I get confused very easily, but isn't it the republican party that holds up votes on the things they don't like? Maybe both parties. Or is it the republicans in the house instead of the senate?
Formula88
JUN 22, 08:44 PM
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Originally posted by dratts:
I get confused very easily, but isn't it the republican party that holds up votes on the things they don't like? Maybe both parties. Or is it the republicans in the house instead of the senate?
Maybe you're referring to filibusters? That's a tool the minority party has (both Republican and Democrat) to stop the vote on a bill. It can be overriden by a large enough majority. That's how the system is designed to work. That's not what Reid is doing. As the Senate Majority Leader, he's simply refused to let bills even come up for a vote. They don't get reviewed. There is no opportunity for filibuster or vote.
As people were blasting the GOP as the "Party of No", the House was passing bill after bill that never got voted on in the Senate. It's not that they were voted down - they were never even brought up for a vote. You need to pay attention to more than just the sound bites.
How many budgets has the Senate passed since Obama took office in 2008? That's the Senate's job. Who's been the majority leader in the Senate the entire time?
Remember all the hoopla when the SS tax holiday was going to expire, the Senate wanted a 2 month extension, but the GOP majority controlled House didn't? That was played up a lot, but this is what wasn't talked about:...
[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 06-22-2013).]
dratts
JUN 22, 10:42 PM
That's the first time I've listened to anything that Allen West had to say since he made the ridiculous charge that eighty democrats were communists. liberals yes, communists no. Maybe you're right about the rest of it. I'm a victim of the media and I know that both sides spin everything. Anyway I'm all for our legislators voting on anythingnthat comes up, not blocking a vote.
newf
JUN 22, 11:57 PM
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Originally posted by Jonesy:
Bill Mar would agree with you on term limits..
NSFW due too some language..
Watched that a while back.....hilarious and sad at the same time.
cliffw
JUN 26, 11:17 AM
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Originally posted by dratts: I get confused very easily, but isn't it the republican party that holds up votes on the things they don't like?
Confusion is good. The regime likes that. I am not sure either if the repulsivecans have done that. No matter what, it is wrong. The elected officials of any state should be duty bound to present legislation for consideration. The legislation should be put forward and I can not think of one good reason why it should not be.
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Originally posted by Jonesy: Bill Mar would agree with you on term limits..
He might. I wish he would have mentioned something about "new fresh ideas" being the result. Something about corruption cronyism being eradicated. Disrupting "nudge wink wink" relationships.
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Originally posted by Fats: I think on voter ID that simpler would be better. Remove the ID demand, and simply have people dip their fingers in indelible ink like they do in other corrupt countries. Is it really that indelible, ? Are they voting in the right legal district ? What about absentee ballots ?
Just label the people running alphabetically and ignore their political affiliations? Or ban them all together? We can not ban them as we have the Constitutional right of freedom of assembly. It should not matter how they appear on the ballot as far as alphabetically. One should know who they are voting for. Political affiliations on the ballot should be banned.
I'm not sure how one would fix the problem of campaign financing. We want fair elections. Everybody spending the same amount of money is fair. Elections should not be bought.
Another one that should be easy to fix. But I have no idea how. Some of the ideals taught in School are appalling to me. I am not sure how it could be more fair in the freedom of choice of who to invite on campus. However, hacks in an audience, way laying a opposition opinion, should be banned. This is mostly done by the party of tolerance,
Government Pay I would have to think about this more. Comparative rates of the private sector seems reasonable. I don't really have an opinion on this since I think that the speeches don't matter. I don't think you could be more wrong. Speeches are for many reasons. I just think that a speech should stand on the merits of it's words and ideas. Maybe it's not that big of a deal. Maybe it doesn't matter if he has a back drop of props. I think a speech preaching to the choir which will cheer is just like a laugh track on a sitcom. Not in just being annoying, into duping the viewers that it is all that.
I'm not sure what to do about lobbying. I think at the very least it should be made more transparent. Perhaps since we are all "shareholders" in this Country we should get a Quarterly report regarding different aspects of the Government. I'm not sure how it would be done, but that's why I make the little bucks. Lobbying by money is bad. Period. I can see the sense in presenting a thought out opinion made concise and it takes money to organize a presentation. Yet, this post has been no easy task for me. I did it in the fervor of my belief in the cause. Lobbying could be done by mail petition. 100,000 signatures demands attention.
Did I miss anything Brad ? ******************************************************************************************************************************************************
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Originally posted by theBDub: I think the Electoral College needs to be revisited, but not done away with. I used to have an idea for how to fix it... can't think of it right now. I'll edit this statement if I remember my thought. Did you think about remembering, ? ... third parties need better access to the presidential debates. The percentage rule that is in place now is all but impossible to overcome given that third parties don't have a voice in the first place. I agree we should not be burdened with only two choices, us or them. I am no scholar but I have heard that there are arguments about the dysfunction of multi-party systems. I think if we just eliminated party affiliation from the ballot it would be a good start.
People have a right to assemble. I'd say instead of banning unionizing, take all those government jobs and put them to the private sector. I agree people have a right to unionize. It should not be necessary for government employees to unionize. The government exists to protect rights and it's employees deserve no more rights than an average citizen working in the private sector. Let's look at it this way. Union membership is decreasing rapidly. Except in government. Unions 99% support and donate big bucks to just one party. Anything to get rid of the other party. The IRS party targeting was done by union employees. Government employees can not fairly administer govwernment when they have a loyalty to one party.
Interesting. I am not so sure I want private contractors doing government jobs. It is said they do it more efficiently, cheaper, and better. Our government shouldbe capable of doing the same. Also, who would get to decide which private entity got those jobs (I had previously mentioned I am against government picking winners and losers). I do understand we put contracts out for bid so it may be possible to do.
Lobbying should only be used for its intended purpose: to inform. No more promises and winks going around the table.
See my thoughts to Brad on lobbying. ******************************************************************************************************
Originally posted by Gokart Mozart: We have the technology to monitor illegal activity because the voting is a closed loop network. We still use paper sign in procedures. This should become electronic. Votes and voters should have encrypted tracking numbers that can't be used for anything but monitoring. Red flags can be instantly thrown if there's illegal activity. With a current database of registered voters, it we become harder and harder for illegal votes. Not on the list, can't vote. Many people don't vote. What about impersonations ? Nothing wrong with an ID to vote. You have to have an ID to get a library card, get on a plane, get a bank account, and on and on. Computers will be great for conferences. People can (for a simple phrase) Tweet their questions to a site. With the technology of tracking key words ( the government has a few ideas of that), similar questions can be grouped and the questions can be answered in real time. Great way to ensure Joe the Plumber questions get answered. Unanswered questions should be noted so as they can again be asked. Every month there should be a list of who received what from who, or what. Every year all members compile a list to show what they received. If things are given under the table, when found severe penalties on both parties should be given, not just monetary, but banishment from lobbying for a time period would be a good deterrent.
Thanks for your good feedback. Especially your second post. Lawyer malpractice indeed. ***********************************************************************************************************************************
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Originally posted by avengador1: There are many good ideas floating around in this thread. The only problem is people's apathy to try and implement any of them. Most believe they cannot make a difference or don't even care to make one. Many just think "what does it matter?", that is why our country is where it is.
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Originally posted by jaskispyder: I don't believe it is apathy... It comes down to getting support and finances, and those come with strings attached. This is how we got into this mess to begin with.
Apathy is one problem but it only applies to those which care to inform themselves. Ignorance is another. And to jaski's point, self defeatism is another. I am sure there are others such as the lazy, the easily discouraged, those that believe in miracles and somehow this mess will fix itself.. All I can say is "hold my beer and watch this", . There are two other types of people. Those that accept life and those that affect life. Doing nothing is not an option for me. I believe this country is at a tipping point. I am deeply patriotic. I can try to fix it, or I can leave and take Texas with me. I ask what are you gonna do ? Me ? I am subject to apathy, admittedly ignorant, a self defeatist to a point, lazy ... or too busy elsewhere, and believe in miracles. Neither is good enough. It's big boy time ! I am glad reasons of failure are being mentioned. Gotta know what needs to be overcome. Getting support. Heck, I have almost all posting in agreement. I am still disappointed in Neptune, Rayb, fierobear, wolfhound, blackrams, maryjane, pokeyfiero, fierobear, Patrick, MEM, and all the rest of our cast for not posting. I need feedback, so as to better present my thoughts. Getting finances ? Money is not a problem. I'll call in the cliffw bikini team to raise money, . Kidding sort of. Money will take care of itself. The strings attached part is something to be worried about. As is bad associations killing the message. I need to take this conversation to a bigger stage. My local radio morning DJ at Rev FM (Revolution Radio in an ironic twist, (named for a non country music format in a dominated country music demographic) often discusses politics. Local, state, and federal. He once ran for local office. I bet he would have me on as a guest to discuss this. Another station I like/listen to, ,Real Country, 92.3, The Ranch, just started a feature segment entitled We The People (they just finished their second segment). I bet they would be receptive to this discussion. I can think of other's that might be interested in the discussion and not just radio venues. The state of affairs of our nation are ripe for this to be a well received discussion and I think it needs to be a notional one. I think it will get there. I have never been on a political stage, even one not seeking office. I have never been on the radio or TV. At one time, I had never had sex. I am going for it. Are you gonna just stand there and hold my beer while watching, or are you gonna help me ?
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Originally posted by Boondawg: The ideas seem logical (I could get behind all of them)....
Don't be like Nobama and lead from behind. I need some help. I am big on ideas. A little sucky on follow thru but not easily discouraged. I would like some help refining my first post. To make an alluring argument which will attract venues to deliver it to an to also motivate others into doing what I can not do. I can not save America. ***********************************************************************************************************************************
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Originally posted by TK: None of the problems are insurmountable, they just have to take action. Therein lies the problem. How do we get a large group of people to actually sit down and take action.
As I mentioned earlier in this thread, conversation is a good start. It will though take more conversation than we are having here. Here if I could get one guy to spread the idea (presentation still to be formalized) to many different venues, and they gained one to do the same, the conversation will spread. From the conversation ideas of action likely will be discussed.
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Originally posted by TK: Other than some of the analogies and metaphors being a stretch, I can't say I disagree with too much.
What ? You don't recognize Obamanese, ? Thank you for the delivery style critique. A little I think is necessary and I agree too much is too much.
Every Law And Regulations Should Have An Expiration Date ! Our legislators seem to have nothing better else to do but make new laws and regulations. Now everything is criminal and we are regulated to death (or out of existence). The regime (Congress and the President) always whines about how "we the people" are frustrated that nothing gets done. Myself, I like it that way, except really important issues. e need to take up more of there time so they can not concoct more ways to make us less free.
TK
JUN 26, 11:41 AM
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Originally posted by cliffw:
What ? You don't recognize Obamanese, ? Thank you for the delivery style critique. A little I think is necessary and I agree too much is too much.
You're welcome!
dratts
JUN 26, 12:27 PM
I know that my saying so is just another post agreeing with what you have posted, but I want to say that it gives me some hope for the future when I read your thoughts and see the support that you have here. Thanks again! You've put a lot of thought and effort into your thread.
cliffw
JUN 26, 10:31 PM
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Originally posted by dratts: I want to say that it gives me some hope for the future when I read your thoughts and see the support that you have here.
Don't get your hopes up. I am just one man. I hope for that support. I will need it. You have heard that saying. "A good friend will be in jail besides you". We will see if I have that support. I am just gonna do my thing here. I am counting on that support to do it where they live.
cliffw Texan American
EDIT for notes. Social Engineering
[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 06-27-2013).]
cliffw
JUN 28, 09:35 AM
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Originally posted by cliffw:
Taxation : The IRS needs to go. It has become a joke. Not only has it been used, past and present, to target political enemies, it's morass is beyond comprehension. The Internal Revenue code is seven times the length of the Bible, twice the length of Tolstoy's "War and Peace". The federal tax code with its 44,000 pages, 5.5 million words, and 721 different forms is a patchwork maze of complexity and a testament to confusion over common sense. Even our Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy "Turbo Tax" Geither, who oversees the IRS, could not figure out how to do his taxes. Americans are forced to go to accountants to get their taxes done. Lobbyists are always bribing our lawmakers for special loopholes. Politicians use it to to win votes.
Governing and serving : Working for the government is not a right. It is a privilege we the voters grant certain people (even if by proxy). Just as licensed driving is a right, requiring people to involuntarily give up their Fifth Amendment rights, government workers should be required to do the same. If they plead the Fifth they should relinquish their jobs and be prohibited from working for the government or in any position with a private company which deals with the government. It's about accountability.
Originally posted by Boondawg: I could get behind all of them.
Not just you Boondawg, everybody, ... call your legislators, mail them also, email them, do it regularly. Be the squeaky wheel, make them listen. Demand a reply.
cliffw
JAN 31, 01:09 PM
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Originally posted by cliffw: Not just you Boondawg, everybody, ... call your legislators, mail them also, email them, do it regularly. Be the squeaky wheel, make them listen. Demand a reply.
BUMP The primaries are coming up. I would suggest a more important part of our voting process. At a local level, it strengthens or gives momentum to state contests. Which do the same at a national level. Less money is spent on the propaganda of the populace during the primaries. This is our best time to "throw the bums out". Even if not successful, it sends a message to the general election candidates. We have more of an influence in the outcome of our country at the lower levels of the voting process than one might think. It may not be an instant outcome, I will compare it to like investing or saving. It may take some time. That said, read my first post. Re-read it if you have read it as I have added notes/edited it for my purposes. Don't just vote. Ask questions of the candidates, even the ones you don't favor. Don't just listen to them. See how they react (I suggest question them about some of the things my first post suggests). Ask them anything but ask. Bitchin' after the fact is why we are where we are at.
? Are they voting in the right legal district ? What about absentee ballots ?
?
? Thank you for the delivery style critique. A little I think is necessary and I agree too much is too much.