Can You Imagine??? (Mind = Blown!)

We could always return to the limits placed by the Constitution on the Federal Government.

That might be a start.

a reply to: Gryphon66

That would entail scrapping most of the bureaucracy, but I'm more than good with that. It would gut the budget and we need to do that.

a reply to: midicon

You know too? You can't just drain a swamp. Any swamp.

Not without permission from the owner(s).

NOW do you see?

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: Drucifer

You know who is more dangerous even than politicians, although they are a problem too? The permanent bureaucrats. There are too many running too much, writing too many rules that have force of law without being law.

They aren't elected and they are career.

Bureaucrats used to enter service because of a desire to serve the nation. These days, it seems to be a desire to serve themselves (and for these days, read at least last 30 years).

a reply to: BomSquad

Well, unfortunately, I think compromise is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

There's been altogether too much compromise. It's compromise which has created the apathy we see now.

People just think "ah, well, it's just a little compromise here and there, but in the end everything will be alright."

This is what led us to where we are right now.

I have two strong legs and a rifle. I’m just waiting on someone to yell a date time and location.

originally posted by: Guiltyguitarist
I have two strong legs and a rifle. I’m just waiting on someone to yell a date time and location.

Sure.

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

Compromise is all right as far as it goes. The problem is that some things that should have been understood as non-negotiable ended up being compromised on.

Look at so-called "common sense" gun legislation. It's really a compromise on the 2nd Amendment which is very clear on what it means. Those are the sorts of things that ought never have been compromised on because it should have been understood from the start that it wasn't even up for debate.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: Drucifer
I think if we can get term limits imposed on DC, we’ll make some headway.

Get rid of lobbyists first. Then there's no incentive to even become a politician.

A bit like saying 'get rid of doughnuts. Then there's no incentive to become a cop.'
I think there are a lot of people who can see with their eyes, then there are people who listen to the scoop. they are the ones who need to take a stand. not a knee.

originally posted by: carniv0re
A bit like saying 'get rid of doughnuts. Then there's no incentive to become a cop.'

Cops don't get paid in doughnuts, nor do they receive jobs paying them in doughnuts once they retire from being a cop. Politicians rely on insider stock info received from lobbyists and/or positions with firms once they retire.

Thing about lobbyists is that they're just advocates for a cause.

Getting politicians in office with morals, values, integrity is needed so that regardless of the cash the lobbyists throw at them, they ignore it aand stay true to their values, morals, integrity.

Audit every elected individual every year, and publish the results of that audit.

a reply to: DBCowboy

I'm not even sure if I care about the money so much as they don't stray from what they promised their constituents (in front, or behind, the curtain).

a reply to: DBCowboy

You could make lobbyist gifts illegal. It's one thing for people to lobby for a cause -- that's important, but it's another to be allowed to sweeten the deal.

All such meetings should take place in a certain space and be declared, and if the politician wants to have something nice out of it, then he or she needs to pony up, not the lobbyists.

a reply to: Gryphon66

Most of these slime balls are far too clever for that!

It's not like someone writes them a check, and they go deposit it in their personal bank account with a memo saying "Payola for XYZ corporation".

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
a reply to: Gryphon66

Most of these slime balls are far too clever for that!

It's not like someone writes them a check, and they go deposit it in their personal bank account with a memo saying "Payola for XYZ corporation".

LOL.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: Drucifer
I think if we can get term limits imposed on DC, we’ll make some headway.

Get rid of lobbyists first. Then there's no incentive to even become a politician.

Hell yes. And while we’re at it, if congress can’t figure out how to work together and they shut down, they must give their earnings back to the country and forfeit future earnings for that year.

And their pay in general can use a docking. Absolutely no reason these people should be making more money than our armed forces who actually do something to help our country (well, they intend to do so, can’t really help it when the politicians send them out for financial gain in other countries)

And I’d also be down for imposing audits on our politicians. One at the start of their term and one at the end. Every dime must be accounted for. If you’re going to serve for our country, you’ve got to be willing to give up some of your freedoms. Our troops do it, no reason politicians can’t. It’s the only way to keep a level playing field.

a reply to: Drucifer

*nods*

Also, it let's the People have an idea of how much our "public servants" are being paid ... and by whom.

One tool in the toolbox.

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: Drucifer

You know who is more dangerous even than politicians, although they are a problem too? The permanent bureaucrats. There are too many running too much, writing too many rules that have force of law without being law.

They aren't elected and they are career.

Strongly agree!

Everyone in politics needs to be there on a 2-4 year term limit and a max of serving for 2 terms. Really, I’d be happier with a 1-term limit until we got to the point we could trust them again.

originally posted by: Gryphon66
a reply to: Drucifer

*nods*

Also, it let's the People have an idea of how much our "public servants" are being paid ... and by whom.

One tool in the toolbox.

It’s just awfully funny to me that someone can get into congress making under $200K a year and come out after several years a multi-millionaire. How many members of congress are millionaires at this point? How many started that way?

There’d have to be some other limits surrounding that as well. I understand some were/are business owners before entering politics, supposedly Pelosi got her millions from real estate (suuuuuure she did) but it all has to be provable on paper and then checked again on their way out. Hell, do it at random throughout their terms.

I’m not going to pretend I’m intelligent enough on the law to navigate those limits, but I think between cutting out lobbyist and strict term limits, we’d see a massive shift in our politicians.