Opinion of the President

[Mac_Attack]

The reason he used to go to war in Iraq was WMD. *He had poor information. *Now that were over there he's changed the reason to the spreading of democracy, bull $h--! *I do beleive that we have to fully support our service men and women over there. *Shame on Bush God Bless the USA and our servicemen! *Bill Mc *;D

[reelapeelin]

Yeah, I got somethin' to add...Bush is the worst president in my recollection...but he's not the BIGGEST problem we got...he will come and go...our biggest problem is w/the political machinery as it exists today...not only the Dems, not only the Reps...it's all of them and how they are influenced to support issues that are important to BIG money and special interests in this country AND abroad...we don't have control of this country as voters...we only have control (and that's suspect) of WHO gets to screw us and stuff their pockets during the next term...

There are some solutions, but it would take a massive number of voters to change their habits over several terms and everyone wants a Quick Fix...

There's more if anybody's interested...

;)

[Franco]

I'm always interested Oz. You are right, long term politicians - guys that never had a real job. Government service does not pay that well, but they all end up rich brokering thier power and influence. Oil, pharmacuticles, insurance companies, etc run us into the ground everyday!!!

[reelapeelin]

Yup, Career Politicians are a big part of the problem...Lobbyists are another...decisions affecting our lives and how our tax money is spent can't (but are) be made by financial influence...that pipeline needs to be shut off...

[rb437]

Term limits would be a good start to fix this.

[reelapeelin]

Rick, if we can get the Career Politicians to pass legislation limiting the amount of time they can reap the benefits of rapin' their constitiuants, let's do it... ;)...on the other hand we, the voters can toss away the Party Line mentality and NEVER vote for the incumbent...no matter who and no matter how good/bad a job he/she's doin'...and never vote him/her into ANOTHER office... ::)...

"But, RAP, if a guy's doin' a great job, we still oughtta vote him out?''...YUP...''but who'll wanna step up, then?''...THAT'S when people w/real integrity and credibility WILL run for office...and not lay down in the squallor that's become today's politics... ;)...

[willy]

Term limits, first thing
Second, all media print airwave etc. required to provide airtime for all candidates. All money for elections to come from public funds. No private campaigning money allowed.
Third and fourth party candidates given same air time as Dems or Reps.
To be honest other than who their diferent sponsors are this two party system has played us for fools, nothing has been fixed and we're in serious trouble.
We need to expand the playing field by law. It cost Corzine and the other idiot (multi millionairs) 200 million dollars to win the New Jersey Gov office. They don't spend that money because of their strong desire to serve the people!
A law with teeth concerning influence peddling in which the politician and the buyer serve minimum five year sentences.
A law against a politician working for or accepting any compensation from any entity that it voted for during his limited term for five years after office.
A chicken in every pot and a super model on every V20 ;D

[reelapeelin]

SCORE, WILLY...go ahead, Man...that's what I'M talkin' about!!...get the money outta gettin' elected and you'll clean up the system...

Outlaw POLITICS while we're at it!!! Anybody caught politickin' will be tarred and feathered (REALLY) and rode outta town!!...

Two parties=gotta GO!!

Can I have the soap box for a moment? Over the last ten years I've always got the feeling I was trying to vote for the least worst of the choices, not the best man for the job. While I'm only 33 I've come to realize that I've known quite a few people I'd consider to have great potential as leaders which has lead me to believe there are sooooo many more out there in our country (out of ~280 million, you'd think we could find a few great people who might want the job) Instead we get either idealists who squirm at the thought of sacrafice or cowboys goin' in w/ six shooters a'blazin. Why is that? Why is it we must always chose between left or right. I'd rather be in the center, which is where I think most of us are. Yet there is no "center" party. Hmmm. Money plays a very big factor, but then how are we supposed to hear what they have to say when they can't buy airtime or fund cross country plane/bus/train ride to as many places as possible so we can hear them speak. For a while I thought the internet might be a great way for a political party to get it's message out, but then I realized most people wouldn't bother. Especially when only about half of this country is eligable to vote and less than half of those actually vote! I think everyone should pause when you stop to think that 500 million votes were cast for "American Idol" but only 70 million votes (I might be a little off on that one, but I know I'm at least close) were cast for the last election. I don't think the answer soley lies with "fixing" the political process, but fixing the mindset of americans as well. It is our government! The ones WE elect are mere servants and they need to be reminded of that. The only way that happens is when the voters actually become proactive and informed. Not something most poeple want to put much time into these days. And if we need an example of what CAN happen just take a look a Palistin (I can't spell either). From what I've read it seems they voted for the terroist party mainly because they were tired of the corruption of the ruling party. Unfortunatly for them, they might have cut off their heads to spite their nose, but the point is the voters need to vote! One more quick point: if we could get quality leaders in government then the current terms that are in place now would be just fine. Now that I've rambled on past my bedtime I'll yeild my remaining characters I have left to type (and soapbox) to the distingushed v20 member below! ;D

[TheTinMan]

Willy, you said: *

"But what is going on in Iraq is not about just wmd's or oil. Thats what the opposition would have you believe and the gullible listen to them."

It wasn't the opposition??? *It was what our leadership told us! *THEY told us Iraq was an imminent threat due to their WMD program...period.

Willy, although we may not agree on the war...I totally agree with your last post 100%!!! *RIGHT ON!

There NEEDS to be laws governing campaign monies!

Jeff, exactly how I feel too. *It's a shame with the choices that we've had for president. *I didn't vote for Bush, but believe me I had a real tough time voting for Kerry. *I almost didn't vote but that wouldn't have been right. The previous election I basically threw my vote away not voting Dem. or Rep., stupid move, especially being how close the race was...and I was a FL resident at the time!

If only there was some decent candidates, but when you think about it....who the hell would want the job??hence...our choices. *It seems everytime there looks like there may be a decent canditate, they back out.

I don't think Bush is a bad, malicious person, although I agree with RAP that he is the worst president in my recollection too. *IMO he just doesn't have what it takes upstairs to be a leader. *This was eveident to me on 9-11 when he was informed by an aid while in that class room of kids that "our nation is under attack". *I just can't comprehend how our Commander In Chief could just sit there with a dumfounded and lost look on his face and do nothing for so long....IMO, he didn't know what to do...he SHOULD have jumped from his seat immediately, excused himself and found out what was going on. *