural monopolies. (Government could own transmission routes, and companies pay government for access to compete for customers… Rates charged to companies based on cost of maintenance and improvements to system)
6. Reduce corporate taxes; eliminate loop-holes, favor small companies
7. Break up companies that are “Too big to fail”.
8. Enforce the same standard to congress and aides as they do to American Government and Military Workers – ie they cannot represent their company in congress (Political Action Committees etc..) for five years post end of government service; limit all political offices to 12 years (congress, senate, governor)
9. Determine activities essential to American ability to win a war – ie steel production, manufacturing, food production... Tariff foreign competition and/or supplement these industries as required to keep them afloat.
10. Determine infrastructure that will improve competitiveness of American companies, ie cheap and plentiful energy and transportation capabilities. Implement massive construction projects to develop these capabilities.
11. Legalize and tax the drugs that are no more harmful or addictive than alcohol. This will not only result in tax revenue, but it will save much in taxpayer dollars that currently feed the legal system, prisons, and law enforcement.
12. Place cap on overhead above manufacturing cost for prescription drugs, and highly scrutinize/eliminate ability for drug makers to make a new paten protected drug by simply changing one small item in the composition (that is no more effective than the original). This will greatly reduce the tax burden associated with Medicare, and it will also put money back in the Americans pocket due to reduces insurance rates and prescription drug cost. Provide tax dollars to US Universities for R&D for drugs to keep the innovation rolling.