Very few will argue that the U.S. Congress is effective or its members are worthy of respect. They are our representatives yet more than anything they represent themselves and their political careers. Making wise decisions or right and honorable decisions could mean offending some special interest group, a group they cater to for financial support to stay in office.
The problem isn’t Republican or Democrat and it isn’t left or right. It is a culture within an institution that is killing it. In the present day political spectrum dysfunction can be found from one end to the other.
If Congress isn’t fixed in the next election we may lose our freedom, our prosperity and possibly our lives. We must see beyond the media fog to find the truth.
It is time for us to reject their bribe of constituent services (pork).
We cannot elect more Attorneys. They are members of the Judiciary and electing them to the Legislative or Executive branch violates the separation of powers. Let the Judiciary interpret and apply the laws common-sense citizen representatives develop from their combined wisdom.
Who is wise and devoted to selfless service?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “wisdom as the "a: Accumulated philosophic or scientific learning-knowledge; b: Ability to discern inner qualities and relationships-insight; c: Good sense-judgment d: Generally accepted belief <challenges what has become accepted wisdom among many historians.
Dare to imagine the outcome if we elected representatives to Congress who executed the duties of their offices with good sense-judgment?
Cleaning Up Congress
Cleaning Up Congress
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
Cleaning Up Congress
Put these clowns on Social Security like this rest of the population and do away with the SUPER FAT BLOATED pension benefits that they have so generously granted themselves. And, put them on Medicare when they hit 65.
This would help them relate to their constituents.
Unfortunately-----------------It will never happen.
This would help them relate to their constituents.
Unfortunately-----------------It will never happen.
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Accountable
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Cleaning Up Congress
Clint;672134 wrote: The problem isn’t Republican or Democrat and it isn’t left or right. It is a culture within an institution that is killing it. In the present day political spectrum dysfunction can be found from one end to the other.
You hit the nail on the head, Clint. To get re-elected, a politician has to show that he has "done" something. Voters want to know 'what have you done for me lately?' and that translates into new law. The result can only be bigger gov't, more spending, bloated bureaucracies.
I agree with Lon, and with Scrat about Saturday elections. Add to that No Re-elections. Increase terms if you must, but I think that would keep politicians more focused on the job they were hired to do.
You hit the nail on the head, Clint. To get re-elected, a politician has to show that he has "done" something. Voters want to know 'what have you done for me lately?' and that translates into new law. The result can only be bigger gov't, more spending, bloated bureaucracies.
I agree with Lon, and with Scrat about Saturday elections. Add to that No Re-elections. Increase terms if you must, but I think that would keep politicians more focused on the job they were hired to do.
Cleaning Up Congress
Accountable;672252 wrote: You hit the nail on the head, Clint. To get re-elected, a politician has to show that he has "done" something. Voters want to know 'what have you done for me lately?' and that translates into new law. The result can only be bigger gov't, more spending, bloated bureaucracies.
I agree with Lon, and with Scrat about Saturday elections. Add to that No Re-elections. Increase terms if you must, but I think that would keep politicians more focused on the job they were hired to do.
I'm not crazy about term limits. I've seen them at work. I've seen excellent City Councilors replaced by idiots just because of term limits. Term limits are only necessary where the electrorate isn't educated and simply vote for the most familiar name.
I like the idea of voting on Saturday or Sunday but I don't like the idea of everyone voting. Most voters have no idea what the issues are or who the good candidates are. They just won't take the time to find out. In their ignorance they vote for the name that looks nice or they have heard the most. Going after those voters is done be spending lots of special interest money. They are also the ones most easily purchased with constituant services.
I agree with Lon, and with Scrat about Saturday elections. Add to that No Re-elections. Increase terms if you must, but I think that would keep politicians more focused on the job they were hired to do.
I'm not crazy about term limits. I've seen them at work. I've seen excellent City Councilors replaced by idiots just because of term limits. Term limits are only necessary where the electrorate isn't educated and simply vote for the most familiar name.
I like the idea of voting on Saturday or Sunday but I don't like the idea of everyone voting. Most voters have no idea what the issues are or who the good candidates are. They just won't take the time to find out. In their ignorance they vote for the name that looks nice or they have heard the most. Going after those voters is done be spending lots of special interest money. They are also the ones most easily purchased with constituant services.
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
Cleaning Up Congress
I try to never vote for an attorney or an incumbent.
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Accountable
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Cleaning Up Congress
Clint;672309 wrote: I'm not crazy about term limits. I've seen them at work. I've seen excellent City Councilors replaced by idiots just because of term limits. Term limits are only necessary where the electrorate isn't educated and simply vote for the most familiar name.
So don't limit the terms. Let'em run in 2008, 2012, 2016 (2-year terms, y'see). If they are for real, it would work. If they're not, they probably wouldn't have the patience to stick around.
So don't limit the terms. Let'em run in 2008, 2012, 2016 (2-year terms, y'see). If they are for real, it would work. If they're not, they probably wouldn't have the patience to stick around.
Cleaning Up Congress
Nomad;672644 wrote: Cleaning Up Congress
Yea right. :rolleyes:
That's the spirit. :yh_sad
Yea right. :rolleyes:
That's the spirit. :yh_sad
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
Cleaning Up Congress
Clint;672665 wrote: That's the spirit. :yh_sad
Ive given up on politicians. And everybody getting out to vote. 8 yrs of Bush has left me somewhere between extremely discouraged and flabberghasted.
Ive given up on politicians. And everybody getting out to vote. 8 yrs of Bush has left me somewhere between extremely discouraged and flabberghasted.
I AM AWESOME MAN
Cleaning Up Congress
Nomad;672707 wrote: Ive given up on politicians. And everybody getting out to vote. 8 yrs of Bush has left me somewhere between extremely discouraged and flabberghasted.
The trouble started long before Bush. If we focus on him or Clinton or... we will never get to the heart of the problem, which is really us, the voters.
The trouble started long before Bush. If we focus on him or Clinton or... we will never get to the heart of the problem, which is really us, the voters.
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
Cleaning Up Congress
Clint;672134 wrote:
The problem isn’t Republican or Democrat and it isn’t left or right. It is a culture within an institution that is killing it. In the present day political spectrum dysfunction can be found from one end to the other.
If Congress isn’t fixed in the next election we may lose our freedom, our prosperity and possibly our lives. We must see beyond the media fog to find the truth.
The way I see it, the two party system is the lie that's choking America.
Cleaning Up Congress is a nice notion, but it's going to take a lot of work to fix anything in time for the next election.
What, in your opinion, is the first step?
The problem isn’t Republican or Democrat and it isn’t left or right. It is a culture within an institution that is killing it. In the present day political spectrum dysfunction can be found from one end to the other.
If Congress isn’t fixed in the next election we may lose our freedom, our prosperity and possibly our lives. We must see beyond the media fog to find the truth.
The way I see it, the two party system is the lie that's choking America.
Cleaning Up Congress is a nice notion, but it's going to take a lot of work to fix anything in time for the next election.
What, in your opinion, is the first step?
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Accountable
- Posts: 24818
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 8:33 am
Cleaning Up Congress
Welcome, Ziggy!
The problem grew over decades, there's no way to fix it by next election. Baby steps is the best approach, I guess.
Michael Medved argues that the only way to change the two-party mirage is to do it from the inside. In other words, work within a party to change it, rather than trying to find a viable third alternative. To do anything else, according to Medved, is futile.
I think that if the Libertarian Party can focus on their more centrist ideas of freedom and ignore their more wacky extremists, they might ... just might ... be able to make a dent in the Demo-Repub united front.
The problem grew over decades, there's no way to fix it by next election. Baby steps is the best approach, I guess.
Michael Medved argues that the only way to change the two-party mirage is to do it from the inside. In other words, work within a party to change it, rather than trying to find a viable third alternative. To do anything else, according to Medved, is futile.
I think that if the Libertarian Party can focus on their more centrist ideas of freedom and ignore their more wacky extremists, they might ... just might ... be able to make a dent in the Demo-Repub united front.
Cleaning Up Congress
Accountable;722539 wrote: Welcome, Ziggy!
The problem grew over decades, there's no way to fix it by next election. Baby steps is the best approach, I guess.
Michael Medved argues that the only way to change the two-party mirage is to do it from the inside. In other words, work within a party to change it, rather than trying to find a viable third alternative. To do anything else, according to Medved, is futile.
I think that if the Libertarian Party can focus on their more centrist ideas of freedom and ignore their more wacky extremists, they might ... just might ... be able to make a dent in the Demo-Repub united front.
Do you really think that any one person is strong enough to fight to whole party machine on his own?
More likely to get swallowed up and spat out the back end.
From within the party you cannot criticize or fight their excesses publicly - the only people to whom you can put your points have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo - after all, it got them where they are today.
The problem grew over decades, there's no way to fix it by next election. Baby steps is the best approach, I guess.
Michael Medved argues that the only way to change the two-party mirage is to do it from the inside. In other words, work within a party to change it, rather than trying to find a viable third alternative. To do anything else, according to Medved, is futile.
I think that if the Libertarian Party can focus on their more centrist ideas of freedom and ignore their more wacky extremists, they might ... just might ... be able to make a dent in the Demo-Repub united front.
Do you really think that any one person is strong enough to fight to whole party machine on his own?
More likely to get swallowed up and spat out the back end.
From within the party you cannot criticize or fight their excesses publicly - the only people to whom you can put your points have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo - after all, it got them where they are today.
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Accountable
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- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 8:33 am
Cleaning Up Congress
No one person can change a political system, from within or without. Over here, our two parties (really one with two heads) have successfully convinced most that going with any other party would be futile.
I agree with you that working within a party is pointless if it's national change you're looking for.
I agree with you that working within a party is pointless if it's national change you're looking for.
Cleaning Up Congress
Ziggy;722492 wrote: The way I see it, the two party system is the lie that's choking America.
Cleaning Up Congress is a nice notion, but it's going to take a lot of work to fix anything in time for the next election.
What, in your opinion, is the first step?
A great first step would be to prevent attorneys who are members of the Justice Branch once they pass the Bar from serving in any other branch. That would change things very quickly. Our laws would be written by the common citizen rather than by attorneys for attorneys.
Cleaning Up Congress is a nice notion, but it's going to take a lot of work to fix anything in time for the next election.
What, in your opinion, is the first step?
A great first step would be to prevent attorneys who are members of the Justice Branch once they pass the Bar from serving in any other branch. That would change things very quickly. Our laws would be written by the common citizen rather than by attorneys for attorneys.
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
Cleaning Up Congress
Clint;722623 wrote: A great first step would be to prevent attorneys who are members of the Justice Branch once they pass the Bar from serving in any other branch. That would change things very quickly. Our laws would be written by the common citizen rather than by attorneys for attorneys.
I would totally agree but for one thing - we still have statutes on our books going back hundreds of years. You'd have to rewrite your laws from scratch to make any change rapid.
I would totally agree but for one thing - we still have statutes on our books going back hundreds of years. You'd have to rewrite your laws from scratch to make any change rapid.
Cleaning Up Congress
Bryn Mawr;722625 wrote: I would totally agree but for one thing - we still have statutes on our books going back hundreds of years. You'd have to rewrite your laws from scratch to make any change rapid.
I agree but I think breaking the chokehold attorneys have on the system would be a huge first step. It would change the face of the institution and improve its image with the American people. The present approval ratings of 20% for Congress are frightening.
I agree but I think breaking the chokehold attorneys have on the system would be a huge first step. It would change the face of the institution and improve its image with the American people. The present approval ratings of 20% for Congress are frightening.
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
Cleaning Up Congress
Clint;722627 wrote: I agree but I think breaking the chokehold attorneys have on the system would be a huge first step. It would change the face of the institution and improve its image with the American people. The present approval ratings of 20% for Congress are frightening.
Were having much the same problems here and you're right - one step at a time.
Were having much the same problems here and you're right - one step at a time.
Cleaning Up Congress
Canada has a referendum coming up to vote on abolishing the Senate.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... hub=Canada
It seems to be getting support from more than just the NDP now.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... b=Politics
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... hub=Canada
It seems to be getting support from more than just the NDP now.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... b=Politics
Cleaning Up Congress
koan;722661 wrote: Canada has a referendum coming up to vote on abolishing the Senate.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... hub=Canada
It seems to be getting support from more than just the NDP now.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... b=Politics
I've always felt that two houses and the judiciary make a good tripod.
Three legged stools work well 'cos they can always be made to sit flat and level on any surface.
Three independent power bases work well 'cos they balance themselves.
What would you replace it with?
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... hub=Canada
It seems to be getting support from more than just the NDP now.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... b=Politics
I've always felt that two houses and the judiciary make a good tripod.
Three legged stools work well 'cos they can always be made to sit flat and level on any surface.
Three independent power bases work well 'cos they balance themselves.
What would you replace it with?
Cleaning Up Congress
nothing. they just want rid of it.
Cleaning Up Congress
koan;722688 wrote: nothing. they just want rid of it.
Sound like storing up problems for the future to me
Sound like storing up problems for the future to me
Cleaning Up Congress
Accountable;722539 wrote: Welcome, Ziggy!
The problem grew over decades, there's no way to fix it by next election. Baby steps is the best approach, I guess.
Michael Medved argues that the only way to change the two-party mirage is to do it from the inside. In other words, work within a party to change it, rather than trying to find a viable third alternative. To do anything else, according to Medved, is futile.
I think that if the Libertarian Party can focus on their more centrist ideas of freedom and ignore their more wacky extremists, they might ... just might ... be able to make a dent in the Demo-Repub united front.
Thanks for the "Welcome" my friend,
After reading your post, I realized that I didn't make myself as clear as I should have. By my saying that it was "going to take a lot of work", I was trying to point out that it's not going to happen by the next election.
Either way, I agree with what you're saying - "Baby Steps". Perhaps in 5-10 it would be possible (with a lot of work) to begin making some progress, and it will take a large group of people working on many different fronts to create something (anything) that could transform the current political situation in the U.S.
Out of the 100 members in the U.S. Senate, there are only two (2!!!) that are neither Republican or Democrat. Senators Bernard Sanders from Vermont and Joseph Lieberman from Connecticut. Out of 435 members of the U.S. Congress, there are no members from outside the two parties (Sad But True).
I don't know if the Medved theory will work, the parties are too indoctrinated into working a certain way (not to mention funding sources). With that said, I look at an organization like MoveOn.org and believe that (at least in concept) that could be the way to work towards this transformation.
Who are the candidates? What is the political agenda? How do you get 100,000 people in a district to vote for something "New"?
The way I see it, the only way to "Clean Up Congress" is to put new people in place, and I honestly don't think there's anyway around it. I believe there is a way to do it, but it's going to take a large group of people, doing a lot of work, and working in many different areas in the U.S.
Clint;722623 wrote: A great first step would be to prevent attorneys who are members of the Justice Branch once they pass the Bar from serving in any other branch. That would change things very quickly. Our laws would be written by the common citizen rather than by attorneys for attorneys.
Dear Clint,
The attorney "choke-hold" is one issue, but I think they have a right to run and be elected. To change that is something you could do once you have a few people in "The House" and not from the outside (since they would have to approve it, right?).
The fact that only 36.8% of eligible voters voted for Congress in 2006 is a large part of the problem. The disapproval figures (75%) are indeed frightening. But maybe those two facts combined show us that there is an opening for something to change... maybe...
The problem grew over decades, there's no way to fix it by next election. Baby steps is the best approach, I guess.
Michael Medved argues that the only way to change the two-party mirage is to do it from the inside. In other words, work within a party to change it, rather than trying to find a viable third alternative. To do anything else, according to Medved, is futile.
I think that if the Libertarian Party can focus on their more centrist ideas of freedom and ignore their more wacky extremists, they might ... just might ... be able to make a dent in the Demo-Repub united front.
Thanks for the "Welcome" my friend,
After reading your post, I realized that I didn't make myself as clear as I should have. By my saying that it was "going to take a lot of work", I was trying to point out that it's not going to happen by the next election.
Either way, I agree with what you're saying - "Baby Steps". Perhaps in 5-10 it would be possible (with a lot of work) to begin making some progress, and it will take a large group of people working on many different fronts to create something (anything) that could transform the current political situation in the U.S.
Out of the 100 members in the U.S. Senate, there are only two (2!!!) that are neither Republican or Democrat. Senators Bernard Sanders from Vermont and Joseph Lieberman from Connecticut. Out of 435 members of the U.S. Congress, there are no members from outside the two parties (Sad But True).
I don't know if the Medved theory will work, the parties are too indoctrinated into working a certain way (not to mention funding sources). With that said, I look at an organization like MoveOn.org and believe that (at least in concept) that could be the way to work towards this transformation.
Who are the candidates? What is the political agenda? How do you get 100,000 people in a district to vote for something "New"?
The way I see it, the only way to "Clean Up Congress" is to put new people in place, and I honestly don't think there's anyway around it. I believe there is a way to do it, but it's going to take a large group of people, doing a lot of work, and working in many different areas in the U.S.
Clint;722623 wrote: A great first step would be to prevent attorneys who are members of the Justice Branch once they pass the Bar from serving in any other branch. That would change things very quickly. Our laws would be written by the common citizen rather than by attorneys for attorneys.
Dear Clint,
The attorney "choke-hold" is one issue, but I think they have a right to run and be elected. To change that is something you could do once you have a few people in "The House" and not from the outside (since they would have to approve it, right?).
The fact that only 36.8% of eligible voters voted for Congress in 2006 is a large part of the problem. The disapproval figures (75%) are indeed frightening. But maybe those two facts combined show us that there is an opening for something to change... maybe...
Cleaning Up Congress
Ziggy;723064 wrote:
Dear Clint,
The attorney "choke-hold" is one issue, but I think they have a right to run and be elected. To change that is something you could do once you have a few people in "The House" and not from the outside (since they would have to approve it, right?).
The fact that only 36.8% of eligible voters voted for Congress in 2006 is a large part of the problem. The disapproval figures (75%) are indeed frightening. But maybe those two facts combined show us that there is an opening for something to change... maybe...
They have every right to run for office but before they seek office as a lawmaker they should give up their status as a law enforcer. Being both a lawmaker and a law enforcer results in too much power and the Constitution doesn’t allow it. We have a judicial branch that is overstepping in a big way and it is causing problems in Congress and the courts. For a while there we had Attorneys running all three branches of government. If Hillary wins we will again. If they want to run they should have to resign as attorneys and wait two years first.
Dear Clint,
The attorney "choke-hold" is one issue, but I think they have a right to run and be elected. To change that is something you could do once you have a few people in "The House" and not from the outside (since they would have to approve it, right?).
The fact that only 36.8% of eligible voters voted for Congress in 2006 is a large part of the problem. The disapproval figures (75%) are indeed frightening. But maybe those two facts combined show us that there is an opening for something to change... maybe...
They have every right to run for office but before they seek office as a lawmaker they should give up their status as a law enforcer. Being both a lawmaker and a law enforcer results in too much power and the Constitution doesn’t allow it. We have a judicial branch that is overstepping in a big way and it is causing problems in Congress and the courts. For a while there we had Attorneys running all three branches of government. If Hillary wins we will again. If they want to run they should have to resign as attorneys and wait two years first.
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
Cleaning Up Congress
Clint;723175 wrote: They have every right to run for office but before they seek office as a lawmaker they should give up their status as a law enforcer. Being both a lawmaker and a law enforcer results in too much power and the Constitution doesn’t allow it. We have a judicial branch that is overstepping in a big way and it is causing problems in Congress and the courts. For a while there we had Attorneys running all three branches of government. If Hillary wins we will again. If they want to run they should have to resign as attorneys and wait two years first.
I agree with you that it should be changed.
What I'm trying to say, in one way or another, is that in order to change any part of the system, you have to be in a position of power. You cannot expect the people in power to change the law against their own favor, that's just not their 'Style'.
Those are my two cents anyway.
I agree with you that it should be changed.
What I'm trying to say, in one way or another, is that in order to change any part of the system, you have to be in a position of power. You cannot expect the people in power to change the law against their own favor, that's just not their 'Style'.
Those are my two cents anyway.
Cleaning Up Congress
Ziggy;739790 wrote: I agree with you that it should be changed.
What I'm trying to say, in one way or another, is that in order to change any part of the system, you have to be in a position of power. You cannot expect the people in power to change the law against their own favor, that's just not their 'Style'.
Those are my two cents anyway.
I agree. Nothing will happen until voters wake up and demand change. As it is everyone is asleep at the switch and the train is almost there.
What I'm trying to say, in one way or another, is that in order to change any part of the system, you have to be in a position of power. You cannot expect the people in power to change the law against their own favor, that's just not their 'Style'.
Those are my two cents anyway.
I agree. Nothing will happen until voters wake up and demand change. As it is everyone is asleep at the switch and the train is almost there.
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.