What changes to government could most of us agree on?

[nathanbforrest45]

Try us. Remember to focus on something you think people will agree with if you can.

I don't think people will agree on any meaningful changes to the government. I think universal voting rights will eventually destroy America because too many people will vote to line their own pockets and the hell with the consequences to everyone else. I firmly and deeply believe "reform" on how the government operates will only come about through a revolution

BTW, the "if you can" thrown on at the end of your sentence tells me a lot about you. Now, can you discuss this without resorting to ad hom attacks on my thoughts?

[Lummy]

Do whatever it takes to reduce the power of the government.

Here's what it takes. It takes your personal willingness to exchange a soft, comfortable existence with the hard reality of possible life under an overpass. That's what freedom brings. You are free to practice your communion with God. But that's all you get.

[nathanbforrest45]

Everyone wants the government to cut regulations .......on their projects but not yours. As long as the government can and will support one group at the expense of another it will never change.

[DGUtley]

In no order, off the cuff:

1. Repeal the 17th Amendment - make the Senate accountable to the states.
2. Eliminate baseline budgeting.
3. Some form of BBA.
4. Term limits.
5. Eliminate rule making authority by unelected officials - make congress vote on these regulations.
6. Require government employees to be on SS (and anything else the foist on us)
7. Restrict the NSA ability to spy on us.
8. Put time limit response dates on FOIA requests.

[Trish]

here's an idea. . Why not start with changes most reasonable Americans might agree on? So here's a view I thought might meet that criteria .

1) No congressional Pay during "shutdowns"
2) Perhaps most important however. No voting on two unrelated issues in one bill other than the specific funding amounts of various programs under the budget bill. IMO, little is more crippling to our process than this practice. .
3) While we are at it how about limiting the size that a bill can be?
4) Legitimate bills should be brought to vote in a timely process not stuck in committee hell forever.
5) No long term retirement benefits to congress. At least unless they serve 20 years and I think many of us believe that none of them should do that.

So first of all do you agree? Secondly, what additions would you make? Remember these are things you think the vast majority of americans might favor.

If the polarized voters could agree on 4 or 5 things and do so strongly enough to vote against all non supporters we could start reclaiming government. Until we do that our differences don't matter anyway because the government will do what Bushbama did, regardless of what they say.

Your post was great until the very end. This is a good example of no matter what our best intentions we are our own worst enemies.

:0(

[Standing Wolf]

1. Repeal the 17th Amendment - make the Senate accountable to the states. ...

In all seriousness, would you ever expect any appreciable number of people to agree to give up the popular election of Senators? Look at some of the batsh*t crazy proposals that most state legislatures routinely churn out and sometimes actually manage to get passed into law. Those are the people you want selecting your state's U.S. Senators? In a society where most people seem to believe that it's their God-given right to vote on everything - including who gets tossed off of their favorite reality show - that's going to be a non-starter.

[donttread]

I don't think people will agree on any meaningful changes to the government. I think universal voting rights will eventually destroy America because too many people will vote to line their own pockets and the hell with the consequences to everyone else. I firmly and deeply believe "reform" on how the government operates will only come about through a revolution

BTW, the "if you can" thrown on at the end of your sentence tells me a lot about you. Now, can you discuss this without resorting to ad hom attacks on my thoughts?

Well you'd already told me you couldn't, so if you can was more like a statement of hope. But you were right, few including me are yet willing to accept your answer.

[donttread]

Your post was great until the very end. This is a good example of no matter what our best intentions we are our own worst enemies.

:0(

Probably should of left that out but it was offered as proof that if we don't rail in congress our our views don't matter. And we both know I'm right the Bush and Obama regimes brought the same results despite opposing rhetoric. War, spending records, debt records, corporate welfare, no appreciable change in illegal immigration , and making a mockery of state's rights. etc.

[donttread]

Lets start with one thing at a time.
How many agree with congress being paid during government "shutdowns"?

[nathanbforrest45]

Well you'd already told me you couldn't, so if you can was more like a statement of hope. But you were right, few including me are yet willing to accept your answer.

I gave you my answer, you didn't like it so you decided I wasn't relevant to the discussion. It was not a commentary of what I thought but on me personally. And now, like all good liberals, you are compounding it.