This election has highlighted just how much our system is broken beyond the current structure's abilities to correct it. Perhaps it's time to fix it permanently.

I'll start out with a few suggestions:

1. Replace the Presidency
2. Mandatory Term Limits for Congress
3. Proportional Representation
4. Third Senator
5. Single 6 Year Presidential Term
6. Limited Election Cycle
7. Single Term Limit for Supreme Court Justices
   

(11-08-2016 11:59 AM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  This election has highlighted just how much our system is broken beyond the current structure's abilities to correct it. Perhaps it's time to fix it permanently.

I'll start out with a few suggestions:

1. Replace the Presidency
2. Mandatory Term Limits for Congress
3. Proportional Representation
4. Third Senator
5. Single 6 Year Presidential Term
6. Limited Election Cycle
   

How about an addition to the Preamble:

“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government, are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State.”

Yes it is passed time, but I'd start with the congressional term limits and see what happens 4-6 years after those go into effect.

(11-08-2016 12:02 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(11-08-2016 11:59 AM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  This election has highlighted just how much our system is broken beyond the current structure's abilities to correct it. Perhaps it's time to fix it permanently.

I'll start out with a few suggestions:

1. Replace the Presidency
2. Mandatory Term Limits for Congress
3. Proportional Representation
4. Third Senator
5. Single 6 Year Presidential Term
6. Limited Election Cycle
   

How about an addition to the Preamble:

“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government, are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State.”

I've always considered the Preamble to be a Mission Statement and not actually "law", so I'd say this would need to be included as an Amendment to the Constitution itself.

The fact that the powers are shared is the single fact that will save the country in the next 4 years.

Just look how much damage was done in 2009-2010 when the Dems controlled the White House, House and Senate with a filibuster proof majority.

Gridlock Rules.

We just need term limits. Maybe let the states elect Senators again.

(11-08-2016 12:05 PM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  I've always considered the Preamble to be a Mission Statement and not actually "law", so I'd say this would need to be included as an Amendment to the Constitution itself.

Deal. Can we make sure it is in bold?

(11-08-2016 12:09 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  

(11-08-2016 12:05 PM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  I've always considered the Preamble to be a Mission Statement and not actually "law", so I'd say this would need to be included as an Amendment to the Constitution itself.

Deal. Can we make sure it is in bold?

LOL, well that's up to the reps at the new Constitutional Convention.

(11-08-2016 11:59 AM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  This election has highlighted just how much our system is broken beyond the current structure's abilities to correct it. Perhaps it's time to fix it permanently.

I'll start out with a few suggestions:

1. Replace the Presidency
2. Mandatory Term Limits for Congress
3. Proportional Representation
4. Third Senator
5. Single 6 Year Presidential Term
6. Limited Election Cycle
   

My wish list would include

Mandatory term limits on all legislative bodies at the state and federal level

Set rules for the federal and state level that are strictly enforced about what gerrymandering is.

Open primaries in all 50 states and DC

Increasing the # of congressmen. 1 congressman represents way to many people

Restoring the state governments having federal representation in the Senate

It will never happen. For starters there is no way that the pols in washington would vote themselves out of office after a certain number of years. Heck, if they could they'd make their office the same as the SC, forever.

(11-08-2016 12:03 PM)200yrs2late Wrote:  Yes it is passed time, but I'd start with the congressional term limits and see what happens 4-6 years after those go into effect.

Term limits won't work as the unelected bureaucrats will just wait out the incumbent if they don't agree with the change, etc.

I'd like to see Congressional Districts form within a state from a circle around a population center and then new districts spread outwardly in simple geometric shapes (straight lines or circles), or strictly following county/parish/district lines.

I'd make Congressman a 6 year term, but no more that 2 terms. I'd make 1/3rd of each state's seats open per election cycle.

(11-08-2016 12:14 PM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  I'd like to see Congressional Districts form within a state from a circle around a population center and then new districts spread outwardly in simple geometric shapes (straight lines or circles), or strictly following county/parish/district lines.

I'd make Congressman a 6 year term, but no more that 2 terms. I'd make 1/3rd of each state's seats open per election cycle.

I agree about county lines. They are used in everyday life and should be used as much as possible for electoral purposes

A convention could not be a worse idea.

Election Day is now the Sunday after taxes are due.

For every negative political add played, $1000 from that candidate's war chest is donated to the opponent they are attacking.

Lower the drinking age to 18.

Line item veto.

To immediately remove from office or job without recourse any government employee convicted of a felony.

(11-08-2016 12:16 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  A convention could not be a worse idea.

I'd be terrified of what would come out of it after all the lobbyists and special interests had their fun with it.

(11-08-2016 12:20 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  Election Day is now the Sunday after taxes are due.

I'd change that to Saturdays for the church crowd.

(11-08-2016 12:20 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  For every negative political add played, $1000 from that candidate's war chest is donated to the opponent they are attacking.

Interesting. Don't know how I feel on that one.

(11-08-2016 12:20 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  Lower the drinking age to 18.

All for it, but I'd raise the voting age and draft age to 25. Plenty of us (most of us) were pretty stupid up to our mid twenties (some past that age). I'd still let 18 year olds volunteer for military service though.

(11-08-2016 12:20 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  Line item veto.

Whole heartedly agree.

(11-08-2016 12:20 PM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  To immediately remove from office or job without recourse any government employee convicted of a felony.

By a jury trial of course. I could see political opponents misusing this method otherwise. Judges' are in political parties too.

(11-08-2016 12:30 PM)Jugnaut Wrote:  

(11-08-2016 12:16 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  A convention could not be a worse idea.

I'd be terrified of what would come out of it after all the lobbyists and special interests had their fun with it.

Yup, it could only get worse.

BTW, a line item veto is a horrible idea, unless you are a big fan of making the executive the most powerful branch.

(11-08-2016 12:31 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(11-08-2016 12:30 PM)Jugnaut Wrote:  

(11-08-2016 12:16 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  A convention could not be a worse idea.

I'd be terrified of what would come out of it after all the lobbyists and special interests had their fun with it.

Yup, it could only get worse.

Either way, they still have to be passed by 3/4th of the nation's state legislatures. I think nothing too crazy would get by that level.