Thread: American Politics Anyone?

Originally Posted by JMS

Whatever are you talking about?

I dunno, thought you knew!

Democrats are blaming everything on bush. Republicans are doing everything they can to stop any new legislation introduced by democrats.

I am too tired of it to care.

The new legislation that allows corporations to anonymously give money to special interest groups and chamber of commerce taking money from foreign companies/countries kind of ****es me off though.

I tell you all what I am wondering???? if across Party and Issue lines that all of America believes that it is seriously time for "Term Limits" across the political board... I mean all the way across too, from Local to State to National even the Supreme Court.... Say maybe 12 years max at any one position????? unless there is already a term limit in place of less than that...

NO more career politicians !!!!

I honestly think that given one change to this countries political problems, that one change would have the most impact, to the most people

Opinions??????

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I tell you all what I am wondering???? if across Party and Issue lines that all of America believes that it is seriously time for "Term Limits" across the political board... I mean all the way across too, from Local to State to National even the Supreme Court.... Say maybe 12 years max at any one position????? unless there is already a term limit in place of less than that...

NO more career politicians !!!!

I honestly think that given one change to this countries political problems, that one change would have the most impact, to the most people

Opinions??????

Agreed.
Here in Alabama, three things that it doesn't pay to argue about are politics, religion, and Alabama vs. Auburn football. Either way someone is walking away mad.
In this case, however, I don't think it matters what party you claim (of you claim one), we can all agree that career politicians seem to be a big problem. I'm all for term limitations for every elected office.

Is the necessity of a term limit a failure of the democratic process?

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Is the necessity of a term limit a failure of the democratic process?

Honestly??? yes I believe it is,,, Half the term of the politician is to set themselves up for re-election so perhaps with term limits they will be more concerned with getting there, getting the job done, and getting the heck home...
It will also put a huge monkey wrench in the whole PAC and special interest money and influence machine...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Half the term of the politician is to set themselves up for re-election so perhaps with term limits they will be more concerned with getting there, getting the job done, and getting the heck home...
It will also put a huge monkey wrench in the whole PAC and special interest money and influence machine...

This makes me laugh. Because whenever I think about what I dislike about any organization of people, the main two things that come to mind are "internal politics" and "bureaucracy." I wonder if anyone actually has a positive connotation for either term.

I do think restructuring the allowed number of terms could be a good thing. So could downplaying the role of special interest groups (lots of ways to do that, I don't think I could even count). Both would stop politicians from spending so much time covering their own butts and force them to do... um... their jobs - serving the public. Politics is not a career, it is a service.

I also strongly agree with Nun's post above mine - the failure lies largely with the electorate; that is the failure of the democratic process.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Is the necessity of a term limit a failure of the democratic process?

Yes. The people have been content to sit on their butts and think its a my party versus theirs scenario, most times without considering what is really going on. Far too many elections are more like Pro wrestling events, the Masked Avenger versus the Challenger. They step into the ring amidst the cheers and jeers throwing each other around until the scenario plays out. Then they head for the showers, pick up their pay envelopes and head to the bar together laughing at the rubes in the audience who think it real.

We need to be more involved as an electorate, we need to ask the questions instead of the hand picked commentators, and we need to expect real answers in plain English that can be understood. There are many other issues that need to be discussed, but I still put the majority of the blame on a lazy electorate that will not educate itself and will look to the politicians for leadership when it is the responsibility of the electorate to be the leadership.

Governmental Reform has been needed for a long time, unfortunately they no longer allow the teachings of the Constitution or Bill of Rights anymore. Government has become shady on all sides and have not had the good for the people in their minds for generations.

Way to much partisanship, and not enough governing. I think our country is screaming for real leadership on both side to come together and solve the pressing issues we face, but all i see lately is bitterly entrenched partisanship, and no civility. To minimize corruption I strongly agree with term limits as stated earlier, and it seems that PAC's and lobbying interests hold way too much sway in our system, so i would argue for a severe restriction on their ability to finance campaigns. Being elected to serve our country should be a privledge and honor, and not a key to the country club financed by lobbying interests.