Gaf In 08?

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Just seeing where I stand. If i did not mention an issue you want to know about.. ask.

issues:

Abortion:

Simple. I am pro-choice, but I also think that adoption and keeping it are valid choices. I disagree with Roe vs. Wade only it it was a back door way to make it legal. I would rather it just be legal. I also think that parents should be made aware if a minor has an abortion with-in 24 hours of the abortion unless her life is truly in danger. I think that Danger level should be defined well so we can do away with as much confusion and tension as possible.

Affirmative Action:

I am against it. I think that people should get treated by who they are, not what skin color they are. The best qualified should get the job. That is not to say that if someone hires a white man or woman over a person of color when said person was better qualified they should not be penilized. i also think the reverse of that is wrong too.

Crime:

Well, this one is complicated. Sending everyone to prison is not solving anything. We need to do much to fix our current system. Crime is rampant everywhere and it's mostly the young. We need to give them something better to do. Community Centers, gyms, ball teams, scouts and other activitys. Summer Camps. Give the kids somethign to do. Staff the placce with positve role models. Vocational training.

Economy and Emplyment:

See above. Job creation. Remove most tax breaks for companys. Reward companys that us the US work force. Make "Made in USA" mean something to the companys that they can count.

As for the rest. I am not some super brained economist. I would setup a panel of the top economists in the country. Leave politics at the door and hammer out the best budget that benifits the most people we could. If our government stops living on it's credit then maybe the people will too.

Education:

I would double all Federal aid to public schools under condition that each schools grant is divided equally between teacher pay and teaching materials (books, supplys and such)

I also think that at least two years of College or two years of Vocational school should be free to everyone.

Enviroment and Energy:

Alternative Fuels baby. As much funding as we can throw at Hydrogen and Bio-fuels. Wind mills and solar plants. We need to give up that petroleum teet we suckle. In the mean time, we need to somehow limit use. Enforce recycling of plastics that never go away. Limit Emmisions as much as possble. Nuke plants. What to do with the waste? I think we still have the capability to build a saturn rocket... I think we could hit the sun.

Federalism:

States Rights, to an extent. I thinkt he Feds should protect our national borders, keep us safe from invasion, and help after a disastor with as much speed and intelligence as we can muster. The feds should also be insuring our rights are not trampled on, even by them. We should not feel the fingers of the feds in every crevase of our lives.

Government Reform:

Term Limits on every Federal elected official. Campaign fiance total revamp. No special interst group moneys. No donations. A Federal "pool" divided between each of the canidates. Even the playing field. State elections should not get Federal moneys.

Gun issues:

I am a firm second admendment supporter. Yet, I support limited and intelligent gun control. Full back ground checks, 7 day waiting, hand gun registration. Gun safety classes.

Health:

Something needs to change. I think the Doctors, the hospitals, the drug companys all need to be... well... taken over. If we want universal health care we need to stop having Medicine being a for profit business. Our health should not be someone elses profit center. Drugs should be "cost" for every US citizen. make your profit somewhere else.

We don't have to force anyone of the docs and hospitals to do this. We just start buidling a new system right next to them. When they stop getting paying customers.. they will come looking for work.

[Der Nister]

How do you feel about changing the current income of those that work in the legislature to that of minimum wage (just like the poor majority) and also making them pay for their own health care and oh let's see.......oh yea, making all those in government punch a time card just like we do and limiting them to 40 hour work weeks???????

I almost forgot - let's take away their retirement package as well, I don't feel it's right that they get a full retirement package after serving only three terms in the public office.

[creatureofthenyte]

well your platform sounds good, now if only you can slog your way through the american political drama circus successfully, and do what you say you will do, and resist the influence of money and politics, then ya might have somethin there.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

I am not sure I would go that far, but some change would be made. I think we would be best served putting that up to a more public vote.

In my opinion, the best course to serve our needs would be a Constitutional amendment. There is one method to amend the constitution that skips Congress completely. It's never been used, but it there and no one can do anything about it. Lets call it option 1.

"Proposal by convention of states, ratification by state conventions."

So, to get it passed we would need to get a grass roots organization thing going on. In all 50 states we would have to appoint someone to represent a given area of that state. Each state's group would need to agree to a wording of the amendment and when a final version is done they can make the proposal to the People and the Federal government. Then each state would have to have a popular vote with a super majority needed to pass. This way, we know at least most people agree with it.

If most States ratify it, it's a new amendment to the constitution.

What would I actually go for?

Congressional salary's to match the national median one person income. They would have to pay for at least 25% if not 50% of their insurance premium just like everyone else has to. unless of course we actually get a national health system in place in which case they get the same as anyone else. I think they should keep their retirement though. They are after all giving up their lives to their terms in office to serve the greater good of the people. At least, thats the ideal statesman. Why would I limit them to a 40 hour workweek? That would be fucking us. They are salary, they work till it's done or they pass out.

[Fierce Critter]

Hm.

Maybe VP isn't a stretch for me after all.

Keep me on your shortlist, 'k?

[angusfergus]

How do you feel about changing the current income of those that work in the legislature to that of minimum wage (just like the poor majority) and also making them pay for their own health care and oh let's see.......oh yea, making all those in government punch a time card just like we do and limiting them to 40 hour work weeks???????

I almost forgot - let's take away their retirement package as well, I don't feel it's right that they get a full retirement package after serving only three terms in the public office.

Three terms for Congress is 18 years. Serving in Congress is a full time position. Why SHOULDN'T they get a full retirement? 20 years gets you that in pretty much any Federal position. I agree with reduction of salary to national median single-person income, as well as things such as completely overhauling the 'floor' system to allow all representatives and senators equal ability to bring forth ideas and equal access to committees. Getting elected three times in one state doesn't make you better than a first term rep from another state. Nor does it make you worse.

[Winter Steele]

You have a lot of good ideas and views about the major issues I am concerned about as well as others in this world. Maybe U should run for President.

[Der Nister]

Congressional salary's to match the national median one person income. They would have to pay for at least 25% if not 50% of their insurance premium just like everyone else has to. unless of course we actually get a national health system in place in which case they get the same as anyone else. I think they should keep their retirement though. They are after all giving up their lives to their terms in office to serve the greater good of the people. At least, thats the ideal statesman. Why would I limit them to a 40 hour workweek? That would be fucking us. They are salary, they work till it's done or they pass out.

Ok - pay should be 35,000 a year (an average wage I suppose) and make them salary so that maybe that would make them want to do things correctly the first time around. My whole point is if the federal government has to live with the same income that the average American does that maybe they'll start making decisions that wouldn't hurt so many of us tax payers because they would be in the same boat as us. *if you know what I'm saying*

Three terms for Congress is 18 years. Serving in Congress is a full time position. Why SHOULDN'T they get a full retirement? 20 years gets you that in pretty much any Federal position.

I suggest that because *for example* teachers now have to work for 30 years before they qualify for full retirement benefits. How many private companies offer employees full retirement after less than 20 years?

I think they should get no better a deal than the average American. Remember, we are paying for that and when they fuck things up we pay for that too - lead by example or don't lead at all I say.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

teachers now have to work for 30 years before they qualify for full retirement

let some of the blame lay where it belongs. The union contracts that are designed to keep the jobs and pensions of the members who have the highest seniority. The retirement moneys have a better chance of being there if you keep younger, new union members from getting it. As sure as the sun will rise, they will take your union dues though. Unions have become power hungry money vacuums who protect a small percentage of the work force at the detriment of the rest of the people.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

BTW.

We just came to an agreement, of sorts. That is what we need as a country. Dialoge. Open and Honest Dialog. We need to find common ground we can all walk with comfort. We all want the same things, but we all see a different path to them. We need, as a people, to stop being stubborn assholes. We need to pull over and ask for directions... just admit it... We are lost and can't find our way.

[creatureofthenyte]

BTW.

We just came to an agreement, of sorts. That is what we need as a country. Dialoge. Open and Honest Dialog. We need to find common ground we can all walk with comfort. We all want the same things, but we all see a different path to them. We need, as a people, to stop being stubborn assholes. We need to pull over and ask for directions... just admit it... We are lost and can't find our way.

that's the major issue with government today. Republicans and Democrats waste so much time squabbling with each other, and in the meantime nothing gets done and the country is worse off for it. They can't seem to see beyond their egos. If a good idea is thought of, then just go with it, who cares Who thought of it.

[n0Mad]

Where do you stand on tort reform and what are your plans?

For example, a woman sues Isiah Thomas for sexual harassment because he called her a bitch. The courts awarded her $11million. A man was in prison for about 10 years before new evidence proved he was not guilty. He was released and he sued for wrongful imprisonment. The courts awarded him around $200,000 or roughly $20,000 for every year he was in prison. A decade of this man's life was taken away and he'll be stigmatized for the rest and he gets $200K? Yet a woman is called a bitch by a celebrity and gets $11M? Does that seem right to you?

[n0Mad]

Abortion:

Simple. I am pro-choice, but I also think that adoption and keeping it are valid choices. I disagree with Roe vs. Wade only it it was a back door way to make it legal. I would rather it just be legal. I also think that parents should be made aware if a minor has an abortion with-in 24 hours of the abortion unless her life is truly in danger. I think that Danger level should be defined well so we can do away with as much confusion and tension as possible.

Should any men be involved in setting these laws/rules or should only women be on the committee?

Affirmative Action:

I am against it. I think that people should get treated by who they are, not what skin color they are. The best qualified should get the job. That is not to say that if someone hires a white man or woman over a person of color when said person was better qualified they should not be penilized. i also think the reverse of that is wrong too.

How do you feel about reparations?

Crime:

Well, this one is complicated. Sending everyone to prison is not solving anything. We need to do much to fix our current system. Crime is rampant everywhere and it's mostly the young. We need to give them something better to do. Community Centers, gyms, ball teams, scouts and other activitys. Summer Camps. Give the kids somethign to do. Staff the placce with positve role models. Vocational training.

Where do you stand on capital punishment? How do you feel about plea bargaining? Do things change with repeat offenders of the same crime? What about repeat offenders with escalating severity of crime?

Enviroment and Energy:

Alternative Fuels baby. As much funding as we can throw at Hydrogen and Bio-fuels. Wind mills and solar plants. We need to give up that petroleum teet we suckle. In the mean time, we need to somehow limit use. Enforce recycling of plastics that never go away. Limit Emmisions as much as possble. Nuke plants. What to do with the waste? I think we still have the capability to build a saturn rocket... I think we could hit the sun.

And what of the energy to fuel that rocket?

Recycling aluminum is cost effective and energy efficient. How do you reply to the fact that recycling plastic uses more energy and creates more pollution than simply making new plastic? What about the idea that recycling paper is bad for the environment?

Federalism:

States Rights, to an extent. I thinkt he Feds should protect our national borders, keep us safe from invasion, and help after a disastor with as much speed and intelligence as we can muster. The feds should also be insuring our rights are not trampled on, even by them. We should not feel the fingers of the feds in every crevase of our lives.

Should the government create programs to help the less fortunate and make a more even playing field, or should the government only do for the people what they cannot do for themselves? Where do you slide on this scale and why do you feel this way?

Government Reform:

Term Limits on every Federal elected official. Campaign fiance total revamp. No special interst group moneys. No donations. A Federal "pool" divided between each of the canidates. Even the playing field. State elections should not get Federal moneys.

Brilliant!

Gun issues:

I am a firm second admendment supporter. Yet, I support limited and intelligent gun control. Full back ground checks, 7 day waiting, hand gun registration. Gun safety classes.

How do you respond to the fact that 7 different studies including evidence compiled by the CDC that no amount of gun control whatsoever has had any sort of effect at all? And worse, that some gun control policies actually increase crime? Are you aware that current US Code in combination with our Constitutional amendments state that every able bodied citizen between 17-45 are members of the unorganized militia and required to own a firearm? Compare that to Switzerland's similar requirement which they actually enforce. What do you think of Gun Free Zones aka, Unarmed Victim Zones? How do you feel about allowing permit holding teachers and staff to carry in schools? Compare that to Israel's drop in school violence when they required teachers to carry.

Two good references to help in your research are here and here.

All in all a very good platform. I'd be your campaign manager.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Should any men be involved in setting these laws/rules or should only women be on the committee?

Yes, but the majority should be women.

How do you feel about reparations?

I don't agree with or support them. As an example. The paternal side of my family has been in the USA since before it was the USA. Yet, they never owned slaves. My family were Quakers and opposed to slavery from the beginning. My maternal side of the family has only been here three generations and never had a chance to own slaves or repress the natives. Why should I have to pay for the crimes of other peoples ancestors? Exactly when do we put the cut offs on? I mean.. do we make Egyptians pay Jews for their time building the tombs in Egypt?

Where do you stand on capital punishment? How do you feel about plea bargaining? Do things change with repeat offenders of the same crime? What about repeat offenders with escalating severity of crime?

Capital punishment should be reserved for the most severe nut balls who have no chance of ever being reprogrammed. Yes, I said reprogrammed. You can call it reformed if you like... but first priority should be trying to turn these people into functioning citizens who can live with others without being violent.

And what of the energy to fuel that rocket?

Recycling aluminum is cost effective and energy efficient. How do you reply to the fact that recycling plastic uses more energy and creates more pollution than simply making new plastic? What about the idea that recycling paper is bad for the environment?

Offset. The amount of fuel to send a Saturn rocket to the sun is minuscule in comparison to how much energy that nuke plant created in the lifetime of the spent fuel the rocket is getting rid of. As for the rest. We dint need to make new plastic cups with that old plastic. It makes a fine insulation that does not break down over time. Alternative uses. We have some great minds, we can figure out something better to do with it than fill more landfills.

Should the government create programs to help the less fortunate and make a more even playing field, or should the government only do for the people what they cannot do for themselves? Where do you slide on this scale and why do you feel this way?

Yes, the STATE government should do everything they can to help the less fortunate. The federal government should be almost invisible to the common man.

Why do I feel that way? Who can help you more? Your neighbor or some guy on the other side of the country? Who is more in touch with your particular situation? Someone far away or someone working shoulder to shoulder with you?

Brilliant!

Thank you

How do you respond to the fact that 7 different studies including evidence compiled by the CDC that no amount of gun control whatsoever has had any sort of effect at all? And worse, that some gun control policies actually increase crime? Are you aware that current US Code in combination with our Constitutional amendments state that every able bodied citizen between 17-45 are members of the unorganized militia and required to own a firearm?

let me break that down to the couple questions i see there...

1. Gun control laws make people that are afraid of guns happy if nothing else.

2. I did say intelligent Gun Control. If a program or set of laws are actually making things worse, repeal them.

3. Yes, I knew that. I own a gun, my two older sons own guns. Until i moved to Florida, I was a member of a small militia.. I'm still looking here.

4. Gun free zones are fucked if a government crack down ever happens.

Almost forgot Tort reform.

OMG, we so need to revamp the laws on this shit. So many law suites need to be tossed out. I believe our cost of living would drop considerably if we didn't have to insure everything we do so that we are covered when some morons take us to court.

[Head Wreck]

its suprising how similar your ideal and mine are

+1 vote

[Kit Kat P]

i'd give you a vote, at least you'd be straightforward