Having thought about the country's current situation, I have come up with two things this country really needs. But first the problems:
*This country is way too partisian. Not just Republican/Democrat; but conservative/liberal, right-wing/left-wing. People have made these labels too much of their personal identities. As a result people take things too personally if they think their views or people with their views are being attacked. Worse, people are not thinking things thru, instead just agreeing to what others with their label think. In the end they are allowing others to do their thinking for them.
*Neither side has a monopoly on good/bad ideas. If one insisting on solutions coming from their side, they automatically exclude good ideas.
*People want to believe they are right at all costs. In fact, people would rather be wrong about something and believe they are right, than to admit they were wrong and find a better solution. If under attack, people harden their positions and refuse to listen to possible other solutions/ideas. No one is right all the time.
*As much as we focus on the liberal/conservative split, the real issue in Washington is people with influence vs. people without. The first group is influencing Congress to set policies that fit their needs, not the average American. For example, drug companies use their money/influence to make sure they are as profitable as possible, regardless of the pain they cause Americans.
*Congressmen need money to be elected, and get it from doners. Now they need so much money they have to spend most of their time getting donations. Many former Congressmen have admitted as much.
*The people with money/influence need Americans to concentrate on the liberal/conservative split. That way they can hide in plain sight.
*By concentrating on this split, people can blame the "other" side for all the problems. They can ignore that they are often part of the problem.
*The people with influence will focus the country's attention on emotional wedge issues such as gay marriage to distract people from important issues such as health care. Groups like the insurance groups don't want a solution, because they make the most profits with our current mess.
*Unfortunetly, we allow ourselves to be distracted, because we think emotionally instead of logically. We focus on issues such as flag burning/gay marriages because they make us feel superior to our oponents and allow us to hate.
The solution?:
1. Publically financed political campaigns. Each candidate for President gets $100 million to spend and can't accept any donations. Each Senate/House candidate from both parties get a set amount. This is in every state, for every slot in Washington. The challenger gets as much as the incumbent and neither can accept donations. The power then lies in which groups can get the most voters out, but the important thing is then the power is with the VOTERS. Congressmen can then make decision based on what is best for America, not for the groups donating money.
2. What we really need is a President who's an independent and doesn't belong to either party. This man/woman then appoints people who are nonidealogical to make decisions. Their decisions are based on what's best for Americans not for their political party.
I know it's a long shot, but if enough Americans join together, it can be done.
*This country is way too partisian. Not just Republican/Democrat; but conservative/liberal, right-wing/left-wing. People have made these labels too much of their personal identities. As a result people take things too personally if they think their views or people with their views are being attacked. Worse, people are not thinking things thru, instead just agreeing to what others with their label think. In the end they are allowing others to do their thinking for them.
*Neither side has a monopoly on good/bad ideas. If one insisting on solutions coming from their side, they automatically exclude good ideas.
*People want to believe they are right at all costs. In fact, people would rather be wrong about something and believe they are right, than to admit they were wrong and find a better solution. If under attack, people harden their positions and refuse to listen to possible other solutions/ideas. No one is right all the time.
*As much as we focus on the liberal/conservative split, the real issue in Washington is people with influence vs. people without. The first group is influencing Congress to set policies that fit their needs, not the average American. For example, drug companies use their money/influence to make sure they are as profitable as possible, regardless of the pain they cause Americans.
*Congressmen need money to be elected, and get it from doners. Now they need so much money they have to spend most of their time getting donations. Many former Congressmen have admitted as much.
*The people with money/influence need Americans to concentrate on the liberal/conservative split. That way they can hide in plain sight.
*By concentrating on this split, people can blame the "other" side for all the problems. They can ignore that they are often part of the problem.
*The people with influence will focus the country's attention on emotional wedge issues such as gay marriage to distract people from important issues such as health care. Groups like the insurance groups don't want a solution, because they make the most profits with our current mess.
*Unfortunetly, we allow ourselves to be distracted, because we think emotionally instead of logically. We focus on issues such as flag burning/gay marriages because they make us feel superior to our oponents and allow us to hate.
The solution?:
1. Publically financed political campaigns. Each candidate for President gets $100 million to spend and can't accept any donations. Each Senate/House candidate from both parties get a set amount. This is in every state, for every slot in Washington. The challenger gets as much as the incumbent and neither can accept donations. The power then lies in which groups can get the most voters out, but the important thing is then the power is with the VOTERS. Congressmen can then make decision based on what is best for America, not for the groups donating money.
2. What we really need is a President who's an independent and doesn't belong to either party. This man/woman then appoints people who are nonidealogical to make decisions. Their decisions are based on what's best for Americans not for their political party.
I know it's a long shot, but if enough Americans join together, it can be done.
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