solutions.heritage.orgSolutions 2020: Policy Issues and Recommendations | Book by The Heritage Foundation

The Heritage FoundationSolutions 2020Solutions@Heritage.org 202-546-4400 ext. 5036 ContentsHome Foreword Introduction COVID-19Civil Society Health Care Life Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Policies Welfare Economic Freedom Agriculture Climate Change Debt and Annual Spending Deregulation Energy Entitlements Environment Financial Services and Monetary Policy Infrastructure Taxes Technological Freedom Constitutional Government Election Integrity Legal Immigration The Role of the Courts National Defense Border Security and Illegal Immigration Cybersecurity Homeland Security Military Readiness Nuclear Threats Radical Islamic Terrorism Strategic National Defense Foreign Policy Africa China Europe Foreign Aid International Trade Iran Israel Latin America Middle East North Korea Russia Taiwan International Organizations and Treaties The Heritage FoundationSolutions 2020 Countdown to the 118th U.S. Congress Days Hours Minutes Seconds We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Preamble | U.S. Constitution Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. First Amendment | U.S. Constitution A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Second Amendment | U.S. Constitution No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Third Amendment | U.S. Constitution The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Fourth Amendment | U.S. Constitution No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury … nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Fifth Amendment | U.S. Constitution In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. Sixth Amendment | U.S. Constitution In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. Seventh Amendment | U.S. Constitution Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Eighth Amendment | U.S. Constitution The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Ninth Amendment | U.S. Constitution The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. Tenth Amendment | U.S. Constitution We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Preamble | The Declaration of IndependenceForeword Introduction COVID-19 By Kay C. James July 2020 The Heritage Foundation has stood as a pillar of American conservative thought for nearly half a century, shedding light on the principles and values that make our country exceptional among nations. Since its founding, Heritage has worked to formulate public policy solutions around the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. Read More These principles and the policies derived from them work to benefit all Americans. Regardless of income level or background, every American has the freedom and the opportunity to chart his or her own path in life, to think freely, to live in peace, to worship as he or she believes, and to grow and prosper. Heritage researchers develop model policies for government with the individual in mind. They are policies that allow every American to experience even more freedom and opportunity to flourish and pursue his or her dreams. This Solutions book provides policy solutions for America’s biggest issues in the areas of health care, taxes and spending, foreign policy, immigration, social programs, defense, and much more. The book also provides the rationale and data to firmly back up each solution. Additionally, this guide is written in everyday language that makes it easy to compellingly share these ideas with every American. The Heritage Foundation has taken the overarching principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense and has broken them down more specifically into this collection of 14 True North principles, which serve as the guide for all the solutions contained within this book: The federal government exists to preserve life, liberty, and property, and it is instituted to protect the rights of individuals according to natural law. Among these rights are the sanctity of life; the freedom of speech, religion, the press, and assembly; the right to bear arms; the right of individuals to be treated equally and justly under the law; and the right to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor. The federal government’s powers are limited to those named in the Constitution and should be exercised solely to protect the rights of its citizens. As Thomas Jefferson said, The government closest to the people serves the people best.” Powers not delegated to the federal government, nor prohibited by the Constitution, are reserved to the states or to the people. Judges should interpret and apply our laws and the Constitution based on their original meaning, not upon judges’ personal and political predispositions. Individuals and families—not government—make the best decisions regarding their and their children’s health, education, jobs, and welfare. The family is the essential foundation of civil society, and traditional marriage serves as the cornerstone of the family. The federal deficit and debt must not place unreasonable financial burdens on future generations. Tax policies should raise only the minimum revenue necessary to fund constitutionally appropriate functions of government. America’s economy and the prosperity of individual citizens are best served by a system of free enterprise, with special emphasis on economic freedom, private property rights, and the rule of law. This system is best sustained by policies promoting free trade and deregulation, and opposing government interventions in the economy that distort...