Citizens for Political Reform

[RayN]

CPR . I think that is a good term for what this country is in dire need of.


Citizens for Political Reform.


We have allowed the status quo to continue for far to long.. This country needs sweeping political changes to make it the vibrant organization that worked for the people in meaningful ways. It wasn't "just" politics, for politics sake. The politicians didn't always think their primary job was to get re-elected, they used to serve the public that elected them.


This is a grass roots campaign to try to get their attention and change the status quo. We will file petitions and conduct letter writing campaigns. We're not asking for anything except your support. It costs nothing to become a part of CPR.

Citizens for Political Reform

MoveOn Petitions - Congressional Term Limits

 

[RayN]

I know not everyone in here is from the US, but for those that are...
How come no one wants to discuss our broken political system? This isn't a conversation about partisan politics, because it doesn't matter who you vote for. The system itself is what's broken.

There are quite a few changes that need to be made for our legislative branch to go back to being a functioning branch of government.

 

[KattMamma]

I agree that it's broken. I don't buy into the left/right, liberal/conservative, democrat/republican paradigm - I see those as "divide and conquer".

I have mixed feelings about term limits tho - while it would stop the constant campaigning (when they should be serving their constituents) it would also limit the time GOOD politicians are allowed to do good things for us all.

 

[Cool_Breeze]

A fear I have about term limits is that those elected would have limited time to do their work, bet that good or bad. It might have the effect of speeding up the not so good parts in that there would be limited time to 'loot the kitty.' "We'd better get this done while we have a chance!"

 

[Robert Cromwell]

Most seem to think it is the other guys doing all the harm. Not much difference in the 2 major factions. both tax and spend only difference is who they tax and who/what they spend it on. Both are bought by big money. We have the best government that money can buy. And most will just keep reelecting whomever their party fronts up.

 

[Cool_Breeze]

Perhaps this is not the place for such a comment. I hope the OP will allow... ...will edit out if requested.

Republicans should be wary that for the 2016 Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton may be a Red Herring.

Who is waiting in the wings with thoughts of 'Break a leg'...? Republicans seem to be attempting all they can to see that she does.

 

[RayN]

The thing I see Term Limits doing is to make the politicians focus on the issues. If they weren't so worried about which deep pockets to keep happy, they might actually do the job they're elected for. I admit it's only one of a lot of needed changes, but I think it's the best starting point. You have to get rid of the deeply entrenched wanna be a politician for life type if you want to get any traction on the rest of what needs to be done.

As for limiting the time the "good" politicians get, it shouldn't matter in the long run, because the next guy should be good too. You're taking away a lot of what draws the power hungry to the job.

Other things that could follow that would keep things on the right track:
1 item per bill or resolution (no pork barreling and more likely to be a "cleaner" law. Less BS to mask the real issue.)
Ban lobbyists. No need for big donations to elected officials who can't get re-elected.
Make them work MORE. The current avg is around 115 days per year they're in Washington.
Make them attend votes. Look up the voting records of your politicians, see how many they didn't even bother to show up for.

I can go on and on, but I think it all starts with the clean slate. Vote out the incumbents and institute Term limits.

 

[RayN]

Perhaps this is not the place for such a comment. I hope the OP will allow... ...will edit out if requested.

Republicans should be wary that for the 2016 Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton may be a Red Herring.

Who is waiting in the wings with thoughts of 'Break a leg'...? Republicans seem to be attempting all they can to see that she does.

Not really on topic. But the point is, it won't matter if we don't fix congress. It's not a partisan issue it's a darn thing is broken issue.

On the topic of presidential elections though, that's broken too. Time to abolish the electoral College. It made sense when the means of communication were slow and ballot counting was extremely time consuming. Those are past issues though, it's time for everyone's vote to count and not only the 50+% per state who voted for one candidate.

 

[Cool_Breeze]

Not really on topic. But the point is, it won't matter if we don't fix congress. It's not a partisan issue it's a darn thing is broken issue.

On the topic of presidential elections though, that's broken too. Time to abolish the electoral College. It made sense when the means of communication were slow and ballot counting was extremely time consuming. Those are past issues though, it's time for everyone's vote to count and not only the 50+% per state who voted for one candidate.

On the matter of the electoral College, there is current talk of reapportioning based on qualified voters rather than general population. That could change the landscape a bit.

 

[RayN]

It could be a step in the right direction, but why not just count each vote? Why do we need the Electoral College to have a say in the matter at all?
The truth is we don't NEED to know the winner that night. Vote on Election day, announce winner 2-3 days later?
Other than giving the media a fit of not being able to broadcast "winners" way before the votes are tallied, where would the harm be?

 

[Cool_Breeze]

It could be a step in the right direction, but why not just count each vote? Why do we need the Electoral College to have a say in the matter at all?
The truth is we don't NEED to know the winner that night. Vote on Election day, announce winner 2-3 days later?
Other than giving the media a fit of not being able to broadcast "winners" way before the votes are tallied, where would the harm be?

Congested outcomes would require nightmare recounts if voting is done by other than electronic means. Using wholly electronic systems may invite tinkering behind the scenes.

 

[RayN]

Congested outcomes would require nightmare recounts if voting is done by other than electronic means. Using wholly electronic systems may invite tinkering behind the scenes.

Why would that be any different than what goes on today? Supposedly all of the votes get counted before the Electoral College casts their vote. How else would the Electoral College know which way to vote?
Assuming of course you actually believe that's how it works.

 

[Jethead]

The problem with the political system as I see it is, it's no longer the political system that is the problem. The liberal agenda has been fully brainwashed into the younger gen's heads. They actually believe in socialism, political correctness and the like.

Don't believe me? Explain Obama getting re elected without a bunch of brainwashed hipsters voting his way.

Also, I don't need to join an organization to do what you're suggestion more Americans need to do.

I study the Constitution, Federal, State and local laws on my own and fight to keep the lawyers honest.

Personally, I think we are heading for a MASSIVE and complete economic collapse that makes the Great Depression look desireable followed closely by rioting, race rioting, race wars and finally a Civil War before sense returns.

Good luck.

 

[RayN]

While I can appreciate your opinion and beliefs, the reason for joining together is communication. CPR is free to join, the purpose is to organize petitions, letter writing campaigns and other actions.

You said: "Personally, I think we are heading for a MASSIVE and complete economic collapse that makes the Great Depression look desireable followed closely by rioting, race rioting, race wars and finally a Civil War before sense returns."

If that is true, then perhaps it's still not too late to get the country back on track. To do nothing though is not really an option.

 

[Cool_Breeze]

Why would that be any different than what goes on today? Supposedly all of the votes get counted before the Electoral College casts their vote. How else would the Electoral College know which way to vote?
Assuming of course you actually believe that's how it works.

Of course you are right. I was mixing the notions of voter precincts and electoral votes in my mind. The two aren't necessarily coupled. Pardon me.

 

[Jethead]

I just don't feel the need to join an organization, I study actual bills and our representatives voting records on the issues and form my own opinions.

 

[RayN]

I just don't feel the need to join an organization, I study actual bills and our representatives voting records on the issues and form my own opinions.

That's great. However it has nothing to do with this thread or what I'm trying to accomplish.

 

[RayN]

Several folks have mentioned reworking the Term Limits to more than one term. I think there are some valid points to that. I really wish anyone interested in the idea of Congressional Reform would sign up on the website. Don't sign the petition if you don't agree with it, but it would give me a base of like minded people to talk to and either reword the petition or trash it and start a new one. I'm hoping to be able to update the site with more features for better communication soon. I'm no expert at building websites and I've ordered some software to hopefully help me with that.