Does the "We the People" petition website work?

[fuzzybabybunny]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/

I really like the idea. Are there examples of policy changes that actually resulted from petitions from We the People?

 

[Schmide]

The irony..

Impeach President Obama immediately...

we petition the obama administration to:

Impeach President Obama immediately if he uses executive power to try and ban any firearms including "assault rifles".

Impeach President Obama if he attempts to skirt congress or use executive powers to ban any firearms including "assault rifles". Any executive order to do so is a direct violation of the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution which Obama swore to uphold. The Second Amendment states that "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed". Banning any firearms is infringement of these rights and constitutes treason against the Constitution as well as the people it protects. Rights granted to the People in the constitution of the United States must never be threatened by the President or Congress.

85 people believe in self impeachment. No need to get congress involved.

 

[boomerang]

Piers Morgan isn't getting deported, so that one didn't fly. Those states that wished to secede were told it ain't gonna happen.

I think if you petitioned for iPhones for everyone that would get some serious consideration.

 

[diesbudt]

The irony..

Impeach President Obama immediately...



85 people believe in self impeachment. No need to get congress involved.

Actually this brings up a good question.

If a president woke up one morning and thought "I Do not want to do this anymore, I am done" can he just quit? Or is there a long drawn out process he must do via congress and/or Supreme court to step down?

 

[PokerGuy]

Of course it doesn't really work, it's just a way for politicians to make the people feel like they have some input into the process.

 

[Baptismbyfire]

Actually this brings up a good question.

If a president woke up one morning and thought "I Do not want to do this anymore, I am done" can he just quit? Or is there a long drawn out process he must do via congress and/or Supreme court to step down?

That's why there is the Vice President. I don't think anyone would oppose the President stepping down if he considers himself incompetent/incapable/lazy to conduct matters of the state. And since it is the matter of the highest priority, I'm sure the transition would be near instant.

 

[IronWing]

Actually this brings up a good question.

If a president woke up one morning and thought "I Do not want to do this anymore, I am done" can he just quit? Or is there a long drawn out process he must do via congress and/or Supreme court to step down?

He can just quit.

The petition site so far has worked as promised. No policy changes but each petition that reached the magic 25k signers received a response. I haven't read the terms of use. Is it just a very, very good email harvesting program?

 

[MomentsofSanity]

He can just quit.

The petition site so far has worked as promised. No policy changes but each petition that reached the magic 25k signers received a response. I haven't read the terms of use. Is it just a very, very good email harvesting program?

Actually many haven't. Of course when you look at the sheer ridiculousness of some of the items submitted its easy to see why. They range from complete BS to just insane.

http://www.businessinsider.com/10-most-popular-white-house-petitions-without-response-2013-1

 

[Retro Rob]

Of course it doesn't really work, it's just a way for politicians to make the people feel like they have some input into the process.

It would be great if it did work, IMO, and it probably would if panicky people didn't start stupid Petitions such as the one to Impeach the President for something he hasn't done, or to designate the RCC a hate-group for exercising their right to free speech as to their opinions on Same-sex marriage, or the one to designate a hate group the group who's petitioning the Government to desgnate the RCC a hate group, etc...

Some of those petitions are out-right bigoted and a waste of anyone's time. Unintended consequences, yes! I see why this isn't a democracy -- it doesn't need to be.

 

[IronWing]

Actually many haven't. Of course when you look at the sheer ridiculousness of some of the items submitted its easy to see why. They range from complete BS to just insane.

http://www.businessinsider.com/10-most-popular-white-house-petitions-without-response-2013-1

My bad.

 

[nehalem256]

Actually this brings up a good question.

If a president woke up one morning and thought "I Do not want to do this anymore, I am done" can he just quit? Or is there a long drawn out process he must do via congress and/or Supreme court to step down?

That is basically what Nixon did.

The irony..

Impeach President Obama immediately...

85 people believe in self impeachment. No need to get congress involved.

Some people apparently don't understand the impeachment process...

 

[Retro Rob]

For the record, I am glad the people have a voice, but I am equally happy that that voice doesn't influence policy.

There's a petition in there that should get some people jail time.

 

[nageov3t]

it "works."

it hasn't resulted in any policy changes, but as promised, petitions that reach 25k signatures receive a response (re: form letter).

 

[Saint Nick]

It's mostly to make American's think the government cares what they have to say.

 

[BoberFett]

No, it's faux democracy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/...egalization-position-marijuana_n_1068081.html

 

[blankslate]

After the Death Star petition I'm pretty sure that what seemed like a good idea at the time can safely be described as having "jumped the shark".

Kind of sad because I'm sure there are at least a few well thought out petitions that have gotten lost in all the "noise".

 

[DaveSimmons]

The response to the Death Star petition is a great read though.

"This Isn't the Petition Response You're Looking For"
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/isnt-petition-response-youre-looking

 

[sm625]

Piers Morgan isn't getting deported, so that one didn't fly. Those states that wished to secede were told it ain't gonna happen.

Piers Morgan can ead I couldnt care less but as for the secession thing... you realize that is inevitable right? Washington DC is a parasite on this country, it is literally a growing parasite and over time as it grows larger and consumes the fruits of more and more people's labors people will petition it for redress of their grievances. And when it refuses all petitions people will take the next logical step and refuse to pay. They can take their 4 trillion dollars of slimy pork and shove it where the sun dont shine. All it would take is one state like texas to have the balls to tell the maggot infested DC to go stick it. And it will happen. It must happen because they are sucking 4 trill a year into a black hole and it is growing at an unsustainable rate AND it is infested with disgusting vermin that are hellbent on destroying pretty much everything for their own profit. It is gone. It is now just a matter of deciding when to pull the plug and hoping it will be done peacefully.

 

[zinfamous]

Actually this brings up a good question.

If a president woke up one morning and thought "I Do not want to do this anymore, I am done" can he just quit? Or is there a long drawn out process he must do via congress and/or Supreme court to step down?

nah. Nixon quit. Effective: immediately. He just handed it over to Ford, walked over to his helicopter, flashed some peace signs, and flew away never to be seen ever again.