American Dictator

[Crateria]

Instead of discussing the CIA now since it's apparently a mere tool of Uncle Sam's imperial ambitions, I instead challenge you with THIS:

You have overthrown the leadership of the United States. You are now supreme dictator of the USA. The police, military, secret services, and the government are all loyal to you. The people will magically stay loyal to you unless you make the country's economic situation shit or something.

You can start your rule in the Cold War with the USSR, building up to WW2 in the 1930s, or in the GWOT.

What will you do to change society? What foreign policy stuff will you do? I'm interested in hearing how you'd govern differently from the evil leadership that we have. How might you compete with the USSR, for example? Would you behave as the US did traditionally by dominating other countries violently? Would you be nice to them and let them have communism or democracy if that's what they want?

[Nieztchean Uber-Amoeba]

I'd call an election.

[Shroom Man 777]

I'd do a Shep and launch an all-out nuclear attack in the 1950s, when America had considerable nuclear superiority and the Russkies had minimal strike-back capabilities. Oh, and I'd also call for a reduction of the army and the strategic expansion of the USAF and USN, emphasizing heavy bombers and strategic supersonic fast-movers over tactical fighters. And all sorts of aerospace stuff, like moon bases and militarized space stations, and the Dyna-Soar.

Be careful what you wish for.

[Iroscato]

I would introduce universal, free health care, go completely off the rails with power, give a massive boost to scientific research and military spending, ramp up the armed forces to absurd levels, and then liberate the shit out of the rest of the world.
After the Earth is mine, I would look to investing hugely in space travel, and try to establish at least the most basic of mining infrastructures in the asteroid field.
Then I'd just like nuke the solar system forever.

[mr friendly guy]

I would introduce universal, free health care, go completely off the rails with power, give a massive boost to scientific research and military spending, ramp up the armed forces to absurd levels, and then liberate the shit out of the rest of the world.
After the Earth is mine, I would look to investing hugely in space travel, and try to establish at least the most basic of mining infrastructures in the asteroid field.
Then I'd just like nuke the solar system forever.

How much military spending do you envisage to liberate the shit out of the rest of the world.? Also how much can the economy take in either of those eras specified by the OP before your constituents turn against you as per the OP.?

[Iroscato]

I would introduce universal, free health care, go completely off the rails with power, give a massive boost to scientific research and military spending, ramp up the armed forces to absurd levels, and then liberate the shit out of the rest of the world.
After the Earth is mine, I would look to investing hugely in space travel, and try to establish at least the most basic of mining infrastructures in the asteroid field.
Then I'd just like nuke the solar system forever.

How much military spending do you envisage to liberate the shit out of the rest of the world.? Also how much can the economy take in either of those eras specified by the OP before your constituents turn against you as per the OP.?

Did you not read the 'go completely off the rails' bit?

[Eternal_Freedom]

Much as I hate to say it, I agree with Shroom's idea.

[Zaune]

Starting in the present day. My decrees would be the following:

* Amend the Constitution so that sexual orientation is covered under the Equal Rights Amendment, and rewrite the 2nd Amendment to say something like, "All citizens have the right to keep and bear arms sufficient for personal and collective self-defence, subject to tests of competence to be determined by their duly-elected representatives."

* Divide the powers currently held at the State level between federal and county, ensuring a universal national standard for criminal and civil law while still enabling county and municipal authorities to raise local taxes and enact by-laws according to their own needs.

* Create a Federal Health Service based on the British system, using eminent domain where necessary.

* Impose a 35% tax on all gasoline and diesel in use on public land, from which scheduled bus and train operators are exempt.

* Impose a maximum tax-rate of 75% on all personal or corporate income in excess of $1,000,000 a year and capital in excess of $150 million. Charitable donations will remain exempt. Conversely, persons earning less than $25,000 a year will pay no tax at all.

* Impose a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour, to be increased or decreased according to the rate of inflation on a biannual basis.

* Remove the degree requirement from the H1B visa, amend the wording from "no other minimally qualified applicant" to "no other equally or more qualified applicant" and permit new hires to enter the US and begin work while their application is pending.

* Require all political parties to publicly list the names of any person or organisation donating more than $5000 in campaign funds. Restrict political radio or television advertising to 12 hours a month in the six months prior to a House, Senate or Presidential election, and require all candidates for President to take part in a live televised debate chaired by a host selected by both houses.

Once that was sorted out, I'd ask the BBC very nicely if they could provide the services of either John Humphries or Jeremy Paxman for the aforementioned debate, then call elections and retire to a quiet little town somewhere under an assumed name.

[mr friendly guy]

Did you not read the 'go completely off the rails' bit?

I didn't mean to spoil your fun, but the OP is written in such a way that if you "go off the rails" in a certain direction (say screwing over the economy) you will be stopped. The only way to get away with it, is if your plan reaches fruition (and then you run away) before your ex supporters catch up with you.

[Iroscato]

Did you not read the 'go completely off the rails' bit?

I didn't mean to spoil your fun, but the OP is written in such a way that if you "go off the rails" in a certain direction (say screwing over the economy) you will be stopped. The only way to get away with it, is if your plan reaches fruition (and then you run away) before your ex supporters catch up with you.

Dag nammit, I want to be a crazy dictator
Oh I don't know then, I'll just hole myself up in my mansion, let the underlings run things, then sign the occasional treaty/law when I'm needed, and generally sit on my arse all day enjoying the absolute finest of things that life has to offer, whilst doing relatively little to contribute to the society that nigh-on worships me. A bit like the royal family of my country.

[darthdavid]

You guys have all missed the most broken option on the table , going back to the 1930s. I'll use my future knowledge to roflstomp The Axis, support optimal tech development and liberalize the shit out of the country. My goal is to have an all nuclear power grid, excellent public transportation, be at least 40-50 years ahead of OT tech wise, have most of the things Zaune is suggesting and be exploring the shit out of space by the time I decide I'm done being the Dear Leader and be able to retire to my opulent villa an a near utopia without feeling any guilt about the costs of said villa on account of how prosperous everyone is.

Think about it, even if you don't know all the details of everything you more or less know what worked well IRL militarily, socially and technologically and with ~80 years lead time you can abuse the shit out of that foreknowledge to make some fairly crazy changes.

[Wing Commander MAD]

Edit: On second thought, nevermind.

[Crateria]

As for me, these are what I'd do in each setting:

1930s

Not entirely sure about this one, but obviously get the American economy up to strength. Possibly this could happen by mobilizing the USA for war against the Axis Powers earlier than historically. Or just use some of the random stuff that FDR put into his plans and use them. Also, as others have said, change the Constitution to allow same-sex marriages, ethnic minorities' rights and all that good stuff. Try to put health restrictions on stuff like tobacco and make food healthier, legalize marijuana and alcohol (and possibly all the hard drugs, though that could easily be a real bad idea) and, uh, I dunno after that.

Although I don't like to start wars (not in real life, at least ) they may be necessary to stem the tide of Fascism and Stalinist Dictatorships. Here's some of the wars I might engage in-

1. Should Japan invade Manchuria- Hmm, this could be difficult. The US could trump Japan, but I'm not sure I could get my forces there in time before it's conquered. And long-term I could be dealing with a guerrilla war in Japan if I occupy it.

2. Nazi Germany comes into existence- Negotiate with France and Britain and some of the surrounding countries to put US troops into their countries, then attack Germany and quickly overwhelm the Nazis. Throw Hitler and the other Nazis into concentration camps where they are abused in the same ways as the Holocaust's victims were for sheer irony.

3. Japan invades China- Same as 1. Roll in and beat the shit out of Japan by blockading it with submarines (the torpedoes will have been repaired ahead of history since I'll know what went wrong), destroying its navy and its bases as well as bombing Japan's cities (but try to keep civilian casualties low) If that's not enough I'll negotiate with France, Britain and USSR to allow supplies to flow to China. Not sure what to do about Chiang though, since he'll probably squander it all fighting the Communists and be overthrown by them anyway. Perhaps support the Commies early in the war so you (maybe) get an airbase in Manchuria? As for the IJA, uh, try to build napalm and cluster bombs ahead of history and use them against the Japanese troops en masse, ala Desert Storm?

4. Italy invades Ethiopia- Although Italy subjugated Ethiopia with mustard gas and aerial bombing, they also (correct me if wrong) abolished the Ethiopian government's policies of slavery and tried to build the country up. So I suppose deposing the Italians would be morally correct, but so would letting them destroy the Ethiopian government. Not sure what to do here. Supply Italy with troops and material so they won't use chemical weapons?

5. Declare war against Germany much earlier. Not around 1939, more like 1933-1937.

6. USSR's wars- not much I can do here, unfortunately. Use advanced weapons from the future to deter them?

7. Spain- Intervene on the Republican side (around 1936) early so the Stalinist Communists don't gain power and don't supply the Nationalists. Perhaps have the Trotskyists or Liberal Democrats rule the country and have Anarchist Catalonia backed up militarily?

8. Asia & Africa- Launch wars against the European colonies and liberate them, allowing communists and nationalist groups to gain power.

Cold War

Protect Western Europe against the Soviets. To be nice, though, allow the Communists to come to power if they are going to peacefully/democratically BUT make it so that they can't be soviet-friendly. Permantly station US troops to let them know who's in charge around here.

Allow various democracies and socialist states and nationalist countries to spring up. Don't overthrow Guatemala, Congo, Iran, Indonesia and various other countries' leaderships.

Don't let Korea become divided. Instead let the People's Republic of Korea (a different, more moderate government from Kim's loony regime) take over as a socialist, neutral democracy.

Other than that, eh...

GWOT

Don't make Al-Qaeda the number one enemy.
Make Afghanistan start to be developed.
Don't invade Iraq.

Uh, that's all I got.

[Patrick Degan]

1930s

Not entirely sure about this one, but obviously get the American economy up to strength. Possibly this could happen by mobilizing the USA for war against the Axis Powers earlier than historically. Or just use some of the random stuff that FDR put into his plans and use them. Also, as others have said, change the Constitution to allow same-sex marriages, ethnic minorities' rights and all that good stuff. Try to put health restrictions on stuff like tobacco and make food healthier, legalize marijuana and alcohol (and possibly all the hard drugs, though that could easily be a real bad idea) and, uh, I dunno after that.

Try ramming same-sex marriage down the throats of 1930s Americans —who almost universally refuse to even acknowledge the existence of homosexuals— as well as ethnic rights, and you are going off the rails as far as that society is concerned. You will guarantee resistance from nearly every social sector and stratum.

If your dictatorship is to thrive in the 1930s, when the Great Depression is at its worst, you impose the New Deal in full force along with universal health insurance to go with social security. Trying to paint the Axis as a threat (which did not even exist until the signing of the Tripartite Pact in 1940) will get you nowhere, but a military buildup can still be justified as simply "protecting America". You know you're going to launch your crusade to smash Hitler and co. when the time comes, but with the foreknowledge to start the rearmament slowly and integrate it with your New Deal plan, you wind up with a war machine that is considerably further developed when the balloon goes up and with less popular dissent against war preparations.

BTW, be sure to have a plan to gradually restore constitutional government while immunising your regime from political retaliation and future prosecution. You want to leave a positive historical legacy (if that's possible) and also want a way out when you're ready to retire that doesn't end with you in front of a line of gentlemen with rifles.

[Simon_Jester]

As for me, these are what I'd do in each setting:

1930s

Not entirely sure about this one, but obviously get the American economy up to strength. Possibly this could happen by mobilizing the USA for war against the Axis Powers earlier than historically. Or just use some of the random stuff that FDR put into his plans and use them. Also, as others have said, change the Constitution to allow same-sex marriages, ethnic minorities' rights and all that good stuff. Try to put health restrictions on stuff like tobacco and make food healthier, legalize marijuana and alcohol (and possibly all the hard drugs, though that could easily be a real bad idea) and, uh, I dunno after that.

Although I don't like to start wars (not in real life, at least ) they may be necessary to stem the tide of Fascism and Stalinist Dictatorships. Here's some of the wars I might engage in-

1. Should Japan invade Manchuria- Hmm, this could be difficult. The US could trump Japan, but I'm not sure I could get my forces there in time before it's conquered. And long-term I could be dealing with a guerrilla war in Japan if I occupy it.

2. Nazi Germany comes into existence- Negotiate with France and Britain and some of the surrounding countries to put US troops into their countries, then attack Germany and quickly overwhelm the Nazis. Throw Hitler and the other Nazis into concentration camps where they are abused in the same ways as the Holocaust's victims were for sheer irony.

3. Japan invades China- Same as 1. Roll in and beat the shit out of Japan by blockading it with submarines (the torpedoes will have been repaired ahead of history since I'll know what went wrong), destroying its navy and its bases as well as bombing Japan's cities (but try to keep civilian casualties low) If that's not enough I'll negotiate with France, Britain and USSR to allow supplies to flow to China. Not sure what to do about Chiang though, since he'll probably squander it all fighting the Communists and be overthrown by them anyway. Perhaps support the Commies early in the war so you (maybe) get an airbase in Manchuria? As for the IJA, uh, try to build napalm and cluster bombs ahead of history and use them against the Japanese troops en masse, ala Desert Storm?

4. Italy invades Ethiopia- Although Italy subjugated Ethiopia with mustard gas and aerial bombing, they also (correct me if wrong) abolished the Ethiopian government's policies of slavery and tried to build the country up. So I suppose deposing the Italians would be morally correct, but so would letting them destroy the Ethiopian government. Not sure what to do here. Supply Italy with troops and material so they won't use chemical weapons?

5. Declare war against Germany much earlier. Not around 1939, more like 1933-1937.

6. USSR's wars- not much I can do here, unfortunately. Use advanced weapons from the future to deter them?

7. Spain- Intervene on the Republican side (around 1936) early so the Stalinist Communists don't gain power and don't supply the Nationalists. Perhaps have the Trotskyists or Liberal Democrats rule the country and have Anarchist Catalonia backed up militarily?

8. Asia & Africa- Launch wars against the European colonies and liberate them, allowing communists and nationalist groups to gain power.

You've got a pretty inconsistent policy list here- it sounds more like a fantasy than a reality.

Your policy agenda isn't in line with what people in the '30s are willing to tolerate. As a dictator in the 1930s you have no leg to stand on when it comes to trying to interfere with Hitler and Mussolini (if an American dictator had taken power in that era, they would have been Best Friends Forever with Hitler and Mussolini, at least until they got unpopular after WWII started). Unless of course you're a socialist, in which case you're buddying up with Stalin, or ought to be.

To remain in power, a 1930s dictator in the US would have to kiss up either to the left (blaming capitalism for the Depression, at the risk of alienating Britain, much of French politics, and of course the Axis), or the right (intense anticommunism, corporatism, friends with Mussolini and Hitler and looking really sheepish when WWII breaks out). Especially if they want radical reforms which many Americans would object to.

Also, fighting endless "wars of liberation" will go over poorly with an American public that's still quite isolationist and shell-shocked from the Depression (how exactly do you do all this massive buildup and spending in the middle of that, anyway?). You're proposing to fight the British, the French, the Germans, the Italians, the Japanese... basically every major ethnic and economic interest group in your country will have reasons to put you on their shit list.

[CrateriaA]

snip

I'm actually looking to be a rather centrist dictator. Not leaning towards either side in the long run. Looking back, it would be hard in the buildup to deal with all the problems. Since choosing either far-left or far-right won't work, I'll support the proposals of both sides- for example, support the reoccupation of the Saarland to help Germany, support the Invasion of Manchuria and Ethiopia but at the same time try to negotiate underhand deals with the Allied Powers, since an Axis victory is both impossible as well as not desirable in the long run. Possibly around 1937 or 1938 the friendliness towards the emerging Anti-Comintern Pact starts to go away (but not abruptly, more like "You seem to have everything put together then, we'll be letting you do your business now. Sorry, we must be going our own ways." over the course of a few years) I won't bother trying to befriend the European dictatorships since they'll be either in the German sphere of influence or be invaded.

After that, the pro-Allied sentiment would increase on my part since the fascist powers are becoming a big threat. With China-Japan War and sympathy for the innocent Chinese, I can use it to slowly strangle Japan until they are forced to attack Pearl Harbor. One of two things happen- either they do what they did and have an American response of war on their hands (which they'll lose) or I'm prepared for them and not only hand their asses to them but get an enraged public (the damn Japs tried to attack us! It's on!) to support a total war. Same with Germany- send supplies to Britain and provoke a response with the U-Boats. Then Pearl Harbor happens and war with Germany it is. Hitler wants a war with the USA anyway, being a crazy bastard. Then the Allies unite for great justice and humble pie.

As long as the economy is good, the people magically follow me, remember? The profits from both helping MURRICA with New Deal types and selling weapons to both sides will contribute to making the economy stronger. Then all of America has to mobilize to meet this new fascist menace that I helped create. Hopefully I could pull a Palpatine and make it look like I was trying to peacefully resolve our differences only for the fascists to stab us in the back.

Afterwords, if the fascists get the shit kicked out of them, the European colonial powers will be too weak to really resist the USA. Occupy their countries and colonies and let them have democracy, military rule or communism, but use the Secret services and the US military to keep them (European powers) under my thumb while them technically be independent and thinking for themselves. Sort of like a mega Warsaw Pact, only I'm not wholesale looting the nations. The colonies will be made free- if DeGaulle or whatever European leadership wants them so fucking bad, they can set up shop there when I help the opposing parties run them out of town.

As the Cold War heats up, I can expect a lot of political mudslinging from the USSR. If all goes well, I'll have atomic bombs before long to serve as a deterrent against Soviet imperialism. Undoubtedly they'll try to build one of their own and I don't know what comes after this.

[Simon_Jester]

In any period, I wouldn't try to force the pace of events all that much. Historical events usually happen for reasons, and there were always, always intelligent people on the ground who chose a given option because, given the circumstances, it looked like the smart move. Sometimes those people were wrong, but gambling on their being wrong enough to make it safe for me to radically shake up history and expect a better outcome is dangerous if not foolish.

Pursuant to this, what I'd do government-wise would be to try to restore something like the pre-existing democracy, and use that magic loyalty to just win elections. Winning elections enhances the perception of legitimacy, and restoring constitutional government (with the other branches more subordinate than historical, but still present) reduces the burden on me- I'm not responsible for every thing that goes wrong in the country. Elections also give small-scale political discontent a way to air itself so that it doesn't fester and build into something powerful enough to break magic loyalty.

Look at most of the world's successful modern dictators- by and large, they hold at least rubber-stamp elections and set themselves up as "president for life" rather than as "supreme generalissimo of the army which has a boot upon your neck." The former title is more socially acceptable than the latter.

I'm actually looking to be a rather centrist dictator. Not leaning towards either side in the long run. Looking back, it would be hard in the buildup to deal with all the problems. Since choosing either far-left or far-right won't work, I'll support the proposals of both sides- for example, support the reoccupation of the Saarland to help Germany, support the Invasion of Manchuria and Ethiopia but at the same time try to negotiate underhand deals with the Allied Powers, since an Axis victory is both impossible as well as not desirable in the long run. Possibly around 1937 or 1938 the friendliness towards the emerging Anti-Comintern Pact starts to go away (but not abruptly, more like "You seem to have everything put together then, we'll be letting you do your business now. Sorry, we must be going our own ways." over the course of a few years) I won't bother trying to befriend the European dictatorships since they'll be either in the German sphere of influence or be invaded.

After that, the pro-Allied sentiment would increase on my part since the fascist powers are becoming a big threat. With China-Japan War and sympathy for the innocent Chinese, I can use it to slowly strangle Japan until they are forced to attack Pearl Harbor. One of two things happen- either they do what they did and have an American response of war on their hands (which they'll lose) or I'm prepared for them and not only hand their asses to them but get an enraged public (the damn Japs tried to attack us! It's on!) to support a total war. Same with Germany- send supplies to Britain and provoke a response with the U-Boats. Then Pearl Harbor happens and war with Germany it is. Hitler wants a war with the USA anyway, being a crazy bastard. Then the Allies unite for great justice and humble pie.

...This sounds even sillier.

Anyone with self respect and a longer memory than the average turnip will recall how you were all buddy-buddy with the fascists right up until you weren't anymore. You're not going to be able to pitch it otherwise. Nor will you be able to remain friends with fascists while blocking and screwing them at every turn. Weren't you planning to intervene against the Nationalists in Spain and declare war on Hitler in, like, 1935, too? Make up your mind already...

Also, "centrist dictator" doesn't give you any basis for your ambitious schemes to liberate colonial empires and try to force same-sex marriage on a country where the average man was born around 1900.

You're relying far too heavily on magic loyalty, which you yourself attached to the scenario, apparently to make it into a power fantasy you wouldn't need political savvy to negotiate.

[CrateriaA]

Also, fighting endless "wars of liberation" will go over poorly with an American public that's still quite isolationist and shell-shocked from the Depression (how exactly do you do all this massive buildup and spending in the middle of that, anyway?). You're proposing to fight the British, the French, the Germans, the Italians, the Japanese... basically every major ethnic and economic interest group in your country will have reasons to put you on their shit list.

Most Americans before WW2 supported self-determination for the colonies, only changing that opinion when the Japanese came marching through pro-Allied Asia and later when the Communist tide gained strength. I agree that a war would be out of the question. I mean occupation of many of the colonies after WW2 is over with. From what I recall some American officials wanted independence for colonies like French Indochina but later changed their mind due to wanting to halt the communist menace as well as wanting the resources of the regions.

I wasn't really concerned about what I was typing then. In reality I was actually pondering the consequences of allying with Imperial Japan and supporting a pro-fascist war in Asia. The War of Greater East Asia National Liberation ( I like the name) as envisioned by my warped, twisted self involved a combined Japanese-American offensive into Asia (specifically Burma, India, Indonesia, Malyaya and French Indochina). Does it make sense? Of course not. Is it stupid and violent? Of course. If you don't think about the consquences of that war, does it seem awesome? Hell yeah.

[CrateriaA]

In any period, I wouldn't try to force the pace of events all that much. Historical events usually happen for reasons, and there were always, always intelligent people on the ground who chose a given option because, given the circumstances, it looked like the smart move. Sometimes those people were wrong, but gambling on their being wrong enough to make it safe for me to radically shake up history and expect a better outcome is dangerous if not foolish.

Pursuant to this, what I'd do government-wise would be to try to restore something like the pre-existing democracy, and use that magic loyalty to just win elections. Winning elections enhances the perception of legitimacy, and restoring constitutional government (with the other branches more subordinate than historical, but still present) reduces the burden on me- I'm not responsible for every thing that goes wrong in the country. Elections also give small-scale political discontent a way to air itself so that it doesn't fester and build into something powerful enough to break magic loyalty.

Look at most of the world's successful modern dictators- by and large, they hold at least rubber-stamp elections and set themselves up as "president for life" rather than as "supreme generalissimo of the army which has a boot upon your neck." The former title is more socially acceptable than the latter.

Dude, I'm not trying to "radically shake up history". Sure I'm the dictator of an America that was not, but otherwise I'm not really changing all that much from the 1930s. The Axis will be destroyed, there will be a cold war with the USSR with the European countries likely on my side. If I have to I can hold elections for stuff to know what people find likable or not. Then I can order changes for some of them. I'm not going to be a dictator who never has government branches or elections. That's stupid.

Meh, I could go for the democracy approach and use the magic loyalty thing to my advantage, but I expect something to go hella wrong and then boom I;m out of office like that. Not sure I want something big like that.

I'm actually looking to be a rather centrist dictator. Not leaning towards either side in the long run. Looking back, it would be hard in the buildup to deal with all the problems. Since choosing either far-left or far-right won't work, I'll support the proposals of both sides- for example, support the reoccupation of the Saarland to help Germany, support the Invasion of Manchuria and Ethiopia but at the same time try to negotiate underhand deals with the Allied Powers, since an Axis victory is both impossible as well as not desirable in the long run. Possibly around 1937 or 1938 the friendliness towards the emerging Anti-Comintern Pact starts to go away (but not abruptly, more like "You seem to have everything put together then, we'll be letting you do your business now. Sorry, we must be going our own ways." over the course of a few years) I won't bother trying to befriend the European dictatorships since they'll be either in the German sphere of influence or be invaded.

After that, the pro-Allied sentiment would increase on my part since the fascist powers are becoming a big threat. With China-Japan War and sympathy for the innocent Chinese, I can use it to slowly strangle Japan until they are forced to attack Pearl Harbor. One of two things happen- either they do what they did and have an American response of war on their hands (which they'll lose) or I'm prepared for them and not only hand their asses to them but get an enraged public (the damn Japs tried to attack us! It's on!) to support a total war. Same with Germany- send supplies to Britain and provoke a response with the U-Boats. Then Pearl Harbor happens and war with Germany it is. Hitler wants a war with the USA anyway, being a crazy bastard. Then the Allies unite for great justice and humble pie.

...This sounds even sillier.

Anyone with self respect and a longer memory than the average turnip will recall how you were all buddy-buddy with the fascists right up until you weren't anymore. You're not going to be able to pitch it otherwise. Nor will you be able to remain friends with fascists while blocking and screwing them at every turn. Weren't you planning to intervene against the Nationalists in Spain and declare war on Hitler in, like, 1935, too? Make up your mind already...

Also, "centrist dictator" doesn't give you any basis for your ambitious schemes to liberate colonial empires and try to force same-sex marriage on a country where the average man was born around 1900.

You're relying far too heavily on magic loyalty, which you yourself attached to the scenario, apparently to make it into a power fantasy you wouldn't need political savvy to negotiate.[/quote]

I'm not supporting stuff like same-sex marriage or ethinic rights since that won't keep me in office. I'll let the next guy after me deal with that. Just like a real American leader would.

Centrist dictator means I'm not heavily supporting either side. I support the Axis on some issues and the Allies on some other. And I'm not buddy-buddy with the fascists, at least not for more than 1930-1935. After that they get I'm not blind to what they really want- namely genocidal expansion. And they'll become a threat to me if they succeed. If I support the Republicans (but merely sell arms rather than intervene) I'm not going to be facing revolts tomorrow or huge fights with Germany or whoever tomorrow. Remember for all intents and purposes America was a diehard Francoist supporter (sending huge amounts of oil and trucks to the Nationalists) and that didn't stop them from going to war with Japan and Germany.

Strangling Japan and declaring war on Germany isn't silly. It happened in our timeline, remember? America slowly cut off resources to Japan that she couldn't produce as much on her own. They NEEDED oil to keep their military operating in China. I see the brutalities being inflicted in China and say "Hey, maybe being friends isn't a good idea considering what they're doing." then start to do trade restrictions on Japan. Other powers like Britain, if I don't openly antagonize them, might go along with it as long as I back them up against the Germans. Well there goes their pig iron imports one year, then their scrap iron the next. Before long Japan is running out of shit and they need to go to war with the US in order to "force a decisive victory" (that won't come for them) to bring us to the negotiating table. Otherwise they run out of supplies and are forced to scale back their war (or cease it completely, which is untenable for the junta ruling Japan) and become a part of the sphere of influence of either USA or USSR.

I agree that a lot of this is likely wishful thinking or ambition. But that's because if I'm the dictator of America, I want to make the most of it I can before I either get assassinated, executed or decide to/forced to stand down from power.

[CrateriaA]

Looking back my plan was muddled and contradictory. Using the advice given I now present my v.2 plan.

1930s:

Don't support stuff that will get you kicked out of power like ethnic rights.

Do a lot of new deal programs.

Be friendly (but not too friendly, more like no real hostility but no alliances) with the Germans but as they go on a conquering spree through Europe, give the idea to Germany that German domination of Europe is growing increasingly unacceptable to the United States.

Changing my opinion, I'm not sure what to do about Spain. While in a perfect world the Republicans would be quickly supported by me, I suppose supporting only the Nationalists (or alternatively secretly supporting both sides) would be the better outcome for me.

Increase the military budget (hopefully ahead of schedule, perhaps sell weapons to the allies, aka lend-lease for extra income?)
Around 1936-37 (or earlier) quietly voice your concerns with the leaderships of the soon-to-be Allied Powers about Germany's ambitions for war. I wonder if I could vouch for that plan that Stalin wanted for an earlier alliance between the West and the Soviets against Germany. Though I can imagine that France and Britain would still oppose it.

Be more unfriendly (trade restrictions) to Japan only after they invade China. If they don't invade China (for whatever reason) they are a possible ally in the Pacific. But even then it's unlikely that they'll stay that way for long.

Should all work fairly well, we'll have World War Two against the Germans and Japanese as we did historically, though it might not happen when I did. With the idea that fascist dictators are bad ideas (maybe), I suppose I'll have to moderate my rule and allow some democracy to happen. I suppose winning elections is better than ruling by fiat.