Well, first of all, I'd take money from the poor and give it to the military. What? It doesn't matter how "benevolent" I am, it's just what I have to do to stay in power.
Seriously, if you're legitimately concerned for the public good, don't become a dictator. Become an entrepreneur or a scientist.
This makes no sense. I have absolute authority, but everything else stays the same? That's not a reachable universe.
I think if it did happen, I'd probably do some work to set up a decent election system (likely parliamentary, with proportional voting), then abdicate to that more sustainable system. I'd probably also set a generous pension for former dictators.
You're right, I didn't think that through well enough. But regarding your answer itself, I like your ideas. Election reform is one of the things I was interested to see being talked about, I personally support proportional voting.
One question though, after abdicating, would you then run for president under the new voting system?
would you then run for president under the new voting system
Absolutely not - that's the whole point of the pension! I do not have the skillset, the willingness to take fools seriously, nor the ability to shut up on unimportant-but-controversial topics, which are required for public office.
That's the best move. Plus, since you established the voting system, you would be accused of faking the election.
So, you have become the supreme dictator of the United States of America. What do you do and why?
You have absolute authority, you cannot be impeached, and you have the backing of the military so you do not have to worry about an uprising.
Everything else about the US government stays the same. All other government officials are democratically elected, the social/political climate is the same as it is now, et cetera.
Please try to be a benevolent dictator, we have already seen plenty of terrible tyrants in real life so it would be much more interesting to see what an all powerful ruler would do if they were legitimately concerned for the public good.