Your Five Top Issues

[Rohirrim]

Hopefully, this doesn't become just one more partisan smear fest. I'm curious. If you had to pick five issues that would decide the next election for you, what would they be? Where would you like to see America go? Which policies should dominate for the next four to eight years? Here's my wish list:

1. Get off the Big Oil teat (politicians have been blabbering about it for thirty years - while doing nothing). I think this is the number one issue because as long as we are locked into Big Oil we are locked into the ME and our foreign policy chain is yanked by our need for oil. This also ties in with our need to reduce carbon. No bigger reduction than switching to solar panels and plug in cars. In my opinion, this requires an "Apollo" type effort.

2. Campaign and election reform (as long as our politicians' asses are owned by K street, we have no chance of progress). We must figure a way to get the corporate domination out of our politics. If this means writing an amendment stating that corporations are not persons, then so be it. As part of this, get off the Diebold machines. Americans should have zero questions about the legitimacy of our elections.

3. Rebuild our infrastructure (instead of everybody else's in the world - no more Americans dying in bridge collapses). The last time we did this the nation's economy took off. As Minneapolis showed us, we're way overdue.

4. Kill Bin Laden and Zawahiri and eradicate Al Queda by creating an international intelligence and police web - it's not a job for the military. Do what it takes to wrap up Iraq and Afghanistan militarily and get the hell out.

5. (This would be the cherry on top) Close all of our foreign bases and bring our troops home from everywhere in the world. In the future, if the UN and NATO want to get involved in the business of policing the world we tell them, "If you are 100% united in a cause for humanitarian reasons (not oil), we will provide the expensive part - the air power - but no more foot soldiers. The boots on the ground part, from now on, is up to you."

[Garcia Bronco]

Hopefully, this doesn't become just one more partisan smear fest. I'm curious. If you had to pick five issues that would decide the next election for you, what would they be? Where would you like to see America go? Which policies should dominate for the next four to eight years? Here's my wish list:

1. Get off the Big Oil teat (politicians have been blabbering about it for thirty years - while doing nothing). I think this is the number one issue because as long as we are locked into Big Oil we are locked into the ME and our foreign policy chain is yanked by our need for oil. This also ties in with our need to reduce carbon. No bigger reduction than switching to solar panels and plug in cars. In my opinion, this requires an "Apollo" type effort.

2. Campaign and election reform (as long as our politicians' asses are owned by K street, we have no chance of progress). We must figure a way to get the corporate domination out of our politics. If this means writing an amendment stating that corporations are not persons, then so be it. As part of this, get off the Diebold machines. Americans should have zero questions about the legitimacy of our elections.

3. Rebuild our infrastructure (instead of everybody else's in the world - no more Americans dying in bridge collapses). The last time we did this the nation's economy took off. As Minneapolis showed us, we're way overdue.

4. Kill Bin Laden and Zawahiri and eradicate Al Queda by creating an international intelligence and police web - it's not a job for the military. Do what it takes to wrap up Iraq and Afghanistan militarily and get the hell out.

5. (This would be the cherry on top) Close all of our foreign bases and bring our troops home from everywhere in the world. In the future, if the UN and NATO want to get involved in the business of policing the world we tell them, "If you are 100% united in a cause for humanitarian reasons (not oil), we will provide the expensive part - the air power - but no more foot soldiers. The boots on the ground part, from now on, is up to you."


1. I agree on number 1 and I think everybody does.


2. I agree. It's just hard to do.
3. We don't need to rebuild our infrastructure, we just need to repair it and increase GDP on it. The firs tthing to do is get rid of state and federal contractors. Keep all that stuff in house and put the responsibility on the state and not let them use contractors that bilk the system. But our infrastructure is a serious problem

4. Get rid on the Department of Education. This is a local matter. Get the government out of the marriage game.

5 Add an amendment to be able to remove Supreme Court Justices that do not follow the constitution by panel in the congress. I am getting sick and tired of these bozos not doing what they are supposed to do.

6. Congress works all year round and everyone has to vote, period.
4

[The Lone Bolt]

1) Weaning the nation off of oil is also my #1 issue. The EV battery technology is finally here, it just needs some support. Tax rebates that cover a percentage of the battery cost of an EV or plug-in hybrid is a start. That should help make them affordable from the get-go while the battery technology improves and becomes cheaper. Also funding battery research would be a good idea.

2) Iraq. Withdraw completely and leave behind a functioning, stable, reasonably democratic government. Also let's start closing all the bases we have overseas and stop acting like the world's policeman. Now that Saddam is gone I think this is realistic.

3) Health care. Massachusetts has a plan for universal HC that seems to work. We should seriously consider nationalizing it. And while we're at it, the HC system still runs on pencil-and-paper. We need to bring it into the 21st Century. Plus there are other reasonble reforms that can bring down the cost of HC. And also include universal mental health coverage, we need it.

4) Infrastructure. We need to get on this or we'll be sorry.

and finally

5) Raiders: OUTLAW THEM FOREVER!!!4321~

[Rohirrim]

and finally

5) Raiders: OUTLAW THEM FOREVER!!!4321~

We don't need to do that. They're already working as hard as they can to make themselves extinct. ;D

[Traveler]

1. Restore all our constitutional rights eroded within the last 8 years.

2. Begin process necessary to ween us off our foreign oil dependency and start combating global warming.

3. (Thanks ROH) Finally enact meaningful campaign and election reform

4. Withdraw from Iraq and hunt down and kill Bin Laden and his minions.

5. Enact universal heath care.

Also agree with Garcia about the Supreme Court Judges, but will include removing the lifetime appointments.

[TailgateNut]

1. Prevent the practice of lobbying dollars/ benefits being used to affect the decisions of elected officials, regardless of position.
Enact laws and legislation which will provide for immediate dismissal and criminal procecution of anyone involved in this practice.
2. Close our borders to illegal entry, find, fine and convict any and all companies which are hiring illegal workers, and in addition place tarriffs on products manufactured by any and all companies which export/ outsource american jobs. (Put americans back to work at what they do best: Put out great products which do not break the day the warranty expires)
3. Stop the practice of being the "worlds' police force". Unless a specific threat to our nation is imminent, our soldiers shall not be put in harms way.(It's not our ****ing job. We are part of NATO for a reason. Let everyone share the finacial and human burden)
4. All of the goverment funded projects/ purchases (local, state and federal) shall be awarded to bidders who meet the requirements of the contract at the lowest price, and any changes/ increase to the contract price shall be reviewed prior to approval. (I'm tired of reading about our goverment paying $20 for a plastic ice cube tray and $20,000 for a mini fridge).
5. Change the course in Iraq. Focus on finding the scum who attacked us and kill the ****er. Then bend over, apologize for Bushs' mistakes and bring all of our soldiers home. Iraq has plenty of moolah to fix their brdges, we have our own crumbling infrastructure.

[ScottXray]

1. Get off of the OIL CARTELS teat. Start a national oil company to compete with these bozos, with all production limited to domestic usage. Restrict oil leases to a clause which stipulates the lease expires in a set time period if the lessee fails to start or then expand oil production within that time period. Set steep royalties on oil that is produced, if it is marketed to the international , rather than domestic market, and less but then current market based royalties on all oil produced. Use the royalties to fund both the National Oil company and alternative energy source development. Mandate stiff higher fuel standards, and give tax breaks to domestic auto makers who meet those standards. Eliminate all tax credits for oil companies that ship domestic oil overseas or run the export then import shell game to raise prices. In short...regulation and lease controls that are favorable to the US consumer OVER foreign customers. A national energy independence program instituted that we can make the oil companies actually pay for greatly.

2. Withdraw from Iraq ASAP. I expect that country to implode no matter when this occurs, but do our best to avoid that. Most of all they want us out...so comply with their wishes. Use the carrot rather than the stick to try to open a dialogue with Iran. Finish the job in Afghanistan. Find and terminate Al Quaeda leaders. Revise our policies toward Israel to prompt them to settle their differences with arab states in a reasonable manner. Outright unfettered support should not be our policy. A slow staged withdrawal from other venues should be negotiated. We cannot withdraw from the world stage, but a larger role will need to be filled by Europe and our allies. We still need a strong defense, so rebuild our armed forces to a state of combat readiness. Do not leave all our arms behind when we withdraw.

3. Start a constitutional amendment to have English declared the official language of the country. After passage of this , make the availability of bilingual forms a fee based system. States will be allowed to eliminate bilingual education requirements, or have a fee based system.

4. Institute a national health care system based on the current Medicare system. ( Note: I work in this industry and it is long overdue. Although it will hurt my own business we need to take care of our own people. ) Force pharmacutical and other industries (including the AMA and medical schools) to comply with wholesale pricing policies and get the insurance and for profit facilities (Many hospitals and doctor owned clinics) on even financial terms. Start a national push to generate the many doctors and other personnel required by offering scholarships to medical schools for 5-10 year service agreements in the new clinics and hospitals that will need to be placed in rural areas.

5. Voting and election reform. Institute term limits for the House and Senate, (8 terms in the house, three in the senate). A member of the house can run for senate at the end of his 8 terms and vice versa. This requires another amendment to the constituiton. Define corporations as not having rights of persons. All elections must have verifiable paper trails. Institute a third constitutional amendment which specifies that only people that have completed a term of 18 months national service shall be allowed to vote in elections for national office, phased in over a 35 year term by age. This service to be either in military or a domestic civilian national corps ( I don't care if its picking up garbage on the freeways or building solar panels or whatever, but the 18 months must be served, in some capacity if that person wants to eventaully vote in national elections.)

and I'm a Liberal!:welcome:

[SleepingTiger]

Then bend over, apologize for Bushs' mistakes and bring all of our soldiers home. Iraq has plenty of moolah to fix their brdges, we have our own crumbling infrastructure.

its not just for Bushs' mistake, but Clinton, Blair, Russians, Chinese and every security agency in the US

[TailgateNut]

its not just for Bushs' mistake, but Clinton, Blair, Russians, Chinese and every security agency in the US


Okee dokee!

[SleepingTiger]

Okee dokee!

atleast you agree!

[orinjkrush]

[QUOTE=ScottXray;2049461]1. Get off of the OIL CARTELS teat.

I agree

2. Withdraw from Iraq ASAP. Combine this with #1.

All oil from Iraq is ours till we pay off the debt we have created. They have a $79B surplus already.

3. Start a constitutional amendment to have English declared the official language of the country.

Melting pot = English. Otherwise stay home.

4. Institute a national health care system based on the current Medicare system.

Must combine with immigration reform: open borders and welfare system will financially destroy USA. period.

5. Voting and election reform.

One term. ever. for any position. No more remora politicians. get a job already.

and I'm a Liberal!:

Well, I'm a sorta liberal conservative libertarian. :peace:

[baja]

Follow Ron Paul's platform.

[ScottXray]

[QUOTE=ScottXray;2049461]1. Get off of the OIL CARTELS teat.

I agree

2. Withdraw from Iraq ASAP. Combine this with #1.

All oil from Iraq is ours till we pay off the debt we have created. They have a $79B surplus already.

3. Start a constitutional amendment to have English declared the official language of the country.

Melting pot = English. Otherwise stay home.

4. Institute a national health care system based on the current Medicare system.

Must combine with immigration reform: open borders and welfare system will financially destroy USA. period.

5. Voting and election reform.

One term. ever. for any position. No more remora politicians. get a job already.

and I'm a Liberal!:

Well, I'm a sorta liberal conservative libertarian. :peace:
2. Nice but it won't happen. Let them keep their oil, they'll need it to fund their security servicces and reconstruction (which we have NOT managed to do).
4. Medicare is based on a valid social security number. Computerising this
database for quick photo verification helps with the immigration issue, and the employer hiring illegals issue. Since the insurance will be based on that you have to do this.

5. One term, especially in the House, is not enough to accomplish anything, and will create so much churn that little will ever get done. We need effective government as much as anything else that needs to be done. And a one term limit actually will eliminate those that are just becoming truly effective. The idea is to not allow them to become CAREER politicians and live off the populaces tit for so long.
Maybe 5 house and two senate terms. Or change the representatives term to 3 years, one third turnover every election cycle as occurs in the senate, and limit the house to 4 terms. Then they can all run for Pres.

I guess I'm a Conservative Liberal too....not a libertarian though...

[Bob]

1. For the government to spend less then what we bring in. I don’t care how this happens, but if we don’t change course very quickly -- all other well-laid philosophical and political plans are made moot. I am leaning toward that we are actually too late on this front, and certainly average Americans don’t know the levels of debt we have, and how dire things will become on this front.
2. Become energy independent. I differ that we have to get off of oil – we just need to get off of foreign oil (right now I believe we are sitting at 70% dependency) and we need to have some real plan to develop additional supplies of energy – coal to fuel, shale, Nuke, wind solar. If we can generate more of it here that is less money to Russia and the Middle East, both of whom are gaining in strength finically and militarily because of our transfer of wealth.
3. Make a double walled fence, apply the laws on the books for illegal immigration, make it much easier and faster to come legally, slam (again enforce the laws) employers caught hiring illegally, and hire more border agents. Release the two border agents that have been illegally thrown into prison for doing their jobs.
4. Mop up things in Iraq – if that can be done without making #1 impossible.
5. Do not raise taxes on businesses that manufacture here in America, as our tax rates are 2nd highest in the world – maybe lower taxes (if #1 is not screwed in the process.)

[alkemical]

These aren't my top 5 issues for the two candidates that are running. This is my top 5 issues, as of right now - after lunch today.

1. A "green" race. There is so much possibility for all kinds of solutions. Big and small are needed. I understand the need/desire to find a replacement for gasoline (in terms of "green" petrol) - but really - there isn't going to be a one sized fits all solution for this. I think maybe having freight trains run on bio-diesel is good - but i'm hesitant to use food - for fuel in a massive application (ie, ALL vehicles). We have to learn to maximize our geography, climate of each region to it's max potential. Solar will work in MA, but not near as good as in AZ. This type of challenge presents a great market opportunity for the USA: We have the perfect country to find solutions that more or less - could work ANYWHERE in the world where people live. We have a great mix of environmental situations that can be applied in numerous locations. If we were to get our head out and pull off this feat - we would shift the dynamics of the world economy back into our favor, for a very very long time. We are missing this opportunity (again), to really adjust and make a move for long time survival - and not just economically or nationally - but in terms of moving in the right direction for not poising the world we live in - which we know will come back to haunt us if we don't.

2. I want my civil liberties back. I don't want the gov't to be able to snoop on me. I pay these people, i want them to listen to me. Get the F out of my email and off of my cell phone and leave me be. I also feel that if you are more open and free (ie, disclosure) - more people will take notice when things don't look right. However, i'm still undecided on how to classify stupid. So maybe i'm just an idealist here.

3. I want a D.O.T. death squad to run. I seriously am so f'n tired of these assholes who WON'T drive in a safe, courteous manner. Not that they can't, and that's my point. Look, if you cut some off and are doing some dumb ****. I'm fully behind roadside executions. Infact, i'd like the vlad treatment on some of "you" assholes. I'd like to see you on a stake, with your car torched along side of the road with a list of your assholed charges. This, would make the world a much more pleasant world to drive in.


4. The two party system is designed to keep the status quo.

5. Stop with the war on "X" - Look - i'm tired of going to war with everything. Why can't i use another way? Why do i have to blow **** up all the time? The war on drugs? Everyone thinks drugs are evil. Guess what, they aren't. If you think so - burn just about any art you appreciate. Fail. The war on terror? Well, the way we are going about it is validating the terrorists view points (self perpetuating war). Fail (unless of course you are on the side FOR war - then you profit...). War on homeless - fail (fo real fo real - how can you war on homelessness - give tents?)

****, i might as well declare a war on beer. My plan, to raid every beer depot and drink it all!!!

[Garcia Bronco]

One of mine I forgot to add was scrap the tax code and a flat tax for anyone.