Okay then...

This is pretty close to why I don't worry like some do about the political situation in the United States. While it DOES take a while for things to happen, the balance does re-center itself. We now have a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, A Senate which might have a 1-seat Democratic majority or a tie, a majority of Governorships going to the Democrats, and Rumsfeld has stepped down.

On the bad side, a bunch of illigitimate amendments and referendums passed affecting the rights of people living in same-sex partnerships and/or civil unions. I expect the Wisconsin one to die quickly, as it does far more than I think was aimed for. Basically, it nukes people who were joined as partners by the state as well 'same sex' partners. It won't last a year.

Here in Minnesota we DID elect one fruitcake, Michelle Bachman (R) to the House of Representatives. She goes the extremist-Republican line of anti-gay, anti-abortion, and essentially is a shrill, bitter harridan. The governor race here is still undecided to my knowledge, tho the Republican Pawlenty has a 1% lead over Mike Hatch, the Democrat.

We'll see how things shake out. But one thing is pretty certain- with Bachman out of state politics, there'll be no more serious attempts to ban gay marriage or civil unions here. :)

Oh- the House and Senate of Minnesota BOTH went Democrat.

From all of what I've said above some might think I'm bashing the Republicans. I'm not. If a Republican is in office, does a good job and actually expresses the tenets of the Republican Party, AND supports the needs and desires of his or her constituency, I've no problem. I DID vote for Governor Arne Carlson here twice, after all.

But when they start supporting an ideological agenda out of step with the desires of the majority? THEN I object. The so-called 'New Republicans' and the 'New Right' have done great harm to the Nation, and the people just told them in no uncertain terms what they thought of the performance.

I don't think the changes are over. I think its just starting.

I've been thinking...

About what things might make the system in the United States better. The ideas I've had range from tax-reform to election reform to alterations in the structure of Judicial appointments. I'm putting them here, in no particular order for people to comment on.

Tax Reform. I'd like to see some form of flat tax. And I know that it'd temporarily screw a lot of tax-preparers and IRS agents, but this is something that we've really needed for a long time. From what I've heard this is close to what would work: Everyone of working age gets a base exemption of $20,000. That means the first 20k you earn is YOURS. Above that amount, all income regardless of source is taxed at a rate of 19-21%. The most any person's tax-burden could be reduced would be 50%, via charitable or political donations, home-improvement and whatnot. ALL income would be treated the same, save maybe for retirement-fund interest. I KNOW this is a simplistic form, but its sound in its base premise.

Term Limits. All Federal elected positions, House, Senate and President would be restricted to 3 terms or 10 years, whichever is less, consecutive. What this means is that any person could be elected to a particular position for 6 years (House) or 8 years (Senate or President) consecutively; this allows for a half-term for a Senator or President who is seated in case of the death or injury of a predecessor partway through a term. After that time, they couldn't run for that post again until at least one term had passed. One other restriction- in the case of the House and Senate, that would mean no playing 'musical chairs' , either- you do the allowed terms then are OUT of that side of Congress for at least a term. This is a constitutionally sound version of Term-Limits.

Election Reform All Federal elected positions would be subject to runoff elections where the percentage of difference between candidates is less than 2%. In additition, All such offices would be subject both to the 'no-confidence' vote, and to a 'ranked vote' system, thus allowing people to rank the candidates as to preference. This would lead to people having a better chance to express themselves and would yield candidates more in line with the desires of the population.

Next, abolish the Electoral College. We're one of the most literate nations on the face of the Earth- initially, the College was instituted because of the belief that the population of the United States, being mostly illiterate itinerant farmers and settlers, wouldn't be savvy enough to make an informed decision as to who the President should be. THat waas in a time with no rapid communication and limited (by our standards) educational prospects for the common citizen. Today we are quite capable of determining our fate without this conclave of elders holding our collective hands.

Further, All campaigns for whatever position, House, Senate or President should be limited to a maximum of 4 months campaign time, 6 months in the case of a presidential campaign. All viable candidates (or the 6 most viable) will receive federal funding for their races, including a total of 6 television ads and 12 radio ads. Airtime will also be provided for said ads, and all moneys shall come from a general fund. No individual or personal funds shall be allowed. Hopefully, this would level the playing field and remove the money-equation at least to some extent. Of all my ideas this is the one that admittedly needs a LOT of work and refinement.

Judicial Reform Really, for the most part the system works here. What I'd suggest is having the major Bar Associations be required to recommend their choices for Circuit and Supreme Court positions to the President, rather than the President making the choice and decision as a reward for political allies as seems to be the developing tendency. The President would have to choose from these recommendations, or reject them; if the list is rejected then a second set of recommendations would be presented. Thereafter the normal confirmation process currently in place would be used.

Social Security Reform. First off, remove Social Security from the General Fund by Amendment to the Constitution and forever separate it so that it can't be used as a 'slush' or 'hedge' fund by Congress or the President to support or cover spending by the Government. Next, institute a restoration plan, perhaps an additional 2-cents-a-gallon tax on all liquid fuels or similar, that feeds directly to the Social Security Fund. It wuldn't be fast, but it would eventually stabilize it.

Health Care Reform. Force all HMO's and other profit-oriented structures to divest all ownership in hospitals and clinics, providing temporary support for those facilities as needed. Have some of the facilities remain in private hands, but have a certain number in each city mandated to be in Government hands. These facilities would provide medical care to those who can't afford insurance and would be trauma centers and emergency-response centers. Put limits on the premiums required for malpractice insurance, and put controls on drud pricing. I know a lot of people don't like that idea because its 'government interference', but given that the majority of drug-development money actually comes from the government and NOT from the sale-price of medications, I think its warranted and needed. Too many go without in the US, when they shouldn't have to.

Anyway, these are just some of my ideas. Some are better than others, but its what I came up with for now. Some can be applied on a State level as well. :)