Storm Area 51

[Jim Nelson]

Like I said...term limits is not the solution...it's been proven at the state level in a majority of the states with term limits for law makers...the best solution is educating the electorate...What we really need is some comprehensive election law reforms that make public service more respected without partisanship...make it more desirable for actually qualified persons to seek office...and not just a bunch of white collar thugs that are used to playing in the mud and only seek the power to increase their wealth...

It's not about getting rid of deadwood power/money grubbing politicians...it's about making changes that will encourage smarter, more qualified individuals to seek positions where they can actually solve problems not just keep making more...

One issue you cite is a lobbying problem not a term limit issue...IMO no lobbyist should have access to legislators period...only constituents and their representatives...no commercial lobbyists...that's a law that is needed not term limits...

Another item you cite...young, inexperienced "new blood"...the problem there is...they have no alternative than to hire staffers that are no different than the same ole, same ole politicians that have garnered enormous power over the years and actually hold more power than the actual elected officials...otherwise they (new blood) are 100% ineffective and can get nothing done because they have no clue how things really work...

I think that the "they have no clue how things work" is a good thing. The fact that the 2 major political parties have been running things so long and have determined "how things work" is what's wrong with our govt. now.

In my opinion our 2 political parties are 2 of the most corrupt big businesses in this country, if not the whole world, and they need to be drastically changed or eliminated. The only way to do that, short of outright revolution, is to eliminate their lackies,who have been in power all their adult lives and have loyalty only to "The Party" rather than the country. The only way for this to happen is for the population to wake up and stop re-electing them term after term and get enough new blood in office to demand and achieve change.

Our country was founded on the idea that citizens would serve their term then return to private life and the next guy would replace them. This worked only until the low morality people got into the act and found how cushy they could have life if they became career politicians, This began the gradual downfall of our country.

If you forget history you will repeat it and suffer the consequences.


Just my 2 cantavos,yes I live in Kalifornia and expect the currency to be changed any day now.

 

[/pine]

Time out, I didn't say they weren't successful most of the time what I said was it's not 100% and it never will be just because they are human, and those intending to do harm are also human and will adapt.

....also not everyone who (for whatever reason) ends up with prohibited item beyond the checkpoint has intent to use it in a criminal fashion.

On that note the last few times (of which I'm aware) someone got a weapon/explosive on a plane and tried to use it for nefarious purposes the crew and passengers handled the problem. Prior to 9/11 the standard mindset was pretty much to let whatever happen go ahead and happen and the authorities could deal with it when the plane landed as no one seriously considered/planned for the possibility the plane itself would be used as a weapon.

So realistically no matter what laws are enacted, they will be gamed and the problem will persist (if in a different form). Ultimately it's a human problem that will need humans acting to counter nefarious/criminal intent as part of the solution -- so it (to me) it doesn't make much sense to start potentially handicapping the individuals who are most likely going to be negatively affected.

You're preaching to the choir...unfortunately the ignorant, ovine electorate has allowed the inmates the power to run the asylum...I did mention election reform with less partisanship but there is little that can be done without a major reform of the gov. through petitions etc...

Congress is inept enough....naivety is not a good thing...

 

[mark02tj]

I retired from a career in state government, and I felt that way for a long time. What I didn't realize, is that there is more going on than just what you see and hear. Politicians tend to consolidate power over the years, through their connections with certain industries and those out there that owe them favors. It affects agency heads, their policies, their decisions, their employees and even judges. Not all politicians are so inclined, but one that is, and stays on for years and years, can have a very adverse impact.

Term limits on the other hand, requires new blood. Granted, they may be young, inexperienced, but at least they start anew with very few political debts and very little political behind-the-scenes power and influence. You may even get a young person who refuses to take contributions from anyone but individuals; thus not beholden to some huge company. I strongly favor term limits for all elected officials...state and federal.

Ohio has term limits and it's kind of a joke. State Reps are limited to 4 consecutive two-year terms. State Senators are limited to 2 consecutive four-year terms. Most statewide offices are also limited to 2 consecutive four year terms. Sounds great, right? Not so much. These jokers just move around from office to office. Our current governor was the State Attorney General. Our current AG was the State Auditor. Our current State Auditor was a State Rep.

My local State Rep is a 28 year old kid that's never had a real job except working at Chucky Cheese's. No joke. After his predecessor died in office, he kissed enough butt with the local party to have them appoint him to fill the unexpired term (of the expired predecessor). Then, as the incumbent, it's pretty easy to be re-elected. He could still run for one more term, but has decided to run for the local State Senate seat when it's current occupant retires at the end of her second term. He has visions of moving on up the political ladder and gets himself on every news broadcast that he can.

 

[FTG-05]

TSA explained:

View attachment 621323

Bruce

The stupidist thing GWBush ever did in response to 911. The 2nd was putting that racist Jap in charge of it.

 

[kenmac]

Ohio has term limits and it's kind of a joke. State Reps are limited to 4 consecutive two-year terms. State Senators are limited to 2 consecutive four-year terms. Most statewide offices are also limited to 2 consecutive four year terms. Sounds great, right? Not so much. These jokers just move around from office to office. Our current governor was the State Attorney General. Our current AG was the State Auditor. Our current State Auditor was a State Rep.
.

And IGNORANT voters are responsible for it all/ They are the ones that keep electing them. For the most part just because they have a D, or an R beside their name.
Until ignorant voters educate themselves on the fact, that ''the Right wing and the Left wing belong to the same bird''... it will never end !

 

[Fuddy1952]

And IGNORANT voters are responsible for it all/ They are the ones that keep electing them. For the most part just because they have a D, or an R beside their name.
Until ignorant voters educate themselves on the fact, that ''the Right wing and the Left wing belong to the same bird''... it will never end !

I've always thought one has to pass a test to get a driver's license. Why not a competency test to be able to vote?
Boston Curtis, a brown mule, was offered as a candidate for a Republican precinct seat in*Milton, Washington*in 1938, winning 51 to zero.

 

[Grumpycat]

I've always thought one has to pass a test to get a driver's license. Why not a competency test to be able to vote?

That was tried and abused preventing blacks from voting who could pass the test. Doesn't mean it isn't a good idea. Everyone should have to pass the Citizenship Exam to be issued voter ID.

I think considering the House of Representatives is tasked with originating all spending and appropriations bills that votes for said Representatives should be apportioned according to how much tax was paid. Citizens should be apportioned one vote per dollar paid in Federal taxes. This way the more taxes levied against you the more votes you get to throw the bum out. That Representatives will be forced to tax willing supporters. By taxing the opposition (which is the current system) one gives more voting power to one's opposition. Anyway, I think this system of selling votes to supporters will be more fair than indirect vote buying via campaign contributions.

 

[drssg]

The stupidist thing GWBush ever did in response to 911. The 2nd was putting that racist Jap in charge of it.

I don’t know if you know or care, but “Jap” is considered the Japanese equivalent of the n-word.

I learned that back in the 80s while dating a young Japanese woman. I had always thought it was just short for Japanese.

 

[tcreeley]

Some humor -

 

[Diggin It]

So, have y'all seen pictures of the two Dutch knuckleheads that got zinged?