So, let's agree on a few things - And do something about it.

Political season is not going to end any time soon, and we can have debate after debate about socialism vs communism, social welfare programs, healthcare, wars, the rich and elite classes, etc - But honestly it's not getting us very far. We can talk all day about how X candidate will be better than Y candidate - But again, this is not going to get us anywhere. So, instead of talking about our differences, whether we are liberal or conservative, for democratic socialism or capitalism, or any other arguments commonly seen here on ATS, let's talk about things we agree on - And talk about what we can do!

Our current government sucks.

I think out of all topics, most of us can agree on this topic, I hardly know anyone who approves of congress, the POTUS, etc. Come to think of it, I don't know anyone who's even on the fence- Even here on ATS, with all of the opinions from all different vantage points, I don't remember a single post or thread even hinting that any one of our three branches of government are cared for or approved by any of us.

So, what to do?

Kick them out.

Every last one of them. Every congressman, every senator, every supreme court justice.

Too many have been in there for far too many years, with no real competition. We need term limits for all of these positions, we need new people in all of these positions. We need men and women that aren't comfortable with how Washington has been running these last couple of decades.

I realize this is only a first step - But I honestly think it's a big one. If we demand that representatives... REPRESENT US. Things might start to change. If we demand that the people in DC give us freedom, I think things will change. ( edit - NO ONE should be "giving us" freedom. We need representatives that do not impede on our rights, not reps that believe they are the grantors of rights. )

Food for thought. Hope ya'll are having a good weekend.

-Deadlyhope

a reply to: deadlyhope

I would vote out the incumbents.

a reply to: deadlyhope

I would love to, but the Senators in my state are running UNOPPOSED. Ugh. Resistance is futile.

a reply to: ladyinwaiting

Can you run?

a reply to: ladyinwaiting

There's other ways - Convention of States, mass protests that cannot be ignored ( peaceful ), things like that. I definitely know it wouldn't be easy to do this, but I'd argue it would be worth it.

originally posted by: VP740
a reply to: ladyinwaiting

Can you run?

Or would she want to? I would never put my family and myself at risk by being elected to the Senate. I figure it's either sell your soul and truly join the club, be coerced by threats against your family, or be suicided. While I'd love the cushy retirement and lifelong top-notch free healthcare a single term would bring, I know that either my body or soul would not make it out alive.

The real problem is that way too many people can all agree that everyone else in government sucks, but their guys are all right.

That's why you can't get rid of the incumbents.

a reply to: deadlyhope

Congress has too much control over their own self-serving interests. Anyone with half a brain can realize it's a conflict of interest when they have to vote on giving themselves term limits, their own pay raises, benefits and campaign finance reform. They can also hold government services hostage by not passing budgets by deadlines, yet still get paid! They also embezzle funds from programs like Social Security and are never held accountable.

All of the above should be decided by the people at the voting booth.

Just something to think about...

-When was the last time any of us decided to give ourselves a pay raise and give ourselves the best benefits and pension?

-When was the last time you refused to complete a project by a company deadline, yet your boss doesn't fire you and continues to pay you?

-How long do you think you would last on the job if you kept exceeding your department budget?

-How long would a bank stay in business or have charges filed against them if they took money out of your personal savings account because they needed it to pay for the banks operating expenses?

-What temporary job would give you a pension? ...(elected representatives should be temporary with term limits)

-What temporary job would pay a salary with benefits of $174,000 a year?

-What boss (the taxpayers) would allow their employees (representatives) to ignore his expectations and demands without firing them?

a reply to: ketsuko

But it's true....everyone else DOES suck.....LOL

a reply to: ketsuko

I'm not sure, though. I heard congresses approval rating was something like ten percent. Not sure if it's true but if it is... It would be reasonable to say at least a good portion of the rest would want to fire these men. It isn't a partisan thing, really. I'm more left leaning but think every single Democrat that has been in for more than two years needs to be kicked out.

originally posted by: deadlyhope
So, let's agree on a few things - And do something about it.

Sounds like a KKK meeting, or a lynch mob, or Nazis...!
I'm not busy...

A Wise man once said that;

"The best way to ensure things 'change', is to do nothing over a long period of time!"

Truer words were never spoken! *__-

a reply to: deadlyhope

I've been an advocate of not having term limits, but I'm starting to come around on that. I like the idea that we have politicians who make public office their career. That means they get to be very good at getting things done and keeping their constituents happy which in turn benefits the public.

I just watched John Olivers show on Congressional Financing though and now I'm not so sure it's a good thing for these people to always seek a new term. It leads to a non stop treadmill of asking for donations to get things done. It's making me consider if one of the better ways to get money out of politics would be to put term limits on Congress. Change House terms to 4/6 years and stagger the elections like we do the Senate. 1 term for both branches of Congress. That way they're in there to do a job, not to keep a job.

As a nice side effect, this means these people would no longer be forced to raise money for their party, so they can help people in national reelections. It would just get a lot of money out of the system.

Still not sure I fully agree with it, but I'm definitely coming around to that viewpoint.

originally posted by: ladyinwaiting
a reply to: deadlyhope

I would love to, but the Senators in my state are running UNOPPOSED. Ugh. Resistance is futile.

If they're running unopposed, it's because it's a safe seat where the real election happens in the primary rather than the general. If there's no primary challenge, then there's no reason to run someone in the general. So the opposing party withholds financial support.

a reply to: WeRpeons

Amen. Preaching to the choir.
Problem is those of us taking the bulk of the shaft are busy busting butt trying to provide for our family and those the current administrators force us to provide for at the end of a gun via tax law. In other words they got us right where they want us. I'm ready for torches and pitchforks but don't believe I'm quite to the point of abandoning career home and family to really make voice heard.
But if it gets so bad I'm facing losing all I've worked for, though it's certainly not a fortune, I just might be there.