The problem is that many people want things to change. They all talk about it, write about it, etc. But........for the most part nobody does anything real about it. What would you do towards taking back or changing the government? I am not trying to be a jerk or singling you out. I am guilty of the same kind of things. Amen Dennis. Most election days we get to choose from either the pile of warm sh*t or the pile of cold sh*t. If there is someone I truly believe in (ie. Ron Paul) I vote for them. Otherwise I do not pull a single lever for any of them. But, I still pull the final lever to show that I was in the booth and did actually vote. I just did not vote for anyone on the ballot.
As to the best way to change things is to take a stance on incumbancy. One of the major problems we face is that the same people have been in the same positions for years. In some instances their legislative seats are taken over by their sons, daughters, or grandchildren. We cannot expect things to change if we keep the same people in power. This isn't a Republican or Democrat issue, but one of representation of the people. We need a solution to the economic ills we face, not the socialization of health care. Would McCain been any better? I have no idea about whether or not he would have been, but I do know that the ideas that Pelosi and Reed present are beyond bizarre and the possiblity of a veto can bring loose cannons like those two into reality. This President is not about to veto any of these massive government programs. Right now we have an incredibly arrogant government that is best exemplified by the health insurance issue. They really don't care what the people want, they only care about what they want. Congress has a wonderful history of passing laws that they refuse to subject themselves to. How to change this? My solution is real simple. This year my voting is going to be really simple. If the candidate is an incumbant, then they don't get my vote. Simplistic?? Perhaps, but my attitude is that if you are there, then you are part of the problem and you will not get my vote.
well, unfortunately i can sympathise and see and kind of see a parity, 11 LONG years ago before i could had a say, a labour government (socialist lefty's) was voted in after a long conservative reign. Now, they have ruined this country, bankrupted us, destroyed our sense of national pride, created a nanny / big brother state where no-one takes responsibilty for their own actions, prisons are full of people who've done little wrong and criminals roam the streets because the judges dont have the power anymore to send them down. They claim they are a democratic party, however never allow the public a say in any major decision (Iraq / Afghan / Europe) because they know the public opinion is strongly against their own. Fortunately, at the start on may, we hopefully get a change and the new conservative government will take over. It's very cyclical here, the conservatives come in, introduce solid fiscal policy, balance the books and get the country into a healthy state. Then labour come in, and its spend spend spend and to hell with the consequences. Don't forget, democracy breeds despotism, and despotism breeds dictatorship. Rant over, back to work, feel better now oh and fletch, if i put all my swimming certificates in with my academic and professional credientials (which are few and far between), i just might catch up with the dude!
This cartoon was in the Chicago Tribune in 1934. Look carefully at the plan of action in the lower left corner.
Sadly our shot at a conservative government didn't do very well on the fiscal responsibility issues either. Much of our hope now seems to be moving toward the "Tea Party" movement. That movement is very much misunderstood in other parts of the world. An article in the main newspaper in Spain referred to the group as being racist. Apparently in their minds if you don't like a President who happens to be 50% black then you are a racist. Kind of ironic when Obama got over 98% of the black vote. Think there may have been any racism in that voting statistic? The "Tea Party" wants things like term limits and more accountability. Hardly a racist agenda in spite of what other countries might think.
rdubnpk We have obviously all forgotten that every time anyone questioned the policies of Bush-Chaney, they, too, were labeled unAmerican. It got to the point where you were afraid to speak up. That is the well from which the Desire for change sprung. Unfortunately, Obama has shown that more of the same is all we can expect. It is discouraging that, regardless of what we do, it is always more of the same. I agree that term limits must be imposed and lobbyists must be limited in the influence they are able to weild.
It's funny that Obama ran under the mantra of "Change, yes we can!" I think our new motto should be "Change, we have to!" I really am concerned for my children and grandchildren. What kind of a country are we leaving them?
I'd guess you're too young to remember the Conservatives properly Franco. Margaret Thatcher and crew did far more harm to our country than Labour ever did: - Decimated industry (the UK doesn't have any industries any more) - Poll Tax riots - Toxteth, Brixton, St Pauls and more Riots - nearly 4 million people out of work - Black Wednesday when the Treasury lost £27bn in one day propping up the pound against currency speculators - mortgage rates of 12% - and most of all creating a greed culture where you either had it and were supported or you didnt and were ignored. Those that were ignored are the mothers and fathers of the benefit cheating / workshy / anti social chav culture we see today. I seem to recall they lost the election by a landslide, surely that wouldnt be the case had they been performing so admirably. If the Conservatives get back in (and it seems pretty much like they wont get a majority at the moment) things will get a hell of a lot worse.
i guess you're right steve, i've only ever known or been affected by a labour government so you could say my views are slightly skewed. The old school tory's seem intent on derailing cameron, and brown is coming out of every cock up smelling of roses, somehow!. in fact Nick Clegg is sounding more and more like the logical choice, especially with vince cable heading up the economy. maybe a hung parliament is the best way forward. unfortunately i have afew friends who are even more disallusioned than me and are thinking of going down the BNP / UKIP route! Do you get a vote, being an expat? anyway sorry gone slightly off course here ... pleading ignorance of american politics ... how long is a "presidential term"?
In Obama's case TOO LONG! Actual term is four years. For the House of Representatives it is two years and for the Senate six years. This year the entire House will come up for a vote. Most of us are hoping that this election sends Nancy Pelosi back to the obscurity she so richly deserves!
