I've tried to keep most of my political thoughts to a minimum lately (primarily because I haven't felt like they were encouraging any beneficial communication), but on the eve of the 2012 election, I wanted to say a few things.
Regardless of who wins the election, I have no allusions that they alone will solve all our problems or drive us off the cliffs of destruction. The President does not rule the world, write all the laws, pick winners and losers, etc.
I hope and pray that whoever is elected tomorrow is inspired and committed to helping lead this nation forward and will work to heal the divide that separates much of our society. I believe our country to have significant un-tapped potential and that the contentious differences that divide us as a nation threaten that potential. Working together, we are far more capable than we are as individuals, interest groups, political parties, etc.
As human beings, we should be able to bridge differences and foster common interests. We are more alike than we are different. As Americans, we should look at our nation's history and realize the dangers of a divided society. Encouraging division distracts us from addressing the challenges that face us. We need to come together rather than continuing to drift apart.
Given the time of night... that is all.
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Monday, November 05, 2012
Sunday, July 08, 2012
Political Tests
First one: http://www.politicalcompass.org/test
Second one: http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz
Third one: http://www.people-press.org/typology/quiz/
Monday, February 13, 2012
State of the Union Facts
Does anyone know how to fact check any of these?
• Since the last SOTU, the economy has created 1.9 million private sector jobs.
• The top 1 percent take home 24 percent of the nation’s income, up from about 9 percent in 1976.
• Private sector job creation under Obama in 2011 was larger than seven out of the eight years Bush was president.
• The top 1 percent of Americans own 40 percent of our country’s wealth while the bottom 80 percent owns only 7 percent.
• Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 2.5 million young adults gained health insurance.
• For every one job opening, there are four people looking for work.
• Last year, China spent 9 percent of its GDP on infrastructure. The U.S. spent 2.5 percent.
• 2.65 million seniors saved an average of $569 on prescriptions last year thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
• Union membership is at a 70-year low. • Unemployment benefits have lifted 3.2 million people out of poverty.
• The United States used to have the world’s largest percentage of college graduates. We’re now #14.
• One quarter of all contributions to federal campaigns come from 0.01 percent of Americans.
• 47.8 percent of households that receive food stamps are working, because having a job is not enough to keep them out of poverty.
• In the last three years, 30 major corporations spent more on lobbying than they paid in taxes.
• 50 percent of U.S. workers make less than $26,364 per year.
• More than one in 70 homes faced foreclosure last year.
• Since 1985, the federal tax rate for the 400 wealthiest Americans dropped from 29 percent to 18 percent.
• Since the last SOTU, the economy has created 1.9 million private sector jobs.
• The top 1 percent take home 24 percent of the nation’s income, up from about 9 percent in 1976.
• Private sector job creation under Obama in 2011 was larger than seven out of the eight years Bush was president.
• The top 1 percent of Americans own 40 percent of our country’s wealth while the bottom 80 percent owns only 7 percent.
• Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 2.5 million young adults gained health insurance.
• For every one job opening, there are four people looking for work.
• Last year, China spent 9 percent of its GDP on infrastructure. The U.S. spent 2.5 percent.
• 2.65 million seniors saved an average of $569 on prescriptions last year thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
• Union membership is at a 70-year low. • Unemployment benefits have lifted 3.2 million people out of poverty.
• The United States used to have the world’s largest percentage of college graduates. We’re now #14.
• One quarter of all contributions to federal campaigns come from 0.01 percent of Americans.
• 47.8 percent of households that receive food stamps are working, because having a job is not enough to keep them out of poverty.
• In the last three years, 30 major corporations spent more on lobbying than they paid in taxes.
• 50 percent of U.S. workers make less than $26,364 per year.
• More than one in 70 homes faced foreclosure last year.
• Since 1985, the federal tax rate for the 400 wealthiest Americans dropped from 29 percent to 18 percent.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
An idea whose time has come
Thought I'd pass this along
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have elite that are above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop. This is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come.
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they didn't pay into Social Security, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that is being considered... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have elite that are above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop. This is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States ConstitutionCongress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Earmark Reform
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/mar/12/jim-demint/sen-jim-demint-says-obeys-partial-earmark-ban-woul/
This says when this issue was brought up during the last campaign, the vote was 71-29. I'd say the odds aren't too good of getting some real change on this issue.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Congressional Salary over time
I don't why, but I was googling around the other day for some info on our wonderful, in-effective congress, and I stumbled upon the following:
I found the image here.
This graph got me wondering about the data outside the date range shown... specifically about the data since 2000. So, more googling revealed the following report which includes the data I was looking for. The following graph (which I created based on the data in the report) sums it up:
In case you're counting, that's about $175,000 a year for our elected representatives. It's no wonder they aren't in favor of term limits.
P.S. Here's a link to the raw data I used to create the updated chart which I compiled from the other CRS report. It shows the percentage increases.
I found the image here.
This graph got me wondering about the data outside the date range shown... specifically about the data since 2000. So, more googling revealed the following report which includes the data I was looking for. The following graph (which I created based on the data in the report) sums it up:
In case you're counting, that's about $175,000 a year for our elected representatives. It's no wonder they aren't in favor of term limits.P.S. Here's a link to the raw data I used to create the updated chart which I compiled from the other CRS report. It shows the percentage increases.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Congressional Reform Act of 2010
THIS IS HOW WE CAN FIX OUR CONGRESS!
I am sending this to virtually all my close friends and that includes conservatives, liberals, and everybody in between. Even though we disagree on a number of issues, I count all of you as friends. The proposal is to promote a "Congressional Reform Act of 2010." It would contain several provisions, all of which would probably be strongly endorsed by those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
I know many of you will say, "this is impossible." Let me remind you, Congress has the lowest approval of any entity in Government, now is the time when Americans will join together to reform Congress - the entity that represents us.
We need to get a Senator to introduce this bill in the US Senate and a Representative to introduce a similar bill in the US House. These people will become American heroes. Please add any ideas on how to get this done.
Thanks,
A Fellow American
Congressional Reform Act of 2010
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
1. Term Limits
12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms
2. No Tenure / No Pension
A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay once they are leave office. Unused campaign funds will no longer be kept (tax free) by the retiring congressman, but must be donated to a legal charity.
3. Normal Retirement
Congressmen (past, present & future) will participate in the Social Security Retirement system. All money in the Congressional retirement fund will be moved to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, where Congress will participate with the rest of the American people. (Congressmen can purchase their own private retirement plan just as all Americans can.)
4. Pay Increases
Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Health Care
Congress will give up its current health care system and will participate in the same health care system as the rest of the American people.
6. No Exemptions
Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American citizens.
7. No "Sweetheart" deals
All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.
The American people did not make these contracts with congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
If successful, these new laws would greatly reduce the ridiculously expensive campaigns for Congressional seats, and make finance reform more palatable to the present members. (Congressmen who excel in office will have many opportunities for continued public service at the state or federal level as well as the private sector.)
Please Keep this Circulating.
I am sending this to virtually all my close friends and that includes conservatives, liberals, and everybody in between. Even though we disagree on a number of issues, I count all of you as friends. The proposal is to promote a "Congressional Reform Act of 2010." It would contain several provisions, all of which would probably be strongly endorsed by those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
I know many of you will say, "this is impossible." Let me remind you, Congress has the lowest approval of any entity in Government, now is the time when Americans will join together to reform Congress - the entity that represents us.
We need to get a Senator to introduce this bill in the US Senate and a Representative to introduce a similar bill in the US House. These people will become American heroes. Please add any ideas on how to get this done.
Thanks,
A Fellow American
Congressional Reform Act of 2010
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
1. Term Limits
12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms
2. No Tenure / No Pension
A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay once they are leave office. Unused campaign funds will no longer be kept (tax free) by the retiring congressman, but must be donated to a legal charity.
3. Normal Retirement
Congressmen (past, present & future) will participate in the Social Security Retirement system. All money in the Congressional retirement fund will be moved to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, where Congress will participate with the rest of the American people. (Congressmen can purchase their own private retirement plan just as all Americans can.)
4. Pay Increases
Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Health Care
Congress will give up its current health care system and will participate in the same health care system as the rest of the American people.
6. No Exemptions
Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American citizens.
7. No "Sweetheart" deals
All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.
The American people did not make these contracts with congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
If successful, these new laws would greatly reduce the ridiculously expensive campaigns for Congressional seats, and make finance reform more palatable to the present members. (Congressmen who excel in office will have many opportunities for continued public service at the state or federal level as well as the private sector.)
Please Keep this Circulating.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Emailing the President
Just thought I'd share the email I just sent to the President.
As a relatively informed citizen who voted for and financially supported President Obama in the past election, I have a question. Why are we even thinking about sending more troops to Afghanistan? To what end are they fighting? Something like 34000 people died on the roads in the US last year. 9/11 was a sad and tragic day, but we can't send our young people to fight and die just so we can pretend to no longer live in fear. Even if we kill all the terrorists in the world, we will not be safe. Safety cannot be guaranteed and increasing safety comes at what cost? What is the cost of another wounded or killed US soldier? I pray to God that you bring our soldiers home. I pray to God that my sons and your daughters can live in a world of increasing peace and not one of increasing war. War is not the answer.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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