Government overhaul?

Burby — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:03:13 GMT

Is it time for a government overhaul??

This would be a good time to wipe the slate clean.

End Government as it is, bring it back to be there as it was first was to protect our country & investments abroad.

With technology today, let each state clean up their government & take advantage of today's technology. This could reduce the # of people in each branch of state government, in turn reducing operating cost. When needed, the People, of each state could quickly vote to decide if something is truly needed, reducing the need for special interest groups. Would it not be something if in our lifetime, we each could vote & have it "count" for what we voted for?

Taking advantage of today's technology, reducing the number of elected officials we pay just to be there, in the name of representing each district. We know they are there for us, the voter, --=eye roll. lol

The money that could be saved by removing 2/3's of these upstanding elected officials we place into office, could pay for the needed programs for each state. It would be harder to have the amount of fraud in each program we now have today, but ya know, the ones milking the system could always be retrained to say, I dunno, get a real job maybe?

You figure each position in government has 10 secretaries at least, each of them 10 has 10 under secretaries, & each of them has 10 secretaries, --=phew, who keeps track of all of them and the things they do or is that part of the reason for all the sexual encounters they are able to have on our dollar.

I know the attempt to clean up the government would like walking thru a brick wall, but if they had a choice between reduce each position or do actual jail time for any position they take advantage of or misuse, they may find it in themselves to begin a change.

When someone in government can put up bill boards of themselves holding hands with their wife & children bragging to restore family values, while paying off their mistress to back off, & admitting to not just one affair, but 2 affairs, then stating he will not drop out of the race to remain in office. What the hell does that say?

It don't matter which party as each is the same. These are people "we" place into office to represent us.

--=scratching my head here, something wrong with this picture.

Welfare numbers are up to 31% fraud this year. They have the technology to track the amount of fraud in a program, yet they don;t have the technology to reduce the numbers?? This is just one small program in this pool of programs.

Clean up these programs and let the stimulus check be a refund of the taxes we had to pay for the fraud in these programs. It seems to have more profits being in one of these programs than to be a worker / taxpayer.

They worry about ABM's idea of sharing the wealth of those that work to better their companies, is that not what the parties have been doing all along??? Our taxes are raised, the extra money goes to increase the fraud in these programs as well as weekend get aways for those in office to go have affairs. Seems to me who ever is elected will do the same.

Play the system and you get free medical, free money, free housing, loss of pride & integrity so you can sleep better at night, what more could one ask for?

This economy problem has only begun, we not even began to see the true effects yet. Now that welfare for the rich has been created, (the bailout), I betcha Joe, each year, (if not sooner) they return for more free money, --=wink.

Most experts I have heard speak feel the Government knows nothing of being in the banking business, this may be so true. But they do seem to know or act like Credit card companies, do they not? Just compare both and or change credit card interest to taxes and they don't seem to be all that much different now do they???

One thing that totally frustrates me is, we, (USA), lead the world in the amount we spend on education, yet, we lead the world in being the "less" educated. How do we get to these failures???

Education is the key to any success & power. The most frustrating thing about this is, the more under educated we as a nation become, how will we ever get out of this hole we are in??? And again, when I say the world, that is not the world of super powers, but the world as a whole, including 3rd world countries. This should frustrate every taxpayer if nothing else does.

Think of any corruption, mismanagement, affairs, anything else that is even close to being illegal by our elected officials in any parties, not just the one you do not belong to.

In part, I believe that is part of the problem, to many look at the failures of the "other" party, instead of all parties.

There indeed needs to be "Change", but not just in the parties performing the illegal & questionable activities, but "change" as a whole.

Now would be the perfect time to overhaul the government because of the hole they have dug for themselves. We need people, & a whole new Party who cares about the Country as a whole, not what they get while in office.

How do we change things as is??? I wish I knew, I wish I had the answer that would be effective in helping to make the change needed.

I just know each time a program fails, a part of us fail. Each time an official or party fails, a part of us fails, Each time we have to learn to accept something we disagree with, a part of us fails. The American Taxpayer built this country to be as it is, the best in the world. Each time of crisis, the ones who created the crisis turns to the American taxpayer to bail them out & each time needed, we all come together to do this.

Why can there not be a way to do the same to regain the strength & respect we once had as a country???

Regardless of everything, this economy crisis will pass and we will do well again, I believe this, it is just at what cost to each will the rise be? What new activities will we allow along with all we have had to allow thus far??

We place into office the ones around us who we believe have the intelligence to make our lives & country better as a whole. Looking at those in government, who would have thought intelligence could look so stupid!!!

I guess I asked more than one question here, maybe I am just venting after having a bad night's sleep. Maybe I am just delaying in heading off to work to prevent earning more money to spread around.

Maybe I will go ponder some on this...

RE: Government overhaul?

morethan1 — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 02:35:07 GMT

It's an excellent idea, and one who many but not enough think the time has come and should it ever I do hope Ron Paul will stand again for President because he would have been the best man in 2008. He is the only honest politician in Washington.

I think we ought to rip up the Constitution and restore instead the Articles of Confederation which limited the Federal Governments power and gave States the right to Veto Federal Government decisions, not just over their State, but over every other State as well in the process.

That featured a system of one vote for state and each state had one vote only no matter how large or small. The vote meant something! The governor of the state could recall the representative at any time and unseat him if he did not vote in the State's interest and replace him with one that would.

The Federal Government had no power to tax, it could only ask states for money and militia in times of war and the states had the ability to meet the number of dollars and soldiers if asked or fall short of it, putting the pressure on the Federal Government to use both wisely and frugally.

Our Fore Fathers never meant for this monstrosity now of special interests, entitlements and bloated Beuracracy. They wanted something fair, small, transparent and simple and our present perverted and corrupted form of government is none of those things. The people count for nothing, their collective will accounts for nothing, just big business, and big special interests each looking for different forms of entitlements at the average citizens expense.

It was merchant interests who wanted to set up a merchant state with an aim to become a super power that got those Articles of Confederation torn up.

All to the left and some to the right want to blame George W. Bush for this economy. Isn't it funny though it's a bunch of long dead men back in the 1780's who really are!

Guess it would be pretty hard for Barrack Obama to run against them too. Of course he wouldn't know much about them since all he has ever specialized in is civil rights law, not constitutional or civil law. Hey do you think maybe that's the reason he has written no law? What with just about every civil rights law one could imagine all ready in existence it sure must have been confounding for him.

Great question

RE: Government overhaul?

Tigersabertooth — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:13:56 GMT

The Government of our country has become the "Elephant in the Room." We can see, smell and feel it's uncomfortable presence, but we act as if it is not there. Someone is feeding and caring for it. Those keepers in our Government would be the "Special Interest" groups, the "Pork" that is added onto small and many times necessary bills etc.etc.etc. Then we have those in our Government who have taken advantage of their positions in order to keep the Elephant.

Our Supreme Court Judges are there to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, not to make laws. This is not in their power, yet they are doing it in front of our noses. Our Representatives are exploiting us by becoming one of the "Good ole Boys" or "Good ole Girls" as soon as they hit the door. Even Mrs. Palin has a history, easy to follow since her State so small inhabitant wise, for attempting to have her way with people she held a grudge against, X brother-in-law, hired people to her Administration who had given her fundraisers and boosted her to the position of Govenor and old High School friends, with very weak backgrounds, some even ridiculous, for the job they were given.

Corruption has eaten away at every institution and infrastructure within our country. Our Forefathers worried for this and if you read their individual papers along with the Patriot Papers you will find much on this very subject of how to keep our Honor, Integrity, Grit and Freedoms. Most assuredly Term Limits, States having their Power to Govern themselves under the watchinful eye of the People and the Constitution, representatives who are not multi billionare lawyers who then have the right to take a lifetime paycheck after a few years of work. If they do not need it, Rokefeller, Kennedy, Kerry most others, then say NO. That would be Honorable. Those few changes would make a huge difference monetaryily wise and governing wise.

Many States are thinking for themselves along with the people running the cities in those States. They are using the Laws already on the books to run out the illegal alliens among them. It is working. There are places along the Borders of our Country where people are being killed daily. We are having Major problems along our Borders. Look into it. It is frightning. Old Arny in California made mention of his Border Problems but they just keep getting swept under the table. 4000 people to date have been injured or killed along our Nations Borders.

Some States have opted to have "Santuary Cities", did you know in those cities immigrants can not be asked for their IDs or Driver license. Have you ever in your life heard of such a thing? It is like during the war, the world said don't you dare shoot at Mosques, Holy Sites, etc, well folks guess where we were being ambushed from and much damage done to our Warriors, it was over a year before our Generals downrange declared any site game if it was being used to attack us from. There is example after example of things this country is doing wrong. We don't have enough room to list them all.

Why was Murtha who called our troops rapist etc. allowed to do so? Or Pelosi to visit our enemies and even spoke up for what Israel wanted to these enemies, her statements were quickly put to rest by the leaders of Israel themselves saying she did not speak for them. Our representatives in Washington and everywhere saying Treasonable things. Read the Constitution it is very clear on what Treason is during war and peace. Every President has punished treason during war. From Lincoln to WWII. All it would take is one imprisonment and that would do it. Along with all the crooks who had their hands dirty with Fannie and Freddie. You or I would have been put away for life.

Welfare and give aways are taking us to the cleaners. Double dippers are taking us down the same path. This question begs committees established in each and every State to study each part of this Cancer that is growing from our offices, schools, industries everywhere humanbeings work and get a little power.

We do have candidates who see what is happening we do have solutions offered. I agree with Neil Boortz on his tax system. I read the books, listened to the authorities who agree with him it would work in many ways to bring us up and out of a few slumping areas. I like the Independant Party. They understand the need to follow the Constitution that our Forefathers worked dilegently to create. A document that would contain the Wisdom our country needed to guide it for Generations. It is our Backbone in America and Ron Paul does indeed have a good grasp of this along with many other unconventional Politicians.

Go out today and attempt to find things made in America. Even our food is imported. Being in the Medical Field for 25 years I could most certainly talk a great deal on the Food issue alone. Our products all made in India, Peru, China, Indonesia etc. Our big companies go not only for the cheap labor but because of the tax breaks. Ireland and Scotland trying it out now. Lower the taxes on the Big Companies that make the products that sustain us. Imagine if Barak Heussin Obama is elected and does what he promises Joe the Plumber, who I must say has done the average American Proud with his honesty, good grasp of the English Language and concept of how things should be. Saw him go head on with an Economy Specialist on Hucklebee's show and the guy was phenomenal.

I have studied Socialism, Communism, Hinduism, Taoism all the isms around. My Mother and Grandfather came to America after WWII, they spent a lifetime running from Russia and Communists. Socialism, Communism, Marxism all the isms have good and bad. I believe America with its founders did something that can only be deemed remarkable for such a young country. As for the Native Indians, unfortunately every country in the world has sins against the original inhabitants of their land. And none of them won out. Just imagine what other countries would have done to the Native Indians in America. The Russians, Germans, Muslims there would have been no bartaring over anything.

We have lost our way, we became too big, too rich and just went the way and are going the way of the Great Nations and Civilizations everywhere in history. We have not learned. We have not listened. We have not stuck to our Constitution. We have not stuck enough to our guns and religion. Take away the weapons from the people you have only those in power with guns and those who are criminal. Take away the religion/glue that holds people to do the right thing and gives them Hope and you take away that which sparks their fire. Take away the Fire in the human Spirit and you have dehumanized him/her. What are you left with?

Lots of good ideas from alot of people and yes indeed it is time to weed the yard, clean out the cages and re-arrange the furniture. I am willing, ready and able and will do what I can via E-mails, Faxs and affillitation with groups who have baned together to demand a real Turnaround. There is safety and strength in numbers. It is a sure thing that if we continue down this path we will become what writers have warned in SiFi, a people wearing gray and dancing to whatever tune those in charge, with the guns, armies, police have to say.

RE: Government overhaul?

fredst — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:11:36 GMT

We may not get the chance to overhaul the system

Do you want to live in a Socialist country?

BOTTOM LINE, all the extraneous garbage and verbiage aside this is it.

EVERY proposal and program from one candidate takes control & power away from the people and private industry and gives that power & control to the government

THAT is the very definition of socialism...the GOVERNMENT will "spread the wealth".

So, that's it. Forget their race, religion, heritage, gender, age, past associations, past experience.

Which candidate has consistently voted against legislation that would lead us towards the path to Socialism.

Do you want to live in a Socialist country?

If 'yes' vote Obama. If 'no' vote McCain.

That is really the only question.

Under socialism the "party system", as we know it would cease to exist. Under socialism there is the government...all knowing, all powerful, all benevolent....much like the Wizard of Oz, and we found out how well that worked out.

RE: Government overhaul?

Tigersabertooth — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:10:38 GMT

Right on fredst but unfortunately too many in America have not been educated to Socialism. They do not get it. They think if they are given something that is all that matters. I may be thirsty but if you are not for my good interests I don't know that I would accept a drink from you.

My children were seeped in history. I heard all my life the horrors of POW camps, the Gulag, governments with all the power and the people dependant upon them. When was the last time any of you out there had lobster and a 400+ snack at the best hotel in town? This is what Obama's wife had. The bill is on the net. These are the people who live in million dollar mansions and want you if you make over 250,000 a year to be taxed out the kazoo. These are the people telling us we need to sacrifice. All of them. The entire kitnkaboodle and that includes McCain/Palin. She made 125,000 a year with all the benefits that came with it as Govenor and Todd brought in another 160,000 or so. Think they are a regular family? You have a Piper Cub, mansion on the lake etc etc etc? Think not.

I like the idea anyone can go as far in this country as they want. I have seen many a Polish, Italian, Russian, German, etc immigrant with much education and much to offer this country, work in fastfood restaurants, construction, housecleaning, you name it, save for years, really save by living in Boardinghouses, turn around buy a business or brownstone to rent and make it to the top. My mother and grandfather did just that. I don't owe anybody anything. I have spent 25yrs servicing and caring for other peoples family members and served my country in 2 wars. I will give what I want to who I want and I will not allow the government to take away from me to give to someone, and believe me folks they are out there, who think I owe them a living.

I fear that if this situation in this country does not come to some form of a halfway conclusion that suits the folks like me there is going to be very big troubles throughout every State in this Nation. The elephant must be removed from the room and it is going to take McCain, who I don't and did not want for several reasons, to at least get the ball rolling.

Our enemies are keeping a close eye within and without, they are listening, analyzing, prioritizing, funding and continuing to infiltrate every infrastructure we hold dear. Go on the net to the International News. Go to the sites from Israel, get the real stories because it will not come from your Main Media. We need a Nation filled with Joe the Plumbers. This man has made more sense, held himself up with more dignity and grace than I have seen from any of our politicians in years. Yes Fredst we are at a very real crossroads and I am concerned there are not enough of us to see the forest for the trees.

RE: Government overhaul?

Tigersabertooth — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:27:00 GMT

I do disagree with you Fredst when you tell me to forget my religion, background, race or anything that composes and makes me who I am today with the knowledge and understanding of what is happening in my country. That is one of the biggest problems in this country today, not remembering where your ancestors came from, why they were so thrilled to get to Ellis Island and why when they became Nationalized they were so damned proud. Why they had to pass really tough tests on our history and our Nation and our beginnings. Why they had to know the past presidents, what they stood for, understand the Political environment and yes Mr. even the Constitution. It was not easy back then. Took my people 8 years to get their Citizenship. They had to prove they could add not take and that they did indeed hold Alligence to America, our flag and our leaders.

Don't you even go there with me. Yes at this point in time look at the facts, listen to what is being said by the candidates. Do your homework. It won't take you long to realize who you need to vote for. We have no choice.

RE: Government overhaul?

fredst — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:05:07 GMT

You TOTALLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT I WROTE.

Sigh......

It is NOT about YOUR race, religion, heritage, gender, age, past associations, past experience.

Those are not the 'votable' issues in this election.

It is purely and simply
Do you want to live in a Socialist country?

RE: Government overhaul?

Jerry3317 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:36:51 GMT

You have certainly given us something to think about. Yes, you've written quite a rant. I see that others have joined in and given vent to much of the same feelings.

I'm going to have to disagree, right off, with tearing up the constitution and going back to the Articles of Confederation. The articles were discarded because they weren't working for the Nation we were becoming.

You are very right in that some have forgotten the founders intent. Our government representatives have become pandering busybodies. Some have the idea that they can make the ideas of Stalin, Marx, etc work. If only ..... They simply do not want to face the reality that socialism stifles individual businesses. It takes from those who try to succeed, while those already at the top sit pretty paying to keep their position without expanding the business for job opportunities.

It would be nice to actually "clean house" and bring in true servants of the people. I observe that California's representatives have voted in opposition of the state population on more than one occasion. (How do they stay in office?)

The education that is needed can only take place in the home with conservative values. The true change will be made when the population realizes that socialism is being rolled out to them and it is costing them instead of rewarding them. Hopefully the population will act on the representatives with loud voices.

Until then, let's encourage the practice of conservative values. Vote conservative.

RE: Government overhaul?

morethan1 — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:09:25 GMT

Jerry I certainly won't disagree with you on education, and conservative values, and a solid rejection of utopian leaning parties. Communism and socialism clearly failed where ever they are put into practice, poor productivity, poor quality, poor work ethics.

I think in a lot of ways, liberals have so foiled us on education. In the seventies when I went to school, a high school student in many parts of America could still be stood up in front of the class and paddled by the teacher.

I can tell you as I struggle through trying to raise my own five children or at least support them being raised as a long distance dad, that kids seem to have the upper hand these days. No respect for authority, no respect for elders, no respect for their parents, more often than not seems to be the norm.

It's true I think in some regards the old saying that when you are young and if you aren't a "Democrat there is something wrong with you, and if you are old and you are not a Republican there is something wrong with you" I get the kids at these big rallies, to them it's like a Rave, being parter of something bigger than they are, even though honestly it's smaller than they are. I don't get the older people though, they should know they have to work, and work hard to make a mark in the world. I guess I am spoiled from too many years in sales where the old saying "Your raise becomes effective when you do" reigns supreme.

You are likely right with the Articles of Confederation. I am the nostalgic type, I would go back to the beginning and do it all again if I could. I would want to learn from my mistakes. Something is wrong with this country though if an entire political party thinks they have never made one or are incapable of making a mistake.

I guess that's the difference between conservatives and liberals, I don't pretend to have all the answers.

Makes you wonder why liberals never think conservatives have a one though!

RE: Government overhaul?

Tigersabertooth — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:17:49 GMT

Long as I can Rant I will you don't have to read it that is your right. I am going to continue to Rant and Rave until the Cows come Home. Til Barak Heussin Obama sends the police for me to shut me up. That is what Socialism is. Shutting people up, putting them away in prisons where they can not have a voice of discontent.

That is what America will get along with alot more they will be surprised at.

You reap what you sow.

RE: Government overhaul?

Burby — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:01:39 GMT

Mention government, election, & or change and --=phew, one can get the whole world talking and get some great history lessons as well.. That shows how frustrated everyone is and or becoming with our leaders. But no wheres did I say I am for McCain or Obama. Obama sounds in part like the republican party, McCain sounds more like democrat party & maybe that is because of his campaign manager, (who I believe is helping McCain loose without McCain knowing it, by June or July of 09 we will see where Rick is in government to offer proof of this) Both candidates supported the welfare for the rich, --=oops, the bail out bill. McCain could have & should have opposed it as a true republican would have done. Because that bill is a typical democrat move to get more government in more private sector. Obama wants us, the voters & taxpayers to accept more responsibility and less government, that is typically a republican's role. Yet both are controled by goldman / sachs. Who ever wins this election I beleive will be controled by Goldman / sachs in most of what they do. President after President, congress after congress, which ever party is in charge, has any of the programs that each claims to want to repair & run on as an important issue ever been fixed?? Once in office the issue becomes a thing of the past and left as an issue for next election.

Socialism = sad ole crazy idiots around local ignorance soon missed? It seems words of yesterday now have new meanings and nothing is as was. Groups of people, parties, religion, ect, have taken existing words and created a language of their own to suit their needs & keep others out. If that is not enough let's wear our pants backwards, clothes inside out & hanging down to our knees, let's leave the price tags on to show, I dunno, what does that show? That one purchased it, stole it, or that it is fairly new depending on the condition of the price tag?

Or move up a generation or two and you have the class that has never worked a day in their lives yet they handle our hard earnt wealth or run countries. But they each have these big pretty degrees hanging on their walls. Yet none can lay claim to having the best one ever, a J.O.B. lol. The new meaning of having dirty hands has nothing to do with hard work, it has to do with almost getting caught. Most young people select a college for it's party reputation more than on it's values. But one thing we have to remember and cannot just blame others is "we" each took a part in creating these young people & all they do. We as in each of us in society and we as in either or both parents. Each generation of children that seem to have less values is because they were raised with less values.

As it took several generations to get to where we are it will take even more to return to it. I guess it is kind of like drilling for oil, the longer we talk about it the more time is wasted. Are the rewards for more drilling truly the answer? You believe auto makers cannot make autos that could tripple their mpg? There is less profit in doing so, so why do it. I bet if we all stopped buying autos within a short time they would have something to retro-fit each auto to at the least double the mpg. Or if everyone would stop buying gas for even one day look at the results it could have. With each though, they know the suffering it would also cause with loss of jobs as well as we could never get enough people to even go 4 hrs without buying gas or not buying autos to ever be effective.

I recall being at a christmas auction years back and one thing that happened applies to so much in life. The auctioneer attempted to sell and item for 50 cents, nothing he could do could he even get one bid or sell even one item for 50 cents. So he used the power of words and sold about all he had of this same item. He offered a deal, he said a one time offer for 2 for a dollar. About every hand went up as soon as them simple words escaped his lips. hahahaha I laughed for some time over this. He had to try this because of it working in the past and sad but so true, it worked yet again. As with a candidate speaking, they can sell anything just by changing the words.

Each person being unique in who they are and their beliefs is to always be respected and appreciated. Difference is & can be good as long as it does not take away form others. Difference in part, is what can make life so great. Difference is in part what has created this country, where ever each came from. We cannot blame others for their beliefs without letting them blame us for ours. Most of all we can never stop believing in our Country & we each have the responsibility to try and make it better, leave it a better place for our children tomorrow. But all n all, can we not all agree that English needs to remain the #1 language in this Country. If you cannot speak English as used in every day life here in America, do not ask to become or try to become a citizen.

At the end of the day, be happy, hopefully you offered others reason to smile during your travels thru out the day and as you sit to relax for a moment and ponder your thoughts of the day past, you as well will have smiled and be thankful you live in America.

RE: Government overhaul?

Burby — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:47:55 GMT

No Jerry I do not want the constitution ripped up, not in any way. Sorry you took it as that.

Government the way it is today is all I suggest getting rid of & starting over. Regardless of the candidate and the things they run for, once in office they forget you & me the voter and the lobbiest take over in the things they do. The government in so many things in our every day lives, not to mention around the world they don;t even know where & or why they are in these places. So they just dump money here & there and move on to the next place to dump money. With each new place to dump money they create a whole new branch of government to continue sucking up money without results or responsibility. That is the part of government I want to overhaul or I feel should be overhauled.

With Goldman & sachs controling either party who holds the office of the President, that is not the government our founding fathers wanted and even back then tried to prevent this happenning in the future. New laws have been wrote to change this and or water down existing laws so even the lawyers that write them cannot truly understand or explain them. When Polstein can write a law and place the law into effect by the next day without the involement of congress, there is something wrong there. This bail out, welfare for wall street, McCain should have stopped this or opposed it from the start in my opinion. Most in the country are now against it with the more they learn what it actually is. I do not feel McCain is the person he was in the past. If he got rid of Rick, his campaign manager, he would be so far ahead of Obama. Rick being one of the biggest lobbiest for fannie mae & freddie mac then going to be McCain's campaign manager, strange to me. He has been making McCain look foolish in my opinion and by next summer we will see where Rick is and see if this was not all planned, regardless on who wins, watch his involvement in the administration of either party. Not asking anyone to believe this, just make a note and let's see.

But regardless it isn't just this election or term, it has been building for the past several elections. The lobbiest & wall street have been digging in more & more each term. We the voters put these people into office, we the voters should demand they work for us, the voter / tax payer. As watered down as all the laws are today to satisfy anyone with money to have access to the many loopholes in each, what is their true value? To me, the more we look at government to do things we should do, the more we loose our basic values in life & even worst is we fail to teach our children the values we lost along the way. This country is to beautiful to give up on, loose, or let it be turned into a playground for the wealthy criminals. While they are playing their games using polititions as pawns there are those enjoying the show and getting ready for their play. Anyone who has served in the military & been to war know how lucky Americans are to never know what it is like to live in a country during & or after a war. To me nothing is worst than once it happens than seeing people ask "how did this happen?" as with after 9/11. As serious as that was, look at the lives it touched in a matter of minutes then imagine days, weeks, or months of attacks of that degree or worst if we were invaded. There are to many people today that sincerely believe that or worst could never happen to us again. We can never live in fear as that would take away our freedom, there is a sincere difference between fear & readiness. The other immediate war going on today is wall street & our country as it was when our forefathers wrote the laws in hopes of protecting our freedoms & values we enjoy each day. We allow our economy to be distroyed by these kids on wall street playing with money, another country won't have to fire a single shot, we will destroy ourselves within. About a month ago if we look at the economy as cease fire for what ever reason, it should have offered time to see where they, (the kids on wall street) have taken us. This should have allowed time to wake up and turn things around. We looked at the government to fix things once again, because we have be trained that the government will fix everything. We all have seen what happens when government gets involved in anything, we all know that is the worst thing for any business, yet we turned to government, (controlled by wall street) to fix this problem. Even congress said they are not bankers, not finance experts, yet with all the advice of the leading economist in our country offered, they allowed the ones who put us in this situation advise them what to do, create a bail out, welfare for the rich. Now wall street, goldman / Sachs can do everything one more time with even more security and confidence the government can be manipulated even more in their favor. We the taxpayer, the ones who will suffer one more time, will surely be asked to bail them out next year as well. But that is my opinion.. I more than anyone hope I am wrong, because I do indeed love this country & the freedoms I enjoy each day.

RE: Government overhaul?

Tigersabertooth — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:46:22 GMT

Pearl Harbor look what happened afterwards. Are you aware 3000 killed in Pearl Harbor and what did we do? WWII. We were right to do it. Many unaware of the history of the Nuke. Many unaware it was by the skin of our teeth we had the nuke before Japan. They had already sent tests with balloons over our Nation. They fully intended to use it on us. Call it Luck, call it Grace of God, call it whatever you want but call it what it was. We got there first, we did to the other what they fully intended to do to us. Sound familiar? Odd 3000 killed on 9/11 with same intent. You not hear it everyday from Middle East. Yet Middle East owns much of our country, influences much of our Media, Prince Alaweed, look him up. So if Pearl Harbor rolled over into WWII, you don't think we need to continue doing something in the Middle East? Yes different enemy but my freinds same intent. Inflitrating every infrastructure in our country. Look into the staff working for Barak Heussin Obama. Look into the mindset related to Israel of many he will have in important positions concerning our relationship with Israel. This is highly important in this election. Take a close look at his friends and affilliations throughout the years. We are in the midst of war abroad and on our shores.

Our laws are being used against us. Many within the government have spoken without hesitation against the welfare of this country. Against a "VOLUNTEER" MILITARY. This is in no way, form or fashion Vietnam. Having served in Shield/Storm and this war I know. I firmly believe, and never thought I would hear it from my Representatives, that there are indeed those like Barak Heussin Obama and his wife who do not like America. I believe that there are those that most assuredly seek the demise of America as we know it or knew it. I am bolstered in this belief everyday that I hear Obama speak. Thank God for Joe the Plumber, it was an eye opener the answer Obama gave. Socialism, plain, simple. The thought of sharing the wealth came across loud and clear even to those Americans without a clear understanding of Socialism. They know it is not the thing to do. They instinctively know this is not the direction they want to go.

Yes all ideas, thoughts above interesting, good to hear, stimulating, exciting in concepts and encouraging to me as an individual that we as a Nation are still strong within our ranks and you certainly can not fool all the people all the time.

I believe we will do the right thing at the poll and McCain will through the influence and the encouragement and direction of the "People" will do the right thing. Palin who did not know what the VP does discovered she can Preside over the Senate. It thrilled her no end and she says she will do it. Some are saying that is great, she won't allow this kind of talk, she won't allow that, she, she, she, she is only one voice we must make sure she is backed by as many voices making decisions as possible. I am not happy with McCain/Palin especially Palin, I checked her out and not happy with what I found, but I most certainly must choose between the better of and I will.

RE: Government overhaul?

Ace of Hearts — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:48:45 GMT

After the "This could reduce the # of people in each branch of state government, in turn reducing operating cost," statement I couldn't bare to read anything else. I shouldn't question your knowledge on economics and the movement of monies but if we were to cut these supposed "operating costs" at the rate that you suggested ... we would be laying off thousands, possibly in the millions, of jobs in one fell swoop. While cuts need to be made in our over-reaching government, the last place we should start making cuts is in jobs. Social programs could use a face lift, a lot of these programs are obsolete. Plus, the idea of changing our way of government because of a slip in the economy is preposterous. We shouldn't change something that has worked for 200 + years with the exception of a few minor glitches here and there just because we're going through a hard period.

Like the generations before us, we should bit the bullet and push onward until we make it through this. The great generation went through a worse depression and a World War, I'm sure we'll survive this ... if people would toughen up.

RE: Government overhaul?

Burby — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:51:39 GMT

A lot of people have become lazy in government & because of being government they can create a new position to allow hiring of more people to do less work. While jobs are good, creating jobs just to create a job makes little sense in my opinion, and mostly because of the benifets attached to Government jobs that in the end cost each tax payer far more than the person's total salary did.

Most that have been elected into office were and in some cases remain business owners. They could, ( I would like to believe) be more productive operating their business instead of being in office. With technology a lot of postisions coudl be reduced, improving a government's budget cost, especially budget over run. Excessive operating cost always results in higher tax base, in the end a business leaving an area to find a more affordable are to operate in. That is why I beleive the lower a town, city, or state can operate, the more business it will attract, creating more, higher paid jobs.

The belief things should not change, including the ones who create fear if Government or military reduces cost and or size has held back community growth for to long. Areas that lost the battle to keep bases open in their cities or towns, most have thrived very well a few years after the closing of a base. New & better jobs created & the town or city became far more attractive to all. We have enough of these towns, cities, & states accross this Country to show this. A military base is like a welfare area, (referring to a lower fixed income). More enlisted men & women opposed to officers having higher income.

We as a Country will once again thrive, without doubt, Americans will always survive & come back stronger. The last few decades showed us what creating jobs just to create another jobs had done. In part it is one of the many reasons we are where we are in this economic mess. As well as has played a part in creating a far less productive worker. We all have beliefs as to what is needed or should be to return this Country to a sound, rich, Strong Country. In part, the many varied opinions from here to one's from our leaders will be the things that create the final ideas that turn into sound reasons & methods applied for this Country to get back up on it's feet again.

My personal opinion & belief is once out of this economic mess we will operate at all levels of business & government, with a far leaner work force. The ones left working will get their own coffee instead of hiring one to get it for them. All will toughen up, or be left behind.

RE: Government overhaul?

Ace of Hearts — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:21:51 GMT

Without a doubt people have become lazy in the government job secter but we can't just reform to reform, it needs to be done with care and revisions. I've personally been affected by these people, so, I can't deny that the system needs an overhaul as you asked but we can't be drastic.

I'm 21 and live in South Florida, we have been severely affected by the decline of the housing market. My grandparents left Cuba in 1961, for obvious reasons, my grandfather had been studying architecture at the University of Havana and had a year left before Batisita closed the schools because of Castro's movement and a lot of students rebelling against his regime. The got to Miami with nothing more then the clothes on their back and my grandmother pregnant with my mom. From that ... they built a construction company, that's been maintained for almost forty years. Family owned, family run and now ... we're seeing ourselves in a situation where we're getting letters from the county because we haven't cut the GRASS on five lots that we haven't been able to build on because of the recession. It's ridiculous. They have nothing to do, no new work coming in and on top of that they delay permits and send notices about trivial things ... compared to the issue we have. We had bought that land in 2002 and weren't able to start building until 2008, because of permit delays and bureaucracy. I know that the system needs work but we can't just remove posts and drop thousands of jobs.

I agree that we will thrive again, we can't do anything else -- we're the only beckon left of hope in this world. Being the majority of the "free world," has sold themselves to greed for money. I use my grandparents as the prime example of thriving, they had to leave their country, move to a place where they didn't speak the language, where they were given five dollars for their few days and they built a company that they've kept alive for their children and, eventually, their grandchildren. They see themselves in a bad position in this economy and their response to it when I ask ... what if we lose it all? "You'll be fine, we came here with nothing and made it. You can do better then we did." Because, they're certain that in this country with will and determination you can make anything happen and you just need to put your mind to fixing the problem not by taking pity on your self. That's what this country needs to do, stop taking pity on themselves and work together -- everyone do there part, not completely dismantling your government.

RE: Government overhaul?

stvjas — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:06:46 GMT

I have a group you would probably be interested in checking out. They seem to have one goal which is to gain a foothold in what our government is doing and comparing to what the constitution states they have power to do. It is a grass roots type organization actively in pursuit of retaining, protecting and stopping the annihilation of your constitutional rights provided by your forefathers over 200 years ago. These very intuitive people foresaw these calamities coming and tried to protect you from these types of bureaucrats who wish to dissolve what you and I have taken for granted up until now. Try this link to http://www.DownsizeDC.org