BigOlBear

Slatten49 wrote the following in another thread called "Trolls"


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But I thought this might deserve a whole new topic so, here goes:

I'm hoping that we could all agree on a few things that are troubling us, not as liberals or conservatives, but as Americans. If we can start by identifying the problems, maybe we can agree on some potential solutions. Here are a few of the issues I see:

Can we agree that Washington DC is broken and it ain't gonna fix itself?

Can we agree that the current administration as well as the other two branches bear little resemblance to what the founders envisioned? And can we agree that the founders brought forth a brilliant plan that has been bastardized over the years?

Can we agree that both parties are pointing fingers at the other but that either way, crony capitalism and big unions have too much influence?

Can we agree that we tend to feel emasculated and feel that our v**e doesn't really matter anymore?

Can we agree that The Federal government has become too big and unmanageable?

There are so many problems but I offer these to get started.

So, let's talk solutions.

In Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith wrote that the first duty of government was to protect the nation from invasion. He argued that a permanent military force, rather than citizen m*****as, was necessary to defend any advanced society. Next, he supported an independent court system and administration of justice to control crime and protect property. Smith favored "public works" to create and maintain an infrastructure to promote the free flow of commerce. These works included such things as roads, bridges, canals, harbors, and a postal system that profit-seeking individuals may not be able to efficiently build and operate. (I agree with this third role only up to a point.) In my view, anything the Federal government does beyond these three things should receive intense scrutiny and massive public approval. Government shouldn't be able to enact something like the ACA with a handful of Congressmen against the wishes of so many.

A return to States rights would solve so many problems. More so than any other nation, we have such potential by recognizing that we have 50 petri dishes ready to try things out to see what works and what doesn't. Even if it works in New York it may or may not be right for Mississippi. Washington won't willingly surrender any of the power it has accumulated since the Woodrow Wilson days so we must find another way. Take a look at Article V of the Constitution and there may be an answer. A majority of your state legislators have the power to override Congress and require a Convention of States. Such a movement is already underway. Hopefully, bringing government closer to the people will give us more say.

Hopefully somebody else will take a turn now.

Ricktloml

I think a lot of us can agree on most all of what you posted. I fear though that there are some where very little common ground can be found

karpenter Loc: Headin' Fer Da Hills !!

Unfortunately, I Don't Have The Position To Introduce Or Repeal Legislation.
Or The Pen Or The Phone To Nullify Executive Orders.
...That Alone Would Be A Full Time Job.
Hell, I Don't Think Law Schools Know All The Laws On The Books

I'm At The Back Of The Toboggan Hangin' On

America Only Loc: From the right hand of God

Until e******ns that will place someone into the authority that actually loves the United States and would refuse to compromise integrity for the overshadowing greed or agenda, there is and will not be a "meeting of the masses" unless that meeting is at the end of a rifle.

Floyd Brown Loc: Milwaukee WI

In this day & age with the inter connections we have with each other on a National level I fail to see having 50 different sets of basic rules & ways to do things.

The only thing I see happening is that it will just divide us as a Nation more that we would be able to cope with.

Forkbassman Loc: Missouri

That's why we need Dr. Ben Carson in the WH. He can turn America in the right direction in one term!

BigOlBear

Agreed. Which problems would you say we'd disagree on?

BigOlBear

Good point. Did the founding fathers intend for the Federal government to have this much power? Are we as citizens willing to give the bureaucracy this much power? Should we start now to do something about it?

It has taken the better part of a century for us to get to this point and it's going to be a major challenge to undo what has been done. We can't solve these problems for ourselves but we owe it to our grandchildren, hell, our great-grandchildren to get started.

BigOlBear

I fear that armed revolution may not be off the table but I hope that it won't come to that. A Convention of States might begin the process of amending the Constitution with a balanced budget amendment (starve the parasite) and/or through something like term limits. Whaddya think?

BigOlBear

Fair question. Here's what I think. This country has been successful for a number of reasons, not the least of which are the facts that we have a huge and varied land full of natural resources and that we are populated by immigrants who came here to become Americans and to find their fortunes. Sadly, too many newcomers are coming here to colonize and to take what others have earned. That said, we must never lose sight of the fact that the States created the Federal government, not the other way around. Much of the power at the Federal level was once closer to the people and therefore under more control by the citizens.

As American citizens, we have mobility. If we don't like the policies in our state, or we can't earn a living where we live, it's very easy to go wherever we desire. Let's say you live in California and you can't earn enough money to cover the high cost of living and the taxation ... you can easily move to let's say North Dakota where the forces of supply and demand have created a far more comfortable living situation. (As an aside: I believe that, in time, California will either change it's ways or it will become a part of Mexico.) Over time, the States will pay attention to what works and what doesn't. The Federal government seems to constantly want to re-invent the wheel.

Look at the bankrupt cities: Detroit was once the darling of industry and was one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. While it's shocking that the city leaders are still asleep at the wheel, it's only a matter f time before they will be d**gged, kicking and screaming, back to policies that will allow the citizens to flourish.

MarvinSussman

Should the federal government (FEMA) help a town struck by a tornado?

If your answer is ''yes'', does it make sense to help a town struck by a tornado but not help an individual struck by cancer?

Then why not include health and welfare and education along with bridges.

Let's see how co-operative you are.

Workinman Loc: Bayou Pigeon

I apologize for not being tech savy but their is a great read ( little long) if you google Porter Stansbury "The corruption of America" written 12-15-2011 it will take you to his site. I think people will find it interesting.

BigOlBear

No.

FEMA is just another example of an inefficient, bureaucratic spendthrift government agency. We are by nature a generous people and there is no shortage of entities that are always quick to jump in and help those in need.

MarvinSussman

You must be hoping that an EF-3 tornado doesn't test your faith in in individual charity.

BigOlBear

That could happen and, if it does, I would be much happier to see the Red Cross or the Salvation Army or United Way or the like show up ... more so that a bunch of moldy FEMA trailers and unaccountable, overpaid bureaucrats.

There are too many Government agencies that exist today because "we do it that way because we've always done it that way." Once started, we never seem to be able to even measure their effectiveness let alone make them go away. It's time we started taking a little more personal responsibility and stop thinking like victims. Americans not only look out for one another but we've also shown incredible generosity when there are disasters around the world. Why would we need the central planners to do this for us?

And, while we're at it, let's hire an efficiency expert company to analyze the effectiveness of a few other agencies ... like the Department of Education, the Export-Import Bank, the Department of Energy, and on and on. And how do we continue to defend the existence of the so-called "War on Poverty" with it's record of utter failure? I'm sure you know the definition of "insanity" don't you?