Politically oriented types: if your party wins Nov. elections, what do you think should be first legislative priority?

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
1. An energy plan that would move us as rapidly as possible away from our dependence on middle eastern oil.
2-5. See number 1.
6. Budget, perferably balanced.
7. Fill the judicial vacancies.
8. Real campaign finance reform.

Sorry I didn't list those critical things like legalizing pot or eliminating the INS but I try to see the bigger picture.

Good list...

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
1. An energy plan that would move us as rapidly as possible away from our dependence on middle eastern oil. 2-5. See number 1. 6. Budget, perferably balanced. 7. Fill the judicial vacancies. 8. Real campaign finance reform. Sorry I didn't list those critical things like legalizing pot or eliminating the INS but I try to see the bigger picture.

You must not be republican if you think any of these except #7 would be fullfiled.

But I agree with the energy priority. Since we apparently have an extra $200 billion in the bank to finance the war, lets use a mere $50 billion of that instead, finance aggressive alternative resource-driven vehicles (i.e. electricity) and get the ball rolling on transfering our middle east dependencies away from oil. Give a couple billion to each of the top 10 technology/engineering schools in america with financial incentives to produce the most efficient technology, and use the rest to help auto manufacturers convert their plants. Now you can tell the region to f-off and you've saved $150 billion.

Sad thing is tho that the technology for the most part already exists but their isn't the government support for it to encourage the auto manufacturers to continue to develop it.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
1. An energy plan that would move us as rapidly as possible away from our dependence on middle eastern oil. 2-5. See number 1. 6. Budget, perferably balanced. 7. Fill the judicial vacancies. 8. Real campaign finance reform. Sorry I didn't list those critical things like legalizing pot or eliminating the INS but I try to see the bigger picture.

You must not be republican if you think any of these except #7 would be fullfiled.

But I agree with the energy priority. Since we apparently have an extra $200 billion in the bank to finance the war, lets use a mere $50 billion of that instead, finance aggressive alternative resource-driven vehicles (i.e. electricity) and get the ball rolling on transfering our middle east dependencies away from oil. Give a couple billion to each of the top 10 technology/engineering schools in america with financial incentives to produce the most efficient technology, and use the rest to help auto manufacturers convert their plants. Now you can tell the region to f-off and you've saved $150 billion.

Sad thing is tho that the technology for the most part already exists but their isn't the government support for it to encourage the auto manufacturers to continue to develop it.

Actually there is an easier less expensive way to wean dependance on energy. Tax rebates for individuals and business that that make an effort to cut energy use.

Get a tax rebate for buying an economical car.
Get a tax rebate for cutting electrical use(upgrade lighting systems, old hvac systems,...).
Switch to more nuclear power.


But dave puts up a good list to start with.

 

[Moonbeam]

1. Undertake a massive education program to demonstrate that all people everywhere are living under the illusion that they are worthless and completely unaware that this is the case because they are afraid to remember how they came to feel that way.

2. Create an environment in which the work to explore and reverse the cateclismic damage this has caused individuals and society can begin.

3. Become what none can now imagine.

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer
1. An energy plan that would move us as rapidly as possible away from our dependence on middle eastern oil.
2-5. See number 1.
6. Budget, perferably balanced.
7. Fill the judicial vacancies.
8. Real campaign finance reform.

Sorry I didn't list those critical things like legalizing pot or eliminating the INS but I try to see the bigger picture.

Excellent suggestions. I show my disdain for OPEC by driving a car that gets 30 MPG in the city.

-PAB

 

[glenn1]

8. Real campaign finance reform.

Dave, would you mind elaborating on that point, since campaign finance reform takes many forms, depending on who is defining it?

 

[Moonbeam]

Reclaim the airways as the property of the people by halting all commercial TV and radio during election time and devote all channels to a discussion of the issues and candidates. Increase taxes on all Americans by 500 dollars up to 100,000 by bracket and provide a rebate in the same amount for voting. Require passage of a simple test of the issues and the candidates as proof of familiarity with them to claim the rebate.

Publicly finance this and eliminate political contributions.

Require lobbyists to meet with public officials in public in the presence of the media.

Reverse the notion that a corporation is an individual.

Prevent retired public officials from taking positions that lobby or have any advisory role in lobbying active public officials.

Mandatory death penalty for conviction of political corruption.

 

[FoBoT]

pay people to vote


hmmmm.... interesting

should we pay democrats more than republicans ?


oh, wait, you said the rebate would only apply to those under $100,000, so i guess you WEREN'T joking

nice plan, pay democrats to vote to increase democrat voter turnout

neato

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Reclaim the airways as the property of the people by halting all commercial TV and radio during election time and devote all channels to a discussion of the issues and candidates. Increase taxes on all Americans by 500 dollars up to 100,000 by bracket and provide a rebate in the same amount for voting. Require passage of a simple test of the issues and the candidates as proof of familiarity with them to claim the rebate.

Publicly finance this and eliminate political contributions.

Require lobbyists to meet with public officials in public in the presence of the media.

Reverse the notion that a corporation is an individual.

Prevent retired public officials from taking positions that lobby or have any advisory role in lobbying active public officials.

Mandatory death penalty for conviction of political corruption.

So many bad ideas in one post.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: glenn1

8. Real campaign finance reform.

Dave, would you mind elaborating on that point, since campaign finance reform takes many forms, depending on who is defining it?

I'm not ignoring you. I am trying to organize thoughts into something resembling coherent english.

It is an extremely tough problem because of the freedom of speech element.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer

Originally posted by: glenn1

8. Real campaign finance reform.

Dave, would you mind elaborating on that point, since campaign finance reform takes many forms, depending on who is defining it?

I'm not ignoring you. I am trying to organize thoughts into something resembling coherent english.

It is an extremely tough problem because of the freedom of speech element.

I think it is only possible by increasing the number of reps in the house and having states have more power.

 

[Moonbeam]

FoBot, you goofis, the tax would be 500 to 100,000 and that wuld be determined by income. The 100,000 isn't a cut off point. Everybody pays the tax, but the rich can't just pay a paltry 500 to shirk their duty.

Charrison, calling my ideas bad ideas was a bad idea. Actually, now that I think about it, it wasn't really an idea at all.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Reclaim the airways as the property of the people by halting all commercial TV and radio during election time and devote all channels to a discussion of the issues and candidates. Increase taxes on all Americans by 500 dollars up to 100,000 by bracket and provide a rebate in the same amount for voting. Require passage of a simple test of the issues and the candidates as proof of familiarity with them to claim the rebate.

Publicly finance this and eliminate political contributions.

Require lobbyists to meet with public officials in public in the presence of the media.

Reverse the notion that a corporation is an individual.

Prevent retired public officials from taking positions that lobby or have any advisory role in lobbying active public officials.

Mandatory death penalty for conviction of political corruption.

So many bad ideas in one post.

lol, charrison, explain why.

 

[UltraQuiet]

I think it is only possible by increasing the number of reps in the house and having states have more power.

I don't follow you.

Some things I was considering that might help. None of them original just some things that make some sense to me. All of them have problems associated with them.

1. Campaigns are completely publicly funded with each candidate receiving the same amount of money.
2. Only individuals can give money with strict limitations. No corporations, PAC's, unions etc.
3. Candidates are limited as to how much of their own money they can spend.
4. Repeal the 17th amendment.

 

[dmcowen674]

>We need checks and balances, with out it the worst stuff can get through.

What checks and balances???

 

[Tominator]

Energy?

More nuclear, but oil is still the cheapest. I'd insure through trade our supplies are met. One of the strongest parts of our economy has always been cheap energy.

Education?

Completely revamp the Department of Education. That is fire everyone there and delegate nearly all it's duties to the states.

Every child should get equal dollars to spend on education in the form of vouchers.

Government?

Every contribution should be made public. Bills before Congress CANNOT be altered to gain votes! The budget should not be a 'Pork Barrel!'

Cut the time Politicians spend in DC by at least a quarter AND reduce their pay! No pay raises without a national vote and ZERO for expenses after leaving office.

Ban collective bargaining at the federal level.

Only ONE pension can be collected from government service.

All Federal Employess should be included in Social Security. No free medical.

Force Government to abide by the hiring practices that private business must abide by.

Completely end hiring quotas based on race.

End EVERY law that favors unions.

Imho, those steps above would guarantee a balanced budget!

 

[gopunk]

things i'd like to see... (i dunno which party, if any, i belong to. i suspect i am somewhat of a loner)

reduce dependency on oil through research into alternatives
pro-choice
pro-death penalty
reduce social welfare programs that involve just giving money to people

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: Tominator
Energy?



Cut the time Politicians spend in DC by at least a quarter AND reduce their pay! No pay raises without a national vote and ZERO for expenses after leaving office.

They can barely get anything done now, how does them not being in D.C. help that.

All Federal Employess should be included in Social Security. No free medical

Federal employees have been part of SS for the last 15 years or so. Very few of them receive free medical.

Ban collective bargaining at the federal level.

What collective bargaining?

Only ONE pension can be collected from government service.

So it is your suggestion that if I retire from the military after 20 and then spend another 25 or 30 in civil service I shouldn't be entitled to both pensions?

Force Government to abide by the hiring practices that private business must abide by.

Specifically what?

Completely end hiring quotas based on race.

Agreed

End EVERY law that favors unions.

How exactly is that going to help balance the budget?

Imho, those steps above would guarantee a balanced budget!

Lucy, you got some splainin to do.

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: Rob9874

Originally posted by: ScottyB

Originally posted by: BDawgimpeachment.

That would be a miracle.

Dems are just upset when they're not in power. After only having a one-termer (Carter) in 24 years (1969-1993), the American public decided to give the Democratic party another shot at the White House. Clinton wasn't bad, and he was elected a 2nd term. After that failed experiment, America has decided we're done with Democratic presidents for a while. Dub-ya's doing great!!!

<putting on flame-resistant suit>

The American public decided? IIRC, the American public gave 500,000 more votes to Gore. The American public decided nothing.

You're just mad because you know Clinton could have won a 3rd term.

Those 500,000 votes are in the margin of error....hence the need for the electorial college

 

[JellyBaby]

Jobs for the jobless.

Homes for the homeless.

And neverthe for the nevertheless.

Oh, and, Lockbox.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Reclaim the airways as the property of the people by halting all commercial TV and radio during election time and devote all channels to a discussion of the issues and candidates.

Commercial time costs money and the providers should be reimbursed for costs. Maybe a tax break in exchange for airtime?

Increase taxes on all Americans by 500 dollars up to 100,000 by bracket and provide a rebate in the same amount for voting.
Just a bad idea to tax people even more. When will it taken out? For what elections? When will it be given back?

Require passage of a simple test of the issues and the candidates as proof of familiarity with them to claim the rebate.
A simple test as administered by who? Actually poll tests and poll taxes were once tried and determined to be a bad idea



Publicly finance this and eliminate political contributions.


This is just a bad idea. Money and politics are intertwined, it would be impossible to seperate the 2.
Should an incumbit get less money, should a person trying to dislodge and incumbet get more?
How do you stop private citizens from advertising for their favorite politician. Or would direct contributions from a constitutate be illegal and are we ready for this loss of freedom of speech? I certainly am not.


Require lobbyists to meet with public officials in public in the presence of the media.

So if I give to the <insert favorite political group>, I should have to do it in open forum with all watching? I think not.



Reverse the notion that a corporation is an individual.

Another bad idea. Corperations can already be held responsable for their actions. If executives of a corperation break the law, they go to jail. Enforce the current laws.


Prevent retired public officials from taking positions that lobby or have any advisory role in lobbying active public officials.


Would you rather have green inexperienced people being lobbyist?




Mandatory death penalty for conviction of political corruption.

Enforcement of current laws would be good enough.

So many bad ideas in one post.

lol, charrison, explain why.

How is that?

 

[mithrandir2001]

Pinch myself because I know such a scenario is impossible this year.

<- Libertarian

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer

I think it is only possible by increasing the number of reps in the house and having states have more power.

I don't follow you.

Some things I was considering that might help. None of them original just some things that make some sense to me. All of them have problems associated with them.

1. Campaigns are completely publicly funded with each candidate receiving the same amount of money.
Your options 2 and 3 negate number 1. Politics and money are intertwinned? How do you stop people campaigning unofficially for a candidate?


2. Only individuals can give money with strict limitations. No corporations, PAC's, unions etc.

Business has a right to be heard, let them contribute. All such contributions are on record.
PACs are ok when they are your PAC. PACs are a collection of individuals giving money and time for a given cause. This is representation at its best, people can vote anytime they want with their pocketbook.

I agree unions should not use union dues to pay for political compaigns. If they want to take a collection at a meeting for a campaign, let them as long a donations are not manditory.



3. Candidates are limited as to how much of their own money they can spend.


Once again why limit this. If they want to spend for a cause they beleive in, let them. If you dont let them, they will just find other ways to fund things they beleive in.

And Tony Sanchez is going to be about $60M poorer in a few days.


4. Repeal the 17th amendment.

I agree here

 

[m2kewl]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: DaveSohmer 1. An energy plan that would move us as rapidly as possible away from our dependence on middle eastern oil. 2-5. See number 1. 6. Budget, perferably balanced. 7. Fill the judicial vacancies. 8. Real campaign finance reform. Sorry I didn't list those critical things like legalizing pot or eliminating the INS but I try to see the bigger picture.

Good list...

i'm so with this...get those b!tch-@ss gas guzzling SUVs off the roads, and get some hybrid cars on the road! Tell Detroit to friggin start working!! They seem to be all talk and no walk!

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001
Pinch myself because I know such a scenario is impossible this year.

<- Libertarian

Impossible this year? Try impossible forever. Libertarians must be on crack if they think they'll ever hold any political office more important than dog catcher or a seat on the local sanitation board. Not that I disagree with their political philosophy - I almost completely endorse it - but the vast majority of people are way too stupid to have the sort of control over their own lives which the libertarians wish to give them. Look at the hysteria over SS reform - what, leave it to me to plan my own retirement?!?!?! Heaven forfend!! I need the gov't to manage my money and run my life!!