Nope...
Nope...
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Does The American People Have Any Real Say In Our Government?
If I were to answer this question honestly, there's no telling how many names I would be branded.
__________________________
Hiflyer, what in the world are you talking about? This video is about not having a say in our government..you know, the We the People stuff? Why are you talking about work ethics, manners, and abiding by laws?
I love America too. That is why it upsets me to see everything I grew up believing in gone. Everything we were supposed to be has been destroyed. It's not a left or right problem, its all our problem. I love this country enough to fight against those that are taking my rights away. They are not in Syria, or Iran either. They are right here at home. They sit in DC or in a board room.
Here is what bothers me about the way things are going in DC these days. My voice has been silenced, so has yours. We don't have enough money to be heard. We need serious election finance reform, ethics reform, and lobbyist reform. It has gotten out of hand.
I think it happens on both sides of the aisle, so to me this isn't a partisan issue.
America is still a great country, compared to many other countries. Doesn't mean it hasn't lost its way on some issues. You can love this country and still speak up for your rights. We are no longer a Republic, we are a Oligarchy and that is not the America I personally want. Maybe you are fine with that, if you are then, you are right, we want different things.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
I find it amusing that people want to return to "the Good Ol' Days" when those times were equally or more corrupt:
http://www.theatlantic.com/bus...on-ever-1896/264649/
At least today there are websites dedicated to tracking influence peddling. Since people can pool their money, even common folk can influence politicians.
The best government money can buy. Well, maybe not the "best", but the government that the money wants.
The best government money can buy. Well, maybe not the "best", but the government that the money wants.
______________________________________________________________
Jt, I doubt that you and Jank hate the AARP and want them silenced because they're one of the left-wing lobbying groups. I suspect that you only want those you disagree with silenced.
For Seniors or Big Government?
AARP takes positions and joins or forms coalitions that are arguably unrelated to seniors.
In 2000, for instance, AARP opposed Proposition 38, a school-choice ballot initiative in California. AARP California President Jacki Antee attacked the proposal, saying that “It would exempt voucher schools from all state educational standards, including a high school exit exam. Teachers would not be required to have a teaching credential or even a college degree.”
In 2004, television host Bill O’Reilly reported on AARP’s policy stands:
“We found a very liberal philosophy. For example, the organization favors strict gun control, entitlements for migrant workers and a progressive tax policy. It says, ‘tax revenue sources should distribute the tax burden according to people’s ability to pay.’”
AARP also strongly favors the death tax, even though most polls show seniors are opposed to it.
AARP did buck the Democrats by backing the Bush prescription drug plan, but it opposes personal retirement accounts that would seek to privatize Social Security, and it is supportive of proposals to raise the payroll tax.
AARP’s liberal tilt has sparked the creation of at least two conservative seniors groups: The 60-Plus Association and the American Seniors Association.
The money group that is buying the government also wants the items you mentioned.
Here is what bothers me about the way things are going in DC these days. My voice has been silenced, so has yours. We don't have enough money to be heard. We need serious election finance reform, ethics reform, and lobbyist reform. It has gotten out of hand.
I think it happens on both sides of the aisle, so to me this isn't a partisan issue.
America is still a great country, compared to many other countries. Doesn't mean it hasn't lost its way on some issues. You can love this country and still speak up for your rights. We are no longer a Republic, we are a Oligarchy and that is not the America I personally want. Maybe you are fine with that, if you are then, you are right, we want different things.
Perhaps, the system is working as it should. That is the system of checks and balances. You advocate a new progressive high tax system with universal healthcare and lots of freebies. I on the other hand believe that we should have a system where one is rewarded for hard work and incentives are provided to stimulate job growth without ridiculously high taxes and regulations. We both can't have our way. The best outcome is compromise. For the past seven years the president you elected has been as stalwart as the Republicans on the other side of the aisle. I will remind you however that he is the one who fired the one of the first shots across the bow and said that because he was elected they should give him what he wanted.
The problem as I see it is that we have raised a generation of people who feel entitled and feel no responsibility to contribute. Much like spoiled children they cry when they don't get their way. For many years they were the minority, but now the balance is tipping. They prefer to call themselves Progressives, but most can recognize them as the spoiled children of a few years ago.
The best government money can buy. Well, maybe not the "best", but the government that the money wants.
______________________________________________________________
Jt, I doubt that you and Jank hate the AARP and want them silenced because they're one of the left-wing lobbying groups. I suspect that you only want those you disagree with silenced.
For Seniors or Big Government?
AARP takes positions and joins or forms coalitions that are arguably unrelated to seniors.
In 2000, for instance, AARP opposed Proposition 38, a school-choice ballot initiative in California. AARP California President Jacki Antee attacked the proposal, saying that “It would exempt voucher schools from all state educational standards, including a high school exit exam. Teachers would not be required to have a teaching credential or even a college degree.”
In 2004, television host Bill O’Reilly reported on AARP’s policy stands:
“We found a very liberal philosophy. For example, the organization favors strict gun control, entitlements for migrant workers and a progressive tax policy. It says, ‘tax revenue sources should distribute the tax burden according to people’s ability to pay.’”
AARP also strongly favors the death tax, even though most polls show seniors are opposed to it.
AARP did buck the Democrats by backing the Bush prescription drug plan, but it opposes personal retirement accounts that would seek to privatize Social Security, and it is supportive of proposals to raise the payroll tax.
AARP’s liberal tilt has sparked the creation of at least two conservative seniors groups: The 60-Plus Association and the American Seniors Association.
________________________
You would be wrong Dire. No one is advocating doing away with ALL lobbyist or any for that matter. What we need is clear laws and rules to govern their influence in DC. We need reform.
Teyates, I may not agree with all that you posted, but that's one of the best written posts that I have read.
-------------------------
We both can't have our way. The best outcome is compromise.
That is the truth and will go a long way toward curing a lot of ills.
Here is what bothers me about the way things are going in DC these days. My voice has been silenced, so has yours. We don't have enough money to be heard. We need serious election finance reform, ethics reform, and lobbyist reform. It has gotten out of hand.
I think it happens on both sides of the aisle, so to me this isn't a partisan issue.
America is still a great country, compared to many other countries. Doesn't mean it hasn't lost its way on some issues. You can love this country and still speak up for your rights. We are no longer a Republic, we are a Oligarchy and that is not the America I personally want. Maybe you are fine with that, if you are then, you are right, we want different things.
Perhaps, the system is working as it should. That is the system of checks and balances. You advocate a new progressive high tax system with universal healthcare and lots of freebies. I on the other hand believe that we should have a system where one is rewarded for hard work and incentives are provided to stimulate job growth without ridiculously high taxes and regulations. We both can't have our way. The best outcome is compromise. For the past seven years the president you elected has been as stalwart as the Republicans on the other side of the aisle. I will remind you however that he is the one who fired the one of the first shots across the bow and said that because he was elected they should give him what he wanted.
The problem as I see it is that we have raised a generation of people who feel entitled and feel no responsibility to contribute. Much like spoiled children they cry when they don't get their way. For many years they were the minority, but now the balance is tipping. They prefer to call themselves Progressives, but most can recognize them as the spoiled children of a few years ago.
__________________________
Our system of checks and balances are broken. What I want is to have a voice. I want every American to be able to make a difference, not just those few that can buy the politicians. This is not about left vs right. This is about the very foundation of our nation. We are supposed to have representatives in congress. Instead congress is filled with corporate representatives.
The best government money can buy. Well, maybe not the "best", but the government that the money wants.
______________________________________________________________
Jt, I doubt that you and Jank hate the AARP and want them silenced because they're one of the left-wing lobbying groups. I suspect that you only want those you disagree with silenced.
For Seniors or Big Government?
AARP takes positions and joins or forms coalitions that are arguably unrelated to seniors.
In 2000, for instance, AARP opposed Proposition 38, a school-choice ballot initiative in California. AARP California President Jacki Antee attacked the proposal, saying that “It would exempt voucher schools from all state educational standards, including a high school exit exam. Teachers would not be required to have a teaching credential or even a college degree.”
In 2004, television host Bill O’Reilly reported on AARP’s policy stands:
“We found a very liberal philosophy. For example, the organization favors strict gun control, entitlements for migrant workers and a progressive tax policy. It says, ‘tax revenue sources should distribute the tax burden according to people’s ability to pay.’”
AARP also strongly favors the death tax, even though most polls show seniors are opposed to it.
AARP did buck the Democrats by backing the Bush prescription drug plan, but it opposes personal retirement accounts that would seek to privatize Social Security, and it is supportive of proposals to raise the payroll tax.
AARP’s liberal tilt has sparked the creation of at least two conservative seniors groups: The 60-Plus Association and the American Seniors Association.
________________________
You would be wrong Dire. No one is advocating doing away with ALL lobbyist or any for that matter. What we need is clear laws and rules to govern their influence in DC. We need reform.
__________________________________________________________
Jank, I have no idea why you are addressing me. I have made no comments to this thread.
The best government money can buy. Well, maybe not the "best", but the government that the money wants.
______________________________________________________________
Jt, I doubt that you and Jank hate the AARP and want them silenced because they're one of the left-wing lobbying groups. I suspect that you only want those you disagree with silenced.
For Seniors or Big Government?
AARP takes positions and joins or forms coalitions that are arguably unrelated to seniors.
In 2000, for instance, AARP opposed Proposition 38, a school-choice ballot initiative in California. AARP California President Jacki Antee attacked the proposal, saying that “It would exempt voucher schools from all state educational standards, including a high school exit exam. Teachers would not be required to have a teaching credential or even a college degree.”
In 2004, television host Bill O’Reilly reported on AARP’s policy stands:
“We found a very liberal philosophy. For example, the organization favors strict gun control, entitlements for migrant workers and a progressive tax policy. It says, ‘tax revenue sources should distribute the tax burden according to people’s ability to pay.’”
AARP also strongly favors the death tax, even though most polls show seniors are opposed to it.
AARP did buck the Democrats by backing the Bush prescription drug plan, but it opposes personal retirement accounts that would seek to privatize Social Security, and it is supportive of proposals to raise the payroll tax.
AARP’s liberal tilt has sparked the creation of at least two conservative seniors groups: The 60-Plus Association and the American Seniors Association.
________________________
You would be wrong Dire. No one is advocating doing away with ALL lobbyist or any for that matter. What we need is clear laws and rules to govern their influence in DC. We need reform.
__________________________________________________________
Jank, I have no idea why you are addressing me. I have made no comments to this thread.
__________________________________________
She meant me I presume. Jank, the problem with the controlled exercise of freedom is that it won't be free for very long as the rules and regulations, hoops and hurdles increase. If anyone who lobbies the government needs a legal staff to stay legal, then only the rich and powerful will be represented. Really, who watches the watchmen!
If we all want the amount of corruption in DC to decrease, then we need to downsize the bureaucracy and the control it has on our lives.
Here is what bothers me about the way things are going in DC these days. My voice has been silenced, so has yours. We don't have enough money to be heard. We need serious election finance reform, ethics reform, and lobbyist reform. It has gotten out of hand.
I think it happens on both sides of the aisle, so to me this isn't a partisan issue.
America is still a great country, compared to many other countries. Doesn't mean it hasn't lost its way on some issues. You can love this country and still speak up for your rights. We are no longer a Republic, we are a Oligarchy and that is not the America I personally want. Maybe you are fine with that, if you are then, you are right, we want different things.
Perhaps, the system is working as it should. That is the system of checks and balances. You advocate a new progressive high tax system with universal healthcare and lots of freebies. I on the other hand believe that we should have a system where one is rewarded for hard work and incentives are provided to stimulate job growth without ridiculously high taxes and regulations. We both can't have our way. The best outcome is compromise. For the past seven years the president you elected has been as stalwart as the Republicans on the other side of the aisle. I will remind you however that he is the one who fired the one of the first shots across the bow and said that because he was elected they should give him what he wanted.
The problem as I see it is that we have raised a generation of people who feel entitled and feel no responsibility to contribute. Much like spoiled children they cry when they don't get their way. For many years they were the minority, but now the balance is tipping. They prefer to call themselves Progressives, but most can recognize them as the spoiled children of a few years ago.
Very nice and I agree 100%!!!!