fiscally conservative (spend less, slightly raise taxes across the board at various degrees)
create a program (not a department!) to lessen the national debt.
One very unpopular move among the elites i'd be tempted to do would be stop incentives for big oil, and give those incentives for companies R&D'ing on renewable energies. Energy companies don't get a free lunch, they have to adapt for the future sooner rather then later. Not to mention this could give us a new market and a new technology that would not only provide new jobs, but keep America's top status secure for the forseeable future.
socially liberal, if the issue were to come up to me, i would legalize gay marriage (and i don't care if it called marriage or civil unions, what i care is what the legally granted to the couples.)
militarily, i'd do some downscaling, but i'd continue to commit forces in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
increase spending on training programs with allies in the region, increase anti-terrorism work via combination of intelligence, police work, and pressuring states in the region to lessen hate speech in school systems and give liberals and moderates a platform.
I'd do a non-stop pressure on both Palestinians (Fatah AND Hamas), and Israel via shuttle diplomacy. if Hamas or Hezbollah were to go violent on any American diplomats, i would restrain Israel, and use the full might of the American military to bear to do the job and wipe the floor with either of them.
In other words, i would definently definently.. carry a large stick and speak often and softly.
To make the UN more relevant, i'd put the weight of the US behind some sort of incentive program (within the UN) if other nations were to donate more troops for UN missions across the world.
Open the way - if there are problems - for American businesses to do business in relatively stable African countries. This will be the future of the cheap labor market. As of now China is the only major player in the region, would rather have America in there as well.
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If i was King of Saudi...
I probably would end up never giving up the throne. don't think there is a strong enough number of people who would argue for a democracy.
what i would do is try and create the foundation....
Reform education system, take out hate speech and those emphasizing on depreciating other religions.
No more simple memorization in the schools, kids will need to write about what think about the story.
Women driving,
Women voting
Women right to dress (explicitly decreed).
Gender mixing is allowed (explicit decree)
I would form a bill of rights that would be mandatory for courts to follow.
make Eye for an eye nearly impossible to happen (even more so then today). No lashings, or physical punishments to be given. Or if i could take the gamble (without losing my head) take out Sharia Law all together.
The Shouria Council would - at first - be still a sort of consultative body, but it would now be a wholly elected body by the people.
full municipal elections by the people, with budgets given.
privatization of the national airline Saudia.
free up the internet, free up the media.
transparency in the courts.
no more political prisoners (there are very very few that i know of...) only those who explicitly or very strongly implicitly advocate violence against the state.
Encourage diversity in the economy by loosening up large sectors of the economy.
Begin national program to create a native military industry, see if i cannot get a similar treaty that Israel enjoys with the US.
Not long after Israel makes peace with Palestine, will i myself make peace with Israel, open the borders, and begin economic ties. before a formal peace treaty, i would clandestinely exchange intel on terrorists in the region.
I would - if i have excess money - give Palestine's new government economic 'marshall plan' to help build up her cities and infrastructure, and encourage - via incentives - for Saudi companies to do business in Palestine.
Allow for church's in all of Saudi EXCEPT Mecca and Medina, and i would - at first - limit proslytizing. (slowly get people in the country ok with the idea of religious freedom.)
make Mecca open for all visitors. While no churchs allowed at first (or maybe in my lifetime), i would certainly allow Christians and non-Muslims into the Holy City to see the city themselves.
yeah... i'll need 40 years of being King to get this done....
But seriously, I would be a libertarian president.
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