If I were elected President of the US...

[Prof.]

I will create a new world order and make the US the great country it once was and make sure that everyone has a fair chance at the American dream. I will make socialized medicine similar to the UK, Canada and France have and put the US back on top for medical care. I will pass bills making all energy environmentally friendly and affordable for every American. I will raise the minimum wage so no longer families will have starve in the streets. I will promise a science friendly White House. I will personally work with other counties to bring PEACE on EARTH.

What would you do if you were elected president???

(please keep it realistic)

[Nugget]

I'd like to move tax day to be the day before election day, and then abolish income tax withholdings. I think we'd see some really positive change in our Government if people had to vote the day after having to write a check for 1/3rd of their annual income.

[EricNau]

(please keep it real)
Well that's ironic. :p

[obeygiant]

Take all the money they give to the Pentagon and put it into the space program.... maybe

[gauchogolfer]

Well that's ironic. :p

Beat me to it!

[xsedrinam]

What would you do if you were elected president???

(please keep it real)
I wouldn't step down to take it.

[IJ Reilly]

I'd sell it and use the money to buy something I really wanted.

[xsedrinam]

I'd sell it and use the money to buy something I really wanted.
Isn't that sort of what the present administration is about, already?

[Prof.]

Well that's ironic. :p

I mean don't say stupid things like "I'll legalize marijuana"

[IJ Reilly]

Isn't that sort of what the present administration is about, already?

Maybe, but they're obviously not very good at negotiating on price.

[EricNau]

I mean don't say stupid things like "I'll legalize marijuana"
...A far more reasonable claim than "Peace on Earth," really.

[Prof.]

...A far more reasonable claim than "Peace on Earth."

No dream is too big for one man to imagine.

[adrianblaine]

I mean don't say stupid things like "I'll legalize marijuana"

Most of the things you mentioned are about as possible to do (and unlikely) as making marijuana legal... It would take nearly 50 years to make all those changes so you'd have to add one more to your list about getting rid of term limits.

[obeygiant]

I mean don't say stupid things like "I'll legalize marijuana"

lol sorry,
thats not a bad idea. ok, take all the money they give to the pentagon and spend it on legalizing marijuana.


YES! Can you imagine that? There is a movie in there somewhere.

[yg17]

I mean don't say stupid things like "I'll legalize marijuana"

That really isn't a stupid thing to say. For one, the "war on drugs" doesn't work, and it's a waste of time, money and other resources. Plus, they can legalize it and tax the hell out of it like cigarettes.


So yes, if I were elected POTUS, that's one of the things I'd do. I don't touch the stuff and don't plan on it, but it should be legalized IMO.

[Prof.]

Most of the things you mentioned are about as possible to do (and unlikely) as making marijuana legal... It would take nearly 50 years to make all those changes so you'd have to add one more to your list about getting rid of term limits.

LOL

You guys are being overly critical.

Obviously I will never be elected president. My post is my dream of a perfect world.

[adrianblaine]

LOL

You guys are being overly critical.

Obviously I will never be elected president. My post is my dream of a perfect world.

Than why did you put "rules" on it to not say certain things?

I'm experiencing déjà vu for some reason. Didn't we just have a thread not too long ago that started exactly like this?

[Prof.]

Than why did you put "rules" on it to not say certain things?

I'm experiencing déjà vu for some reason. Didn't we just have a thread not too long ago that started exactly like this?

FINE! do whatever.

[wyatt23]

That really isn't a stupid thing to say. For one, the "war on drugs" doesn't work, and it's a waste of time, money and other resources. Plus, they can legalize it and tax the hell out of it like cigarettes.


So yes, if I were elected POTUS, that's one of the things I'd do. I don't touch the stuff and don't plan on it, but it should be legalized IMO.


we'd need to be specific. recreational use should be OK! and driving "under the influence punishable similarly to DUI. but seriously, i wanna grow some sick bud in my closet and buy some exotics up at the local convenience store.



ALSO! aside from weed, if anyone here is elected president, check out democracy matters. it's all about publicly funded elections to prevent politicians from being bought by large donations from special interest groups.


SEE! i dont just care about the legalization of the ganj.

[Nugget]

I mean don't say stupid things like "I'll legalize marijuana"

Yeah, I gotta agree with yg17 -- why is this a "stupid thing"? Seems like a reasonable and realistic goal to me.

[solvs]

Everything Bush is doing, yeah, pretty much the exact opposite on almost everything.

Except for the no-call list, and maybe a couple of other little things.

[Thomas Veil]

I've been over some of this ground in other threads, but I'd have three main goals: disconnecting money from politics; promoting a more peaceful world; and counteracting the threat of fundamentalism at home by assuring the continuing success of liberalism.

For the first goal, I'd work towards actually using the anti-trust laws we already have, and possibly strengthening them. I'd want to establish federal financing of elections. I'd want laws on the books (and ideally a Supreme Court decision to back me up) that would put limits on the ways companies can influence government and hide their taxable income.

I'd attempt the second goal by doing pretty much everything the opposite of what the Bush administration is doing in the Middle East. I'd want closer relations with and support for Arab countries; I'd want to distance myself (but not completely) from Israel; and I'd want to keep our friggin' fingers out of nation-building over there.

The third goal, I'd order the FCC to reinstate the Equal Time doctrine so that radio wouldn't be primarily a steady diet of conservative disinformation. I'd also order them to require the divestiture of media from the big companies that own them; I'd return to the time (as when I was growing up) when the government said a company could own only one newspaper in town, three radio stations, etc. And I'd require the teaching of civics, particularly the Constitution, in all levels of school: elementary, secondary and college. I'd want an independent board of really credible journalists (Bill Moyers, e.g.) to advise the FCC on whether networks are fulfilling their obligation to "serve the public interest"...and if they're not............. I figure once you have an informed public, the rest (universal health care, the environment, etc.) pretty much takes care of itself.

This is not to say I find all of the above easily achievable, but that would be the direction I'd take.

[Swarmlord]

<snip>
The third goal, I'd order the FCC to reinstate the Equal Time doctrine so that radio wouldn't be primarily a steady diet of conservative disinformation. <snip>.

Air America can't even gin up enough listeners and advertisers to stay in business. You want to force radio stations to carry even more content that doesn't pay its own way? Conservative shows dominate the airwaves because people listen and advertisers pay. It's the free market.

[imac/cheese]

... I will pass bills making all energy environmentally friendly and affordable for every American. I will raise the minimum wage so no longer families will have starve in the streets....

(please keep it realistic)

I am confused on how a bill will make energy both environmentally friendly and affordable. :confused:

Normally those people starving on the streets are not there because they are making minimum wage. They are there because of a variety of other reasons such as drug addictions, unemployment, or mental disorders.

[Eric Piercey]

I've been over some of this ground in other threads, but I'd have three main goals: disconnecting money from politics; promoting a more peaceful world; and counteracting the threat of fundamentalism at home by assuring the continuing success of liberalism.

For the first goal, I'd work towards actually using the anti-trust laws we already have, and possibly strengthening them. I'd want to establish federal financing of elections. I'd want laws on the books (and ideally a Supreme Court decision to back me up) that would put limits on the ways companies can influence government and hide their taxable income.

I'd attempt the second goal by doing pretty much everything the opposite of what the Bush administration is doing in the Middle East. I'd want closer relations with and support for Arab countries; I'd want to distance myself (but not completely) from Israel; and I'd want to keep our friggin' fingers out of nation-building over there.

The third goal, I'd order the FCC to reinstate the Equal Time doctrine so that radio wouldn't be primarily a steady diet of conservative disinformation. I'd also order them to require the divestiture of media from the big companies that own them; I'd return to the time (as when I was growing up) when the government said a company could own only one newspaper in town, three radio stations, etc. And I'd require the teaching of civics, particularly the Constitution, in all levels of school: elementary, secondary and college. I'd want an independent board of really credible journalists (Bill Moyers, e.g.) to advise the FCC on whether networks are fulfilling their obligation to "serve the public interest"...and if they're not............. I figure once you have an informed public, the rest (universal health care, the environment, etc.) pretty much takes care of itself.

This is not to say I find all of the above easily achievable, but that would be the direction I'd take.

You have my vote. I'd add a couple things though like creating new industry; jobs dedicated to engineering and building non-fossil based energy. I'd also unilaterally claim that any whaling vessels would be sunk without warning regardless of their origin. Pot legalized, although regulated. Income tax abolished. Carbon footprint halved over the next 5 years through aggressive legislation. Yes this would require massive lifestyle changes - tough doo doo for most fata$$ Americans. Repeal the patriot act. A real investigation of 911. Restoration of faith in both American Goverment and newsmedia.. well your post addresses this already, nevermind.

[pdham]

I will create a new world order and make the US the great country it once was and make sure that everyone has a fair chance at the American dream.

I mean this sincerely... but what is the American Dream? Or at least what do you think it is?

[Nugget]

I mean this sincerely... but what is the American Dream? Or at least what do you think it is?

I'm not sure, but it seems to revolve around having a larger television than any of your neighbors.

[Queso]

I'd abolish the Constitution and bring you all back under British rule.

[skunk]

I will create a new world order and make the US the great country it once was and make sure that everyone has a fair chance at the American dream.Which great incarnation of the US are you harking back to, and how would this US greatness improve the lot of the rest of the world?
I will pass bills making all energy environmentally friendly and affordable for every American.It will take more than presidential fiat to achieve this.

What would you do if you were elected president???I would make political contributions funded from taxation instead of by corporations.

[Badandy]

I will create a new world order and make the US the great country it once was and make sure that everyone has a fair chance at the American dream. I will make socialized medicine similar to the UK, Canada and France have and put the US back on top for medical care. I will pass bills making all energy environmentally friendly and affordable for every American. I will raise the minimum wage so no longer families will have starve in the streets. I will promise a science friendly White House. I will personally work with other counties to bring PEACE on EARTH.

What would you do if you were elected president???

(please keep it realistic)

I'll continue to understand economics and completely undo the almost irreparable damage you would have caused to the country.

[Prof.]

Holy hell you guys! you are acting like I am the president and I am actually do all these things. Obviously I will never be president so can you guys stop berating me!?!?!

That is my vision of a perfect world and If we all tried, I believe it is feasible. BUT NO, you guys gotta be overly critical and crucify me at the smallest detail you do not agree with!

My fu@#ing GOD :mad:

[adrianblaine]

I mean this sincerely... but what is the American Dream? Or at least what do you think it is?

I'm not sure, but it seems to revolve around having a larger television than any of your neighbors.

Sad, but sort of true. I've always felt that we've been brainwashed into thinking that the "American Dream" is the same for everyone. Have a big house with a big backyard with a nice car and a huge TV. In reality the American dream is to live a content life. For me that is to not own a car, live in a smaller house and within walking distance of everything. So far I've gotten everything but the small house, and I'm extremely happy.

Holy hell you guys! you are acting like I am the president and I am actually do all these things. Obviously I will never be president so can you guys stop berating me!?!?!

That is my vision of a perfect world and If we all tried, I believe it is feasible. BUT NO, you guys gotta be overly critical and crucify me at the smallest detail you do not agree with!

My fu@#ing GOD

If you haven't noticed, this is how this particular forum operates. It's actually taken very seriously for it belonging to technology oriented community. If you post in here, be ready to back whatever you claim is or it will lead to frustration (as it seems to have already).

[skunk]

Holy hell you guys! you are acting like I am the president and I am actually do all these things. Obviously I will never be president so can you guys stop berating me!?!?!

That is my vision of a perfect world and If we all tried, I believe it is feasible. BUT NO, you guys gotta be overly critical and crucify me at the smallest detail you do not agree with!

My fu@#ing GOD :mad:Apart from your questionable choice of expletives, your "vision of a perfect world" begs an awful lot of questions. Especially if one does not happen to be American.

[Thanatoast]

I would pass a law saying that morbidly obese people aren't allowed to ride on scooters. If they're too fat to walk, they should roll to their destination. I'd call it "The Walk 'n Roll Lifestyle Act of 2008".

But seriously, I would study a national sales tax. I would re-mission the armed forces to protect the territorial sovereignity of the US, and reduce the Pentagon budget accordingly. (We wouldn't need as many tanks/planes/aircraft carriers/troops to defend against our "enemies"). Let the FBI and the CIA do their jobs with foreign and domestic terrorist criminals. I would abolish the DHS, if possible. I would abolish corporate mercenary armies-for-hire. I would take savings from the military and push it towards renewable energy research and infrastructure renewal. I would propose a national high-speed rail system with capital investment equal to the national highway system. I would release a statement that the Constitution applies to everyone, not just Americans. I would propose a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution and raise taxes to Clinton-era levels.

And finally, I would be lynched by neo-con Republicans, hanged by slathering fundies and burned at the stake by Fox News opinionaters.

[skunk]

So, a little something for everyone, then? :)

[rdowns]

Holy hell you guys! you are acting like I am the president and I am actually do all these things. Obviously I will never be president so can you guys stop berating me!?!?!

That is my vision of a perfect world and If we all tried, I believe it is feasible. BUT NO, you guys gotta be overly critical and crucify me at the smallest detail you do not agree with!

My fu@#ing GOD :mad:

I don't think you have the proper temperament to be President.

[Thomas Veil]

Apart from your questionable choice of expletives, your "vision of a perfect world" begs an awful lot of questions. Especially if one does not happen to be American.Are you implying Prof. suggests he'd make the US great at the expense of the rest of the world?

You want to force radio stations to carry even more content that doesn't pay its own way? Conservative shows dominate the airwaves because people listen and advertisers pay. It's the free market.The same free market that says it worships competition but actually reduces or eliminates it.

Gimme the way this country was back when the FCC acted as custodians of the airwaves, instead of auctioneers. Not only was there a better balance between liberals and conservatives, but a whole lot more of it was local. You can't tell me radio stations didn't make money back then.

I'll continue to understand economics and completely undo the almost irreparable damage you would have caused to the country.How do economists account for the lack of irreparable damage that Europe has had following Prof.'s model? Or the success of the US under Bill Clinton, as opposed to what we're getting now?

[MacNut]

I don't think you have the proper temperament to be President.Actually we need a president that will swear sometimes not just hide behind a pre written speech.;)

[skunk]

Actually we need a president that will swear sometimesAs in "I swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States"?

[MacNut]

As in "I swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States"?More like don't hide behind speech writers. Don't tell the people what they want to hear tell them what they need to hear.

[skunk]

More like don't hide behind speech writers. Don't tell the people what they want to hear tell them what they need to hear.JFK used speechwriters, some damned fine ones, too.

[MacNut]

JFK used speechwriters, some damned fine ones, too.They all use speech writers to make the perfect speech but is it better to be off the cuff to get a message out.

[Prof.]

I don't think you have the proper temperament to be President.

Sometimes you gotta be mean :p

(Plus i have the flu and my thanksgiving is ruined. that's one of the reasons I am crabby)

[solvs]

How do economists account for the lack of irreparable damage that Europe has had following Prof.'s model? Or the success of the US under Bill Clinton, as opposed to what we're getting now?
Magic?

[Thomas Veil]

Magic?Well, magic (as defined in the movie of the same name) is getting the people to look in the wrong place at the right time.

Sound like anybody we know?

[scotthayes]

Damn, really wanted to post in this thread, but as I'm English I can never become President of The United States. Unless you can change the constitution for me :D

[Queso]

Damn, really wanted to post in this thread, but as I'm English I can never become President of The United States. Unless you can change the constitution for me :D
You could always buy the USA and install a puppet with the way the dollar's going :p

[Swarmlord]

Damn, really wanted to post in this thread, but as I'm English I can never become President of The United States. Unless you can change the constitution for me :D

If we're changing it, it will be to allow Arrrrnold to become president. We could use a little of the Governator!

[saltyzoo]

If I were president I would crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and hear the lamentation of the women!

[Thomas Veil]

Damn, really wanted to post in this thread, but as I'm English I can never become President of The United States. Unless you can change the constitution for me :DOh, what the hell, it's an academic exercise. I wouldn't mind hearing a foreign viewpoint on this topic...provided you know enough about how US government and politics work.

[Peterkro]

Air America can't even gin up enough listeners and advertisers to stay in business. You want to force radio stations to carry even more content that doesn't pay its own way? Conservative shows dominate the airwaves because people listen and advertisers pay. It's the free market.

I take it your talking about Air America Radio and not the CIA terrorist organisation,it's just with you I can never be sure.

[Swarmlord]

I take it your talking about Air America Radio and not the CIA terrorist organisation,it's just with you I can never be sure.

Yeah, I'm talking about the liberal air station with Jean Garafalo, Roades and formerly Franken. If there ever was created a test environment to prove or disprove the viability of liberalism that was it. It should have been raking in money from advertisers sick of the conservative dominance of the airwaves hand over fist while lib listeners tuned in religiously to finally hear someone they could agree with. On top of that it should have been the model company to work for - a virtual worker's paradise where living wages, health care and all the things that evil conservatives eliminated from jobs were completely restored.

Well, we all know how that turned out. Geez, you'd think the likes of Ben and Jerry's and the other activist CEO companies would have propped them up, but no.

And libs propose that we need more of this to balance the airwaves? Who's going to pay for it or listen to it?

[imac/cheese]

...provided you know enough about how US government and politics work.

Is that actually a requirement for president? :confused:

[leekohler]

Is that actually a requirement for president? :confused:

Apparently not, given recent years experience. :)

[Queso]

If there ever was created a test environment to prove or disprove the viability of liberalism that was it.
Whereas you simply couldn't ask for a better ad for capitalism than the US economy.

[dukebound85]

I will raise the minimum wage so no longer families will have starve in the streets.


does anyone else see the issue with this "logic"

this is exactly the reason why our dollar is falling. government prints its way out of debt (one of the causes)

[solvs]

If we're changing it, it will be to allow Arrrrnold to become president. We could use a little of the Governator!
By your standards, he's actually fairly liberal, so you might want to rethink that.

provided you know enough about how US government and politics work.
He probably knows more than most Americans. Would be kinda hard not to. Sadly.

If there ever was created a test environment to prove or disprove the viability of liberalism that was it. It should have been raking in money from advertisers sick of the conservative dominance of the airwaves hand over fist while lib listeners tuned in religiously to finally hear someone they could agree with. On top of that it should have been the model company to work for - a virtual worker's paradise where living wages, health care and all the things that evil conservatives eliminated from jobs were completely restored.
Most of the liberals I know listen to music and build their own opinions on things rather than wanting someone to dictate to them what they should think. Though most of the people I know are actually fairly moderate, and wouldn't listen to either libs or cons, but I know how you scale political affiliation, so they'd probably all be liberals to you. That, and when Fox was first starting, it hemorrhaged money, and took quite some time and effort to get off the ground.

For the record, their viewership is down (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/08/29/fox-news-ratings-plummet_n_28309.html), while Air America's has been going up in some markets (http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/07/27/133632.php), despite sucking (a lot actually, I know I don't listen to it).

[Prof.]

does anyone else see the issue with this "logic"
Oh yeah, I do.

I forgot to but a "to" between "have" and "starve".

My bad. I'm not perfect :p

PWND! :D

[imac/cheese]

If I were president I would crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and hear the lamentation of the women!

What is best in life.

[rdowns]

If I were elected President.....


I'd hire better looking, thinner interns.

[leekohler]

By your standards, he's actually fairly liberal, so you might want to rethink that.


He probably knows more than most Americans. Would be kinda hard not to. Sadly.


Most of the liberals I know listen to music and build their own opinions on things rather than wanting someone to dictate to them what they should think. Though most of the people I know are actually fairly moderate, and wouldn't listen to either libs or cons, but I know how you scale political affiliation, so they'd probably all be liberals to you. That, and when Fox was first starting, it hemorrhaged money, and took quite some time and effort to get off the ground.

For the record, their viewership is down (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/08/29/fox-news-ratings-plummet_n_28309.html), while Air America's has been going up in some markets (http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/07/27/133632.php), despite sucking (a lot actually, I know I don't listen to it).

I was about to say the same thing. I don't need to be fed my views by a radio station. It's no surprise to me that conservative stations are popular. If Air America put good people on, and honestly let's face it, I'd rather hear people who are unbiased, I'd listen. But that's not what they're doing. Instead, they think they need to be the flipside of conservative talk radio and be attack dogs. Well, I think I speak for most of us here when I say that's not what a lot of people are looking for.

[solvs]

I'd hire better looking, thinner interns.
Hey, fat chicks need loving too. ;)

Well, I think I speak for most of us here when I say that's not what a lot of people are looking for.
Yeah I don't think liberals like it, and I know moderates don't.

I prefer my iPod and reading the AP online.

[dukebound85]

Oh yeah, I do.

I forgot to but a "to" between "have" and "starve".

My bad. I'm not perfect :p

PWND! :D

not quite what i was getting at. in a capitalist economy such as ours, having people of different classes is a necessary evil.

you raise min wage and all the sudden, prices of goods will increase since the dollar no longer has the same value (more of it out there) and then they cant afford the goods and starve....starting us at block one again

[Shotglass]

I will [...] make the US the great country it once was and make sure that everyone has a fair chance at the American dream
(please keep it realistic)

:D

Seriously though, I think there's nothing I would do that hasn't already been mentioned. The goals are quite obvious.

I would have a massive orgy though.
just kidding.

[leekohler]

Yeah I don't think liberals like it, and I know moderates don't.

I prefer my iPod and reading the AP online.

Political discourse has been dragged through the mud by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly. People are really sick of it. Unfortunately, Air America got right down in the mud with them. I don't need to listen to that, nor do I want to. Moderates and liberals would rather hear something more unbiased and make up their own minds on issues.

[imac/cheese]

Political discourse has been dragged through the mud by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly. People are really sick of it. Unfortunately, Air America got right down in the mud with them. I don't need to listen to that, nor do I want to. Moderates and liberals would rather hear something more unbiased and make up their own minds on issues.

Many conservatives enjoy listening to unbiased news and making up their own minds as well. I love listening to NPR. I read CNN and haven't been to Fox News channel in a very long time. I do enjoy listening to Rush or Hannity on occasion for the entertainment value, and to find a lot of interesting points to explore further. It just so happens that a lot of what they say has some truth to it, but the rest of the story is left behind.

[obeygiant]

...Unfortunately, Air America got right down in the mud with them. I don't need to listen to that, nor do I want to. Moderates and liberals would rather hear something more unbiased and make up their own minds on issues.

I guess the Huffington Post, Crooks and Liars, and moveon.org already had the market cornered on unbiased mud slinging.

[leekohler]

I guess the Huffington Post, Crooks and Liars, and moveon.org already had the market cornered on unbiased mud slinging.

When have I ever used any of those as a source? Never. Quit making assumptions.

Many conservatives enjoy listening to unbiased news and making up their own minds as well. I love listening to NPR. I read CNN and haven't been to Fox News channel in a very long time. I do enjoy listening to Rush or Hannity on occasion for the entertainment value, and to find a lot of interesting points to explore further. It just so happens that a lot of what they say has some truth to it, but the rest of the story is left behind.

I have to disagree. I don't think Limbaugh, Hannity, etc are interested in the truth at all. They're more interested in twisting the truth to fit their own views. And before you even say it, yes- I listened to Limbaugh extensively all through the Clinton administration. It took a while, but I began to see what a flake the guy is. And after his shameless drug addict antics, any respect I had for him went out the window.

[imac/cheese]

I have to disagree. I don't think Limbaugh, Hannity, etc are interested in the truth at all. They're more interested in twisting the truth to fit their own views. And before you even say it, yes- I listened to Limbaugh extensively all through the Clinton administration. It took a while, but I began to see what a flake the guy is. And after his shameless drug addict antics, any respect I had for him went out the window.

I did say that: "...has some truth to it, but the rest of the story is left behind." I guess that entire sentence might not have been worded for clarity, but what I meant by it is that those shows often times will have accurate statements or happenings in them that are taken out of context or intentionally misrepresented to fit the views of the hosts an/or listeners. When I hear something that interests me, I will go to other sources to find out the whole story,

I used to listen to rush and hannity nearly every day, but as of the last 6 months or so, I have been listening to NPR whcih is much more enlightening. I do find it to be fairly unbiased and I love how they often delve deeper into topics than any other news source.

[obeygiant]

When have I ever used any of those as a source? Never. Quit making assumptions.


Who said this was about you? I was talking about the "moderates and liberals" who allegedly listened to Air America and post in this forum. :)

[Thomas Veil]

If there ever was created a test environment to prove or disprove the viability of liberalism that was it.Geez, it's quite a leap to interpret the struggles of one radio network as representative of all of liberalism.

My guess is more that there isn't really that much of an appetite for political talk radio...except among angry white men.

you raise min wage and all the sudden, prices of goods will increase since the dollar no longer has the same value (more of it out there) and then they cant afford the goods and starve....starting us at block one againThey keep tellin' us this every time they raise the minimum wage, and we keep waiting for it to happen.

[leekohler]

Who said this was about you? I was talking about the "moderates and liberals" who allegedly listened to Air America and post in this forum. :)

You used my quote. That's why I thought you were talking about me. Next time be more clear if you don't want to be misunderstood.

Geez, it's quite a leap to interpret the struggles of one radio network as representative of all of liberalism.

My guess is more that there isn't really that much of an appetite for political talk radio...except among angry white men.


I think you summed that up quite nicely.

I did say that: "...has some truth to it, but the rest of the story is left behind." I guess that entire sentence might not have been worded for clarity, but what I meant by it is that those shows often times will have accurate statements or happenings in them that are taken out of context or intentionally misrepresented to fit the views of the hosts an/or listeners. When I hear something that interests me, I will go to other sources to find out the whole story,

I used to listen to rush and hannity nearly every day, but as of the last 6 months or so, I have been listening to NPR whcih is much more enlightening. I do find it to be fairly unbiased and I love how they often delve deeper into topics than any other news source.

I can agree with that.

[Glen Quagmire]

Anyway.

I'd:

* Ban corporate welfare. Clamp down on US corporations evading tax by headquartering in Bermuda or the Cayman Islands.
* Free, universal health care for all. Every other country has it, yet pays less in GDP for it than the US.
* Bye bye electoral college. You are an ananchronism. The winner of the popular vote wins the Presidency. No more controversies like Florida 2000 or Ohio 2004.
* Proper auditable voting systems. No Diebolds. Nothing electronic. I don't care if it takes three weeks to count the votes, it's being done manually.
* Compulsory six months' military service/community service for 18 year olds. That'll get them fit(ter), and sort out any delinquants among them.
* Immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Stay in Afghanistan, as the Taliban are on the march. Again.
* Compulsory registration of all guns. I don't care if you want to own an Uzi, you're going to register it, so it can be traced. And you can wait five days for a background check. If you're clean, you can get your AK47 after a short delay. Add to that compuslory firearms training for all gun owners.
* Increase CAFE standards dramatically. Stricter emissions/consumption requirements for trucks. More difficult driving tests; extra tests for SUVs and other large vehicles.
* High-speed rail network for the west coast (LA-San Francisco-Portland-Seattle/etc) and east coast (Boston-NYC-DC/etc) and states like OH and PA.
* Term limits for Congress. I don't want 90 year old Senators.
* Federal funding of elections. Spending $1 billion on an election is disgusting.
* Each Presidential candidate shall be forced to publish their initial cabinet prior to voting day, so the electors get to see who the President wants on their team. Sure, you may find George W. Bush acceptable, but what about Tommy Thompson or Condi Rice?
* My first piece of legislation: The Democratic Party (Provision Of Spines) Bill. To prevent any future Democratic legislators being as hopeless and cowardly as the current lot, all Democratic members of Congress and leaders if the DLC and their ilk shall be blasted into the sun forthwith, with the exception of Dennis Kucinich and Chris Dodd, as a deterrant to future vomit-inducing behaviour.
* Fred Phelps and his church to go on tour throughout country so people can laugh and them and throw rotten fruit at those reprehensible bigots.
* "Oblige" Hayden Panettiere to be my First Lady.
* Scrap the dollar and join the Euro-zone instead. The dollar is worthless - use a currency that's got some confidence behind it!

[MacNut]

* Bye bye electoral college. You are an ananchronism. The winner of the popular vote wins the Presidency. No more controversies like Florida 2000 or Ohio 2004.I would do you one better, no primaries. Vote for the best candidate out of 20 or so on Election Day and the best one wins. Often times the best person for the job doesn't win the primary.

[solvs]

I guess the Huffington Post, Crooks and Liars, and moveon.org already had the market cornered on unbiased mud slinging.
I don't know about Moveon, who clearly have an agenda and admit to it, but both C&L and Huffington criticize Dems all the time. I generally just use C&L and MM as links to video or audio I can't find elsewhere, don't really care about the commentary. Again, clearly present themselves as liberals though, and mostly just link to other things. Huffington Post links to other sites as well, mostly AP and Reuters stuff, but you must not go there very often if you think they don't criticize the Dems. Ariana seems to absolutely detest Hillary, and I've noticed several articles criticizing Gore, Obama, and Edwards. There was even something making fun of Gravel. All completely called for BTW. And if something turns out to be incorrect, they will issue corrections.

We've clearly stated we don't like it coming from the left either though, even worse if they have to pull Drudge-like tactics, pushing things that have been proven to be untrue but they keep repeating them anyway refusing to apologize if they're wrong, pretending to be fair and balanced the way Fox does, even though it clearly isn't.

[dukebound85]

They keep tellin' us this every time they raise the minimum wage, and we keep waiting for it to happen.

isnt it already? i think inflation and this are positive feedback loops for this

i certainly can tell goods cost more than they did just a couple years ago. i remember when 20oz soda was 75 cent now its 1.25. milk around 2.50 and now about 4. when airheads cost 5 cent a pice now 25 cent. then there's parking meters, and alot.

regardless, prices are climbing

[Thomas Veil]

Prices are always climbing, but you can't make an across-the-board claim that it's because pop factory workers, farmers and parking meter cops got a raise. Studies have shown (http://www.fiscalpolicy.org/FPISmallBusinessMinWage.pdf) that, contrary to claims that higher wages will end up hurting both workers and employers, the opposite tends to hold true.

The simplistic introductory economics prediction that an increase in the minimum wage will result in job loss clearly is not supported by the actual job growth record. Rather, faced with an increase in the minimum wage, small businesses may have benefited from some combination of higher productivity through improved worker retention and savings on recruitment and training. There may also be a “Henry Ford” effect at work: if you pay workers more, they can buy more, boosting the overall economy, especially among small retail businesses.Which only makes sense, if you think about it. That "Henry Ford" principle is what drove the whole Industrial Revolution and the resulting growth of America as an industrial and economic superpower for half a century. It was only when we got onto this downward spiral of pay less/employ less that we began to falter.

As far as the savings to employers in worker retention and training costs...I think you can see a perfect real-life example in Costco vs. Sam's Club/Wal-Mart.

[solvs]

Well, considering the fact that costs went up even as wages hadn't (remember it's only been recently that the minimum wage was increased, not to mention stagnation in wages with other types of jobs), I'd say though it may be a factor, there are clearly others as well.

[KingYaba]

No government recognition of the union of marriage between peoples.

[solvs]

No government recognition of the union of marriage between peoples.

What about the legal and tax benefits?