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Mushroom · 06-11-08, 06:38 PM

Here is what I would like to see happen by the government:

ENACT THE FAIR TAX
You would be surprised how much more money would come into the government coffers when all of the tax shelters are gone. Not only that, but the IRS would be cut in half inside of six months and then dwindle further over a five year period. You want to save money and reduce your tax burden? All you have to do is save your money and not spend it. Of course, that means that you would be required to manage your own money.
All of the money that has been hidden in offshore accounts and hedge funds does the person no good anymore. If they are taxed on the stuff they buy like big screen TV's, luxury vehicles, golf clubs, 32"off road tires, and 22" rims, then they are paying their taxes. Regardless of weather you obtain your money legally or not. You think drug dealers, thieves, embezzlers, and hit men pay taxes? You think CEO's, CFO's, your senator, or your congressman pays the same taxes you do? The answer to both questions is no. But I'll bet you that they both buy expensive items all the time. When do they pay their share?

LINE ITEM LEGISLATION
This is NOT a line item veto! A line item veto grants way too much power to the office of the President, effectively allowing him/her to pick and choose what goes and what stays. Line Item Legislation means EXACTLY what it says. Each individual line item gets voted on for its merit. Not the normal wheeling and dealing that goes on in the house and the senate. The "I'll vote for your bill if you vote for mine" stuff is counter productive and breeds corruption. If line item legislation was used, government spending would be cut by 1/2 at the least. And then, additional funds could be granted to each state for needed projects. Especially in the areas of public services like roads, utilities, safety, schools, and environmental concerns. No more "bridge to nowhere" projects being sneaked in to bills that have real merit. As things stand now, if you wanted a bill submitted that would improve every child's education at a reasonable cost, all I would have to do to get the bill defeated would be to submit an earmark or "rider" stating that it would be legal to give LSD to 8th graders. That is how a good bill gets defeated. If it gets defeated, the people that voted against it are accused of shortchanging America's children. If you vote for it, you are now on record as wanting to give 8th graders LSD. Yes, this kind of underhanded practice goes on ALL THE TIME! No wonder congress and the senate never get anything done huh?

CAMPAIGN REFORM
You want real campaign reform? Well guess what, campaigns cost money. Instead of money determining the outcome of an election, let people make up their mind on their own. The majority of elections are won through advertising and "name recognition". Which means the more TV spots you can pay for, the better your chances of winning the election. Which also equates to "only the rich will ever be in public office". Here is the solution:

Each candidate gets an equal amount of air time for their level of campaign. Local government gets local coverage, state gets state coverage, and national gets national coverage. And who pays for the air time you may be asking? Make it a tax deduction for that media coverage. Each candidate gets two ads per day on TV and radio. Two adds per week in the paper. This would keep the playing field even, allowing people without a personal fortune to run for public office. How many people do you know that would do right for the people of this country but couldn't beat the spending power of one of these rich politicians that have never been in the common mans position? All of this "I was raised in a blue collar family" BS doesn't wash with me. They may have been raised in a blue collar family, but they have never had to pay the bills AS a blue collar family. They are so out of touch that it borders on ridiculous.

DIRECT POLL VOTING
How many times have you said "my congressman/senator voted for THAT?" Or do you even know how they voted? Here is a way to do it and make your voice be heard:
Each and every elected official should be required to have a state/federal website that outlines and explains bills that will soon come up for a vote in plain English (I happen to think that all legislation should be written in plain English anyway. But a "Legalese" to English translation will work). In order to be able to submit your opinion about any given piece of legislation to your elected official, you would be required to register to vote to be granted permission to submit data to the website using a "voter ID number" or something of that nature, not your social security number. Then, you could express to your elected official if you are for or against that piece of legislation. You could then track how people in your district/state voted on it and also see how your elected official voted. If a piece of legislation was voted overwhelmingly against by your district/state, and your elected official still voted for it, then the people would know that the elected official can, and should, be held accountable for it during the next election. Think of it like forced honesty in politics. This could also get rid of the archaic Absentee Ballot. Military Personnel are all using CAC cards (controlled access cards) that allow them to log into secure networks. These cards provide single point authentication as to the person's identity. A website that would allow people that are abroad (one could be issued with a passport as well so people could vote from the embassy in their area) can be started that gives anyone, military or civilian, the ability to vote and actually have their vote counted.
Some have argued the poverty angle on this issue. "What if a person can't afford a computer? You ever think of that wiseguy??" No me. But the public library system already did. Besides, this is only if you want to get involved and be heard. Not just at the ballot box every 2, 4, or 6 years. Another common argument is that House and Senate legislation and voting records are a matter of public record and are already available online. Ever try to read it (let alone find it)? And then the voting record is in a completely different area.

Please tell me what you think of these ideas. I would like to know.

06-11-08, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mushroom User Join Date: Jun 2008 Last Online: 06-16-08 06:04 PM Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 6 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Lean: Centrist Gender:	Some things I would like to see happen Here is what I would like to see happen by the government: ENACT THE FAIR TAX You would be surprised how much more money would come into the government coffers when all of the tax shelters are gone. Not only that, but the IRS would be cut in half inside of six months and then dwindle further over a five year period. You want to save money and reduce your tax burden? All you have to do is save your money and not spend it. Of course, that means that you would be required to manage your own money. All of the money that has been hidden in offshore accounts and hedge funds does the person no good anymore. If they are taxed on the stuff they buy like big screen TV's, luxury vehicles, golf clubs, 32"off road tires, and 22" rims, then they are paying their taxes. Regardless of weather you obtain your money legally or not. You think drug dealers, thieves, embezzlers, and hit men pay taxes? You think CEO's, CFO's, your senator, or your congressman pays the same taxes you do? The answer to both questions is no. But I'll bet you that they both buy expensive items all the time. When do they pay their share? LINE ITEM LEGISLATION This is NOT a line item veto! A line item veto grants way too much power to the office of the President, effectively allowing him/her to pick and choose what goes and what stays. Line Item Legislation means EXACTLY what it says. Each individual line item gets voted on for its merit. Not the normal wheeling and dealing that goes on in the house and the senate. The "I'll vote for your bill if you vote for mine" stuff is counter productive and breeds corruption. If line item legislation was used, government spending would be cut by 1/2 at the least. And then, additional funds could be granted to each state for needed projects. Especially in the areas of public services like roads, utilities, safety, schools, and environmental concerns. No more "bridge to nowhere" projects being sneaked in to bills that have real merit. As things stand now, if you wanted a bill submitted that would improve every child's education at a reasonable cost, all I would have to do to get the bill defeated would be to submit an earmark or "rider" stating that it would be legal to give LSD to 8th graders. That is how a good bill gets defeated. If it gets defeated, the people that voted against it are accused of shortchanging America's children. If you vote for it, you are now on record as wanting to give 8th graders LSD. Yes, this kind of underhanded practice goes on ALL THE TIME! No wonder congress and the senate never get anything done huh? CAMPAIGN REFORM You want real campaign reform? Well guess what, campaigns cost money. Instead of money determining the outcome of an election, let people make up their mind on their own. The majority of elections are won through advertising and "name recognition". Which means the more TV spots you can pay for, the better your chances of winning the election. Which also equates to "only the rich will ever be in public office". Here is the solution: Each candidate gets an equal amount of air time for their level of campaign. Local government gets local coverage, state gets state coverage, and national gets national coverage. And who pays for the air time you may be asking? Make it a tax deduction for that media coverage. Each candidate gets two ads per day on TV and radio. Two adds per week in the paper. This would keep the playing field even, allowing people without a personal fortune to run for public office. How many people do you know that would do right for the people of this country but couldn't beat the spending power of one of these rich politicians that have never been in the common mans position? All of this "I was raised in a blue collar family" BS doesn't wash with me. They may have been raised in a blue collar family, but they have never had to pay the bills AS a blue collar family. They are so out of touch that it borders on ridiculous. DIRECT POLL VOTING How many times have you said "my congressman/senator voted for THAT?" Or do you even know how they voted? Here is a way to do it and make your voice be heard: Each and every elected official should be required to have a state/federal website that outlines and explains bills that will soon come up for a vote in plain English (I happen to think that all legislation should be written in plain English anyway. But a "Legalese" to English translation will work). In order to be able to submit your opinion about any given piece of legislation to your elected official, you would be required to register to vote to be granted permission to submit data to the website using a "voter ID number" or something of that nature, not your social security number. Then, you could express to your elected official if you are for or against that piece of legislation. You could then track how people in your district/state voted on it and also see how your elected official voted. If a piece of legislation was voted overwhelmingly against by your district/state, and your elected official still voted for it, then the people would know that the elected official can, and should, be held accountable for it during the next election. Think of it like forced honesty in politics. This could also get rid of the archaic Absentee Ballot. Military Personnel are all using CAC cards (controlled access cards) that allow them to log into secure networks. These cards provide single point authentication as to the person's identity. A website that would allow people that are abroad (one could be issued with a passport as well so people could vote from the embassy in their area) can be started that gives anyone, military or civilian, the ability to vote and actually have their vote counted. Some have argued the poverty angle on this issue. "What if a person can't afford a computer? You ever think of that wiseguy??" No me. But the public library system already did. Besides, this is only if you want to get involved and be heard. Not just at the ballot box every 2, 4, or 6 years. Another common argument is that House and Senate legislation and voting records are a matter of public record and are already available online. Ever try to read it (let alone find it)? And then the voting record is in a completely different area. Please tell me what you think of these ideas. I would like to know. __________________ It's all for the story.

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