Is the United States Political System Broken Beyond Repair?

Watching what has been going on between Democrats and Republicans ever since Obama and the Democrats seized power back in 2008 and into today where the Republicans seem to be gaining much of it back - We see something going on that does not fit any conspiracy mold as when they used to say the two parties are really the same and are working together. If anything these two political parties appear to be growing further and further apart. And if you listen to what their leaders and advocates claim are not trying to control the same USA - they act as if they represent two different groups of citizens living in two different countries. How come? Special interests? What special interests? There are many rich Democrats and many poor Republicans so it is not over just economic issues - both parties do cater to special political and/or economic interests; But both parties are so widely separated as to how they see the US and its citizens so as to be living in two different worlds. If this situation remains gridlock will get worse and the entire political system will become dysfunctional.

I have no answers. Does anyone here have any? Can anyone see light at the end of the dark political tunnel the US is now in?

yes

1. elect a conservative republican as president
2. pass hr 4183 so no president can illegally not enforce laws.
3. Not allow recess appointments
4. Pass laws to limit executive branch regulations
5. Pass law to audit the fed


and thats just for starters!

I don't think the ones running this country think it is broken. They are too busy arguing with the other party to see it's all messed up.

originally posted by: sirlancelot
yes

1. elect a conservative republican as president
2. pass hr 4183 so no president can illegally not enforce laws.
3. Not allow recess appointments
4. Pass laws to limit executive branch regulations
5. Pass law to audit the fed


and thats just for starters!

You beat me to it Sir Lance! And yes thats just a start....

We certainly don't need a conservative president! We saw what happened with Bush. We don't need a Democrat president either.

What we need are laws that make it easier to get on the Ballots for anyone. Not a million signatures and or money. More people will run that way. That's the first thing we need.

Secondly, we need to get rid of the electoral college and make it a popular vote for president.

Thirdly, After the Democrats and Republicans have their primaries. It will be hard to get rid of those too parties all together, we need have the other candidates on the debates as well. not just those two parties.

Fourthly, we need the rise of not just the independents, but several good sized political parties. Not the tea party, that's basically an extension of the republican party, but a real socialist, communist, constitution, Green etc parties. You wouldn't be calling democrats socialists if we actually had several socialists in congress to compare them too.

Then we need to shrink the government for real. I guess that would do for starters.

a reply to: AlienView

Is the United States Political System Broken Beyond Repair?

Short answer - Yes

There are to many issues like the ones brought up by sirlancelot that simply will not be addressed by our representatives because resolving said issues would restrict their power and ability to accept bri .. um campaign donations from corporate entities.

I mentioned this in another thread... fits even better here.

Restrict the income of candidates to less than the pay of the office. I would rather have a greatful representative that votes with his constituents, than an over-paid, over-educated, self-serving, blowhard, professional politician with an agenda.

Add term limits and eliminate congressional pensions and that is a start...

I would also say change term limits but her is analogy that made me think twice.

if you are building a skyscraper do you want a in experienced builder? No you want the most experienced. That being said with experience comes obligations to the money that got and keeps you in power. Kinda of a double edge sword. Un tethered in experienced or experienced yet accountable to the money over the people.

a reply to: amazing

Interesting thoughts 'amazing' but guess what - it will never happen. Remember Ross Perot? Had the money, popular support so great he was actually winning in the Polls; And what happened to Ross Perot? 'They' apparently made an example and fool out of him - I think 'they' had something on him and scared him out of the race - he says 'they' threatened his daughter - I think it was something else. And Ron Paul hero of the right who even gets some support from the left - no chance; And that other idealistic fool Ralph Nader - gets a couple of percent of the voting block. And as far as left leaning out and out Socialists? - You see how vehemently the Republicans and their Tea Party slant did every thing in the world to destroy Obama's Presidency on general principles because it was moderately left leaning - Not one single Republican voted for Obamacare even though research shows the ideas of it were developed by a Republican think tank and was used by Romney in Massachusetts. Socialism to most of the ruling economic and banker class is an evil that must be stopped at all costs - They would sooner see the Mafia ruling America - Maybe a political Mafia does rule America and politics is a song and dance show staged for the masses - a fools circus. So maybe the conspiracy theorists are right after all

originally posted by: sirlancelot
I would also say change term limits but her is analogy that made me think twice.

if you are building a skyscraper do you want a in experienced builder? No you want the most experienced. That being said with experience comes obligations to the money that got and keeps you in power. Kinda of a double edge sword. Un tethered in experienced or experienced yet accountable to the money over the people.

Building a skyscraper doesn't involve voting on where each steel beam is placed. It's no democracy at all...

a reply to: sirlancelot

1. elect a conservative republican as president

Good luck finding one there is no such thing in DC anymore. If you think electing a Republican will fix things then you may as well vote for a Democrat because both parties work for the same people. If you vote for either of these parties then you are part of the problem.

2. pass hr 4183 so no president can illegally not enforce laws.

Are you sure you have the right bill? Because HR 4183 has nothing to do with the President not enforcing laws.
H.R. 4183: Empowering States’ Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2014
Empowering States' Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2014 - Amends the Truth In Lending Act to limit the annual percentage rate (APR) applicable to any consumer credit transaction (other than a residential mortgage transaction), including any associated fees, to the maximum rate permitted by the laws of the state in which the consumer resides.

3. Not allow recess appointments

That has worked for both parties so good luck on getting that passed.

4. Pass laws to limit executive branch regulations

Just the Executive? It should be the same way for all of government.

5. Pass law to audit the fed

That won't happen because they have way too much power the best thing to do is repeal the Fed.

originally posted by: sirlancelot
yes

1. elect a conservative republican as president
2. pass hr 4183 so no president can illegally not enforce laws.
3. Not allow recess appointments
4. Pass laws to limit executive branch regulations
5. Pass law to audit the fed


and thats just for starters!

I have posted this here before but maybe there is more support now.

Forgive all outstanding debt (Home, Auto, Student, etc. Loans; Back Taxes, not current taxes, back Child Support, again Not current child support) cancel Bank repossessions as the banks have already received their payments through the bailout monies. This alone will spur people to spend to a certain extent, stimulating economic growth (Demand) which will require more production to keep up with demand, which will require hiring more employees and round and round it goes, like a Mobius strip.

As for Government spending:
Bring this idea to the people of this country for a special vote.

Tie all elected officials (from the Chief of Police to the President of the United States) Pay to a multiple of the average pay of their constituents, and eliminate minimum wage. No more campaign donations, period.


My thought was to tie their pay to a multiple of the average of their constituents in order to motivate them to bring businesses into their areas and raise the average wage so they can get a raise. That would be the only way they could get a raise in pay, no more voting themselves a raise.

Chief of Police :>--------------2x the average pay in the city.
Mayor :>----------------------3x the average pay in the city.
State Representative :>-------4x the average pay of their constituents.
State Senator :>--------------4x the average pay of their constituents.
State Governor :>-------------5x the average pay of their constituents.
Vice President :>--------------4x the average pay of their constituents.
President :>-------------------5x the average pay of their constituents.

I would also recommend that they are limited to two (2) terms at each level, and no more pay for life, when the terms are up move to the next level or go back to work on the economy you have helped to create.

No more free medical, Dental etc.. for life either, they get the same options as the average person gets.

I think one thing that we can all agree on... left, right, progressive, conservative, libertarian... is that we need to start collectively reign in their ability to line their pockets while in office. THAT is where all corruption begins, and how the corporate interests always win out over the will of the people.

1. Ban all political parties. This would encourage people to check into who they are voting for.
2. Ban all lobbyist from having access to government officials any politician caught taking their money will be immediately removed from office and all bills they have put forth will be discarded.
3. A politician cannot spend more running for the office than the job pays also a strict accounting of finances that the politician has spent must be available for public scrutiny.
4. Repeal Citizens United companies are not people so they should not be involved in the political process. This will also include Unions and any type of organization or Lobby that serves foreign interests.

If you want the government to run like it should then you need to take the money out of government.

originally posted by: buster2010
1. Ban all political parties. This would encourage people to check into who they are voting for.
2. Ban all lobbyist from having access to government officials any politician caught taking their money will be immediately removed from office and all bills they have put forth will be discarded.
3. A politician cannot spend more running for the office than the job pays also a strict accounting of finances that the politician has spent must be available for public scrutiny.
4. Repeal Citizens United companies are not people so they should not be involved in the political process. This will also include Unions and any type of organization or Lobby that serves foreign interests.

If you want the government to run like it should then you need to take the money out of government.

For once, Buster, my liberal "Wil Wheaton", I completely agree...

originally posted by: buster2010
a reply to: sirlancelot

1. elect a conservative republican as president

Good luck finding one there is no such thing in DC anymore. If you think electing a Republican will fix things then you may as well vote for a Democrat because both parties work for the same people. If you vote for either of these parties then you are part of the problem.

2. pass hr 4183 so no president can illegally not enforce laws.

Are you sure you have the right bill? Because HR 4183 has nothing to do with the President not enforcing laws.
H.R. 4183: Empowering States’ Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2014
Empowering States' Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2014 - Amends the Truth In Lending Act to limit the annual percentage rate (APR) applicable to any consumer credit transaction (other than a residential mortgage transaction), including any associated fees, to the maximum rate permitted by the laws of the state in which the consumer resides.

3. Not allow recess appointments

That has worked for both parties so good luck on getting that passed.

4. Pass laws to limit executive branch regulations

Just the Executive? It should be the same way for all of government.

5. Pass law to audit the fed

That won't happen because they have way too much power the best thing to do is repeal the Fed.

Sorry too many glasses of wine!. HR 4138

originally posted by: sirlancelot
yes

1. elect a conservative republican as president
2. pass hr 4183 so no president can illegally not enforce laws.
3. Not allow recess appointments
4. Pass laws to limit executive branch regulations
5. Pass law to audit the fed


and thats just for starters!

The problem is that you already failed before you reach step 1.

Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School, and director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University.



The main problem with the system is lobbyist, Oligopolies, and unlimited Super Pacs,

You can't expect a politician to work for the masses (low-upper-middleclass - to the 5+ percenters) when they depend on lobbying money.

Democrats and Republicans need to temporary work together in order to DEMAND that their candidates solely talk about fixing corruption in DC.

Demand that their candidates don't talk about the symptoms : Healthcare,economy,SS,minimum wage, sexuality, racism, immigration,etc. Only the problem: money

Id also have to vote for no outside money for elections. No lobbyist. It would also be cool to have for each state some kind of group kinda like a union that goes to dc to voice the little people voice. (i know pipe dream) I have called my three elected officials and guess I what I got. Voicemail with no return calls!

Id really like HR 4138 to pass and was even considering a grassroot campaign via fax to every Senator to get the word out. Waste of time I know but one man/woman should not be able to have the kind of power we have seen and Im tired of doing nothing!

I think the real point is; regardless of party affiliation, they are all corporate puppets. The track record is there, when viewed from either side. The Bush's got richer. Clinton got richer. Cheyney got A LOT richer... as did Gore. Obama gets richer everyday... all at our expense. Our Senators and Congressman get away with insider trading on a daily basis. Lobbyists... stock options to the companies that pay the lobbyists... bills get passed; wars are declared because Exxon needs a new oilfield.

The people of this country have no say anymore. Coca-Cola and McDonalds run the show

originally posted by: madmac5150
I think the real point is; regardless of party affiliation, they are all corporate puppets. The track record is there, when viewed from either side. The Bush's got richer. Clinton got richer. Cheyney got A LOT richer... as did Gore. Obama gets richer everyday... all at our expense. Our Senators and Congressman get away with insider trading on a daily basis. Lobbyists... stock options to the companies that pay the lobbyists... bills get passed; wars are declared because Exxon needs a new oilfield.

The people of this country have no say anymore. Coca-Cola and McDonalds run the show

I agree with all that! Money corrupts. I just hate the idea of giving up even if it is futile! So Perhaps just holding off the NWO may buy us some time so maybe something crazy happens!