The political forum has long consisted of passionate posts blaming the Democrats or the Republicans, liberals or conservatives, etc. for every political development which can possibly be argued. Posters sometimes present actual facts, or sometimes just vent, but the energy level is as high as ever.

But I detect a new consensus gradually evolving. Blame and frustration is now being focused more uniformly toward ALL politicians and at our system.

Since the most recent remedy suggested, that of "getting rid of all of them", is not remotely possible, I'd like to ask posters to use your knowledge and passion to suggest specific steps to correct what many believe is a dysfunctional system.

I'm thinking along the lines of a new agenda for change. It would repair the flaws in our democracy, especially with the legislative branch. It would almost certainly have to include one or more Constitutional amendments.

Again, how would you fix the system? Can we put together a possible, coherent, short list of changes which would work? The amendment process has moved by the will of the people in the past. Since there are so many evident failings of our current system, why would there not be widespread support to propel some fundamental improvements?

I can't wait to read your ideas.
Let me start with one of mine: All election campaigns will be funded by local, state and federal governments only, at a fixed, uniform level adopted in those constituencies. All private campaign contributions will go directly to the overall funds, not specific candidates.

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

The political forum has long consisted of passionate posts blaming the Democrats or the Republicans, liberals or conservatives, etc. for every political development which can possibly be argued. Posters sometimes present actual facts, or sometimes just vent, but the energy level is as high as ever.

But I detect a new consensus gradually evolving. Blame and frustration is now being focused more uniformly toward ALL politicians and at our system.

Since the most recent remedy suggested, that of "getting rid of all of them", is not remotely possible, I'd like to ask posters to use your knowledge and passion to suggest specific steps to correct what many believe is a dysfunctional system.

I'm thinking along the lines of a new agenda for change. It would repair the flaws in our democracy, especially with the legislative branch. It would almost certainly have to include one or more Constitutional amendments.

Again, how would you fix the system? Can we put together a possible, coherent, short list of changes which would work? The amendment process has moved by the will of the people in the past. Since there are so many evident failings of our current system, why would there not be widespread support to propel some fundamental improvements?

I can't wait to read your ideas.
Let me start with one of mine: All election campaigns will be funded by local, state and federal governments only, at a fixed, uniform level adopted in those constituencies. All private campaign contributions will go directly to the overall funds, not specific candidates.

I like that, it would solve a lot of problems, including pac and lobbyist influence. I would add term limits, and I think that would be close to unanamous. I would limit senators and representatives to two terms and make representative terms 4 years instead of 2, so they are not constantly in campaign mode. I would limit campaign length, perhaps 60 days prior to primaries, with one national presidential primary day, then 60 days prior to general election.

Good suggestions.
I would add...make election day on Saturday and polls stay open to 9pm. Both would increase the percentage of participation.
Instead, we have politicians suppressing by making it harder to vote.

I would add they start with a mandate from we the people to present, what it takes, to make a balanced budget.....WHAT EVER IT TAKES!!!

btk

If we are talking about everything not just elections I would add that all bills are single item bills that stand on there own with no add -on riders or pork projects. Debate for set time, vote up or down.
It is either a good idea or bad one, passes or doesn't, no amendments that turn an elephant into a giraffe by the time they get done with them!

I wouldn't change a thing !!!!!!!! Not one thing !!!!!!!

Checks & Balances work.

End automatic U.S. citizenship for babies born here, whose parent(s) is/are here illegally. The system of having "anchor babies" here so that the mother and father "must" stay in the country with the citizen baby is an abuse and a drain on our nation's education, healthcare and social services systems.

Regarding Congress' healthcare insurance.....the "public option" faded out of the Obamacare bill/law, but there is a "public option" already in place in which senators and congressmen should be enrolled:

Medicaid for those under the age of Medicare, and Medicare for those of the age for it. Let THEM search for a doctor who will accept the Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement levels they legislate. And if they don't like the coverage they get, they can buy supplemental insurance.

Term limits of 2 terms as someone above stated, with representatives' term lengthened to 4 years so they're not in perpetual campaign mode.

Responding to what's been posted...

eweissenbach: Term limits? Absolutely. Maybe 3 4-year terms for the House and 2 6-year terms for the Senate.

Saratogaman: Love the idea of the Saturday vote. But your opinion of "suppressing the vote" flies in the face of the supposed "we want illegal aliens to vote for us" mantra on the right.

billthekid: Complete agreement with a balanced budget ammendment with SOME allowances for things like wars and severe economic troubles (and directives to immediately pay off new debt when revenues or expenditure situations are back to normal)

notlongnow: A ban on attachments? I think I like that idea. But it might make GOOD omnibus bills very difficult to pass. I think I'd be more in favor of the Line-Item Veto. Apparently the Supreme Court thinks it's unconstitutional so we'd have to pass an Ammendment for that.

ilovetv: I disagree. Allow the babies to be citizens. But the parents have a choice. They can leave the kid here and have someone adopt it or they can take the child back with them to their home country. This is what some forward-thinking nouveau-riche Chinese are doing. I was reading articles about an underground industry of 'birthing homes' in California that cater to wealthy Chinese women. They have the baby, return to China and plan to come back to the US when the kid is 18.

First off the United States is NOT a demoracy, the United States is a "REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC," repeat until you get it right, REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC. Way different that a demoracy, look them up, find out the difference. Then let's start having this conversation.