http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/20/ ... index.html

Your e-mails: If I were president

POSTED: 4:28 p.m. EDT, October 20, 2006

CNN) -- The President of the United States of America is one of the most influential and powerful public figures in the world.
We asked CNN.com readers if they were president, what kind of leader would they be and how would they help shape the country. Here is a selection of the responses, some of which have been edited.

I would put up a wall on our borders that would make the Great Wall of China look like it was made out of Leggo blocks.
Mike Losee, Lincoln, Nebraska

I would work on uniting the country by actively engaging Republicans and Democrats towards mutually agreeable laws and decisions. I would work to de-politicize the government and reduce the dependence of politicians on PACs, donations and long-term elections.
I would recognize that almost half the people in this country oppose what most of the other half think on major issues such as abortion, gun control, terror, immigration, and gay rights so that unless we want to segregate this country, we need to have laws that allow freedom of choice so individuals can choose and that these specific areas of contention will take a long time to vent out.
I would strive to get rid of such nomenclature as red and blue states, which the goal of any party should not just be to win, but to ensure those ideals of its parties members are represented in the government and in the governance of its laws. I would recognize that the United States needs to be the benchmark with regards to how a government needs to treat its people and how it treats its enemies.
Alex Buko, Boston, Massachusetts

First of all, I would need to unravel a huge mess of a two-term President who failed our country on all fronts. I would call a special session of Congress, Senate, and Executive branches of government and work out a unified solution for Medicare, National medical insurance, ending the war, energy, budgets and deficits, and how to work together productively. In other words, I would halt everything until I came from the Capitol building with honest to goodness news for the country's direction.
Thomas Harrison, Alamogordo, New Mexico

I would just keep on doing what (President Bush is) doing. He's come this far without the support of his own country, why should he stop now? Even though most of the country doesn't back him up, I DO! I respect him for doing what he believes is right and standing tall and strong after most of the country is against him... I think that he's a true example of a true American. By American I mean not sitting back and letting terrorists walk all over us.
Ashley Lambert, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

The first thing I would do as President would be to abolish this antiquated 2-party system and take selection of our leaders back to the people, and reform campaign contributions... The best contenders would be supported equally with taxpayer dollars. American Idol? Why not American President? I would then concede my office to such a person so chosen.
Mark Aoki, Honolulu, Hawaii

Run a U.S. military government in Iraq like we did in Japan. Have national disaster home insurance for states like California and Florida... Quit being the world policeman at the expense of our military.
Ken Wayne, Erie, Pennsylvania

Bring our boys and girls in the service home from any foreign country, build an impassable fence across the Mexican border and use the military to strengthen our borders. Use these military resources to help airport security, and immigration... Send the United Nations to another country, which would save the U.S. tax dollars. Stop building so many prisons and increase teacher wages. Stop the trade deficit. Legalize marijuana. Imprison child molesters for life. There are so many simple things to do. I would not need 400 people on my staff.
James Paul, Covington, Georgia

First, bring the troops home. Second, concentrate on getting rid of our trillion dollar deficit... I would make medical care more reasonable for everyone. Have a flat tax so the poor are not carrying the burden. Most important of all - put more women in authority.
Jeanne Larson, Wellington, Nevada

I would slowly back our troops out of Iraq. I would allow gay marriages and the decriminalization of most drugs. I would abolish the Electoral College and bring back the popular vote.
Roberta Ferguson, Lakewood, Ohio

I would initiate an extensive and comprehensive plan to revitalize the nation's automobile industry. The program would require production of vehicles that use a clean, renewable energy source, are affordable, have the greatest possible safety features and recycle existing material as much as possible.
Douglas Meagher, Indianapolis, Indiana

I would create a National System of Information Freeways, where every American would have free and universal access to high-speed wireless internet technology... Such a system could reduce the so-called digital divide and provide every American with the opportunity to innovate and learn from the vast resources the internet provides.
Michael Collins, Buffalo, New York

I would form a Teacher's Corp... that would pay for people to go to college, and once they have a degree they would serve as a teacher for 4-5 years in school districts that are hard up for teachers. I would have absolutely no vehicle on the road that did not get at least 40 miles to the gallon of gasoline.
Lee McDaniel, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

I would put an end to lobbyists. All that is accomplished is laws for the highest bidder, instead of needed laws for the good of the American people.
Brian Lund, Jonesboro, Arizona

If I were the President of the United States of America I would have to bring peace to the Middle East region.
Rapahel Harrison, Arizona

I would be a President just like President George Walker Bush because he is the only president I see fit to fight terrorism and help the United States in its time of need! He is the only president that I think can stand up to terrorists like North Korea, Iran, and Al Qaeda!
Vincent Gorski, Clymer, New York

I would start with campaign finance reform and implement publicly funded elections. We need to get big business lobbyists out of the system. Until we restore the government to the people nothing else matters.
Cassie Reynolds, Seattle, Washington

I would help the poor by providing them shelter and some money and I would look into spending more money on research on how to cure people of certain diseases. I would offer jobs to many people and cut government taxes. I wouldn't go to war because the economy will go down.
Sanjeev Santhakumar, Wayne, New Jersey

Man, what I would do. First of all I would personally apologize to the world for all the senseless killing we, the U.S. of A. has arrogantly pursued, in the name of more... Then I would pray that all of the U.S. acts of the past, including wars and covert operations designed at hurting others, can somehow be forgiven and the world would look at us one day as humanitarians...
I would start to pay attention to the needs of the lower class so that each generation can become more prosperous and end their cycle of debt. Education and hospitals would be a priority. I would stop spending billions on space travel and the military. I would like to help set up a 'real' United Nations to help each other accomplish world goals for the good of all.
I would re-educate the American public so that after generations of propaganda and brain washing they understand other countries and religions do have the right to believe as they choose... I would live in an average house and drive a car... I would dismantle all of the U.S.A.'s nuclear weapons to show my good faith... Man, what I would do.
Eric Gregory, Alert Bay, British Columbia

My top priority as President of the United States would be to help the world get rid of nuclear weapons, once and for all.
Razi Akber, Mississauga, Ontario

If I were president, the U.S. would withdraw from the United Nations and we would mind our own business... I also would export all illegal immigrants and put up a big fence wherever it was needed... I would also put a lot more money into our teachers and our education processes.
Mal Davis, Fort Worth, Texas

I would stop telling other countries how to run their lives and government. I would devote all my energies on our own domestic well being and bring back the jobs we allowed to go overseas.
Richard Schmitt, Tampa, Florida

I would concentrate a little less on foreign policy and concentrate more on taking care of the American people. We need to find a way to end poverty, hunger, violence and other problems that we face as Americans.
Alexander Mora, Springfield, Massachusetts

I shall act like President Bush. Bush uses his power to conquer terrorists. I don't see anything wrong in his administration. To combat terrorism is not to fight for a particular right.
Nwagbo Henry, Lagos, Nigeria