Kanye 2020

The word is that Kanye West is running for president.  No, never mind, he isn't.  No, wait.  Yes he is. In fact, he even has a platform online: Kanye2020.  Let's check this out.

1. Restore faith and freedom of religion, notably by having prayer in the classroom.

Hmm.  Sounds like a Republican issue.  It should be noted that public education in America was founded in 1639 for the purpose of teaching literacy so people could read the Bible.  It's come a long way since then.

2. Restore sound national economy.  Reduce household and student debt.

Debt reduction?  That sounds like the TEA Party.  Both the Democrats and the Republicans hated the TEA Party.  The whole point of getting elected is to spend other people's money.

3. Restructure the education system to allow widest possible range of educational and vocational paths to opportunities and careers.

This is a sufficiently murky plank that it could be anything.  That he is concerned about the most at-risk and vulnerable populations says he wants to do something about inner-city schools.  Does this mean just more money (Democrat) or vouchers/charter schools (Republican)?  That it is qualified with a proverb from the Bible might lean toward the Republican view.

4. Maintain strong national defense but no quagmires that don't advance national interests.

This sounds like Trump.  Both Republicans and Democrats have been only too eager to engage in foreign adventures that have little to no benefit for the US.

5 Reform the legal system to provide true justice.  Recognize disparity in verdicts and sentences caused by lack of financial resources.

Hey, this is a good one!  Why do the wealthy elites secure a slap on the wrist for the same crime that results in a long prison sentence for someone who had a public defender?  Neither party wants this because they are all part of the wealthy elite!

6. Reform policing to treat all Americans the same.  Refocus on real crime.  Eliminate federal sentencing guidelines.

Generally ambivalent on this one.  The police already treat all criminal suspects more or less the same.  Sadly, blacks are more likely to be criminal suspects (FBI crime stats show that a greater portion of black population engages in crime than any other racial group).  That's a hard pill to swallow if you are a member of that group.  This one needs to be expanded to see where he wants to go with it.

7. Take care of the environment.  Make renewables a top priority.

Meh.  I have nothing against private enterprise trying to make a buck with renewables but all too often this turns into an effort to abolish more efficient and economical options.  Let the market decide.

8. Ensure that we always place Americans' interests first in foreign affairs.

Hey, the Trump Doctrine again.  Yes, America first.  The American government's top priority should be America.  Let the Mexican government look out for Mexico, the Canadian government for Canada, and so on.  For too long, our presidents have made deals with other countries that were far more beneficial to them than to us.

9. Support faith-based groups to provide local services.

Hmm.  That sounds like George Bush's Thousand Points of Light.  Rather than having government co-opt local groups, let's get the government out of the welfare business.  If the government pulls out, something will fill that vacuum.  It used to be churches and local charities that cared for the poor.  In fact, locals have a greater incentive to help local people than does a distant government that just sends a check or provides food stamps.

10. Creativity and the arts can be an important source of innovation and development.

Is this an argument for the National Endowment for the Arts?  Count me out.  If the market doesn't want to willing support your art, then the federal government sure as hell shouldn't tax you to support it.  In this day and age of crowdfunding sites, there is no reason you can't find a paying audience for your art.  I myself have funding movies, graphic novels, documentaries, and web series.  Abolish the NEA, defund PBS and NPR.

There are a few planks I can support but it generally shows too much faith in the ability of government to produce positive results.