Water Cooler - 4

Dave47 - say it isn't so! *chuckle*

Worst as a singular term is funny.

People should be free to vote for whomever they want - regardless of motive. That's democracy and one person / one vote. Some fools even try to auction their vote on eBay!

Did they get any bids?

I think it had to be pulled since it IS illegal.

Illegal politics? - sounds like an oxymoron.

NOT in Bridgeport, it isn't! LOL

Illegal politics sounds "normal" to me.

Probably not - I didn't add a ;)

Politics and 'moron' are inseparably bound.

i think the presidential primaries should be on the same day in every state, so there isn't all this craziness about the early leaders, etc.

I agree. A national primary day. It's part of 'my' reform plan! Hee hee. Along with term limits, changes to the term lengths so they're not always running, and many others.

Hey everybody.

Anyone having difficulty uploading pictures here today?

Hi Harper. Haven't tried. This red Attention thing is driving me nuts!

Pics were fine today.

I got rid of my attention.

How did you get rid of it?

click on it

thanks 3g!

Good idea, Amy! And if we could also funnel all those millions of campaign dollars to some worthy causes, like feeding people and animals! The spending is just outta hand! Victor - how much have you spent on your write-in campaign? Now that would be worth every dollar! LOL

Yep. That's how I got rid of mine too. It takes you to the voting booth.

Ooops, cross posted. You said it Louise!!!

Is anyone voting to go to Texas for the National RU??

I voted yes...if...but I probably won't be able to.

I'd rather meet you guys and gals here on the NE forum.

That's what I'm hoping for too, 3G. I haven't even gone to an RU in our NE area yet. I hope that will change this year. We had way too much going on last summer. It will feel like a family reunion!!

i would love to have some kind of NE get together sooner than spring.

I'm still campaigning for one at Robs Violet Barn :)))

Go for it, y'all! What a good way to avoid the winter blah's!! I'll catch you in the summer or early fall! I would think a lot of people would want to do it when the gardens aren't demanding so much time!

I think summer or early fall would be best, roads can get nasty this time of year for traveling...

Are you all that skeptical of our political system?. It has had a pretty good run so far even with all its flaws. There are good (and bad) people in politics.

I would like a national primary day and 4 year terms for the house though. And I don't want public financing of campaigns, I want no financing. Give free TV time for real debates and leave us alone. Every 4 years I really learn to appreciate product commercials.

get togethers don't have to be huge 2 times a year RUs, do they?

For me - RUs are about the right size - a convention would be too much.

I agree with you Yank....I hyperventilate in large crowds. You should see me in a mall during Christmas time!! Paper bag over my face heading for the nearest exit!!!

Sounds funny and dangerous. I can deal with the people in malls, the slow walking is very tiring for me though.

I can handle malls, just not at Christmas time!

I never liked crowds. Can't believe people spend hours just standing around in Times Square every year. And now you can't even bring alcohol! I see large malls and places like Grand Central as tragedies waiting to happen, unfortunately.

Dave - that is what I meant by longer terms. Four years for the House - limited to three terms. Senate limited to two terms. So if you distinguish yourself in the House, you can be a two term Senator. That's 24 years - quite enough. (Remember the founding fathers all had real jobs) If you're real good, you can then run for prez. I think one six-year term for prez might be a good idea. Then he or she can just concentrate on the job and not re-election.

There will always be a need for funding, but it needs to be capped and public funding might be the only way to keep it transparent. I would ban contributions from all groups. Only individual contributions allowed - they can be capped at a couple of thousand. That way no one will have any undue influence. All lobbying would be banned. Pay raises for Congress would require a two-thirds vote and should have some maximum - pegged to inflation.

Victor - I think that pay raises for Congress should be tied to the minimum wage, instead. The lowest paid get more money then the people that are supposed to protect and serve them get more money and every one gets the same health care. None of this voting on your own raise, business.

You mean they should GET the minimum!

No - they have skills that they deserve to be paid for.

They get too much. Many are millionaires from outside work.

I just object to them becoming rich from lobbyists! IMHO, being rich in itself isn't evil - becoming rich by taking away from others, is.