Just a list of things I believe.

Hello ats! I've been in a typing mood as of late and with my surge of interest in politics, I figure I would write out a list of things I think should be implemented or taken away from our current system. This is not in any order, just random things on my mind.

1. The education system should be completely revamped from 6th grade on, I believe education should actually teach much more that can be applied to the real world, we should learn more about politics, economics, learn more about the world of careers, and even have opportunity to take specialized courses in fields of interest, I believe teachers should receive grades just like students, ensuring teachers are inspiring and encouraging, not just apathetically handing out packets. This could easily take up pages itself, but that's just some of the basics

2. The FDA should have representatives the people vote for, they essentially control what companies are allowed to feed the masses, so why shouldn't the masses appoint them? I believe citizen appointed FDA would fix many of our current problems including drugs that just make people worse off, and would remove the terrible poisons companies put in our food, which legal bs currently allows to go unlabeled for some of them

3. The states should have much, much more power than they have right now. While I realize you cannot give them too much power, I believe a state should have a lot more say on what happens with their land, and their social/economic issues. This would serve to allow States to choose as they'd like when it comes to issues such as marriage rights, or unemployment. I realize some rules and regulations have to apply across the board, but believe different areas have different concerns that cannot be met by a one size fits all approach.

4. Small business should be extremely encouraged, supported, and possibly even funded/invested in - the funding and investing, if it existed at all could be on a state level. I firmly believe small business should be the backbone of America, it encourages competition, increases the work force - providing more places, and more diverse places to work, and overall would create a stronger middle class. Huge companies nearing, or being monopolies do the exact opposite.

5. Presidential elections should be changed on many levels, I believe today's technology could help in this advancement. Being able to vote for someone whom actually has the same ideals as citizens is tough, but I believe through the use of the Internet, a larger pool of candidates could be taken through phases, eventually leading up to the lower amount we vote on now days. I believe through social media, online forums, and basically candidate profiles, we could get a better and wider selection of who we could vote on, which would include a lot of much needed options, such as candidates that don't get attention simply because they throw millions into campaigning.

6. Congressman, senators, and judges need to be from the people, for the people. The bad side of rich, elite, greedy, and morally deficit should not be in the lead of our country, and while many people say it is on the citizens to blame, I have never been properly introduced to a way to peacefully remove these men from office and start a new, or the proper ways require far too much effort for a nation controlled by the government to do something about. I believe that once again technology, and education could help citizens see more options, and choose better who they want to represent them.

7. Taxes should be more of a percentage, less based on income. With my above statement that America should be covered with small businesses, these people should not be taxed huge percentages simply because they make more than others. There needs to be great opportunity, and incentive in running a small business, and a percentage better reflects what a person earns and should have. Ideally, with the American dream being more accessible and business flourishing, the economy would be on the up and up, unemployment would be low, and taxes would be brought in, in great amounts in many other ways than bleeding the upper middle class dry.

8. Medical insurance, medical school, Medicaid, Medicare, hospitals, clinics, ALL need a change. I don't personally believe in socialized, nor forced down our throats and fined for health care, that being said I think either the people or the government does need to intervene on some levels, an expansion, and partial reconstruction of the already in place Medicaid/Medicare would be good place to start. When it comes to how much these things cost, first we have to look at how much more medical costs are here compared to other countries, I do not have exact numbers myself but have heard people compare even basics like X rays, and the costs are insanely disproportionate, so one thing that needs to be done is taking steps towards reducing the cost of care. The first thing that comes to mind is efficiently and effectively applying the taxes applied to this. Ideally, enough tax cuts/reform would come from my previous dream of a government that is for the people, that a slight bump in Medicaid taxes could be added, while still coming out as a much better situation for the people due to the correct allocation of taxes in general. These taxes would then be given to hospitals based on patients cared for and procedures done, amounts being given based on patients ability or inability to cover all costs, etc..
Anyways....
I could go on for quite some time but this is likely too long for anyone to read Anyways. Thank you ats, for giving me a place to have a voice when I feel like I need to be heard.

All feedback is welcome, positive, negative, or otherwise. Thank you for reading

-Me

deadlyhope
Hello ats! I've been in a typing mood as of late and with my surge of interest in politics, I figure I would write out a list of things I think should be implemented or taken away from our current system. This is not in any order, just random things on my mind.

First, welcome. I hope through debate, discussion and discourse, we can obtain some valid and competent ideas. Welcome to ATS -- note that all will not have the same demeanor as I, nor should you assume that I won't be critical. In the end though, I enjoy the concept of free-exchange of ideas, such as yours.

1. The education system should be completely revamped from 6th grade on...

I truncated your quote on this as the ideas are spot on. Our education system has become mired in the idea of memorization and not critical thought nor even teaching. It is page one, remember; page two, remember; etc. That doesn't teach vital skills but teaches to just be a robot.

2. The FDA should have representatives the people vote for

Why just the FDA? There are plenty of Executive level departments that have a direct impact on the Peoples' lives. FAA, FDA, FCC, FBI, CIA, NSA, DoD, BLM, DoE, DoT etc and etc.

It is hard to see it, but those that head such organizations are actually confirmed by your State Senators. All those appointed underneath them, are all responsible to what your State (and other States) have approved to having lead a certain department.

3. The states should have much, much more power than they have right now. While I realize you cannot give them too much power, I believe a state should have a lot more say on what happens with their land, and their social/economic issues. This would serve to allow States to choose as they'd like when it comes to issues such as marriage rights, or unemployment. I realize some rules and regulations have to apply across the board, but believe different areas have different concerns that cannot be met by a one size fits all approach.

I like this. I like this because I have been a staunch advocate (and by some a propagandist) of repealing the 17th Amendment (direct elections of Senators; this is a State issue, not the Federal Government's business). The pendulum between Federal and State power has always been in sway. It has, over the past 100 years swayed completely towards the Federal Government and rarely makes it way back to the States.

5. Presidential elections should be changed on many levels, I believe today's technology could help in this advancement. Being able to vote for someone whom actually has the same ideals as citizens is tough, but I believe through the use of the Internet, a larger pool of candidates could be taken through phases, eventually leading up to the lower amount we vote on now days. I believe through social media, online forums, and basically candidate profiles, we could get a better and wider selection of who we could vote on, which would include a lot of much needed options, such as candidates that don't get attention simply because they throw millions into campaigning.

Maybe expand more here before I comment.

6. Congressman, senators, and judges need to be from the people, for the people. The bad side of rich, elite, greedy, and morally deficit should not be in the lead of our country, and while many people say it is on the citizens to blame, I have never been properly introduced to a way to peacefully remove these men from office and start a new, or the proper ways require far too much effort for a nation controlled by the government to do something about. I believe that once again technology, and education could help citizens see more options, and choose better who they want to represent them.

They are of the People; just depends on what people who associate with. I agree that the "bad side of rich, elite, greedy, and morally deficit should not be in the lead of our country", I do not agree to not levy blame on the very people of the respective districts for not voting these out of office.

7. Taxes should be more of a percentage, less based on income.

They are based on a percentage of income. Or are you saying to dump the regressive tax code in favor of a percentage based tax code; such as a flat tax?

Alright, I skipped over a few of your topics for space restrictions.

Thank you for your reply! I thought this thread would have no replies.

The page I had open to respond closed, so I'm going to do a bit lazier of responding while trying to cover what I wanted to.

Why just the FDA?

While you did bring up a good point, why did I not bring up the other groups/programs/agencies etc, the FDA is something I feel more passionate about than the others. No matter how much the CIA/FBI listen to me, watch me, etc, they are not INSIDE ME... so to speak. The FDA controls what manufacturers allow to put in foods ( sometimes unlabeled ) they could get rid of unknown/possibly harmful practices such as GMO, I just believe the FDA is in my life far more often than any others could ever be, from what's in my medicine cabinet, to what I put in my mouth. Any agencies with control over food/production of food/etc is something I'm focusing on more myself, though I acknowledge your say about the others.

Expanding more on presidential elections -

I believe there should be a much wider pool of candidates to choose from, and people should get a real view of who they want to vote for, etc. I believe better education could help with these decisions, and I believe technology could help spread people that could/should be voted in without said candidate spending millions in campaigning, traveling, or throwing money towards any agenda to get votes. This last election I heard a surprising amount of people say " I am voting for Romney because he's the lesser devil of the two " I heard others say " I'm voting for Obama, because better the devil you know than the devil you don't . " Why on earth do we have to choose from two different devils? I believe if the position of president were open to more people, and these candidates had more of a fair playing field, we could come up with someone the people actually like. Rather than what it is currently, where the least hated/despised/feared/etc gets voted in.

Blaming respective districts -

A couple of points on my end. First, I believe judges/senators/congress should have limited terms, maybe not as short as the president, but definitely not lifetime careers doing that either. Second, how easy is it to replace every corrupt/not for the people- member of senate and congress? Especially right now where the approval rate is, what, ~10%? If there were just a pool of people waiting to get into congress and senate, and make altruistic changes, wouldn't that be happening? I suppose not, since this is a cut-throat world and those that are corrupt do tend to make it to the top regardless, but I just think there's not a direct way to remove them/replace them even if everybody except them said to....

Taxes -

Percentage based, and the same percentage for everyone. My taxes, at below poverty level are around 18% of my check, my employer, being a small business, I have been told is closer to 40-50% ( cannot verify ) and another thing I cannot verify is tax loop holes, etc making fortune 500 companies have a lower tax percentage than myself. I just mean the SAME percentage, everyone gets taxed 20% regardless of what they make. I would want this to apply with an America that's CHALKED FULL of small businesses, not the current situation. Some restrictions would apply, but the 20% for all would further encourage small business, because right now, if the 40-50% numbers are indeed true, we are discouraging small business.

deadlyhope
Thank you for your reply! I thought this thread would have no replies.

You brought ideas and sometimes those ideas don't get recognized. Even if I don't see them as "good" or otherwise, they are a stepping stone to making our species better. The free exchange of ideas is highly important.

While you did bring up a good point, why did I not bring up the other groups/programs/agencies etc, the FDA is something I feel more passionate about than the others.

Fair enough and a valid point.

The FDA controls what manufacturers allow to put in foods ( sometimes unlabeled ) they could get rid of unknown/possibly harmful practices such as GMO...

Or just label them. My view is to maximize freedom to the furthest amount possible. If that means farmers utilizing GMO product, I say let them battle that in the free market, with a free people set to decide if they so want that product. Of course, such would require an equal playing field and the Government has ensured that it is anything but.

I believe there should be a much wider pool of candidates to choose from, and people should get a real view of who they want to vote for, etc. I believe better education could help with these decisions, and I believe technology could help spread people that could/should be voted in without said candidate spending millions in campaigning, traveling, or throwing money towards any agenda to get votes.

In terms of the Presidential election (or any election thereof really), we need to focus upon how States have succumbed to the party system (both Democrat and Republican). Remember there are no national elections and it is up to each State to determine how they run their election systems. Most conveniently compartmentalize potential candidates into the party system and those not of any "party" are barred from the contest. That needs to change, but I also believe it is up to the individual States and the People respectively to make that change.

Why on earth do we have to choose from two different devils? I believe if the position of president were open to more people, and these candidates had more of a fair playing field, we could come up with someone the people actually like. Rather than what it is currently, where the least hated/despised/feared/etc gets voted in.

Agreed but this needs to be accomplished on the State by State level -- it is part of the Federalist system we have here.

I believe judges/senators/congress should have limited terms, maybe not as short as the president, but definitely not lifetime careers doing that either.

This one is precarious. On one hand, we have career politicians; on the other, we have a free people, freely electing them over and over. Do we limit the People or do we hinder them from self-governance?

Second, how easy is it to replace every corrupt/not for the people- member of senate and congress? Especially right now where the approval rate is, what, ~10%?

That poll in my opinion is conducted outside of the vacuum of politics. While nation-wide, there is a disdain for Washington, the People will continue to vote into office "their" guy because it represents stability. Otherwise you induce change and the human race is not keen to change.

Percentage based, and the same percentage for everyone. My taxes, at below poverty level are around 18% of my check, my employer, being a small business, I have been told is closer to 40-50% ( cannot verify ) and another thing I cannot verify is tax loop holes, etc making fortune 500 companies have a lower tax percentage than myself.

Tax law is convoluted, this we agree. It is a mess. For instance, while your taxes may be 18% of your check, what is your effective tax rate (meaning, when you calculate your taxes around this time of year, are you receiving more back than what you paid due to tax "credits")? As for your employer, they are subjected to a multitude of taxes from not only the Federal, but also whatever State you happen to be in.

I just mean the SAME percentage, everyone gets taxed 20% regardless of what they make. I would want this to apply with an America that's CHALKED FULL of small businesses, not the current situation. Some restrictions would apply, but the 20% for all would further encourage small business, because right now, if the 40-50% numbers are indeed true, we are discouraging small business.

Agreed but tackling the tax-code is never going to be touched unless the People as a whole revolt against it.