A bit lost on a topic - little help here?

originally posted by: dukeofjive696969
I think the best way to at least slow down the corruption would be to pass a law to put a max term for politicians.

I would love to see a 1 term maximum 4 to 6 years for every politician , it would make for fresh ideas and stop the career politicians.

Voting is supposed to provide the public the ability to enforce their own term limits. Now, it doesn't work that way in practice because many people choose ignorance, but while I agree with your idea I don't support more laws...especially ones that in the end only limit our choices even more.

I can't get around the fact that at some levels of Government there are good people that deserve multiple terms because of a job well done. You don't see this problem much at the Federal level, but maybe this is the level term limits need to be imposed...not state or local.

originally posted by: deadlyhope
a reply to: Mrgone
I've actually considered it, thanks!
Is no resources a good or bad excuse to believe I wouldn't make it in?

Politics is the art of compromise...which neutralises most good candidates. You go in with good intent and you have to make deals with people who have already made deals. That's precisely why I am not a political animal.

But if you can ignite a conversation...that's a start.

a reply to: Metallicus

In my opinion term limits should be in place for every elected position. The government shouldn't be a career choice.

a reply to: Vector99

I'm somewhat with Metallicus on this one - Congressman, senators, judges, all people in the cabinet need to be cycled out a lot, but if someone is talented at what they do, and it's a county or city job, I think it's good and okay for everyone to keep them in, if they are giving positive results year after year.

a reply to: deadlyhope

If they are good at what they do and care about the country they will teach someone they truly feel worthy to replace them.

Make the federal government more like a workplace that employs the best of the best at that moment for that position.

If you are the best at your position, and you want a promotion, how do you get it? Well, from a corporate mindset I wouldn't promote you if I didn't have confidence in your replacement, even if a higher spot was open for you that you deserved.

The same can be applied for government, and infact I think it would promote actual progress in elected positions. You get 6 years max in any elected position. That doesn't mean you can't seek an advancement in your governmental career if you so choose. You just get 6 years total max for any single position. Want to further yourself in this field? Train your replacement. Move to the next step up the ladder. 6 years in that position, then you can run for the next rung up the ladder. If done properly, you can actually make a career out of politics, but this way you have to earn it, not buy a house in New York because you have no senatorial challenger (you know who I mean)

6 years per office. That's it.

*

but if someone is talented at what they do, and it's a county or city job

If it a job someone applies for with the government it is different. I'm strictly talking about elected positions.

originally posted by: deadlyhope
a reply to: Metallicus

I'm curious why Americans are so afraid of socialism.

Those countries you demonize in europe report higher qualities of life in EVERY AREA... Other than money.

Less crime/Less incaceration
Less pollution/More recycling
More renewable/sustainable power
More happiness ( as reported by the people/our people )

The list goes on.

Why do Americans only care about money?

Americans care about money because it takes money to live. For the same reason, we're afraid of socialism because we've seen the results of it having been implemented in other countries with disastrous results.
I need only look at my extended family to see what socialism brings. Those who took advantage of the opportunities offered are self-sufficient. Those who decided that a burger-flipping job was their dream job because they were "tired" of going to school are constantly looking for hand-outs and complaining that their relatives who had the self discipline to better themselves have an easier time of it. Government hand-outs only encourage that behavior. They decline jobs that pay more and have opportunity for advancement because having a better job will cut into their government benefits.
These issues create resentment on both sides---the workers resent the fact that their cousins aren't working or are working part time just so they can continue to collect benefits while the moochers resent the workers having a home of their own or money to take a vacation. The workers (tax payers) resent the fact that the moochers can run to the ER for a simple cut or scrape because "Well, we have insurance and we were out of band-aids." (Yes, that is an actual quote!) So the moochers take up medical services unnecessarily, driving up the cost of insurance and delaying treatment for people who actually need it---then complain about having to wait four hours to get a band-aid put on their arm.
Socialism seeks to make us all equal---a physical, mental and emotional impossibility. We are not made by cookie cutters and there are a substantial number of us who resent being "managed" by protocol.

a reply to: deadlyhope

Giving a corrupt system more power, money, control will just make it a larger, more corrupt system.

Bernie could be the second coming of Jesus (many already compare him to Jesus) and it wouldn't matter.

Because he'd be gone in 4 or 8 years and the same corrupt, evil bastards would still be in congress.

It's not possible for a country to be the military might of the planet AND still have enough money left over to ensure that all of its citizens' needs are properly taken care of.

Bernie has his heart in the right place, but his ideas will never come to fruition so long as the US military industrial complex is still in control of the tax revenue purse strings.

a reply to: deadlyhope

I am NOT a sociopolitical whiz, but I try my best to adopt the mindset that it is actually amazing that our society works as well as it does. And since I am just one person (who likes to keep fairly well to himself), I do the best I can with my own actions.

a reply to: CranialSponge

Yeah, he also doesn't like war though. Wars cost money. Pulling away from war.. Costs less?