Solutions and Pollutions- An attempt to lead, one post at a time., page 1

I'm rather new to ATS and enjoy the many different forums. Politics, for me, has always been a topic that both enthralls and enrages me. I'm not a purist in my political beliefs but I tend to arrow right as I believe it offers up a persuasion more akin to my strong stance of a strong free market economy and confidence in the individual. That being said, I don't know if there is a party for me because they are seem to lack substance and party leaders seem to lack common sense.

Now I know that nothing is perfect and utopian ideals are just that. But if we ran our lives in the same way as our government, we would all be homeless, jobless, and likely jailed. As a mother and wife of a recently retired US Army officer (I spent 8 yrs in, as well), I know what it takes to balance a checkbook, not break the law, and work on a plan that prepares my family for a better future. I'm tired of both sides of the political aisle complaining and groaning about what the other does. Really? Maybe it's because they have nothing to offer up themselves!

The US is based on a belief in freedom, but not lawlessness and I feel that many of our legislators forget that they are elected for their ability to lead with the views they espouse during elections. So why do so many become corrupt knowing that their very job depends on the confidence of their constituents? What happens to basically good men and women when they're met with politics as usual?

They become polluted; infested with years of leftovers and dirty offices filled with promises from decades earlier. It takes strong character to wade through the debris and actually get to work. Is it too much for most? Seems that way. But how can one with good intentions weed themselves of an overgrown mess? What common sense solutions could make sweeping changes if they were only put in place?

Now I didn't see a thread highlighting what I would like to see as posts pointing toward pollution and offering solutions. Mods, please move if needed. But I know that my friends and family discuss issues with an unbelief to the ways things are carried out.

I believe our laws have many solutions but aren't carried out. I don't think term limits are necessary as we already have them: Elections, but there should be an accountability factor that goes well beyond the polls.

I believe that our country can't handle a lot of political parties (couldn't imagine someone winning with 8 percent) but parties should allow for a genuine election process where ideals and integrity count for more than millions of dollars.

I have added a couple of solutions that I feel can be used immediately. Why? Because they are already put in place! Management is an answer.IF you depend solely on government, such overhead watching should be palatable. These solutions are just a drop in the bucket and conversation starters.

Solutions, such as using govt jobs to make sure we, the people aren't screwed. Millions of dollars of waste is produced each year when govt positions don't "spend" the money they needed to during the fiscal year. I have a friend who was recently furloughed by DoD, she lost her job but not before being tasked to buy 20$ pens and new leather chairs because they had extra monies and needed to spend them or they risked not receiving the same funds in the next year.

Entitlement reform: the laws already state who can and should receive benefits, make govt employees do their jobs and manage the spending check by check. Waste, fraud, abuse, and the coverups of such cost us millions each year. Illegal immigrants receiving benefits are adding to an already busted system. Welfare and other benefits are needed to help and I think they do. But government support should be a temporary or monitored benefit used to build our economy by producing educated, healthy working adults who can, in turn, help others.

Relationships with foreign countries should be more transparent (that word has become a synonym for "opaque", oddly enough). Financial and other aid programs should be minimalized. We should be more worried about cleaning up our own messes than others who often want to kill us.

Pathways to citizenship should be made simpler with an eye to legal immigration as being a benefit to our society. Illegal immigrants should be help accountable for their disrespect to our laws...I know I am held accountable for even a speeding ticket...and deported and flagged. There's no real solution to the American citizenship of many children whose parents are here illegally; however, responsibility lies with the parent, just like my responsibility level is my 10 year-old decided to pick up a gun. No special treatment..and no worse...

My measly post is just that. I would love to hear honest and "mannerly" solutions and pollutions...no matter how big or small...that affect us all.