Nixon 1960!

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The First Term of George HW Bush

Vice-President: Robert Finch
Secretary of State: James Baker
Secretary of the Treasury: Gerald R Ford
Secretary of Defense: Donald Rumsfeld
Attorney General: Edwin Meese
Secretary of Commerce: John B Anderson
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Edward Brooke
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert P Anderson
Secretary of Transportation: George Romney
Secretary of Education: Elizabeth Dole
Ambassador to the United Nations: John Tower
Ambassador to the United Kingdom: John Eisenhower
Director of Central Intelligence: Richard Cheney

On January 20th, 1981, George Bush took the Oath of Office and became the 39th President of the United States of America. Bush had come from a rich family, but had moved to Texas and become rich on his own. He was the son of former Health, Education, and Welfare Secretary Prescott Bush, who had worked for the Nixon Administration a majority of its eight years. In 1964, Bush had benefitted from President Nixon's popularity and been elected to the Senate from Texas, defeating incumbent Ralph Yarborugh. In 1968, Bush had been the Vice-Presidential nominee of the Republican Party with George Romney at the top. That was Bush's first entry into Presidential Politics. after that, he had run three times for the nomination, finally winning both the nomination and the Presidency in 1980. In the Senate, Bush had become Senate Minority Whip for a short while, had served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and had chaired the Senate Armed Services Committee.

During Bush's first term, the economy would continue to improve, he woudl place a special emphasis on foreign relations, and he woudl work to end three wars.

In Cambodia, thanks to President Reagan's troop surge, things were progressing well. Casualties were continually decreasing, while success in training the Cambodians had been reached, to a limited extent.

In Palestine, things were bad. Bush would, at one point say "That Jackson sure screwed us over with this damn war. He's not the President who has to win it!" Ever since Jackson had rushed in there in 1979 because of the Palestine Hostage Crisis, things had been getting worse and worse. By the time Bush had taken office, combat was already in its bloodiest month yeat with thirty two American soldiers kiilled. Bush would continually meet with his closest allies and advisors including UN Ambassador John Tower and Secretary of State James Baker to work on a strategy that would either win the war, or bring "our boys" home. Over the first two years of his Adminsitration, Bush worked to implement the troop surge that Reagan had put forth in Cambodia.

The third conflict Bush worked to end was the Cold War. By the time Bush had taken office, the Soviets had already been in decline, with Nixon, Kennedy, Reagan, and Jackson all pressing the hard line against them for the most part (except during the last two years of the Nixon Administration). With nearly twenty straight years of pressing the hard line, the Soviet Union had been beaten back and forced to retreat into its borders. The final shame before people truly realized how bad the Soviets were doing had been in 1979 when they had tried to invade Afghanistan and been easily beaten back by a CIA funded rebel insurgency by 1981. Bush's main job was to work to transition out of the Cold War, and to make sure the Soviet Union peacefully became a Democracy.

The centerpiece of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's tenure was his transition to an all volunteer military, which he intended to accomplish by 1985. As a Congressman, that had been one of his ideas that never became a reality with niether Nixon, nor the Democrats. As Secretary of Defense, he finally had a chance to make that a reality.

As for the economy, having accelerated its growth by 1981 and going into a "boom" at around 1982, Bush attempted to take advantage of it by working to reduce the deficit, which had been one of his largest campaign themes in the Republican primaries. He woudl work toward this by continually trying to trim both the military and welfare projects. He would also pass the Deficit Reduction Act of 1981, which raised taxes on anyone making above 200,000 dollars or more by 5%.

In 1982, Republicans, because of the economy and President Bush's popularity, made gains and finally became the Majority Party in the Senate. Tennessee Senator and close Bush friend Howard Baker would become the Senate Majority Leader. In California, Libertarian Governor Barry Goldwater Jr. was re-elected, and in New York, the same thing happened to Democratic Governor Jack Kemp. In New Mexico, in the third congressional district, a young politician, named Bill Richardson, was elected to the House of Representatives in a close race, thus joining Congressman Ron Paul as a member of the Libertarian Party.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I like it! I'm hoping for a Libertarian resurgence that leads to three major parties in America.

I'd advice you to consider finding a deeper bench for the Libertarian party, especially if you want them to expand. I'd be willing to help you find some moderate's in that era.

Thanks. I've added Bill Richardson to Congress as a Libertarian, and I'm looking for more Libertarians that have held elected office (very few), and Libertarian minded Republicans and Democrats.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The First Term of George HW Bush Part Two

In 1983, with his Republican controlled congress, Bush was able to pass some of his bigger things, such as:

Healthcare Reform: A Government Program desigend to be deficit neutral and to cost the tax payer less than most social programs

the Nuclear Energy Reform Act: Desigend to limit risk in nuclear power facilities and missile silos

The Clean Air Act: Designed to help clean the air by limiting the amount of pollution in the air

The Goldwater/Paul Pentagon Reform Act: Ironically sponsored by two Libertarians, it basically reformed how the Pentagon worked

The Volunteer Army Act: The centerpiece of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's work as of Bush's first term, it created an all volunteer military and got rid of the draft

The Balanced Budget Amendment: Proposed by Congressman Ron Paul of Texas, it made that by law, the United States must pass a balanced budget by the year 1995, and continue to do so from there on out.

However, despite progress on both more Liberal and Conservative fronts in Congress, the biggest moments of the Bush Administration were yet to come. By the end of 1983, President Bush announced that by 1988, all combat in Cambodia would cease. It would commence with the constructino of a military base in 1985 and the equipping of soldiers and the creation of a government by 1986. By 1989, Cambodia was scheduled to be at peace, giving the President five years to do so.

In Palestine, a coherent strategy had finally been laid out. However, the strategy was not to be in use for the rest of the United States' existence. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, after having gotten his work done on the all-volunteer army, was ready to work on the transition of the military:

This isn't World War II anymore Mr. President, battles are being fought a different way. In 1961, Nixon nuked North Vietnam. However, in this modern era, we can't just do that. Nor can we wage land wars like in the forties. Since Cambodia, we've had to work on an entirely different kind of war. We need to start fighting like those bastards hiding over there in their trees, otherwise, in the future, the United States is sunk as a power capable of handling this kind of thing.

Well, Rummy, what do you plan to do?

Well, Mr. President, I've been working on the creation of a "new army", which'll be able to fight these knds of battles. It involves more training in guerillas, learning local customs, and learning the area a lot better. We'll be lucky if this is implemented in our life times, but I'm willing to begin work on it now.

In the Cold War, President Bush resolved to defend America against any Soviet attack, while trying to work for peace. In January 0f 1984, he signed the Second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, or SALT II. The original SALT had been signed during the seond term of Richard Nixon.

One of the greatest steps President Bush took was open talks with China. The original idea had come from former President Nixon who was a close friend of Bush. It involved what Nixon called "Triangular Diplomacy", which was basically playing China and Russia against each other to strengthen ties with both of them. However, Bush was more inclined to it for humanitarian reasons, and in 1984 was the first American President to meet with Red China.

United States President George Bush meeting with Communist Party chief Zhao Ziyang

In the 1984 Presidential Election, there was little opposition to President Bush, except from partisan and extremist corners. The Democratic nominee, without much opposition, was former Vice-President Robert F Kennedy, who New York Governor Jack Kemp called "The most qualified man for the job" Kennedy chose Ohio Senator John Glenn as his running mate.

The Libertarian nominee, after a tough convention fight between former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel and a large number of minor opponents, was Mike Gravel, who chose Massachusetts Congressman Paul Tsongas as his running mate "in order to bring on fresh blood". The Libertarians were not enthusiastic about their ticket, but had high hopes for '88.


On July 4th, 1984, the most horrendous breach of American security since Pearl Harbor happened, with an explosion in the World Trade Center in New York City. The culprit was discovered to be a group of Palestinian terrorists. The total casualties of the event numbered 539, which was a lot better than it could have been. Because of this, President Bush went on the air with the most stirring speech of his Presidency.

Excerpt:
And all across America, we have felt the impact of this catastrophe. We have heard about the senseless deaths caused in this senseless attack. This only shows the brutality of the people we fight. Only five years ago, they took Americans hostage in Palestine, and now they attempt to attack us here at home. All across this great land, we weep, because this was done out of nothing but cruelty and senselessness. All across the land, there is a Mourning in America.

President Bush delivering his now famous "Mourning in America" speech

After watching the speech, former Vice-President Robert F Kennedy said "That's it. The election's over."

[feeblepizza]

Bush will be reelected, no doubt about it.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

On election night, President Bush was re-elected in a landslide. Despite former Vice-President Robert F Kennedy's popularity among the American people, America clearly trusted Bush to lead their nation. Bush then had a mandate to end the Cold War and to bring American troops home from over seas.

Bush/Finch: 423 electoral votes; 58.3%
Kennedy/Glenn: 112 electoral votes; 37.1%
Gravel/Tsongas: 3 electoral votes; 4.5%

[feeblepizza]

Great election turnout, although I would've loved to see Gravel perform just a little bit better.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The Second Term of George HW Bush Part One

With his landslide re-election, Bush felt a mandate to continue to implement his agenda. In 1985, with the help of his Republican controlled Senate led by Howard Baker, Bush passed:

The GI Extension Bill, which extended more benefits to America's veterans

The Second Healthcare Reform Act, which was focused more on trimming the older programs of Eldercare and Minor Care, than exapnding Bush's newer program which he had passed in 1981 and was meant to help pay for the coverage of everyone in between

the Environmental Protection Act, which expanded on the Clean Air Act in protecting the environment, and handed more power to Nixon's EPA

In Cambodia, Bush was pushing harder than ever to finish the war by 1988. However, the conflict was not to be resolved merely by the President yelling at his advisers. The fight, while on the path to resolving, was no quick fix. America still at that time had yet to set up an interim government, and was only partially successful in creating a military. Bush realized this and apporved of sending 10,000 more troops, trainers, military advisors, educaters, and translaters to Cambodia.

In Palestine, the situation was much more bloody, and Rumsfeld and his advisers still had yet to come up with a working taining regimine that would equip his "New Army". However, America was making progress despite high numbers of casualties, and the troops were getting their bearings in Palestine.

Because of the Balanced Busget Amendment, Bush felt obligaed to work towards a balanced budget, and he hoped to help get to that with his newest tax raise.

These types of tax raises are essentil in order to maintain a balanced budget. The Supply-Side nad 'trickle down' economic policies of the seventies obviously had their problems, one of them being high inflation. With these tax raises, we are hoping to combat inflation which was one of the greatest problems of the seventies, especially in the recession from 1971 to 1975.

The "Bush Tax Raises" of 1985 were mainly raises on the rich, and raises on tarrifs. The largest raise that occured was the raise on large businesses, specifically oil companies and toy manufacturers. Bush also raised taxes on companies that produced  50% or more of their products overseas.

[tmthforu94]

I really like the style of this. It is a pleasure reading it.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

List of prominent Libertarians in the House of Representatives:

Ron Paul, Texas
Bill Richardson, New Mexico
Paul Tsongas, Massachusetts

Both Richardsonand Tsongas were elected in 1982 in upsets, and Paul was elected in1974. There may be more, but I don't know who they are.I'm not sure what will happenwith Ross Perot yet.

List of prominent Libertarians in the Senate:

Barry Goldwater, Arizona
Mark Hatfield, Oregon

Goldwater was elected as an Independent in 1968 and changed his affiliation to Libertarian in 1976. Hatfield was elected to the Senate in 1966 as a Republican and changed his affiliation to Libertarian in 1979.

Prominent Libertarians in Alaska's statehouse:
Dick Randolph, since 1978
Andre marrou, since 1983

If you're looking for any other Libertarian politicians toenter the fray in 1986, or '88, let me know.

I have another timeline going on in the Alternate History child thread, which id under History.

[defe07]

I'm assuming that the Electoral College isn't used anymore?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I'm assuming that the Electoral College isn't used anymore?

What do you mean? You think they abolished it because of the Libertarians?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The Second term of George HW Bush Part Two

In the 1986 Mid-term elections, the balance of power basically stayed the same. The most interesting House race was in Alaska, where Dick Randolph won election to the US House of Representatives as a Libertarian, becoming a  well known Libertarian in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, Barry Goldwater Jr., Ron Paul and Mike Gravel all won election to the Senate as Libertarians in Californi,Texas, and Alaska respectively. In Arizona, Senator Barry Goldwater, the first and most prominent Libertarian Senator, announced his retirement from politics. This, in 1987, left four Libertarians in the Senate: Mark Hatfield, Mike Gravel, Ron Paul, and Barry Goldwater Jr. All four were seen as possible candidates in 1988.

In 1987, the economy started on a downward tilt. People began wondering about the fate of the economy in the future. By June, the economy truly began slowing down, and on August 19th, the Stock Market received its biggest fallsince 1973. PresidentGeorge Bush felt he should address the nation:

This kind of thing happens from time to time. It is the natural fluctuation of the free market. However, should the economy continue on its downsard course, donot doubt for a second thatWe in government are goingto be the first to act!

After that, Senator Barry Goldwater Jr. issued the official Libertarian response to the President's comments:

President Bush says that he'll help you Americans in these troubling economic times. However, it has been his own policies of taxation that has caused this economic disaster! It is the position of the Libertarian Party that a balanced budget should not be acheived by the continued taking of money from Americanfamilies, but from true spending cuts!

Secretary of State James Baker, in a private  moment with Vice-President Robert Finch, said:

Beware, you may be the front-runner for the Republicannomination,but the general electionhas just begun.

The high moment of 1987 for President Bush was the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. To many, this was the beginnign of the end of the Soviet Union.Toothers, the beginnign has started in the Seventies. Because of this, in October, the Soviet Union announced its official disbanding,and President Bush made it oneofhis top priorities to create a peaceful transition from the Soviet Union to Democracy.

In the 1988 Presidential Election, all three parties would have competitive primaries. For the Republicans, the candidates were:

Vice-President Robert Finch
Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker
Kansas Senator Bob Dole
Treasury Secretary Gerald R Ford

For the Democrats, the candidates would be:

Senate Minority Leader Ted Kennedy
Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton
New York Senator Jack Kemp
Tennessee Congressman Albert Gore Jr.
Former UN Ambassador Patrick J Buchanan

For the Libertarians, a number of candidates stepped forth:

California Senator Barry Goldwater Jr.
Texas Senator Ron Paul
Alaska Senator Mike Gravel
Massachusetts Congressman Paul Tsongas
New Mexico Congressman Bill Richardson

For the first time that year, the Libertarian Party would hold a primary, and it would work in conjunction with the Democrat and Republican Primaries. However, several of the areas where primaries were held, such as South Carolina, didn't have large Libertarian populations, and the populace itself wasn't friendly to Libertarians.

The Democratic Primaries:

Red: Clinton
Blue: Kennedy
Green: Kemp

The Democratic Primaries were a story of rising against all odds and beating the establishment. For the Democrats, the under dog was Arkasnas Governor Bill Clinton, and the establishment was Senate Minority Leader Ted Kennedy. For Vice-President, Clinton chose former Treasury Secretary and then New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan for Vice-President to help him in the East.

The Republican Primaries:

Green: Finch
Red: Baker
Blue: Dole
Gray: Ford

For the Republicans, the establishment candidate won. Despite strong opposition from three other strong opponents, Finch won the nomination and chose little known Massachusetts Senator Mitt Romney, son of former Michigan Governor George Romney for Vice-President.

The Libertarian Primaries:

Green: Goldwater
Red: Paul
Blue:Tsongas
Gray: Gravel

Despite Goldwater being the "Establishment Candidate", he was not unpopular among the Libertarians. He had been one of their most prominent figures from 1978, on; and his father was the one truly responsible for putting the Libertarian Party on the map. In order to re-unite the party and to help him in the South, which was an unlikely place form Libertarians to be successful in, Goldwater chose runner-up Texas Senator Ron Paul for Vice-President. With all three primary races done, the general election began.

[defe07]

I'm assuming that the Electoral College isn't used anymore?

What do you mean? You think they abolished it because of the Libertarians?

No, because of the 263-263 tie between Jackson and Ford in '76, even though Jackson came in first in the popular vote. Did it go to the House or did the Libertarians let their electors decide who to vote for? That's why I'm asking.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I'm assuming that the Electoral College isn't used anymore?

What do you mean? You think they abolished it because of the Libertarians?

No, because of the 263-263 tie between Jackson and Ford in '76, even though Jackson came in first in the popular vote. Did it go to the House or did the Libertarians let their electors decide who to vote for? That's why I'm asking.

The election went to the House where Democrats obviously won. From what I've heard, only the top two finishers are allowed to go to the election in the House, however, I may be wrong. The Electoral College is still in effect, however, a new system will develop within the next four years.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Official 1988 Presidential Election Campaign Pictures

(Warning: Some of these might look incredibly ironic given the political climate)

Former President Ronald Reagan meeting with Libertarian nominee Barry Goldwater Jr. The Goldwaters were family friends of the Reagans from the early sixties.

Former President Ronald Reagan meeting with Libertarian Vice-Presidential nominee Ron Paul

President Bush with the Democratic nominee Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton

Republican nominee Vice-President Robert Finch talkign with former President Ronald Reagan

More to come!!

By the way, does anyone know how to find a picture of both Barry Goldwater Jr. and Ron Paul?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

More Campaign Photos from the 1988 Presidential Election

Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton and New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan right before talking about the upcoming campaign

Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton with Senate Minority Leader Ted Kennedy, both of which, only a few months ago, were bitter campaign rivals for the Democratic nomination

US Congressman from Massachusetts and Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Willard "Mitt" Romney with President George Bush

Libertarian Vice-Presidential nominee Senator Ron Paul and Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Congressman Mitt Romney debating

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The 1988 United States Presidential Election

The race initially favored the Democrats with an experienced ticket and a youthful and charismatic nominee. However, in September, rumors escaped about Governor Clinton possible having an affair on his wife. Soon, rumors of many affairs began leaking out. The Democratic ticket, which had left its convnetion in such earnest, was by that point, in trouble. The Republican ticket was doing no better with th eterrible economy. This left a third option: The Libertarians, who were runnign an energetic campaign which targetted more young and rural voters. They pointed to the bad economy and the wars over-seas. In one of his better campaign speeches, Senator Barry Goldwater Jr. states:

We have been mired in war with Palestine since 1979, and now, nine years later, where are we? Are we any closer to blotting out terrorism? We have been involved in Cambodia since 1963, and openly fighting them since 1967! Where are we now, twenty one and 100'000 American troops later? This Administration had been ineffective at the two greatest issues in this election: The economy, and the national security! Even though we've been 'fighting the enemy', were we not attacked in 1984? Will we not be attacked again if this dangerous course of events goes on? How much many had we spent in Cambodia and Palestine and in a million other proxy-wars across the globe? Look at the Soviet Union! We don't need to fight them anymore! They're own foolish and flawed ideology are doing that to them! What we need to do now is to withdraw troops from overseas, and bring America home!

Vice-President Robert Finch said to his Vice-Presidential nominee, two term Congressman Romney "sh**t, we just lost the ing election."

On election night, America chose, in the words of John Hospers, "A Choice and not an Echo"

Goldwater/Paul: 270 electoral votes; 36.7%
Clinton/Moynihan: 197 electoral votes; 33.1%
Finch/Romney: 71 electoral votes; 29.8%

[Niemeyerite]

I like this TL a lot. Libertarians are better than pubbies, so this election made me smile xD. republicans finished in 3rd place!!!

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I like this TL a lot. Libertarians are better than pubbies, so this election made me smile xD. republicans finished in 3rd place!!!

Well, in this, the Republicans are much more Liberal than in real life, the Democrats are much more Conservative. As for the Libertarians and their success, the economy took a downward slant in 1987 and President Bush's poll numbers were at aroun 43% around election day. The Democrats were plagued by a nominee with a sex scandal.

By the way, for all the people that are bound to complain (if they care enough to), the reason the Libertarians were able to take Georgia and other Southern States was because of the fact that there were only two southerners in the election: Clinton and Paul, and Clinton was plagued by a sex scandal.

[Vazdul (Formerly Chairman of the Communist Party of Ontario)]

I'm assuming that the Electoral College isn't used anymore?

What do you mean? You think they abolished it because of the Libertarians?

No, because of the 263-263 tie between Jackson and Ford in '76, even though Jackson came in first in the popular vote. Did it go to the House or did the Libertarians let their electors decide who to vote for? That's why I'm asking.

The election went to the House where Democrats obviously won. From what I've heard, only the top two finishers are allowed to go to the election in the House, however, I may be wrong. The Electoral College is still in effect, however, a new system will develop within the next four years.

The top three go to the House election. From the 12th Amendment: "...and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President."

By the way, does anyone know how to find a picture of both Barry Goldwater Jr. and Ron Paul?

Photoshop.

Great timeline. Keep it coming!

[feeblepizza]

YES!!!!!!! Goldwater/Paul!!!!!!

[GLPman]

I like it. The only problem is that Goldwater would be 79 in 1988...

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I like it. The only problem is that Goldwater would be 79 in 1988...

This si Goldwater's son, Barry Goldwater Jr., who was born in 1938. In real life, he was a US Congressman form California between 1969 and 1983. You'll see his political bio from this Timeline in the next update when Goldwater is sworn in.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The First Term of Barry M Goldwater II Part One

On January 20th, 1989, Senator Barry Goldwater Jr. of California was sworn in as the 40th President of the United States of America. The son of prominent politician Barry Goldwater, he had first been elected to Congress in 1969. In 1970, he had chosen to run for Governor of California. However, he lost in a very close primary battle with former Secretary of Defense Robert Finch. Four years later, in 1974, Finch had been re-elected and Goldwater had been elected to Congress again from the same district. In 1976, Goldwater's father, Senator Barry Goldwater of ARizona, who had been elected as an Independent in 1968, was nominated by the Libertarian Party to run for President. He received twelve electoral votes and sixteen percent. In 1978, as Finch was term limited, Barry Goldwater Jr. ran as a Libertarian and won in a three way race where the Republican candidate came last. After beign re-elected in 1982, Goldwater chose to run for the Senate in 1986, the same year his father was deciding no to run for another term. In 1988, as the economy sank, Senator Goldwater of California chose to run for the Libertarian nomination, and chose Senator Ron Paul of Texas as his runnign mate. On election night, because of the economy, and because the Democratic nominee Bill Clinton of Arkansas was embroiled in a sex scandal, Goldwater won a surprising 270 electoral votes, and the Presidency.

Vice-President: Ron Paul
Secretary of State: Mark Hatfield
Secretary of the Treasury: Arthur Laffer
Secretary of Defense: Donald Rumsfeld
Attorney General: Robert Taft Jr.
Secretary of Education: Robert F Kennedy
National Security Adviser: Colin Powell
Ambassador to the Untied Nations: Patrick J Buchanan

The biggest surprise chocie for Goldwater's cabinet was the retaining of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. At the time, Goldwater said:

At this time, there is no other person as qualified as Secretary Rumsfeld for the position. As well, Rumsfeld has worked during his eight years in the Bush Administration to bring about a newer, more modern, and more effective military. If we are able to accomplish this, then this will save America from deadly quagmires in the future. Rumsfeld is the best suited for the transition and I would like to see it happen during my tenure as President.

As for the choice of former Vice-President Robert F Kennedy for Secretary of Education, the one department outside of the top tier departments that Goldwater had suprisingly not eliminated, he said:

Former Vice-President Kennedy has worked in a variety of government positions over the years. Between 1963 and 1969, he was a successful Governor of Massachusetts. Between 1969 and 1973, he was Attorney General of the United States. Between 1975 and 1977, he was the Junior Senator from New York, and between 1977 and 1981, he was the Vice-President of the United States of America. he has shown qualification in all the jobs he has taken since his first entry into public service working on his brother Jack's campaign, and I think that he will be extremely coompetent in this position.

As for why he hadn't eliminated the Department of Education, President Goldwater said:

You, know, my good friend, former President Ronald Reagan was right when he said 'The Greatest Investment that government today can make is in education'. I have eliminated several departments, and excluded the Department of Education because I agree with former President Reagan. However, I have delegated much of the authority to the states, and the US Department of Education is only responsible for general criteria and putting a careful eye on America's inner cities, nothing more.

Goldwater's first act as President was to destroy several of the departments of the Federal Government and hand them off to the states. This was protested by such career Senators as Robert Byrd (D-VA), mainly because they used pork barrel projects from thos departments to benefit their states.

Goldwater's second act was to remove the United Natiosn from America all together. This was accomplished after three months of negotiaion. UN Ambassador Patrick J Buchanan, who had been drifting towards Paleo-Conservatism since 1985, was credited with much of the work. He, after all, had been National Security Adviser for four years and Ambassador to the United Nations for four years. After the completion of that goal, UN Ambassador Buchanan announced his resignation:

I came into this Administration in order to work to get the UN out of America. Now that my goal is finished, and sovereignty has been restored to America, I will take my leave.

To replace Buchanan, President Goldwater selected Congressman Dick Randolph for the post.

The third thing Goldwater worked to accomplish was the withdrawal of troops from Cambodia and Palestine. Cambodia was easy, given that the majority of America's goal there ahd been accomplished. However, in Palestine, soldiers were engaged in firefights daily and withdrawal would be no easy task, with or without America's goal accomplished their. For the moment, Goldwater decided to stay the course rather than have America leave a war torn country behind.

Make no mistake. The United States will not be party to nation building. However, there is a terrorist element in Palestine that has worked to strike America not once but twice. Over 10,000 American troops have died there since our entry, and I do not intend to let their lives be lost in vain. However, once, the United States has accomplished its goal of destroying the terrorist element and securing Palestine's borders, we will exit and let the United Nations reconstruct Palestine. We, of course, will be part of the effort, however, we will not risk more American lives afer combat operations have ceased.

Behind the scenes, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld was working hard to finish his long worked for project "The New Army" and working to find a strategy with a coherent end to combat operations in Palestine.

As for the economy, Goldwater, with two thirds of both Houses of Congress, was able to repeal the Bush Tax Raises before the set end date, and he was able to trim un-needed welfare, public works projects, and military projects to help make up the difference. However, after several years of Presidents "trimming" budgets, that a permanent solution had to be done.

And that is why I am unveiling the Welfare Reform Act of 1989, which will change Welfare as we know it. Co-sponsored by Senator Jack Kemp of New York and Congressman BGill Richardson of New Mexico, this will radically restructure the broken welfare system. A solution was sought for in the seventies, however, that solution has broken apart. This new system will limit families with children to two years on the welfare system, which will give them time tto find adequate employment. This will also limit individuals living on welfare a total of six months to find adequate employment. Over the years, several people have mistakenly believed that it is government's job to create a Utopia. It is government's job to protect the rights of the people, and to grant the greatest opportunity possible, not to pay one's bills or to fill one's pockets.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Comments, Questions, Critiques, Complaints, Compliments?