What Would You Do?

[HorseWhipped]

Name your top 10 ideas to get the United States working like a well-oiled machine again.

And you gotta put up 10. Anyone who can't get to 10 is full of fail.

Which maybe is another problem in itself.

MINE:

1. Total healthcare for anyone. Whatever it takes. We're at the point where we need to do it. Especially when corporations are taking your benefits away.

2. Less politics about politics, more concern for the people's needs. Politicians are corrupt, people get screwed. Life is not fair, etc.

3. Share the wealth. I'm glad you're rich, but help the rest of us out. Five percent of your dough would go a long way to the impoverished. Every year.

4. Find a cure once in a while. As Chris Rock said, the money's in the medicine. That ain't right. We haven't cured anything since your great-grandma's polio. And she was a little girl then. Pharmaceutical companies suck.

5. Quit making war. It's just better when you're a country trying to make peace.

6. People first, government second, corporations third. Keeps things honest, or at least it's a start. And people should always come first.

7. Never use your cellphone while driving. Those people are idiots on the way to a car wreck. If someone dies, I hope it's not the one with two hands on the wheel.

8. Make stuff in this country again. Steel mills are gone. Textile mills are gone. Farms are going away. Cars, clothes, food. What the hell are we doing buying this stuff from Pakistan, China and Korea?

9. Education. It shouldn't be No. 9 on this list, but everyone else buries it when the budgets come up. Something inherently wrong in that. But it's always down there at No. 9 or so. No wonder your neighbors are morons.

10. Never be No. 10. Always try to be the best. If you can't be No. 1, No. 2 ain't that bad either. But never accept being No. 10. That's what is killing GM and Chrysler.

 

[HorseWhipped]

Oops, someone please move this to Anything Goes, please.

 

[NoOneLikesUs]

I vote to delete the thread and pretend it never happened.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Yeah, pretty much. Let's all put out our pie in the sky ideas with no idea how they would be implemented and who would pay.

Also, I would like to get some kittens, and propose a free beer provision.

 

[imjustagirl]

Also, I would like to get some kittens, and propose a free beer provision.

Please keep those wishes separate.

 

[old_tony]

I have one idea, and one idea only but it would do more for the country than 10 other ideas:

Return to allowing only property owners to vote.

 

[exmediahack]

I'm with Old Tony. One idea and enjoy the ten things that would come from it. If I get laid off, I'll be back here with 10 ideas. Maybe even 100.

1. The Government Needs to Quit Picking Winners and Losers. Especially when it smacks of political bias. Let's see... the UAW leadership and members carry the water for the Democratic Party. Let's do everything we can to try and keep them in business. As for the Chrysler dealerships -- one of the most Republican-laded industries (you get paid for results when selling cars), let's let them float out to sea.

Workers who tighten bolts when not on union breaks = GOOD. Workers who try to sell you that very same car = BAD.

Of course, from a PR standpoint, it's very easy to hose the car dealers. We've all had bad experiences with dealerships, right? Yet... it's often those same family dealerships who are the first in line to sponsor the LL baseball teams, to buy the ads in your fledging newspaper, hold raffles for sick kids, etc.

As for the "let's get back to making stuff". Sure, I'd love to see it but we - as Americans - are often "price first" consumers. If we "make stuff" here in the U.S., how many $31 t-shirts are we going to be able to sell in this economy?

 

[JR]

I have one idea, and one idea only but it would do more for the country than 10 other ideas:

Return to allowing only property owners to vote.

And then only white males with a minimum net worth of $2 million.

 

[mustangj17]

1. Ensure social security to people who paid into it.
2. Future penalties for companies who have to request bailout money or tarp funds - for example, if you get a taxpayer bailout, when your company becomes profitable again a certain percentage say 10 percent goes back to the taxpayers for an extended period of time. This would ease the burden and also help the taxpayers that helped you.
3. No government involvement in the decision making process for the auto industry. I don't care what they say, people don't want green cars, they want SUV's that's why SUV'S were sell like crazy whenever gas is reasonable.
4. Crack down on oil companies that charge ungodly amounts for gas and turn record profits. It is bad for the general public to be shelling out $4 per gallon, only to see Exxon Mobil make billions (any suggestions on what penalties could be).
5. Make more strict rules for new homes that are being built. I noticed this a few years ago. Only McMansions were being built. How is the average Joe supposed to by a normal house, like a ranch, without living in the ghetto. Build some big ones, some small ones, some medium sized ones.
6. No more casinos. Seriously, and this one applies to state's like Michigan where our biggest industry is gambling. Unless they are going to manufacture slot machines in the U.S. this is not good for us to have casinos on every street corner.
7. Way more transparency in gov't. This will help newspapers crack down on government that spends too much.
8. Less taxing more cutting. Things get rough, cut programs, salaries, staff, don't tax the citizens who are already losing their jobs and paychecks.
9. No more ****ing gas taxes. Enough already. Find better ways to get income, tax criminals - make prisoners eat bread and water. I don't care. Taxes are getting out of control.
10. No more lavish spending on city/state/federal government. Local police does not need 10 SUV's. Drive a car like everyone else. Government employees don't need SUV's either.

 

[mustangj17]

1. The Government Needs to Quit Picking Winners and Losers. Especially when it smacks of political bias. Let's see... the UAW leadership and members carry the water for the Democratic Party. Let's do everything we can to try and keep them in business. As for the Chrysler dealerships -- one of the most Republican-laded industries (you get paid for results when selling cars), let's let them float out to sea.

Your post is full of fail. ALL BRANDS of car dealerships are mostly owned by republicans.

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/05/on-moon-landings-michelle-malkin-p.html

Secondly, the democratic party was doing no favors for the UAW in December - even though "they carry the water."
The impacts of GM's bankruptcy is going to be far worse for this country than the impact of a few Chrysler dealerships closing. This county is going to lose about 21,000 direct and about 100,000 more indirect jobs because of GM's Bankruptcy. Chrysler's mess, isn't as bad. And while I agree we shouldn't be picking winners and losers, America doesn't need all those Chrysler dealerships. No body buy's their damn cars anyway.

 

[exmediahack]

Yeah, I'll agree with the homeowners bit -- that is a bit too divisive for the electorate.

That would really stack the deck as I've always believed homeowners/property owners probably vote 60/40 Republican and those who rent probably vote 66/33 or 75/25 Democratic anyway... becoming a property owner instead of a renter instantly makes you, at the very least, a touch more fiscally conservative.

Although, if the Democrats have Super Delegrates -- whose influence counts more because of their experience -- why not a Power Vote? If, on your ballot, you can answer 3 advanced questions on civics or political science -- then your vote counts double. Why not? After each presidential election, regardless of who wins, we always hear about how "stupid people elected this bozo". At least let the "smart" people have a bit more push.

If we're looking to change government, let's go down to 1 senator per state. If government really wants to get smaller, go from 100 to 50. Make it Showdown 2010 in each state where the two senators go up against each other in an open field. One election. One night. Winner reps the state.

 

[Ashy Larry]

3. Share the wealth. I'm glad you're rich, but help the rest of us out. Five percent of your dough would go a long way to the impoverished. Every year.

what a dope. Ya know who is "rich", anyone that makes more money than you! Guess what.....the wealthy are already helping out, by paying taxes.

 

[93Devil]

Fund education to ensure as many people have a trade as possible as adults.

Phase out welfare.

Tax the living heck out of any company that outsources work to other countries.

Make it illegal for health care companies and insurance companies to be openly traded on the stock exchange. A person's life should not be placed in the balance due to overhead costs.

I think if you accomplish those four, a lot will naturally fall into place.

 

[exmediahack]

As for Chrysler's dealerships -- if they are failing, then let them fail without the government getting involved.

I would say it's more than a few Chrysler dealerships. That's probably 40,000-50,000 people out of work.

Not sure if it's "full of fail" in that I agree that most car dealerships have Republican/conservative backings and leanings. Nearly all businesses that involve sales - or really, anyone who depends on a commission for their income - tends to support low taxes/less gov't. Yet those who "build things" or work on assembly lines - especially if in a union - will back Democrats. Now a Democratic president with a Democratic governor is picking sides on who gets saved and who doesn't.

I was against the bailouts when Bush did it last year just as I am right now. GM and Chrysler were going to fail one year ago. Let them fail. We didn't need a total of another $100 billion dollars to hold their hand.

 

[exmediahack]

3. No government involvement in the decision making process for the auto industry. I don't care what they say, people don't want green cars, they want SUV's that's why SUV'S were sell like crazy whenever gas is reasonable.
4. Crack down on oil companies that charge ungodly amounts for gas and turn record profits. It is bad for the general public to be shelling out $4 per gallon, only to see Exxon Mobil make billions (any suggestions on what penalties could be).
5. Make more strict rules for new homes that are being built. I noticed this a few years ago. Only McMansions were being built. How is the average Joe supposed to by a normal house, like a ranch, without living in the ghetto. Build some big ones, some small ones, some medium sized ones.
6. No more casinos. Seriously, and this one applies to state's like Michigan where our biggest industry is gambling. Unless they are going to manufacture slot machines in the U.S. this is not good for us to have casinos on every street corner.

3. I'm cool with three. Absolutely. Let people buy what fits their needs... but
5. So they can drive what they want...but they can't live in the house they want? If you limit the McMansions, then you artifically drive up the price of those homes. If this market, it is THOSE homes that are really good deals right now, especially with 5% interest rates!
4. Oil companies run off a 10% profit. Less than Starbucks. Nobody was crying about big oil in November when gas was $1.70 a gallon.
6. Put the casinos wherever you like. Nobody forces them to go there and it does provide decent employment for people with general skills. Also, as a card-counter for blackjack, don't mess with me! Although, I would happily play at a state-run casino as long as the Dealer Stood on ALL 17s.

 

[mustangj17]

As for Chrysler's dealerships -- if they are failing, then let them fail without the government getting involved.

I would say it's more than a few Chrysler dealerships. That's probably 40,000-50,000 people out of work.

Not sure if it's "full of fail" in that I agree that most car dealerships have Republican/conservative backings and leanings. Nearly all businesses that involve sales - or really, anyone who depends on a commission for their income - tends to support low taxes/less gov't. Yet those who "build things" or work on assembly lines - especially if in a union - will back Democrats. Now a Democratic president with a Democratic governor is picking sides on who gets saved and who doesn't.

I was against the bailouts when Bush did it last year just as I am right now. GM and Chrysler were going to fail one year ago. Let them fail. We didn't need a total of another $100 billion dollars to hold their hand.

If GM failed and the government stepped in, we would all be out of jobs. Everyone in this newspaper industry would be more ****ed than they are now.
Imagine your paper with no more GM/Saturn/Hummer/Chevy advertisements. No dealer ads, no more classified ads for used cars.

Not to mention the hundred thousand people that would lose their jobs and a couple hundred more that would lose their jobs indirectly. All of these people would be un

3. No government involvement in the decision making process for the auto industry. I don't care what they say, people don't want green cars, they want SUV's that's why SUV'S were sell like crazy whenever gas is reasonable.
4. Crack down on oil companies that charge ungodly amounts for gas and turn record profits. It is bad for the general public to be shelling out $4 per gallon, only to see Exxon Mobil make billions (any suggestions on what penalties could be).
5. Make more strict rules for new homes that are being built. I noticed this a few years ago. Only McMansions were being built. How is the average Joe supposed to by a normal house, like a ranch, without living in the ghetto. Build some big ones, some small ones, some medium sized ones.
6. No more casinos. Seriously, and this one applies to state's like Michigan where our biggest industry is gambling. Unless they are going to manufacture slot machines in the U.S. this is not good for us to have casinos on every street corner.

3. I'm cool with three. Absolutely. Let people buy what fits their needs... but
5. So they can drive what they want...but they can't live in the house they want? If you limit the McMansions, then you artifically drive up the price of those homes. If this market, it is THOSE homes that are really good deals right now, especially with 5% interest rates!
4. Oil companies run off a 10% profit. Less than Starbucks. Nobody was crying about big oil in November when gas was $1.70 a gallon.
6. Put the casinos wherever you like. Nobody forces them to go there and it does provide decent employment for people with general skills. Also, as a card-counter for blackjack, don't mess with me! Although, I would happily play at a state-run casino as long as the Dealer Stood on ALL 17s.

on 5. I wouldn't say limit where people live, but give them options. I can't live in a huge ass house with a 4 car garage and 6 bedrooms. Build me a ranch with 3 bedrooms 2 baths and a 2 car garage.

Oil companies make 10 percent profit, but Exxon Mobil turned in the biggest profit in company history last year while we were scraping by to fill up the tank.

6. Casino's are not good when you oversaturate. Vegas is fun. I love it. But Battle Creek Michigan does not need a ****ing casino. Sorry.

 

[trifectarich]

Here's one on my list: A state may have a collection of city governments or county governments, but not both.

This would be at least a start in an effort to streamline all government programs and eliminate what is a burdensome overlap and duplication.

 

[exmediahack]

- On the oil companies. Exxon Mobil may have turned a record profit but people kept buying gas until they finally had...enough. Then it fell and the complaining was finished for a good eight-month stretch.

- Casinos rock but only for the smart and the disciplined. We can all agree this country could use more of that.

We see something far more destructive in America right now than Hope & Change...

The Politics of Envy.

President Obama ran, and won easily, on this outlook. He needed tens of millions of voters to be frightened and anxious about their financial futures. He needed them to be angry/envious/jealous at those who are making a good living.

What has happened/is happening now is this unusual mix where the poor to middle class are saving their money and not spending it because of the anxiety and the rich are not spending their money because of the anxiety and not wanting to appear insensitive in these times where spending money on vacations or nice cars or homes is frowned upon.

Through campaign rhetoric -- which continues even as the President has been in office for 4+ months -- this is what happens when people "turn off the faucet" and quit spending the money. Companies have lower profits/steeper losses. People get fired or laid off. Newspapers go out of business.

The group currently with all of the power in Washington D.C. needs a high percentage of the unemployed, the underemployed, people living in public housing. People who are "down on their luck" or frightened are their swing voters. Those voters paved the way in 2008 and they're banking on more public misery to hold their seats in 2010 and 2012.

While our nation is in a Misery Index-style Funk circa 1979, fully validated from the Oval Office on down, control what YOU can control. Heck, even in this crazy lifestyle we all lead (sports or journalism, etc.) where the future is uncertain, i have never doubted my own skills. Trust yourself first. It's really quite liberating.

However, a Presidential drinking game can make things fun. Everytime you hear: "sacrifice", "failed policies of the past", "working families" or "middle class", take a pull.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

Ok in no particular order

Everyone is allowed to kill one person without penalty. You get one "get out of jail free card" for murder. Guy molests your kid, you can kill him and not worry about the justice system.
It thins the population and think how much nicer we might all to be one another if you know that your neighbor - you know the guy whose grass you keep walking all - over might just decide to pop you and get away with it.

In addition to being allowed to kill one person free of charge, you are also allowed 12 free kicks to the groin without penalty. Janice Dickinson or Kate Gosselin pissing you off, present your card and kick 'em in square in the junk.
Again, another way of making people be nice to each other.

Universal health care on a state level. You pay a flat annual fee of a $100 and you get free state-provided health care. Wannabe Docs. get free state-paid education in return for working 5 to 8 years for the state.

Mandatory 2 or three year military service for all 18-year olds, male and female.Think of it as R. Lee Ermy's Gym Class from Hell. Just like Israel; well-trained and more fit citizens.

Close all U.S. embassies. We should not be the world's policeman. Let's take care of our country first and worry about the rest of the world later.

Cut the military in budget in half and give it to NASA for space and underwater exploration and development. We have enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world. And if we don't go around starting trouble there won't be no trouble.
In other words, unless we are invaded we leave other people and countries the **** alone.
Let's get onto exploration in space and undersea. We are running out of land space and resources.

Legalize drugs across the board.. If you can grow it, make it, smoke it, roll it, inject it or ingest it is legal and you can buy it a Rite-Aid, along with clean supplies.
We tried to ban alcohol in this country and it helped give rise to the organized crime. Let's take away the drug business. Legalize and tax the hell out it.
Anyone convicted simply of nonviolent drug charges is free from jail.

Tort Reform... Caps on jury awards (millions for smokers who got cancer? PLEASSE!), penalties for filing and losing frivolous lawsuits and full-time jurors.

Express lane Death Penalty. All sentences and appeals must be conducted within three years. Let's start cleaning out the overcrowded jails at both ends.

Declare Steak and Blowjob Day and National Holiday and implement penalties to make sure it is observed.



I'm only half-serious.

 

[exmediahack]

One person a day..without penalty? Anyone can pick one person?

I'll be dead by lunchtime.

Nice post.