How Do We Solve The Nation's Debt Crisis?

I have never voted to raise the debt ceiling due to the very situation we find ourselves in. Congress not only refuses to live within their means, but is making the problem worse everytime the debt ceiling is raised.

If you are serious about addressing the debt, then you have to look at our overseas expenditure. We have spent trillions of dollars and more importantly suffered the loss of thousands of lives attempting to support our empire through war and nation building.

The real problem is getting Congress to agree on the areas to cut spending. This will require great political courage from all sides of politics, that unfortunately doesn't exist at the moment.

There is a solution if agreement cannot be reached, and that would be for an across the board cut where everybody gets cut the same amount. 

Frame the response around foreign policy and voting record

Your Libertarian View Extends To Legalising Heroin And Prostitution If States Decide To Allow It. Isn't It The Government's Job To Enforce Social Norms And To Protect People?

There are moral objections I have to government restricting the freedom for individuals to make their own decisions but the effects of legislating morality through prohibition, whether it be alcohol through the 1920's or drugs such as marijuana today show that the only people who benefit are criminals, terrorists and politicians.

To take my philosophy of freedom and turn it into a cliche that would have my number one priority be to legalise heroin is a gross distortion of my views.

My priorities are to reduce our spending enough to avoid the impending debt crisis, to reverse the growing bureaucracy that undermines our personal freedoms and to bring our troops home.

Quickly refute the false premise in the question before framing the response around the crucial issues.

Should Government Compensate Victims Of Natural Disasters Such As Floods And Hurricanes To Help Rebuild Their Lives?

Insurance exists to compensate victims of unexpected loss. If we accept the principle of ultimate insurance, or too big too fail, or lender of last resort then this creates a moral hazard.

If taxpayers are paying for banks and other large corporations when they are bailed out after making poor decisions, then I can understand how they feel entitled to ask to be bailed out when disaster strikes them.

This is the kind of dilemma that occur in societies which expect government to solve all their problems.

It's a good example of the unintended consequences that governments create and is why I oppose bailouts in favour of encouraging private charity and voluntary community acts of compassion.

The response is framed around moral hazard and the role of government

Why Are You Running For President?

I ask my supporters - many of them young Americans - where their enthusiasm comes from. What they appreciate is a consistant message. A message that warns of the consequences when neither side of government is prepared to take our debt crisis seriously, of a monetary system that bails out banks and other corporations at the expense of the taxpayer and a misguided foreign policy that favours militarism over true national defence.

I've been talking about these issues for over 30 years, but recent events mean that they are getting more attention. The time is right for a new type of President.

Frame the response around the important issues and our broad base of enthusiastic supporters.