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nutjob
Gym climber
Berkeley, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - May 10, 2012 - 03:40pm PT
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It seems to me that "family values," abortion/right-to-life, gay marriage, etc. are issues that are designed to polarize people on emotional topics just to distract from what REALLY matters in a federal and state government. This distraction allows us to not pin down elected officials and hold them accountable (whether dem or repub) for issues that benefit large corporations or financial special interests.
Here are the things I want to have be the main topics of discussion during debates, whenever journalists question politicians, etc:
1. Citizens United Supreme Court decision? Really? Why should "free speech" enable corporations to bias election outcomes through anonymous media advertisements? The shareholders in a corporation already can make campaign contributions, so why should their influence be doubled by giving them a role as a corporate entity on its own? The core issue here is campaign funding and related regulations, and the resultant conflicts of interests for elected officials. What is a more sensible and transparent way to manage this so elected officials can speak out on issues they believe (or at least that they believe people want to hear separate from what corporations want to train people to hear)?
2. Hydrofracking exempted from Federal Clean Water Act during Dick Cheney's tenure, when he was previously the CEO of Halliburton that makes big $$$ on hydrofracking. This itself should be impeachable, separate from the whole Iraq war and reconstruction and cost-plus contract stuff. Apparently governor of California Willie Brown fired officials who were supportive of environmental/safety concerns because it interfered with revenue opportunities.
3. Energy policy, serious belt-tightening national solidarity investment in renewable/clean energy. Seriously pull back on global military presence, but how to balance with pragmatic security needs in the wake of our aggressive foreign policy for the last 100 years?
4. Aging infrastructure - roads, bridges, power plants, water/septic systems, etc. Why not have a federal public works program to put people to work upgrading this stuff? Why outsource it to companies that can "do it cheaper" when it concentrates wealth in fewer hands and doesn't contribute to economic recovery?
5. Revolving door between FDA and pharmaceutical/food companies?
6. Revolving door between financial oversight institutions and private industry? Federal reserve, SEC, etc.
7. Monsanto, genetic engineering seeds that require farmers to buy seeds every year and not maintain their own seed stocks? Seems like a disaster to cause world starvation.
8. Building an economy that DEPENDS on continuous expansion and growth rather than a steady-state maintenance at a given carrying capacity?
Others?
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nutjob
Gym climber
Berkeley, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 10, 2012 - 03:41pm PT
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Oh gosh, if this thread gets really popular then I'm stuck with the legacy of being a grammatical idiot.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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May 10, 2012 - 03:51pm PT
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1) Reduce the Federal debt ...see http://www.usdebtclock.org/ this means increasing taxes and fees while reducing expenditures. Both.
2) Domestic policy: Follow the constitution.
3) Foreign policy: Like to see us walk softly and carry a big stick, instead of carrying a big stick and freely swinging it at anything and everything which moves or even slightly annoys us.
"Oh gosh, if this thread gets really popular then I'm stuck with the legacy of being a grammatical idiot."
You can re-read the intent of the title for a suggestion to that or maybe this will help?
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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May 10, 2012 - 04:43pm PT
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The political consultants call them divisive "wedge issues" designed to fragment a constituency over emotional and religious 'hot buttons' that have no real bearing on the economy or standard of living. I think they conform to Gaius Julius Caesar's prescription for world domination: 'Divide and conquer!' Good way to win an election, however!
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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May 10, 2012 - 05:33pm PT
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Pollyana wants to see politicians campaign on what actions they will take and be accountable for that. I don't listen to what anyone says about anyone else...so there is a lot of silence in my world.
Tell me about your economic policy, how you will foster real, sustainable growth in the priovate sector, how the economy can be guided safely between the forces of deflation and inflation, how the equity in our homes and our savings will be affected by the policies, how can be eliminate the inefficiencies of 3rd party medical payer systems, tort reform, and all other forms of opportunists enriching themselves at the expense of the average Joe.
Tell me where you draw the line between freedom and keeping us secure.
Tell me what is necessary and why even if you think I won't like it one little bit. I can take the pain of a little surgery if I believe the pain is necessary for long term health.
Don't tell me what $s you will put in my pocket to buy my vote. Tell me what the price is for our country to move forward in a sustainable way, where we all have an opportunity to earn our way.
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zBrown
Ice climber
Chula Vista, CA
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May 10, 2012 - 05:35pm PT
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I hate to be the one to do this (not really), but isn't Da Brim™® the only real issue?
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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May 10, 2012 - 05:36pm PT
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I'd like a major issue to be taking corporate money out of the picture and letting the people speak for themselves, but that's obviously not going to happen.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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May 10, 2012 - 05:42pm PT
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I'd like a major issue to be taking corporate money out of the picture and letting the people speak for themselves, but that's obviously not going to happen.
I hate to be picky, but I don't think the corporations are speaking as metaphysical entities. They're speaking as collections of people, as are unions and all other special interest groups like environmentalists, the ACLU, etc. etc.
The campaign against Citizens United's majority holding is simply one aspect of a coordinated effort by anti-business forces to try to silence pro-business forces, while allowing anti-business forces their full range of options to get their message out. It has nothing to do with leveling the playing field, and everything to do with tilting it far to the left.
John
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zBrown
Ice climber
Chula Vista, CA
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May 10, 2012 - 05:43pm PT
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Serioulsy though, is anything more important?
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Mtnmun
Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
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May 10, 2012 - 05:44pm PT
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Issue: Which climb should we do next.
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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May 10, 2012 - 05:50pm PT
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John, I understand that. I'd like to see reform on both sides of the aisle.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
merced, california
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May 10, 2012 - 05:56pm PT
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"Seriously though" and "I hate to be the one," but--
ball-cupping is far more interesting than da Brim.
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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May 10, 2012 - 05:57pm PT
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get rid of the f*#king aisle.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
merced, california
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May 10, 2012 - 06:00pm PT
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"but wear a mocking smile as you bridge the farging aisle"
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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May 10, 2012 - 06:01pm PT
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May 10, 2012 - 02:57pm PT
get rid of the f*#king aisle.
Well, that would just be anarchy. I mean, where would people stand? Is there still free coffee? What if i have to go to the bathroom? Who would you stand near? Your buddy? The hot chick you secretly want to bang? The rich looking dude? Jesus? Without the aisle nobody will know what to do.
Anarchy.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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May 10, 2012 - 06:03pm PT
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EDUCATION, clean energy, renewable resorces and scientific research- the things needed to keep America competitive with emerging powers.
Wanting America to be better is true patriotism.
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michaeld
Sport climber
Sacramento
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May 10, 2012 - 06:03pm PT
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Do I have to be a voter to participate in this thread?
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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May 10, 2012 - 06:05pm PT
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no but you have to participate to vote...
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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May 10, 2012 - 06:07pm PT
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Do I have to be a voter to participate in this thread?
No, but if you bitch about things and don't vote, then STFU if things don't go your way.
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OR
Trad climber
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May 10, 2012 - 06:24pm PT
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I hate to be picky, but I don't think the corporations are speaking as metaphysical entities. They're speaking as collections of people, as are unions and all other special interest groups like environmentalists, the ACLU, etc. etc.
The campaign against Citizens United's majority holding is simply one aspect of a coordinated effort by anti-business forces to try to silence pro-business forces, while allowing anti-business forces their full range of options to get their message out. It has nothing to do with leveling the playing field, and everything to do with tilting it far to the left.
John
Very well said!
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