Taxes:
I believe that every American should be taxed a flat percentage of their wage and the only deductions allowed should be for charitable donations.  I don't agree with the tax code as it is currently written as it unfairly penalized the lower and middle classes. 

Economy:
The dynamics of the economy will no doubt change by 2036 so it is difficult to gauge what will spur economic growth in the future.  However, going by my experiences in the last couple of decades, it seems that a fair mixture of government intervention and a free market is the key to keeping our economy strong.  Businesses should be encouraged to keep their employees in the United States and those that do should be rewarded with tax incentives.  However, I am not a fan of mass-bailouts to failing businesses.  A free market dictates which businesses thrive and which ones don't and that is only fair.

Education:
I am appalled at the state of education in our country.  Our children cannot spell properly and have little idea of basic principles such as geography and math.  Massive amounts of funding should be poured into our schools to help America regain our competitiveness.   The college loan programs should be greatly expanded.  Those who choose to serve their country whether in the Uniformed Services or a civilian agency such as the Peace Corps should be rewarded with a college education.

Energy:
We have a finite amount of resources on our planet and we MUST learn to use them effectively while at the same time developing renewable sources of energy.  Rather than spending money on new oil drilling, that money would be better spent installing hydrogen fuel stations across the nation and building clean power plants.

Foreign Policy:
America has always been a strong nation and we should maintain our military strength.  However, America can have a positive influence in the world without having a major military base in dozens of foreign countries.  Our forces should be kept at home until needed.  We should not be the worlds police force unless asked by an ally or dictated to by our treaties with the United Nations or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Health Care:
Health care is very expensive to obtain and therefore I see that government can play a role in keeping our citizens healthy.  A populace that is healthy benefits everyone.  To that end, I believe that companies that offer insurance to their employees should be rewarded with tax breaks.  Those Americans who do not have employer-sponsored insurance should have the option to buy into a government backed plan.  The patient should have the right to choose what doctor and health care facility he or she chooses, not the insurance company.  Health care providers should be up-front with their pricing so patients can make an educated decision.  Medicare and Medicaid programs are vastly underfunded and could be folded into this system. 

Homeland Security:
The safety of the United States is without question a priority of mine.  However, I think that the Department of Homeland Security should be disbanded.  The federal government can play a role in security by providing intelligence and support to local law enforcement agencies without maintaining a level of control that exists under DHS.  The United States Army should be deployed to our borders which brings me to:

Immigration:
Immigrants are vital to the function of our economy and our way of life.  Nearly every person in this country came from immigrants and I don't believe in denying anyone a chance to take part in the American dream.  That being said, those that would disrespect our laws by coming to our country illegally should be penalized.  A civilized society cannot function without laws and those laws should be respected.

Social Security:
In today's economy, it is rare for a person to work at a business long enough to retire.  To that end, I support the continuation and expansion of the Social Security retirement program.  A person who pays into the system all their life should not be denied the benefits promised them.

Civil Rights:
No person should be denied any opportunity based on gender, ethnicity or any other demographic.  Obviously there will need to be some reasonable limitations such as preventing a 12 year old from working construction or having a female working as a mens bathroom attendant.  Most positions in America can be effectively done by any person regardless of demographic.

Gay rights:
I believe that Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, and Bi-sexual persons should have the same right to marry as anyone else.  I do not believe that civil unions are adequate as it is discrimination to allow one group to use the word 'marriage' while denying another group that word. 

Fiscal:
Government should be required to submit a balanced budget every year unless a national emergency is ongoing such as war.  Our debt is spiraling out of control and must be reined in.