The state of the union

[bush]

There's this thing on my mind recently. No matter how hard I try to forget about it, I can't seem to stop thinking about the sad state of affairs American politics has become. The Republicans are out of power, and here come the Democrats with their agenda. Bipartisan politics is completely out of the question. Democrats want their 100 hours in the spotlight, and Bush wants his executive power. "Bipartisan" is antiquated in DC, and it's pretty fair to assume that it's not going to reinvent itself this time.

Both Democrats and Republicans have completely lost sight of what the government's role is in everyday life. Five years ago I didn't know jack shit about American politics, and I honestly think I was better off. I can't stand to watch network news anymore without getting pissed off and wanting to throw something at the TV.

Democrat, Republican, who cares what title the politican carries. The only thing that changes between political affiliation is the means by which they try to fuck over the American public. The name of the game is no longer integrity and honesty. It's how bad you can make your opponent look - because it doesn't matter how many voters hate you, as long as they hate your opposition more. Most of the time it's just a play on the term "democrat" or "republican", because at any given opportunity, the general public doesn't know or care what the term actually means - because the other party is automatically assumed the enemy.

Network news has become a joke - hell, it always has been. I spent all day yesterday sitting on my couch watching TV for the first time in a long time, and I couldn't help but scan the news channels to see what fucked up agenda they're pushing this week.

Big surprise, CNN bashes Conservatives, Fox bashes Liberals, and there's never any common ground between them. America, you're being entertained, not informed. They both succeed in polarizing the viewing public and forcing them to vehemently side with one party, while remaining ignorant to the issue at hand. It's nothing more than a brainwashing of the general public. Political parties are just a label to fool the American public. A marketing term, much like terrorism, communism, facism, and any other "-ism".

What exactly has our government accomplished in the last decade that's been in the interest of the American people? Seriously, I ask of you, what has been done to benefit the majority, and at the same time, what has been done to protect the rights of the minority? Personally, all I can think of over the last several years is how the government has limited us, as opposed to empowering us.

We, the general public - the blue collar American - need to step back and take a long, hard look at our current leadership. We all need to collectively realize that America isn't just the three branches of the government. It's the PEOPLE. This country wasn't founded so that the government can start wars on your behalf, or to give your wages to the upper 1% of the income bracket. It wasn't started to keep you living in fear, in debt, and jaded. This country was started to give you the best possible life.

Guess what people. The government doesn't care about you. They don't care whether you prosper, falter, live, or die. All they care about is incubmency. Your vote is what matters. Sure, there may be a few government officials that genuinely care about their job and what they're doing for their constituents. But the majority will smile and shake your hand until your vote is in the ballot box, and promptly stab you in the back before you can even walk away. It's a sad state of affairs, but it's the truth. You really think Clinton, Bush, or any of their predecessors or successors care whether or not you live free and happy? Or do they care about their special interests and whether or not they're in office after the next election?

News flash America! The government is growing. The government's budget keeps getting bigger and bigger. And at the same time, the power of the people is being limited so that the three branches can feel secure in their positions of power.

I want some worthwhile responses in this thread, so I pose a question. What do you want from the government? What do you want to see in an ideal system? Economically, politically, and so on? How do we turn things around?

I'm a firm believer in the idea that the people accomplish things, and the government should have little to do with the actual process of getting it done. The government needs to plan, and the people need to react. I don't think the government should hold our hand or protect us. The government should exist only to empower us, and protect us from itself - not the other way around.

In my personal opinion, a smaller and less intrusive government means a better standard of living across the board.

[mikem317]

I whole-heartedly agree.

We should be introducing discussion that's complpetely "unpartisan" and move foward under that context. I have little faith that we will be successful to that end.

[bush]

Originally Posted by mikem317

I whole-heartedly agree.

We should be introducing discussion that's complpetely "unpartisan" and move foward under that context. I have little faith that we will be successful to that end.

I'm trying to avoid the idea that any movement will be unsuccessful. If you present enough good ideas to enough people, things can change quickly. You never know how far something will go until you start supporting it, right?

I bring this up now because I finally realized how fed up I am with the current state of affairs. I believe I've spent enough time thinking about how bad things are, and now it's time for me to start thinking of how to fix it. So I just want to hear what people think is wrong, and what they would like to see change.

[mikem317]

I think what is wrong is the whole partisan-mentality. We're either conservative or liberal and we're put into this box and we have to fit this mold.

I don't subscribe to that notion, and I think it hinders our ability to respond to changing global environment, or internal state of affairs and just the general progression of the United States.

We need to start thinking like Americans and less like Republicans, Democrats, and alike.

[Wakey]

Fully agree on the state of politics Bush, well done.

What WE can do is NEVER vote for any incumbent NO MATTER how good you think he/she has done.

Never vote based on party affiliation either.

[bush]

Originally Posted by mikem317

We need to start thinking like Americans and less like Republicans, Democrats, and alike.

Exactly. There's too much fighting between parties to get anything done.

And unfortunately, it takes an event like 9/11 to unite the American public. Things are bad when it takes 3,000 deaths to unite a country. And that was 4 1/2 years ago. Things aren't much better.

[mikem317]

However, you don't want to facilitate group think. There needs to be a balance. I hope it comes in the new administration.

[bush]

Originally Posted by Wakey

Fully agree on the state of politics Bush, well done.

What WE can do is NEVER vote for any incumbent NO MATTER how good you think he/she has done.

Never vote based on party affiliation either.

I agree completely, but the voting public doesn't get that. I've met people that have voted with their party for the last 30 years, regardless of who is running or what they're campaigning for. That's just silly.

This is reflected in a lot of the posts made in this very forum. Normally we get some pretty good discussion, but there's always somebody who is more or less ignorant to political science in general. That is the problem we're faced with. Political leaders and the associated channels are always going to play off the ignorance of the American people.

At the very least, the public needs to be more in tune with the political system. They need to be more aware of how the government works. That's going to be the biggest hurdle in changing things, but how to go about that is beyond me.

[mikem317]

I propose term limits for all elected and appointed officials. Anyone?

[bush]

Originally Posted by mikem317

However, you don't want to facilitate group think. There needs to be a balance. I hope it comes in the new administration.

Indeed. One of the problems we were faced with during the 9/11 unity phase was acting before thinking. We were so caught up in the perceived threat of terrorism that we lost touch with reality. This is evident in the fact that many Americans were willing to give up essential freedoms for extra protection from the government.

Quoting Benjamin Franklin:
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security."

But I don't see that changing with the new administration, no matter who takes office. Whether it be Clinton, Obama, McCain, Nader etc, it's just going to be more of the same. Government protecting the people from themselves, and the people just rolling over and taking it.

Call me cynical, but I'm really not seeing any reason to believe otherwise.

[bush]

Originally Posted by mikem317

I propose term limits for all elected and appointed officials. Anyone?

Term limits. Strict lobbying laws. Campaign reform. The list goes on and on.

[Wakey]

Originally Posted by mikem317

I propose term limits for all elected and appointed officials. Anyone?

Sure but who that gets elected will vote for this?

We can do this ourselves by not voting for any incumbents.

My mail carrier that gives my mail to the neighbors can do better than most in Congress now.

[jim schmidt]

A lot of defecting Republicans are stopping off at "They all suck!" on their way out the door.