The Washington Post took a sort-of contest as to what issues and what questions their readers would ask the candidates.  Here is the article.  I was so fascinated with some of the questions that I decided to suggest answers (No I am not running for President – not this time!) for these questions:

Military and foreign policy

Had you become president on Sept. 12, 2001, what would you have done differently than the Bush administration, and how do you think the world would look different today?

Victor Rortvedt, Washington

I would have assisted the rebels in Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban and sought out bin Laden for a criminal trial in the USA.  No invasion of Iraq.  No nation building.  No USA Patriot Act or DHS nor TSA.  That is just a starter…

Many presidents leave behind a foreign-policy doctrine when they leave office (Monroe Doctrine, Truman Doctrine, etc.). What would the Trump or Clinton Doctrine look like?

Jay McCann, Landover

Trump should say:  Make America Great Again by placing America First.  I would say:  Protect the sovereignty of little nations against multinational institutions!

Do you see any geographic or legal limits to the war on terrorism?

Eleanor May, Atlanta

Do you see this [Sanders dramatically pulls out a Constitution he got from Hillsdale College for the debate and holds it up] this is my limit on the war on terror. 

Mr. Trump, one of your goals if elected is to increase the size and strength of the military. To get the desired increase in manpower, would you reinstate the draft, and, if so, would both men and women be conscripted?

Chris Self, West Caldwell, N.J.

No draft and NO drafting women!  No women in combat either if it can be avoided.

Ms. Clinton, have the real or perceived failures of the Russia reset humbled or chastened you enough that you will be wary in your dealings with Vladimir Putin if you are elected president?

Wesley Dearen, Midland, Tex.

I cannot answer for Secretary Clinton but I would say:  Russia gets blamed for many things – some are unproven – and in light of stupid and unconstitutional laws like the Magnitsky Act, this kind of reckless blame on Russia/Putin is dangerous. 

Mr. Trump, you say that instead of allowing refugees from nations such as Syria to immigrate to the United States, you will build “safe zones” for them in their home countries. Please be specific about how you plan to build these safe zones in foreign countries, which the United States does not control and where open warfare is taking place. How will the zones be kept safe, and by whom?

Derek Wood, Los Angeles

Trump could and should say this:  I would think that at some point in time, after we realize that we stupidly refused for years to support the Assad regime in Syria, who protected the Christians in that nation, – so Secretary Clinton can take part of the blame along with President Obama for what has happened to the believers in Christ in Syria – that when we switch sides and help Russia and Assad set up a nation that the refugees can safely return to. 

Domestic issues

In the past 50 years, which economic policy, initiative or law that was enacted by or credited to the opposing political party do you believe has had the most positive effect on America, and why?

Victor Rortvedt, Washington

I would say:  The manned moon landings – started by the Democrat John Fitzgerald Kennedy.  The moon landings gave hope and vision to millions of young people to achieve their dreams. 

Given that most education policy is already set at the state level, such as whether to adopt Common Core, what do you see as the primary role of the Education Department?

Alex Valencic, Savoy, Ill.

Nothing.  The Department of Education ought to be abolished and until that time, my Secretary of Education would give the states as much freedom as can be legally done. 

The Republican Party platform claims that Environmental Protection Agency regulations cost consumers financially, while not mentioning human health and financial costs associated with pollution, such as asthma and lead poisoning, let alone the potential long-term cost savings of increased energy efficiency. Do you believe an individual’s freedom to make a decision that is financially negative and collectively harmful is more important than the general public’s freedom from the effects of those decisions?

Robert Pierce, Washington

I reject your premise, Mr. Pierce.  I think that fewer EPA regs will not result in more pollution.  I think there will be many EPA regs (start with the CO2 ones and the regs requiring fuel efficiency in vehicles – the market can handle that) that can and should be abolished or cut back without hurting people.

Much of rural America lacks access to affordable high-speed Internet for home or business. What will you do as president to help expand access to affordable high-speed Internet for everyone in America?

Marty Newell, Caroga Lake, N.Y.

Nothing.  The private market can take care of it without government subsidy or mandate. 

Cities such as New York and San Francisco have many of the best opportunities for finding high-paying jobs. Those same cities also have skyrocketing housing prices. Keeping in mind that many of the laws that determine housing prices, such as zoning laws or rent control, are enacted at the local level, what will you do to help make housing in these cities more affordable?

Mark Doss, New York

I question whether the Federal government could or should interfere in this issue but I would have people from HUD study the issue in the first 100 days and give me a report. 

There is a growing question about how ethical and effective interventions such as solitary confinement are in the U.S. prison system. Do you think solitary confinement is acceptable?

Stephanie Barwitz, Denver

Sometimes for short periods of time. 

Mr. Trump, do you support a federal gun law that would require background checks on private gun purchases made at gun shows? Also, do you support a federal law that would require all gun owners to store guns in lockable safes?

Paige Marshall, La Porte, Ind.

I would suggest that Trump say this:  No to both.  Private gun sales do not need background checks.  Of course, like what was done in the Commonwealth of Virginia, checks ought to be available.  But there is no “gun show loophole” – let me repeat that:  THERE IS NO GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE.  All licensed gun dealers must do a background check on any gun sale.  Even at a gun show.  I reject any mandate that prevents the ready storage of a gun as needed.  A gun needs to be reasonably available for self-defense. 

What specific actions should be taken to assure that science, technology, engineering and mathematics education will maintain U.S. preeminence in research and development?

John Webber, Melbourne Beach, Fla.

Give the states more freedom to educate their children without Federal interference. 

President Obama has created more national monuments than any other president. Environmentalists love for federal land to be protected from development. States, especially in the West where most of the federal land is, often oppose removing land from development opportunities. How do you foresee using your power to create national monuments?

Thomas Straka, Pendleton, S.C.

I would look into divesting as much of the federal land in the West back to the states and private parties.  If I had the right to establish a new federal monument I would perhaps start with Whittaker Chambers’ farm in Maryland where the “pumpkin papers” were hid. 

What is the best punishment for people who knowingly employ undocumented immigrants?

Nikko Schaff, Ithaca, N.Y.

Enforce the laws that exist right now.  I would have random audits on I-9 forms and the first series of audits (very publicly done) I would forgive the fines but in the future, the fines and jail would be enforced.  And absolutely NO federal ID card for workers – biometric or otherwise. 

To Ms. Clinton: If you legalize the illegal immigrants, what will you do for those who applied for legal immigration to the United States? We waited 10 years before we were admitted a long time ago; others still waiting may have been waiting even longer. Shouldn’t they get preference?

To Mr. Trump: Most illegal immigrants now come from overseas, not Mexico or Central America. Instead of building a wall, should we not concentrate on more effective ways to stop illegal entry and also adopt a national ID card?

Louis Simons, Midlothian, Va.

See above answer.

Name one Supreme Court decision that you agree with and one that you disagree with, and tell us why.

Diane Keafer, Pickerington, Ohio

Ex parte Milligan is one SCOTUS decision I agree with.  This case said if the civilian courts were open, US citizens cannot be tried in a military tribunal.  

The case I disagree with most if Wickard v. Filburn.  That was the case that said the Federal government could regulate even a farmer’s domestic crop for his own use because if every farmer did it it would have a effect on interstate commerce.  This case is the basis for the virtually unlimited federal power today. 

General

What is the biggest mistake this country has made in its 240 year history, and why?

Lori Pelletier, Middletown, Conn.

Slavery – but it is great that Americans early on tried to peacefully oppose it. 

Is the birther movement racist, as Colin Powell asserted, and does Mr. Trump owe President Obama an apology for his leadership role in the movement?

Joyce Bloom, Amherst, Va.

Not necessarily racist but it was stupid.  I have spoken with one of the leading “birthers” and she did not appear to have a racist bone in her body.  Apology?  (For the record I was never a birther.)  Perhaps a private one but not a public one. 

Mr. Trump, you stated that you sent a team of “experts” to Hawaii in 2011 to investigate the legitimacy of Barack Obama’s birth. Given your assessment of their findings as “incredible,” you certainly recollect what they were. What were they? Why haven’t you ever shared with the public what these findings are? And why keep the identities of these experts a secret?

Robert Swift, Westminster, Vt.

I cannot answer that.  Trump needs to be ready for that issue.

Through your husband, Ms. Clinton, and through your father, Mr. Trump, you accessed the power and influence that have gotten you to this position. Please counter the view that such accidents of birth and alliance may have distanced you from the plight of America’s common man by discussing an experience with the less powerful majority in this country that has informed your perspective on the job you seek.

Barbara Sherrod, New York

I think it shows how great and exceptional this nation is:  People rose to wealth and power in this nation and are trying to use their wealth and power for good. 

What is the biggest mistake you’ve made in your career, and what did you do to rectify it once you realized the mistake had been made?

David Sutton, Marlton, N.J.

Cannot answer that for them.

What is your definition of patriotism?

John P. Epstein, Holyoke, Mass.

Love of Constitution and rights and liberty and that this country is the last best hope for the world and its people.  If we make it again into a Constitutional Republic, it can be even more of a hope.

If you were required to give up your personal and family wealth as a condition of becoming president, would you do it?

David Prensky, Arlington

I can’t answer that and I have no wealth to speak of!

Given the secularism debate currently engulfing Europe, where do you stand on America’s idea of separation of church and state? Some Americans in recent years have asserted that we are a Christian nation. Are we?

Jim Stevens, Honolulu

We were built and established on Christian principles but not any more.  Separation of church and state is found in the Soviet Constitution not the US one.  Establishment means no state denomination; free exercise means as long as you do not seek to practice polygamy or human sacrifice, you can believe as you see fit.

Where do you stand on congressional term limits and the modification of congressional benefits to put them in line with benefits for other public servants, such as the Secret Service, police officers and firefighters?

Christy Page, Bloomington, Ind.

YES for term limits but I would not touch the benefit package.  Congressmen are limited on outside income while in office. 

Mr. Trump, what steps did you personally take at the Trump Organization to rectify the racial discrimination alleged by the Justice Department during the 1970s? After paying to settle the lawsuit, did you reevaluate any of your personal beliefs about African Americans?

Scott Lewis, Nashville

I cannot answer but Trump better have an answer for it.

Mr. Trump, would you hire a chief executive for one of your companies who had no business experience? And, if not, why should the American people hire you as their president without any political experience?

Joe Penna, Dallas, Oregon

Most of the elected federal officeholders have political experience.  How’s that working for us?

List five American novels you would recommend that every American read, and why.

John Metzger, Shingle Springs, Calif.

I do not read novels very often but anything in the Allen Drury series is excellent.  Maybe the Left Behind series but understand I think a pre-tribulation Rapture is bad doctrine.  But God’s coming judgment is good reading for all of us.  Go here if you need to know more about Jesus and His death/resurrection for all of us. 

Mr. Trump, you have told us you are the ultimate dealmaker. When you are making deals, do you just base your decisions on the representations made by the other party alone? If they say the business is sound and successful, is that enough for you, or do you have your attorneys and accountants examine all their financial records? If you do the latter, shouldn’t the American people be able to do the same, by seeing your tax returns?

Chuck Guerriero, Charlotte

I cannot speak for Mr. Trump on this one BUT read this post I wrote as to why tax returns must NOT be disclosed.  I’ll never do it.

The two of you used to be friends. What happened?

Tony Costa, New York

I cannot answer that one but I would love to hear the answer!

Politics

Why is releasing tax information relevant or irrelevant to the process of evaluating political candidates?

Jennifer Vizzo, Irving, Tex.

It is not.  See above answer.

Mr. Trump, while vetting Mike Pence, did your campaign ask to see his tax returns? Since you claim there is little that can be learned from a person’s tax returns, and often cite that as one reason not to release your own tax returns, why did your campaign find it necessary to review Mr. Pence’s tax returns before selecting him as your vice-presidential nominee?

Mark Crosby, Redondo Beach, Calif.

I would probably say something like this:  We wanted to ensure there was no issue for the media, who is clearly against Governor Pence and I, would use to hurt the campaign.

Please name an issue on which you are willing to break with your party. On what issue would you advocate your personal solution knowing that it would hurt your approval rating?

Jon Gottfried, Washington

I supported Governor McAuliffe’s attempt to enfranchise felons but disagree for how he did it.  I also have tried hard to get Republicans to embrace better indigent defense and except for Senator Ryan McDougle, I have had little success. 

The stalemate in Congress will likely be one of the biggest challenges our new president faces in getting things done. What is one policy initiative you’re confident you can work through both the House and Senate in 2017, and how will you do it?

Daniel Groce, Smyrna, Ga.

Repeal and replace Obamacare with a private-sector health care delivery system with a safety net for the uninsurable. 

Obviously, the president cannot inform the public of every detail of the office. However, both of you have been accused of lacking transparency. What steps will you take to improve public disclosure, both in government and in your own affairs?

Collin Carroll, New York

Transparency requires honesty and integrity.  Let’s finally see a President who practices that and we’ll have more transparency.

You are two of the most divisive candidates in modern history. You are two of the most disliked candidates in modern history. However, come January, one of you will be inaugurated as the next president of the United States. What will be your strategy to win the hearts and minds of the voters who did not vote for you?