Our Flag

[PocketThunder]

...in other words "get involved" 

First step IMHO would be to get rid of the bribery system called lobbying.  That's what draws all the blood suckers into politics in the first place.   

How do you become a Lobbyist anyways?  Is there a college course for that? 

[ITSA426]

Tragically Paul many professional lobbyists are retired or unelected politicians.  You get the job through connections more than education.  You can lobby your representative, but if you don't have a check in hand or a fundraiser invitation it feels pointless though it's not necessarily so. 

It isn't just lobbyists but the money has to be leveled off.  There is enough money spent on "elections" that they are now mostly "auctions".  Corporations through the Citizens United decision now have more free speech than you or I can afford.

[bull]

What can you really do about it other than shake your head in disgust?

Elect politicians who do not cater to the whims of the two predominate parties, push to eliminate the Federal reserve, demand congress produce a budget rather than listen to them whine about it, write reasonable, well thought out, and pointed letters to your politicos demanding results.

There's a big difference between 'voting for' and 'electing' though. And so many people who vote don't care about all those things you mentioned above, they only care about themselves and their short-sighted agendas. And those in power are all too willing to accomodate them in order to keep their positions of power. Neither they or the people electing them have the desire to make the tough choices and sacrifices to benefit the greater good. Like I said in my last post, they want people in power that will put more borrowed money into their pockets in return for doing as little as possible to earn it. Too few people care about the financial future of this county; all they care about is the here and now.

[RallyeMike]

How do you become a Lobbyist anyways?  Is there a college course for that?

There are lobbyists at many levels. My sister is actually a lobbyist for her company at the State level. She was hired as a paralegal and worked her way into the position - now she spends a lot of time on the phone, going to dinners, going to conventions, and traveling down to the capital. Come to think if it, I have never asked her if she goes around greasing people's palms or sending hookers to Statesmen's rooms. I'll have to ask her, but I should probably do it very carefully  

[67440chrg]

 I have a simpler view of how to start to head our country in a better direction.It may be a small step but lets make everyone accountable such as wellfare reform and no hand outs for free loaders if you want a check do something for it. They will get tired of picking up trash off the road and such and may learn a better profession. I was raised with a understanding if you want something work for it. I work in a large hosp in a inner city and it frustrates me to watch parents teaching their children how to get something for free. There is more I would like to say but I had better not. I think our morals and family values are a large part of our problem. Just think how it would be if our politicians had morals and a conscience. God bless America.

[73rallye440magnum]

Born in '88... this is my first exposure to "hard times". I'd like to think that most of us still have more than most of the world in comparison. (health, food, shelter) But that's what makes America great. I plan on lowering my shoulder and barrelling through, because that's what Americans do. Failure isn't an option. We need realistic and innovative leaders.

[mauve66]

my wife used to think i was too hardnosed on the "free-loaders" until she started working for the state welfare office back in march, every day she is amazed at the people that come through the door with the mind set that she "better give me MY money" and "what do you mean i have to show up on time for my appointment to get MY money?"  and "wait till i'm done talking on my i-phone to give me MY money" and "don't mess up my nails girl, i just had them done, NOW GIVE ME MY MONEY"

[67440chrg]

It sucks being middle class you have to pay for so many who are too lazy to. Illegals cost us so much for health care and lost jobs. We need to tell the bleeding heart small group of Americans to shut the f*** up and get back to having a back bone and be hard a$$es and fix it.

[John_Kunkel]

Ya, but when we give up on voting, the end only draws nearer.

The end of what? Some, like me, can't wait for the end of the status quo.
Every time you cast a vote you confirm that you are satisfied with the system as it is.

Another foresight from TJ you may want to consider:

"If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions."

(the guy was a cynical genius)

There's a difference between being "unattentive" and refusing to participate in a corrupt system.

[bull]

Ya, but when we give up on voting, the end only draws nearer.

The end of what? Some, like me, can't wait for the end of the status quo.
Every time you cast a vote you confirm that you are satisfied with the system as it is.

There's a lot of truth in that. However, I find myself voting for what I consider the lesser of two evils, even though it's unusual for me to see less evil in the Republicrats than the Democans.

[64dartgt]

Keep in mind that we actually don't elect the President for crying out loud.  We are just part of the beauty contest.  The President is voted in by the Electoral College.  Which in this day and age is unbelievable.  In most states there isn't any requirement for the electoral votes to go the way of their states popular votes either.

[RallyeMike]

There's a difference between being "unattentive" and refusing to participate in a corrupt system.

If you are trying to send a message that the system is corrupt by not voting, nobody is listening. In fact, the corrupt forces that guide this countries policies don't want intelligent, deductive people voting. They only want people voting who act on emotion and media sound bites.

Keep in mind that we actually don't elect the President for crying out loud.  We are just part of the beauty contest.  The President is voted in by the Electoral College.  Which in this day and age is unbelievable.  In most states there isn't any requirement for the electoral votes to go the way of their states popular votes either.

The electoral college is irrelevant. Now when enough people stop voting and some complete whacko finds his way into office, maybe the electoral college can save us by not confirming that vote? ..... Naw, I don't think they would do it even then. Irrelevant.

 

 

[twodko]

my wife used to think i was too hardnosed on the "free-loaders" until she started working for the state welfare office back in march, every day she is amazed at the people that come through the door with the mind set that she "better give me MY money" and "what do you mean i have to show up on time for my appointment to get MY money?"  and "wait till i'm done talking on my i-phone to give me MY money" and "don't mess up my nails girl, i just had them done, NOW GIVE ME MY MONEY"

A CHP friend of mine reffers to these losers as "throwaway people".

[twodko]

It sucks being middle class you have to pay for so many who are too lazy to. Illegals cost us so much for health care and lost jobs. We need to tell the bleeding heart small group of Americans to shut the f*** up and get back to having a back bone and be hard a$$es and fix it.

Yep!

[John_Kunkel]

If you are trying to send a message that the system is corrupt by not voting, nobody is listening.  

Ever do something simply as a matter of principle?

[flyinlow]

Born in '88... this is my first exposure to "hard times". I'd like to think that most of us still have more than most of the world in comparison. (health, food, shelter) But that's what makes America great. I plan on lowering my shoulder and barrelling through, because that's what Americans do. Failure isn't an option. We need realistic and innovative leaders.

Wow, 23 years old , a 73 Charger and a positive attitude about our countries future......I'm jealous!  .....  About the first part. I have a 73 Charger and try to keep a positive attitude about the future. You did inspire me a little and I will try to shoulder along somemore also. 

[64dartgt]

Keep in mind that we actually don't elect the President for crying out loud.  We are just part of the beauty contest.  The President is voted in by the Electoral College.  Which in this day and age is unbelievable.  In most states there isn't any requirement for the electoral votes to go the way of their states popular votes either.

The electoral college is irrelevant. Now when enough people stop voting and some complete whacko finds his way into office, maybe the electoral college can save us by not confirming that vote? ..... Naw, I don't think they would do it even then. Irrelevant.

Actually...I was thinking the opposite...that the people vote one way (popular vote) but the electoral votes go another (2000 election).

 

 

[67440chrg]

I know I did not start this but I would like to thank everyone for not going to far any direction.Keep it going. Please Buy American

[73rallye440magnum]

Going to school and have a baby on the way. Gotta make the most of everything!

Born in '88... this is my first exposure to "hard times". I'd like to think that most of us still have more than most of the world in comparison. (health, food, shelter) But that's what makes America great. I plan on lowering my shoulder and barrelling through, because that's what Americans do. Failure isn't an option. We need realistic and innovative leaders.

Wow, 23 years old , a 73 Charger and a positive attitude about our countries future......I'm jealous!  .....  About the first part. I have a 73 Charger and try to keep a positive attitude about the future. You did inspire me a little and I will try to shoulder along somemore also. 

[bull]

Please Buy American

You mean like a Toyota Camry or a Honda Accord?

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0710

[Tilar]

There are only a couple "American" manufacturers left... Ford comes to mind at this point, I think the other makes washing machines.

[67440chrg]

It is not allways where it is assembled it is where the money goes to from the sale.

[Cooter]

I have this friend who's always telling me that driving my Subaru (that's clearly older than any of his cars and will outlast any of them), I should "Buy American"...This coming from him I have to laugh, when I ask him where he shops for groceries....(Wal-Mart)...

[bull]

It is not allways where it is assembled it is where the money goes to from the sale.

That's true to a point, but the blue collar wages of those Toyota and Honda factory workers stays here and gets used in the local economy while the wages for most of the Chevy, Ford and Dodge factory workers is spend abroad. I'd like to see an actual breakdown of how much blue collar Toyota worker wages are spent domestically compared to Dodge or Chevy. I could be wrong but I'd venture to guess that more white collar money is invested overseas than blue collar money.

[RallyeMike]

Ever do something simply as a matter of principle?

Yes. Here are some:

1. Never give up.
2. Never do things that to satisfy only myself at the expense of everyone else.

So I vote. No matter how painful it is.