Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => Politics => Topic started by: charby on November 05, 2008, 01:04:52 PM
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In 2010 congress can be replaced and a few senate seats also.
I am thinking that there needs to be the a first 120 days of action that will be brought up as bills if you vote for candidates that signed on the 2010 Contract with America.
What are some of your ideas to include in this document?
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I think a lot will depend on what Obama does. If his spending policies tank (as they well should), then there needs to be something on fiscal responsibility.
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What are some of your ideas to include in this document?
Banning gay marriage and abortion........
just kidding Charby :lol:
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Can they ban Charby?
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I think it all depends on if President Obama is the radical leftist we were warned about or the centrist that ran in the election. We'll see. I have my doubts, but I hope for the best.
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In 2010 congress can be replaced and a few senate seats also.
I am thinking that there needs to be the a first 120 days of action that will be brought up as bills if you vote for candidates that signed on the 2010 Contract with America.
What are some of your ideas to include in this document?
What I'd like to see?
1. Repeal the patriot act
2. Fix the damned AMT once and for all. Set it to an inflation adjusted value it should have been at and then peg it to inflation (like it SHOULD have been in the first place) so we don't have this drama every year
3. Ensure net neutrality
4. Real penalties for hiring illegals (AZ has some, and it seems to be working)
5. Real opportunities for immigration, because after all, we're all immigrants. Otherwise we'd be speaking Cherokee or something.
6. Banking, where to start. Seriously. It's a mess. Better oversight, which means better regulation of collateralized debt obligations, credit default swaps, etc.
That's a start, comments, suggestions?
Pat
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In 2010 congress can be replaced and a few senate seats also.
I am thinking that there needs to be the a first 120 days of action that will be brought up as bills if you vote for candidates that signed on the 2010 Contract with America.
What are some of your ideas to include in this document?
Fiscal responsibility. That entails killing corporate welfare, farm subsidies, pork projects, etc. Set up a schedule for dealing with the national debt.
Minor:
Repeal the excesses of executive branch (signing statements, et al)
Repeal the DHS
Repeal the TSA
Repeal the FISA amendment
Repeal the PATRIOT Act
Repeal SOX
Rewrite the Arms Export Control Act and other controls dealing with ITAR
Smacking the USAF brass, can the worst projects and reshape their priorities
Authorize the GAO to audit every agency or department for recommendations for eliminating fraud, waste and abuse, as well as making recommendations for efficiency improvements or cost reductions. Have someone (or better, multiple unbiased experts) review the findings to recommend approving or denying the recommendations. Give the departments 90 days to fix the findings. If the findings are not fixed within 90 days, fire the head of the department or agency. Every 7 days afterwards, fire the subordinates down the line until it's fixed.
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Banking, where to start. Seriously. It's a mess. Better oversight, which means better regulation of collateralized debt obligations, credit default swaps, etc.
Abolish the Federal Reserve.
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Abolish the Federal Reserve.
Oh please don't tell me you want to go back on a gold standard. That's bad because if your economy grows faster than the production of gold, what happens?
Or local banks all printing their own currency. That insanity was best left in the early 20th century. International exchange rates are bad enough, I'd hate to have to check on each possible bank before accepting a note...
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Oh please don't tell me you want to go back on a gold standard.
A gold standard is not necessary, credit money could be used, as long as it was issued at no interest by the government instead of at interest by the private banks of the Federal Reserve. Look at what the Fed and the creation of money from debt + interest has gotten us so far.
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.libertydollar.org%2Fgraphics%2Fhome%2Fpurchasepower.jpg&hash=0227622097fe478cc39e5b3ccebcacc32e2bcdb2)
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.libertydollar.org%2Fgraphics%2Fhome%2Fnationaldebt.jpg&hash=0c4157988b53ab8d91cbe82da6903b5503101056)
These charts are old its even worse now.
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A gold standard is not necessary, credit money could be used, as long as it was issued at no interest by the government instead of at interest by the private banks of the Federal Reserve. Look at what the Fed and the creation of money from debt + interest has gotten us so far.
These charts are old its even worse now.
Well... I'm the MIS guy, but in talking to a friend who's about done with her MBA, inflation isn't always a bad thing, in fact deflation is worse unless you get into Wiemar style hyperinflation...
As for credit money, that's what we've got right now. It's not like that piece of paper is actually worth a buck, it's just the government's promise that it is...
You just want to cut out the 12 middlemen, right?
Pat
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You just want to cut out the 12 middlemen, right?
Exactly, why should we pay interest to private banks on money the government is supposed to create?
The Federal Reserve consists of 12 regional banks, the stock of which is owned and the Boards controlled by the member banks, which are privately owned bank corporations. These institutions receive 6% profit on their funds paid into the Fed, rain or shine, peace or war (sometimes more). Why should the people continue to let private banks collect interest for basically doing nothing?
The Fed was deliberately designed to appear as a sort of government body to hide the fact that it is a private banking cartel whose member banks share in the vast profits of seigniorage (i.e., the difference between the cost of printing/minting or otherwise creating money [a few cents per $100], and its face value). Yes, the Department of the Treasury does still mint our coins (at the US mint) but that represents under 1% of the US money supply, the great bulk of which is simply bankbook entries - electronic keyboard impulses in computer memories - created by banks on-the-spot to fund loans they make in response to loans applications their "customers" submit (hence the competition by banks for your loan applications and credit card borrowing).
Its never going to happen though our politicians are too deep in the pockets of the bankers, they won a long time ago and things aren't going to change, at least not for the better.
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Exactly, why should we pay interest to private banks on money the government is supposed to create?
The Federal Reserve consists of 12 regional banks, the stock of which is owned and the Boards controlled by the member banks, which are privately owned bank corporations. These institutions receive 6% profit on their funds paid into the Fed, rain or shine, peace or war (sometimes more). Why should the people continue to let private banks collect interest for basically doing nothing?
I don't know enough about the structure to comment fully, suffice it to say that you can't just get rid of them. There's still a need for a central bank. If you're talking about just reforming the system, sure, I can go along with that. But getting rid of the central bank is really bad... :)
Pat
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Implement a zero base-line budgeting process for the annual Federal Budget.
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Implement a zero base-line budgeting process for the annual Federal Budget.
Oh, and one more that I left off, since we've gotten into wishful thinking as opposed to things which we could actually run on.
Implement a rule forcing all bills to be germane. No more riders!!!!!!!!!!!
Pat
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Oh, and one more that I left off, since we've gotten into wishful thinking as opposed to things which we could actually run on.
Implement a rule forcing all bills to be germane. No more riders!!!!!!!!!!!
Pat
The end of omnibus bills!!
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Implement a rule forcing all bills to be germane. No more riders!!!!!!!!!!!
Pat
Definitely needs to be in the contract.
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What I'd like to see?
1. Repeal the patriot act
There are some minor things in the Patriot Act that need tweaking but for the most part its not anywhere near as bad as it is made out to be. Its not a political hotbed that needs to be addressed as a manifesto.
2. Fix the damned AMT once and for all. Set it to an inflation adjusted value it should have been at and then peg it to inflation (like it SHOULD have been in the first place) so we don't have this drama every year
Just get rid of it and put in a flat tax. Get rid of all deductions, exemptions, credits, etc., except:
exemption for self and spouse (say $10,000 each)
exemption for each dependent (say 75% of the spouse and personal exemption)
extra dependent exemption for each person in the household over 65, handicapped, or blind
exemption for mortgage interest NTE the value of a dependent exemption
IRAs, 401k, remains as is.
That way a family of four making $35,000 or less pays no federal income tax at all. If they have a mortgage, they can make $42,500 and owe no federal income taxes. A retired couple making $35,000 a year pays no federal income tax.
Index the exemption amount for inflation.
Set the tax rate to whatever it has to be to pay the bills.
Death tax. $10,000,000 per estate exemption. 35% on the rest. No generation skipping trusts, no nonsense. You can pass on to your spouse without tax liability.
Exclude part of capital gains from sale of residence. NTE $1,000 per full month that you actually lived in it. Applies only to primary residence.
3. Ensure net neutrality
No idea what this means. I am guessing it has something to do with the Internet.
4. Real penalties for hiring illegals (AZ has some, and it seems to be working)
Criminal penalties. I am thinking 60 days in the federal pen for each illegal you knowingly hired.
5. Real opportunities for immigration, because after all, we're all immigrants. Otherwise we'd be speaking Cherokee or something.
Agreed. A few things.
Must speak fluent English.
No more asylum cases.
Must be at least high school level educated.
Must apply at a US embassy or consulate in their native country.
No special country quotas.
Selected by order of desirability based on employability in jobs we need help in.
Must undergo criminal and security check. If there is no practical way to do that in their country, they stay there.
Temporary worker visa could be granted by US embassy or consulate in the home country for a period of time NTE 12 months for jobs not able to be filled by US citizens. Not renewable in US. Must return to home country for at least 30 days to renew.
6. Banking, where to start. Seriously. It's a mess. Better oversight, which means better regulation of collateralized debt obligations, credit default swaps, etc.
Actually, the banks are not the problem so much as investment banks. Which are really not banks. The US government all but ordered lenders to make loans to people who could not repay them. That is not a banking problem. Get the government out of the lending business.
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Oh, and one more that I left off, since we've gotten into wishful thinking as opposed to things which we could actually run on.
Implement a rule forcing all bills to be germane. No more riders!!!!!!!!!!!
Pat
How about a 30 day cooling off period after a bill is passed before it is sent to the president? That way you could actually read it and figure out what was in it.
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How about a 30 day cooling off period after a bill is passed before it is sent to the president? That way you could actually read it and figure out what was in it.
The problem with that is that without the requirement to keep bills germane you're stuck with the previously mentioned "omnibus" nonsense.
I doubt any of them could get through one of those in 30 days, with the requirement that they understand all of it.
Oh!
Wait, I see what you did there.
Well played, sir...
Pat
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So lets suppose they come up with a dream list of conservative ideas, are they going to actually implement them?
Lets take something simple all can relate to, the tax system. What exactly did the reps do to fix the tax system in the six years they controlled congress? Nothing, the only thing they did was implement a modest tax cut and contrary to all conservative principles spend like there was no tomorrow.
Now we are working on a new platform? We are supposed to believe any of these ideas would actually be implemented?
If there is in hope at all we are going to need new leaders, because the current crop was more that satisfied to go along with the old system and fill their pockets. Instead of doing the will of their conservative base.
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Some of my ideas:
Welfare recipients will be part of a random drug test to collect aid, minimum of one test per year. If drug test is failed aid will not be issued and minor children will be taken custody by human services.
$1000 per hour per illegal worker hour fine to companies that knowingly hire illegal workers.
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There are some minor things in the Patriot Act that need tweaking but for the most part its not anywhere near as bad as it is made out to be. Its not a political hotbed that needs to be addressed as a manifesto.
Yeah, that whole secret proceedings, can't talk about it to anyone thing for one...
No idea what this means. I am guessing it has something to do with the Internet.
Yup. Basically don't want AT&T making me pay more to visit Google versus MS's search when they sign a deal. Bits is bits, I pay for the pipe and should be able to hit anything I want without the carrier having a say.
Criminal penalties. I am thinking 60 days in the federal pen for each illegal you knowingly hired.
AZ pulls the business license. That's about as close to the death penalty as you can get for corporate entities.
Must speak fluent English.
No more asylum cases.
Must be at least high school level educated.
Must apply at a US embassy or consulate in their native country.
No special country quotas.
Selected by order of desirability based on employability in jobs we need help in.
Must undergo criminal and security check. If there is no practical way to do that in their country, they stay there.
I might be a little more favorable to asylum, but it'd be HARD to get.
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Oh, and one more that I left off, since we've gotten into wishful thinking as opposed to things which we could actually run on.
Implement a rule forcing all bills to be germane. No more riders!!!!!!!!!!!
Pat
I like it, but then who gets to decide what is germane? The President? The Courts? Congress?
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I like it, but then who gets to decide what is germane? The President? The Courts? Congress?
Sorry if it sounds like I'm talking down to you, it's not my intention.
Germane means that the entire bill must stick to the subject, so for example, a defense authorization bill couldn't have a rider for farm subsidies because it's not germane.
Texas's legislature has the requirement and does well with it. So it is possible.
Pat
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1: School vouchers.
2: Eliminate the gawdawful mark-to-market accounting rules. At the very least, build in some flexibility to allow for times when there is no market to mark to. Perhaps allow banks to switch to a cash flow basis for valuing assets they can't or won't sell.
3: Kill the capital gains tax. Eliminate it completely. 0%. Reduce corporate taxes until they're in line with the rest of the industrialized world.
4: Allow people to opt out of things like social security, medicaid/medicare, and unemployment.
5: Make it a crime to offer publicly funded services to non-citizens. Jail any public employee who willfully violates this.
6: Invalidate every executive order pertaining to firearms.
7: Find some reasonable to deal with captured terrorists. Putting foreign terrorists through criminal courts is folly.
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Are we aiming this at Republicans or conservatives, or no one in particular?
If this is aimed at conservatives, "Repeal the Patriot Act" is not going to work as a selling point. Many conservatives will see that as weak-on-defense-giving-Const.-rights-to-terrorists and will balk pretty hard. Better to point out specific problems with the Patriot Act that need "reforming." On the other hand, conservatives may re-evaluate the act, given our current President.
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Are we aiming this at Republicans or conservatives, or no one in particular?
If this is aimed at conservatives, "Repeal the Patriot Act" is not going to work as a selling point. Many conservatives will see that as weak-on-defense-giving-Const.-rights-to-terrorists and will balk pretty hard. Better to point out specific problems with the Patriot Act that need "reforming." On the other hand, conservatives may re-evaluate the act, given our current President.
If I'm considered weak on defense for disliking something with so many secret provisions that it might as well have been writting with the KGB in mind, then so be it.
Yes, there are changes to surveillance laws which need to be made but that act is not the way to go. Secret courts approving secret warrants to detain indefinitely terrorism suspects without trial is unconstitutional.
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Term Limits too.
No more than 3 terms total for House
No more than 2 terms total for Senate
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If I'm considered weak on defense for disliking something with so many secret provisions that it might as well have been writting with the KGB in mind, then so be it.
Yes, there are changes to surveillance laws which need to be made but that act is not the way to go. Secret courts approving secret warrants to detain indefinitely terrorism suspects without trial is unconstitutional.
You missed the point. I'm not defending the Patriot Act. I'm saying that this Contract isn't going to sell very well to conservatives, if it includes language like "repeal the Patriot Act." The smart way to go is to educate the audience by pointing out specific provisions that are bad, and propose changes that will respect civil liberties, while still providing for the common defense. It might even be best to make those changes secondary to new, Constitutional measures to tighten security.
And again, that's assuming conservatives are the target audience. Promises to repeal the Patriot Act could be a real selling point with other groups. And of course, conservatives might well sour on the Patriot Act, with Democrats in charge.
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You missed the point. I'm not defending the Patriot Act. I'm saying that this Contract isn't going to sell very well to conservatives, if it includes language like "repeal the Patriot Act." The smart way to go is to educate the audience by pointing out specific provisions that are bad, and propose changes that will respect civil liberties, while still providing for the common defense. It might even be best to make those changes secondary to new, Constitutional measures to tighten security.
And again, that's assuming conservatives are the target audience. Promises to repeal the Patriot Act could be a real selling point with other groups. And of course, conservatives might well sour on the Patriot Act, with Democrats in charge.
Ah! Gotcha.
You're probably right, and I'm a little tired from being up all night fixing server issues, so I may be a little fuzzy here.
Let me amend my position from "repeal the patriot act" to "remove the secrecy provisions from the patriot act so that we don't inadvertently create a secret police force".
Pat
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I'm saying that this Contract isn't going to sell very well to conservatives, if it includes language like "repeal the Patriot Act."
Ok, let me rephrase. "Remove President Obama's ability to wiretap US citizens without a papertrail and with minimal to no oversight or accountability".
The FISA Amendments also specifically legalizes shredding parties if anyone comes knocking with a court order. No, I'm not kidding.
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1. "None Of The Above" is to a be a choice on every Federal ballot. If NOTA wins, the losing candidates are prohibited from taking any position with the government for a term equal to that of the office they were campaigning for. Another election is to be held within 3 months, paid for entirely by the parties that fielded losing candidates. The two major parties shall ALWAYS be billed; a minor party unable or unwilling to pay shall not have a place on the next ballot.
2. Except in times of declared war, acts of war on US soil, and major natural disaster, the total Federal budget is to be limited to either a) a fixed percentage of the GDP, or b) the average of the previous four year's actual receipts, whichever is smaller.
3. Regardless of 2) above, in no year shall increases in Federal budget expenditures exceed the product of annual citizen population growth and official inflation rate, with exceptions for declared war, acts of war on US soil, and major natural disaster.
4. No Federal law shall dictate how the States spend their money, nor shall unelected bureaucrats have the ability to withold designated monies from the States for any reason.
5. The Interstate Commerce Clause shall never apply unless a given product physically moves across state lines during the course of a sale, or for purposes of resale as part of an established business.
6. Suits may be filed and prosecuted under "Truth in Advertising" laws against politicians when campaign promises are broken by those politicians.
7. A Constitutionality Commisson shall be created to review all pending legislation for compliance with the U.S. Constitution. No Federal legislation shall be brought up for a vote prior to a Constitutionality Impact Statement confirming that the legislation is in all particulars within the powers expliticly granted to the Federal government by the Constitution. Each individual line item dealing with expenditures shall be separately vetted.
8. Make it a crime to offer publicly funded services to non-citizens. Jail any public employee who willfully violates this. (thanks to HTG for this suggestion.)
9. All votes on all legislation shall be roll-call votes. Except in times of illness, family emergency, and the like, failure to vote "Yea" or "Nay" on a bill shall result in a pro-rated reduction in the legislator's salary.
10. Civil lawsuits at Federal level shall go to a "loser pays" system, except in the case of a lawsuit against the government which is dismissed prior to rendering of a jury verdict.
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9. All votes on all legislation shall be roll-call votes. Except in times of illness, family emergency, and the like, failure to vote "Yea" or "Nay" on a bill shall result in a pro-rated reduction in the legislator's salary.
Add thirty lashes per offense, and we'll have a good start.
While we're at it, I want a toilet that uses more water per flush than Hoover Dam.
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Before worrying about a 2010 contract with America, the Republicans need to figure out a way to effectively fight off the democrats' 2009 contract on America, as detailed on change.gov.
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In no particular order:
Make sense of the TSA CAPPS and CAPPS II. A name one shares with a potential terrorist or criminal shouldn't take multiple hoops to jump through for the ordinary citizen to get off the no-fly list.
Pass a true Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform law, as opposed to the joke of the current McCain-Feingold one in place now.
Pass term limits for both houses Congress.
Make federal regulations for firearms, in lock-step with federal law. By law, a firearm may be brought upon most federal properties for hunting and all other lawful purposes, there is not a reason why some bureaucrat should be able to overrule matters of law.
Truly limit gifts and other gratuities from lobbyist to all government officials @ $5 a year. If Doctors can't accept high priced gifts from the drug companies anymore, there's no need for Washington to accept them either.
Get the BATFE off the backs of law abiding gun dealerships and gun show sponsors. Someone abbreviating their state of residence on Form 4473, shouldn't be deciding factor to close down or unnecessarily impose a fine upon otherwise law abiding people.
Eliminate the bulk of the IRS and pass a fair tax system that can incorporate all the needed information on a postcard. Everyone is supposed to pay taxes to support their government, even if it's just $1. I apologize for deleting the positions of all Tax Accountants, Tax Lawyers, and Tax Preparers out there, but a position to otherwise fight the government shouldn't be productive to society.
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While we're at it, I want a toilet that uses more water per flush than Hoover Dam.
Although I have heard a lot of exellent suggestions here.. a lot of common sense.. I have GOT to admit my ears perked up at the high volume toilet act of 2010. What wastes more. One high volume flush or ten ineffective water saving micro flushes?
When I flush, I want to actually feel the air vacate the room.. !!
Um.. also I am on board with saving America with all of the other fine ideas.. =D
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It's not a flush unless the final thundering swirl of water may be felt in the structure of the room.
I have heard that the trade in black market high-flush toilets in CA is quite high. That if an old 1950's bungalow is to be renovated or such, people show up immediately to buy the toilet.
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Tort reform.
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Repeal the 17th Amendment. Make senators employees of their respective states.
Eliminate all career trapping for senators and representatives.
Eliminate withholding of federal taxes from wages. Require every taxpayer to write a check for government every pay cycle.
Eliminate the Federal Reserve and make the federal government perform its constitutional duties.
Implement a vigorous program of legislative rollback.
Flat rate tax.
Reform campaign financing by eliminating all limitations on donations but implementing instant and total transparency. Post campaign checkbooks on the web. All campaigns required to detail source of funds and use of funds. Banks are in the perfect position of maintain the database and website.
Bust up the bATFE. Taxing duties spun off to the IRS. Criminal investigations to to the FBI. Regulation writing to voluntary standards organizations. Regulation enforcement to a place to be determined.
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HankB's list is great. I see plenty of things in it that can save this country that almost anyone should be able to agree to.
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7. A Constitutionality Commisson shall be created to review all pending legislation for compliance with the U.S. Constitution. No Federal legislation shall be brought up for a vote prior to a Constitutionality Impact Statement confirming that the legislation is in all particulars within the powers expliticly granted to the Federal government by the Constitution. Each individual line item dealing with expenditures shall be separately vetted.
This sounds like a good idea in theory but it would be a disaster in practice. This commission would basically be a junior supreme court and its effectiveness would depend on the views of the people serving on the commission. In the hands of unprincipled bureaucrats/politicians it would just be another way to kill legislation that they didn't agree with.
I love the motivation behind suggesting it though. Congress critters have no respect for our constitution anymore.
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Lots of cool ideas in this thread. But I question whether a new Contract with America would do any good. When the previous contract was put forth in 1994, Democrats had controlled congress for decades. In 2010, it will be only 2 years since the American people gave Republicans the boot. I don't think their memories are quite that short. The Obama administration would have to be a complete disaster in order for the Republicans to regain power. Even if Obamas policies result in another Great Depression, the mainstream media will keep spinning the news to protect their messiah while at the same time pinning the blame on Republicans: "It took Bush 8 years to destroy our economy. It can't be fixed in only [2/4/6] years!".
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This sounds like a good idea in theory but it would be a disaster in practice. This commission would basically be a junior supreme court and its effectiveness would depend on the views of the people serving on the commission. In the hands of unprincipled bureaucrats/politicians it would just be another way to kill legislation that they didn't agree with. I love the motivation behind suggesting it though. Congress critters have no respect for our constitution anymore.
Is it more likely that any pending legislation is going to do something for us . . . or to us?
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This sounds like a good idea in theory but it would be a disaster in practice. This commission would basically be a junior supreme court and its effectiveness would depend on the views of the people serving on the commission. In the hands of unprincipled bureaucrats/politicians it would just be another way to kill legislation that they didn't agree with.
I love the motivation behind suggesting it though. Congress critters have no respect for our constitution anymore.
Actually, I think what you point out is just fine. I think it should be incredibly difficult to pass federal laws anyway, but then again that's just me.
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Actually, I think what you point out is just fine. I think it should be incredibly difficult to pass federal laws anyway, but then again that's just me.
I would be happy with fewer federal laws & regulations too. But my point is that the commission could be used to kill legislation based on partisan views. Not equally across the board.
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Lots of good ideas here. Too bad folks like us don't get involved in running for office.
I'll add a couple.
1. Federal income tax: Make it a flat tax with no exemptions except for personal exemptions and everybody pays some tax, even those who, for some reason, are on some sort of welfare. The only way everybody buys into the notion of America is through participation.
2. Every federal law that requires the appropriation of tax money to be spent must have a mandatory sunset clause in 7 years. The law can only be re-passed after a review by citizen board chosen by lot and then re-passed by a 2/3 majority of the legislature.
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1. Federal income tax: Make it a flat tax with no exemptions except for personal exemptions and everybody pays some tax, even those who, for some reason, are on some sort of welfare. The only way everybody buys into the notion of America is through participation.
Fair Tax
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For every new law passed two existing laws must be repealed. (Like that will ever happen, but one can believe in hope and hope for change to believe in).
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1. Federal income tax: Make it a flat tax with no exemptions except for personal exemptions and everybody pays some tax, even those who, for some reason, are on some sort of welfare.
Noooo!
I thought like this for a long time, but have come around to a more progressive tax system however I support something more inline with what was being floated around the time the 16th was ratified.
The top 1% of the population pay 1% of their income above what 99% make in taxes. You could maybe convince me that we need the top 5% to pay 5% of their higher income in taxes, but that's about it.
Historically we started using the income tax to pay for serious wars. It makes sense to me to have the higher income bracket be the only people to actually pay for our defenses because they're the ones benefiting the most from America being a free and sovereign nation. Our government protects us all, but they have the most to gain keeping America as it is which warrants an income tax on them, or me, if I ever get there.
The working class don't really have a financial reason in keeping America sovereign. We could be absorbed by Canada or another European nation and not much would change, really. Sure, I'd be first in line whining about the new taxes and such, but it wouldn't change things all that much financially.
Of course this would require a drastic reduction in the scope of the Federal government (smaller IRS, no DEA, DHS is out the door, we can keep the FBI, DOE is gone, EPA is too, etc.) but I'm OK with that.
Can you imagine what that kind of tax policy would result in? Suddenly expensive electric-only automobiles become available to the working class. Now auto makers that sell to the US have a new market unlike any other in the world. We could afford that crap! We'd use our dollars to "vote" for the best solutions and reduce our foreign oil imports. Development in all markets would pick up because we'd actually be able to pay for these new products, America becomes the home of innovation again, and we reclaim our title as the most innovative country in the world.
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Almost 70% of the state of Alaska is held by the federal gov't and effectively unavailable for the state and its citizens to pay their own way. Most of the West has similar problems.
Which leads to the asinine (and ignorent of the facts) claims that the "red states" get more back in taxes than they pay per capita.
Most of that land (looking at military training areas, parks and the like on a case-by-case basis) needs to be transferred to the States to be sold or used by those states for income generation depending on State law and the will of the citizenry.
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Article I:
Whereas, the 1994 Contract with America was a dismal failure and we didn't do hardly a thing we promised, and
Whereas we turned into spenders and crooks just as bad as the ones we replaced, and
Whereas you have zip and zero reason to believe us when we say we really have learned our lesson this time -
Therefore, we the undersigned do hereby enter a legally binding covenant to immediately step down and immediately forfeit all pay, pension, and any other recompense should we ever vote "yea" or "present" on any bill or amendment violating the articles detailed below. We further pledge to immediately step down and immediately forfeit all pay, pension, and any other recompense should we enter into any agreement that violates the articles detailed below."
As security of these promises, we agree to sign over 90% of all assets in our ownership or control to the "Contract With America 2010 Trust."
All assets held in security by the trust will only be returned to the signatory upon the signatory's -
1. permanent retirement from any and all Federal Offices, a term not exceed a combined 12 years.
-and-
2. not violating the agreement above.
All assets forfeited to the trust are to be surrendered to the Treasury for payment on the National Debt.
I'm sure the lawyers could dress it up better, but that should get the point across. It ain't much of a "contract" if you can't hold 'em to it.
:)
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Mandate a balanced budget (war only exception)
Stop illegal immigration. No amnesty.
Aggressive, diversified energy plan to greatly reduce energy dependence.
Eliminate all taxation on capital gains, dividends, interest income. Boosting savings rate is a must.