Here's an idea: We solve all the worlds problems and invent infinite environmentally friendly renewable energy sources and create a super-high standard of living for every country, and before the generation is over we destroy all the progress, so that we will indeed be superior to our future peers as they will not have the luxuries we have created.
HA-HA-HA!
[QUOTE=Psychokitten;33248853]We need to bring back Eisenhower, have him run for president again.[/QUOTE]
Eisenhower? How about Theodore Roosevelt...if he couldn't fix the government, then at least we brought back a badass.
[QUOTE=_Kent_;33252077]Eisenhower? How about Theodore Roosevelt...if he couldn't fix the government, then at least we brought back a badass.[/QUOTE]
I'm gonna have to cast my vote for FDR.
This doesn't surprise me
I think we should elect batman president. He wouldn't take that corruption shit.
[QUOTE=1STrandomman;33252145]I think we should elect batman president. He wouldn't take that corruption shit.[/QUOTE]
you mean the same Batman that used illegal wiretaps to track people down in the Dark knight?
[QUOTE=strayebyrd;33252173]you mean the same Batman that used illegal wiretaps to track people down in the Dark knight?[/QUOTE]Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I guess he's the president America deserves, but not the one it needs right now.
Hmm... how about Tony Stark? He is the guy that got so pissed off when he found out his company was dealing "under the table" that he personally flew out to fuck shit up.
[QUOTE=Contag;33246355]Uh, guys, you are aware that [b]ideological foundation[/b] of the United States is deep distrust of government, right?[/QUOTE]
[b]Federal[/b] government. And that's where the problem arises. Some of the state governments are even worse when it comes to abusing power, but people tend to either blindly trust them, or just not care.
Yep, I called it! I said, "by election time, nobody will believe a fucking word a politician says and there will be the same old shit, nothing getting done and people getting angry," to a friend in March. Turns out, I was pretty much spot-on with that. By the way, I've also predicted our economy is going to get waaaaay worse and we'll all be in a world of shit. Apparently I'm a prophet, so... allow me to apologize for dooming us all with my fortune-telling skills. I'm sorry, guys. :(
Anyway, aside from my insane ramblings, when Obama won the election everyone I know kept saying that particular election was a big deal. This one is even more so, the stakes are beyond high and whoever is going to be sitting in the big president chair afterward will be fucked six ways from sunday. With nation-wide protests, a pretty grim budget and the general citizenry getting awfully rowdy I'm surprised anyone is running at all. When "revolution" becomes a common topic for discussion, it's at least on people's minds and that's never a good sign. Really, though, who can blame us? We're watching our country spiral downward and there's so many people either unemployed or soon to be unemployed. Right now isn't exactly a happy fucking time, and maybe this poll will be a heads-up for the assholes we elect to secure their shit. Maybe. I'm not sure how far people are willing to go with releasing their anger or even how. I said it before and I'll say it again, it's not hard to start a riot and it's not hard to turn a riot into a revolution. What really pisses me off, though, is these same people who don't "trust" the government are the same motherfuckers who don't vote. They don't contact their politicians, they don't do anything other than idly bitch about the situation. When this election is over, anyone who complains and then says "OH! [i]I[/i] didn't vote!" is going to get either punched or told to sit down and shut the fuck up. So maybe nothing will happen and people will just bitch harder.
This is really serious shit. The beast of a government we have is something we are all partially responsible for. I think it's high time people own up to that responsibility, rather than just complaining about it.
this is news?
things have been like this for a reeaaally long time
[QUOTE=JumpinJackFlash;33252763]This is really serious shit. The beast of a government we have is something we are all partially responsible for. I think it's high time people own up to that responsibility, rather than just complaining about it.[/QUOTE]
So how about we make it more efficient and less corrupt rather than just destroying it?
Reform campaign financing, close tax loopholes, and institute electoral reform.
As for specifics, they're quite simple: Limit individual donations to $100, ban corporate donations of the incredibly large amounts being given at this time, get rid of lobbyists. Tax derivatives trading, remove the ability to classify money made in that market as "carried interest" and thus avoid paying the income tax rate. Do away with the "First Past the Post" voting system and go with one of proportional representation.
If you find problem with these ideas, feel free to point them out.
[QUOTE=Megafanx13;33253136]So how about we make it more efficient and less corrupt rather than just destroying it?
Reform campaign financing, close tax loopholes, and institute electoral reform.
As for specifics, they're quite simple: Limit individual donations to $100, ban corporate donations of the incredibly large amounts being given at this time, get rid of lobbyists. Tax derivatives trading, remove the ability to classify money made in that market as "carried interest" and thus avoid paying the income tax rate. Do away with the "First Past the Post" voting system and go with one of proportional representation.
If you find problem with these ideas, feel free to point them out.[/QUOTE]
First and foremost, everything takes money. Lobbyists are tolerated by government because they give money. Current government would likely not support limiting the amount of money that can be donated because it would leave them with less money. Same thing with banning corporate donations.
Second, everybody has their own opinion on exactly what should be done. You have provided several examples of how to make government more efficient, but what if somebody else feels differently? Who is to say which idea is better, yours or this hypothetical person? Who would decide exactly what to implement?
Thirdly, and most importantly, people are morons. Some people will misinterpret the changes to find loopholes out of greed, some will be too dumb to the former, and some will ignore the changes in much the same way current laws are ignored.
I honestly don't see this as a good thing. I interpret this as people are less willing to be open towards ideas like extended government programs like public health option, increased welfare benefits, etc.
[QUOTE=Aredbomb;33252424][b]Federal[/b] government. And that's where the problem arises. Some of the state governments are even worse when it comes to abusing power, but people tend to either blindly trust them, or just not care.[/QUOTE]
Arguably some of it was in reference to state government as well, hence the independent militia composed of citizens.
[editline]13th November 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=Ardosos;33253246]Second, everybody has their own opinion on exactly what should be done. You have provided several examples of how to make government more efficient, but what if somebody else feels differently? Who is to say which idea is better, yours or this hypothetical person? Who would decide exactly what to implement?[/QUOTE]
As the international arbiter of politics, Emperor Contag decrees that Megafanx's ideas are best.
[QUOTE=Ardosos;33253246]First and foremost, everything takes money. Lobbyists are tolerated by government because they give money. Current government would likely not support limiting the amount of money that can be donated because it would leave them with less money. Same thing with banning corporate donations.[/quote]
That's why the public has to push for it. Protests, special interest groups about getting rid of special interest groups, whatever it takes.
[QUOTE=Ardosos;33253246]Second, everybody has their own opinion on exactly what should be done. You have provided several examples of how to make government more efficient, but what if somebody else feels differently? Who is to say which idea is better, yours or this hypothetical person? Who would decide exactly what to implement?[/quote]
Well I think it's a good idea because it attacks specifics problems, and if something thinks it's a bad idea then feel free to tell me why and I'll be glad to address the concern and debate about it.
[QUOTE=Ardosos;33253246]Thirdly, and most importantly, people are morons. Some people will misinterpret the changes to find loopholes out of greed, some will be too dumb to the former, and some will ignore the changes in much the same way current laws are ignored.[/QUOTE]
So we should do the best we can instead of doing nothing in the fear that it will turn out bad.
[video=youtube;t6gZvEAjGHw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6gZvEAjGHw[/video]
This seems to be a very good explanation.
[QUOTE=Megafanx13;33253643]
Well I think it's a good idea because it attacks specifics problems, and if something thinks it's a bad idea then feel free to tell me why and I'll be glad to address the concern and debate about it.
[/QUOTE]
While you and I or anybody on Facepunch can have a calm, reasoned debate, not every citizen will be so understanding, and especially not those currently in power who will fight before they give up said power.
I completely agree with your other points.
[QUOTE=Ardosos;33253840]While you and I or anybody on Facepunch can have a calm, reasoned debate, not every citizen will be so understanding, and especially not those currently in power who will fight before they give up said power.
I completely agree with your other points.[/QUOTE]
Well then like I said, we do the best we can. Clearly doing nothing is a bad idea at this point.
[QUOTE=mac338;33251807]Heh, the US and all of it's territories and wars will be regarded as an empire in the history books 500 years from now.[/QUOTE]
I'm not talking about that.. I'm talking about tall the internal failures that are going on. Too much separation from the rich and poor, corrupt government, and bought votes
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