New Continental Congress

[irishpat183]

This is a great post Bob!

I know conservatives would point out that just throwing money won't fix the problem, and that is true; not without reform.

There is a legitimate question of weather or not the federal government has overstepped to much into state educational affairs.

Those are both fair points conservatives make but I would conservatives that the federal government can play a role in giving the states the tools/resources to improve our coutries education. I would remind those that turn up their nose at education that two of the great standard bearer Republican presidents Lincoln and Eisenhower pushed and got major education legistlation passed during their presidential terms.

Great point about community lets get young people that want help for college education joining the say the national guard by expanding the GI bill, assisting in communties, or working in our national/state parks.

To the education point...We also need to invest in more techincal schools and jobs. Let's face it, not everyone needs or should go to college. I think we have to admit that. But what we can't do is just abandon those kids. So direct some money (tax breaks) to small biz that want to offer high school kids training or jobs out of high school?

Also, let's stop offering grants and college loans to art majors. Not to single them out, but again, we need to face the fact that those degrees just don't pay. And the job market is even worse for those fields... Let's focus on the math, business, communications, science degrees and actually creating jobs. We need to be realistic about the 19th century poetry majors or interior design folks. For godsakes, they don't need to be goign to college for free when they're bascially studying hobbies...

And we need to get the current GI bill fixed first.

Again, I'm not for really expanding anything...let's settle up the tab and see where we can make smart cuts first, and re direct some poorly spent money.

 

[Black Irish]

There's too much duplication of service in government. And failing departments don't get cut or shuttered, they stay around while a new agency is created. For instance, we shouldn't have a Director of National Intelligence because that's the Director of Central Intelligence's job. We have too many departments doing similar things and most are doing a sub-par job.

 

[chicago51]

To the education point...We also need to invest in more techincal schools and jobs. Let's face it, not everyone needs or should go to college. I think we have to admit that. But what we can't do is just abandon those kids. So direct some money (tax breaks) to small biz that want to offer high school kids training or jobs out of high school?

Also, let's stop offering grants and college loans to art majors. Not to single them out, but again, we need to face the fact that those degrees just don't pay. And the job market is even worse for those fields... Let's focus on the math, business, communications, science degrees and actually creating jobs. We need to be realistic about the 19th century poetry majors or interior design folks. For godsakes, they don't need to be goign to college for free when they're bascially studying hobbies...

And we need to get the current GI bill fixed first.

Again, I'm not for really expanding anything...let's settle up the tab and see where we can make smart cuts first, and re direct some poorly spent money.

I made a big post in President thread about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) being the priorities.

 

[irishpat183]

There's too much duplication of service in government. And failing departments don't get cut or shuttered, they stay around while a new agency is created. For instance, we shouldn't have a Director of National Intelligence because that's the Director of Central Intelligence's job. We have too many departments doing similar things and most are doing a sub-par job.

Exactly. CUT THE DEAD WEIGHT!!!

 

[chicago51]

I talk about this in the President thread I'll put a brief post about it in hear.

Tariffs on imports

Specifically revenue neutral tariffs

Yes that HD TV from China is going to cost more.

We make up for the cost by 100% of all the revenue we generate from tariffs and use to bring down tax rates and give tax credits/rebates.

To use an Obama phrase "let me be clear" we use the tariff to create American jobs but we return 100% of that tariff back to the American people to make up for imported items costing more or hopefully to buy items made in USA that cost more. WE DO NOT USE THE TARIFF TO PAY DOWN THE DEBT!

Free trade has been eating away at American jobs for decades it is time we give our workers a fair shake, we offset 100% of any inconvience in cost by giving all the revenue generate back to the American people in the form of tax cuts and tax rebates.

 

[Guest]

Get rid of the national government and let the people be sovereign once again. Let state and local governments allow people to direct vote (no electoral college).

Get rid of the private Federal Reserve and expell all the bankers. Allow gold and silver to circulate as money (they will drive out the dollar in short time). Use real bills for 90day settlement, backed by gold and silver.

I am anti-political, in that any large government that takes away the free market and my right to rule myself goes against my beliefs. Any government program ultimately leads to a theft, corruption, price fixing, and eventual ponzi schemes. Always has, always will.

Get rid of all collectivism in any and all formats, forever.

Any other option and it will just lead to the same thing in about another 80 years. Kondratieff wave and all that.

 

[chicago51]

Another grievance: We need better infrastructure.

 

[Black Irish]

Exactly. CUT THE DEAD WEIGHT!!!

The only problem is that there would have to be a new federal department created for the sole purpose of cutting the dead weight. It would be amusing to have a "Dept. of Dead Weight" in Washington. But seriously, it's ridiculous that the President has (had?) an Energy Czar, for instance. Is the Secretary of Energy too busy to advise on energy policy?

I'd also like to see better transition plans for when states/localities receive federal grants. You get local police departments that have to institute massive service cuts because their federal grant program ended. Why isn't someone planning ahead for these contingencies?

 

[chicago51]

So is this another political thread were we just discuss and at times rant about issues?

Or is the end game that we have to compromise agree on solutions to all these things?

 

[Cackalacky]

So is this another political thread were we just discuss and at times rant about issues?

Or is the end game that we have to compromise agree on solutions to all these things?

No ranting but getting things out there that people feel are wrong. I can see by several posts that most are hitting at similar topics from both sides of the spectrum. I think that is very telling. I was hoping for more input from others that signed on but we can move to the debating of topics.

 

[Black Irish]

Is our political system not working because of structural flaws or cultural problems? Or, is the system working as well as we can expect it to given the current state of our culture? Maybe the country isn't breaking apart because of bad politics, maybe politics is broken because of the state of our country and national culture. Just a thought.

 

[dshans]

Point of order.

Is this intended to be a discussion based on the supposition that this is a Third (New) Continental Congress rather than the First and Second which gave us The Articles of Confederation? Or is this to be ruminations on the Constitutional Congress and its subsequent ramifications? Mayhap an amalgam?

My apologies. It's possible that I've chaired or attended far too many meetings where the Robert's Rules of Order have unnecessarily impeded free and open speech. Ranting screeds, as tedious as they may be, fall within the purview of "speech," free or not.

Are we to carry on as if we were facing issues present in the 18th century or as they now exist?

 

[chicago51]

Point of order.

Is this intended to be a discussion based on the supposition that this is a Third (New) Continental Congress rather than the First and Second which gave us The Articles of Confederation? Or is this to be ruminations on the Constitutional Congress and its subsequent ramifications? Mayhap an amalgam?

My apologies. It's possible that I've chaired or attended far too many meetings where the Robert's Rules of Order have unnecessarily impeded free and open speech. Ranting screeds, as tedious as they may be, fall within the purview of "speech," free or not.

Are we to carry on as if we were facing issues present in the 18th century or as they now exist?

More about problems today and things we would change in constitution new amendments, changes in voting, etc knowing what we think we know now.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

First point of order needs to be getting the Executive Branch to stop using its investigatory powers to intimidate non-conformists. First came the Tea Party. Then Fox News reporters. I don't want to think what's next.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Citizen's United needs to be tossed.

 

[Cackalacky]

Point of order.

Is this intended to be a discussion based on the supposition that this is a Third (New) Continental Congress rather than the First and Second which gave us The Articles of Confederation? Or is this to be ruminations on the Constitutional Congress and its subsequent ramifications? Mayhap an amalgam?

My apologies. It's possible that I've chaired or attended far too many meetings where the Robert's Rules of Order have unnecessarily impeded free and open speech. Ranting screeds, as tedious as they may be, fall within the purview of "speech," free or not.

Are we to carry on as if we were facing issues present in the 18th century or as they now exist?

I was envisioning, initially something like the 1st and 2nd CCs. But I think we have enough topics to move forward with debating the topics laid forth. For example tax reform. Several have listed that. What would be a better way? Lobbying? How do we get our elected officials to represent us again. I think we can move forward. Lets start with campaign finance. How should financing be done? This may overlap with voting methods and term limits. GO.....

 

[chicago51]

I was envisioning, initially something like the 1st and 2nd CCs. But I think we have enough topics to move forward with debating the topics laid forth. For example tax reform. Several have listed that. What would be a better way? Lobbying? How do we get our elected officials to represent us again. I think we can move forward. Lets start with campaign finance. How should financing be done? This may overlap with voting methods and term limits. GO.....

If we are starting with campaign finance my idea is to outlaw any sort donations individual or corporate. Instead I propose a different solution. Ultimately my financing plan comes from tax payer dollars but ultimately it will save money as it likely put an end to many corporate welfare practices.

My plan calls for giving each American citizen to receive $50 Patriot Dollars with their tax returns that they can choose to give to any party or candidate they chose. These Patriot Dollars have no real value but would be redeemable for a tax rebate from the government to any sort of media outlet rather it be TV, newspaper, or internet site.

While I keep the voting age at 18 I would give Patriot dollars out at 16 to start encouraging the youth to get informed about there government.

This will introduce $6 billion into the election cycle still a lot but more healthy than what we've been seeing. More importantly it would encourage candidates to appeal to normal Americans because all Americans rather rich or poor get 50 Patriot dollars.

While I would encourage state and local governments to follow this sort of idea, each state should set there own financing rules for state and local elections.

I would also make election day a national paid holiday with no work except for the people working the polls. We shouldn't have to force people to take time off work instead we should be celebrating our democracy.

 

[pkt77242]

Citizen's United needs to be tossed.

^This.

 

[Black Irish]

Politicians shouldn't be able to campaign for a new position unless they resign their current office. Our reps and senators shouldn't be campaigning for Prez/VP while they are on the clock, so to speak.

 

[pkt77242]

Politicians shouldn't be able to campaign for a new position unless they resign their current office. Our reps and senators shouldn't be campaigning for Prez/VP while they are on the clock, so to speak.

I would love to hear the pros and cons of this. I am not sure how I feel one way or the other.

 

[Black Irish]

I would love to hear the pros and cons of this. I am not sure how I feel one way or the other.

The con is that while someone is out campaigning for a better job, the business of his current position, is being neglected. That stuff doesn't fly in the private sector. I couldn't go to my boss and say "Listen, I think I deserve better than this. So I'm going to go on a blitz of job interviews over the next 2 months to try to get something better for myself. But I'll still need you to keep me on full salary and benefits. If anything really major happens, I'll check in, but otherwise I'll be pounding the pavement for new opportunities. Oh, and if nothing better materializes, I'll just come back to work, no questions asked. Is that cool?"

 

[Circa]

I propose that the right honorable posters of IE declare their intention to begin a new thread (outside of the laborious and long-winded, cyclical thread "Just Curious...") wherein all who gather shall discuss the subject of a New American Continental Congress. This New Continental Congress shall convene, initially, to establish a set of grievances against the citizens and perpetrated by the current government of these united States, with the purpose of at some point generating a solution to the current state of affairs.

All of those interested sign in and no political affiliations are required (as a matter of fact please keep your political leanings to yourself right now, although most of us know already). I will leave the sign in open for a week starting today 5/15/13. If you are are not signed in by 5/22/13, you must participate from the outside. No lobbying allowed at this point.

Cackalacky
chicago51
BobD
pkt77242
Redbar
Rhode Irish
Black Irish
GowND11
ndaccountant
dshans
Irish YJ
magogian
kmoose
Ultimate Penn St. Hater
DSully1995
no.1IrishFan
GoIrish41
Mr.Larson
irishpat
RDU Irish
ND Boiler

damn! missed it!

 

[Circa]

First point of order needs to be getting the Executive Branch to stop using its investigatory powers to intimidate non-conformists. First came the Tea Party. Then Fox News reporters. I don't want to think what's next.

Not sure how Fox news can be considered a non-conformist? Seems they're part of the whole problem to begin with.. esp. after there latest scandal

 

[Circa]

Politicians shouldn't be able to campaign for a new position unless they resign their current office. Our reps and senators shouldn't be campaigning for Prez/VP while they are on the clock, so to speak.

Agreed and reps sir! Hillary Clinton took that option but makes me wonder about her decision only bc of Benghazi

 

[DSully1995]

Well then running for office becomes alot riskier, and you may lose out on the right candidate because he doesnt want to risk current job. Since its only temporary Id feel it wont be too harmful.

 

[BobD]

Federally funded ice cream trucks that drive around playing music and giving out free ice cream?

Sorry.....just realized we are out of ice cream.

 

[chicago51]

Federally funded ice cream trucks that drive around playing music and giving out free ice cream?

Sorry.....just realized we are out of ice cream.

Ironically I do just finished off the rest of the ice cream so we to are out of ice cream.

Damn I want more ice cream now.

 

[BobD]

I was just running out to catch the truck.......

 

[Black Irish]

Federally funded ice cream trucks that drive around playing music and giving out free ice cream?

Sorry.....just realized we are out of ice cream.

It's because you liberals gave all the ice cream away to crack-addict welfare moms and illegal immigrants.

 

[Black Irish]

Well then running for office becomes alot riskier, and you may lose out on the right candidate because he doesnt want to risk current job. Since its only temporary Id feel it wont be too harmful.

Big risk, big reward. I don't like politicians hedging like this on the taxpayer's dime.