What do you want your next government to do?

[thaiboxerken]

The GOP Platform outlines what they want to transform the government into.

I don't want that to happen.

 

[John Jones]

Begin treating drug problems as a medical issue, rather than a criminal justice issue.

 

[stanfr]

Free beer for all.

 

[casebro]

The GOP Platform outlines what they want to transform the government into.

I don't want that to happen.

Other than Ideologically, how is that different than what the Lefties want? I don't want that to happen.

 

[Meadmaker]

Other than Ideologically, how is that different than what the Lefties want? I don't want that to happen.

Maybe I'll read the platforms when they become official, not that those documents have any real significance these days.

Back in the old days, the platform would be what is published in newspapers to tell voters what a party representative is likely to support. Today, other forms of media get that message out, and the party platform is mostly a relic of a bygone day, interesting to some insiders, but otherwise ignored. The primary use of a party platform today is to smear an opponent. If they are a moderate right winger in a left leaning district, but managed to get nominated for some other reason, their left wing opponent will try to brand him as an extremist because he represents a party with a right wing platform. Similarly for opposite values of left and right.

 

[Stacko]

Maybe I'll read the platforms when they become official, not that those documents have any real significance these days.

Back in the old days, the platform would be what is published in newspapers to tell voters what a party representative is likely to support. Today, other forms of media get that message out, and the party platform is mostly a relic of a bygone day, interesting to some insiders, but otherwise ignored. The primary use of a party platform today is to smear an opponent. If they are a moderate right winger in a left leaning district, but managed to get nominated for some other reason, their left wing opponent will try to brand him as an extremist because he represents a party with a right wing platform. Similarly for opposite values of left and right.

There's also the fact that members of congress end up voting for their party's platform ~80% of the time when the opportunities arise. It's not as meaningless as you many assume so it is concerning when the GOP puts forth a platform that belongs in the 19th century because they will act on it.

 

[thaiboxerken]

Other than Ideologically, how is that different than what the Lefties want? I don't want that to happen.

It is Ideological. The GOP wants the nation to be catered to white, Christian men of wealth. I like the way the country is headed, where everyone is becoming more equal in terms of freedom and wealth and health-care. The DNC wants to make it more fair economically as well.

 

[Ranb]

Health care - As retired military I pay <$600 a year for family coverage health insurance. I'd like to see this kind of coverage for everyone at a minimum. Health care required to keep a person alive should not be rationed based on the ability to pay.

Religion - Let's keep the government and the church truly separate. If god doesn't want you to have anything to do with someone's marriage, then you need to give up your government job. Don't allow any "religious freedom" laws that permit a person to deny government services to the people you're supposed to serve.

Military - Allow any person regardless of gender to serve in any capacity they can qualify for without lowering the standards.

Immigration - If anyone is a resident alien in the country illegally (upon entry or overstaying a visa) and are doing so by indulging in ID theft or committing a violent crime, then they are out and stay out forever.

Guns - Universal BKGD checks for gun sales and certain transfers. No registration for non-NFA firearms. Eliminate the higher taxes associated with transfer and making NFA firearms.

Environment - Promote more wind, solar and other less polluting forms of energy production. Stop burning coal.

Ranb

 

[Meadmaker]

Health care - As retired military I pay <$600 a year for family coverage health insurance. I'd like to see this kind of coverage for everyone at a minimum. Health care required to keep a person alive should not be rationed based on the ability to pay.

I just heard a story a couple of days ago that said the average price of health care for an American resident has passed 10,000 dollars per year. It's hard to reconcile that with a 600 dollar premium.

The only way to do it of course is through high taxation, which means, since we have a progressive tax system, rich people pay for poor people's health care. I don't necessarily have a problem with that, but I sometimes think people don't even realize that's what they are saying when they ask for increased government benefits. I am generally opposed to anything that looks vaguely like "something for nothing". That can be increased benefits, without demands for increased taxes to pay for them, or it can be the voodoo of supply side economics that promises to keep benefits rising or at least equal because we can pay for them by lowering taxes, or just benefit programs in general, which promise people that they get something, with no obligation from the recipient.

Religion - Let's keep the government and the church truly separate. If god doesn't want you to have anything to do with someone's marriage, then you need to give up your government job. Don't allow any "religious freedom" laws that permit a person to deny government services to the people you're supposed to serve.


Military - Allow any person regardless of gender to serve in any capacity they can qualify for without lowering the standards.

Immigration - If anyone is a resident alien in the country illegally (upon entry or overstaying a visa) and are doing so by indulging in ID theft or committing a violent crime, then they are out and stay out forever.

Guns - Universal BKGD checks for gun sales and certain transfers. No registration for non-NFA firearms. Eliminate the higher taxes associated with transfer and making NFA firearms.

Environment - Promote more wind, solar and other less polluting forms of energy production. Stop burning coal.

Ranb

I can generally buy into this list, but think some of them need to be goals, as opposed to policies. Particularly "Stop buring coal". It's a lofty goal, but it's not the kind of thing we can do tomorrow.

I'm also not all that certain about what government does to "promote" things. Sometimes that ends up being, "Create an office in Washington charged with throwing money at college professors or industry startups, with no real requirement to produce results."

You seem to have a mix of Democratic and Republican friendly policies there. Are you going to vote for the one you dislike the least, or will you make a statement by voting Libertarian?

 

[fuelair]

I'd like them to end the war on drugs.

And kill off the drug suppliers - in interesting and educational ways. Not like a war, like targeted assassinations.

 

[fuelair]

The Texas Board of Education is a prime example of why the feds need to have a hand in K-12. Jesus was not in the boat with George Washington crossing the Delaware. Creation Science is not science.

There are rather more than that, but it is a small sample of one place and a few of it's problems. The full list is long and perilous!!!!!

 

[Ranb]

I just heard a story a couple of days ago that said the average price of health care for an American resident has passed 10,000 dollars per year. It's hard to reconcile that with a 600 dollar premium.

You seem to have a mix of Democratic and Republican friendly policies there. Are you going to vote for the one you dislike the least, or will you make a statement by voting Libertarian?

Well, we would need to find a way to reduce the cost of health care to minimize the cost to the rest of the taxpayers. I don't see a way of providing more health care without raising taxes though.

I'm a mix I guess, have never really voted the party line in any election. There are a few politicians I like enough to re-elect. The upcoming election might be the first where the presidential candidates don't get my vote at all.

 

[IXP]

Does Japan even allow immigrants to become citizens, or their kids?

My brother was born in Okinawa. When he as 18 he had to sign papers rejecting his Japanese citizenship and affirming his U.S. citizenship.

IXP

 

[Darth Rotor]

My brother was born in Okinawa. When he as 18 he had to sign papers rejecting his Japanese citizenship and affirming his U.S. citizenship. IXP

My sister was born in Germany. She did this when she was 14.

What do I want our next administration to do?
1. Stop pretending that the NPT is a real and valid thing.
a. Accept that a whole load of nitwits want to have nuclear weapons for their country.
b. Update the target list as needed, and make sure Pakistan is in the top 5 of that hit parade.

2. Make the Fed stop printing money for free. The current interest rates are low for all of the wrong reasons.