Who screwed up the country and who should fix it.

[AlanC]

I received this in one of those passed around forever emails, but I liked it.

545 people and the buck should stop with all of them. If it doesn't, then it falls to us.

545 People .

By Charlie Reese --

Politicians are the only people in the world who createproblems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are againstdeficits, we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation andhigh taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations.The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, The Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president and nine Supreme Courtjustices - 545 human beings out of the 300 million - are directly, legally,morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague thiscountry.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem wascreated by the Congress.

In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. Theyhave no legal authority.

They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman or a president to doone cotton-picking thing.

I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politicianhas the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator'sresponsib ility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what theydid is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall.

No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits.

The president can only propose a budget.

He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.Who is the speaker of the House?

She is the leader of the majority party.

She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget theywant.

If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545people who stand convicted -- by present facts - of incompetence andirresponsibility.

I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceabledirectly to those 545 people.

When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federalgovernment, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.


If the Marines are in IRAQ,it's because they want them in IRAQ.



If they do not receive social security but are on an eliteretirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it thatway.


There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire andwhose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they canreject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whomthey can take this power.

Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there existsdisembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation' or 'politics' thatprevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are theirbosses - provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper

[micfranklin]

Spambot, right?

[AlanC]

No, just a regular email from one of the people that forwards me everything they ever get in their own inbox.

I posted it because its actually some pretty sound common sense.

[Scribbler1]

Who screwed up the country and who should fix it?

WE did...and WE should. We keep putting these people in there so we are responsible for everything they do, period.

[Trish]

That's a very common sense outlook! I suppose that's why NO ONE in Washington has the least understanding of it!

[Elrathin]

I continually say this, but I feel it needs to be repeated. The person responsible for screwing up America is not a person but persons, and it is the American people because they don't hold politicians ACCOUNTABLE for what they do.

How many CAREER and multi-term politicians are out there that shouldn't be? A lot. And that is due to the American people constantly voting them in.

[Pookie]

I understand that, El, but look at what we get to choose from. Hell, they are all politicians. The best a voter can do is vote for the lesser of evils. And even that, still, does not get us the results we want. This country is still fraught with problems.
Purrs,
Pookie

[Elrathin]

I understand that, El, but look at what we get to choose from. Hell, they are all politicians. The best a voter can do is vote for the lesser of evils. And even that, still, does not get us the results we want. This country is still fraught with problems.
Purrs,
Pookie

And that is the fault of the voter. Instead of voting for the best candidate, they vote for the candidate that has the least amount of mud on them.

I say screw that. Vote for the guy that cheated on his wife 20 years ago if his policy is sound. Vote for the guy who was a career criminal until the age of 25 and turned his life around. FUCK those skeletons in the closet because when it comes down to is only the rich are able to use measures to hide those skeletons and then they are usually found out later to begin with.

What is funny is people have this attitude that the best candidate is someone that has never committed a crime or is corrupt, yet in the long run it is found out the person IS corrupt and had his rich family to protect him.

We have all these candidates that say they are for the people, yet they haven't known a poor situation for most of their life lie many.

I say make a constitutional amendment for none of the above. And if no representative will support that, vote them out of office.

With a choice of NONE OF THE ABOVE it would show that America isn't dumb and the choices given are not the choices that represent America.

[Pookie]

We don't HAVE a choice of none of the above. We either vote or we don't. And why don't you show me where the guy is who has sound policies. Show me your career criminal.

You're wrong that people have the attitude that the best candidate is one who never comitted a crime or isn't corrupt. Did you ever think that MAYBE people with criminal records DON'T run just because of that?

There will never be a choice, El, you vote or you don't.
Purrs,
Pookie

[Elrathin]

We don't HAVE a choice of none of the above. We either vote or we don't. And why don't you show me where the guy is who has sound policies. Show me your career criminal.

You're wrong that people have the attitude that the best candidate is one who never comitted a crime or isn't corrupt. Did you ever think that MAYBE people with criminal records DON'T run just because of that?

There will never be a choice, El, you vote or you don't.
Purrs,
Pookie

Pookie, there is no choice of None of the Above because we don't vote in the people that are supportive of that.

As for saying that I am wrong that people have the attitude that the best candidate is one who never comitted a crime or isn't corrupt I just have to point out your comment, "Did you ever think that MAYBE people with criminal records DON'T run just because of that?"

Why is it someone with a criminal record doesn't run? Could it be because the public wants a candidate that SEEMS to have not committed any infractions against the law?

[Pookie]

Because people with stuff like that in their past don't want it thrown in their faces by the opposition, that's why. You know anyone with a criminal record running for office? If so, where? Not here, that's for sure.
And where are the people who support the choice of None of the Above? Like people are going to run for office supporting that! No, that would cut their own throats.
Purrs,
Pookie

[davo]

If the American people want to know who screwed up their country, all they (50%+) need to do is take a look in the mirror.

However, I do feel sorry for the 49%- who helplessly watch in horror.

[PostmodernProphet]

proposed solution......we make all our Congressmen and Senators man their offices in their home state and make them do all their work over the internet.....



thus, they will be conveniently close to us if we need to tar and feather them, the lobbyists would have to spread themselves thin to slip money under the table, and it would be difficult for Congress to get anything done....thus they would have a legitimate excuse when someone points out they haven't done anything.........

[moses2792796]

I continually say this, but I feel it needs to be repeated. The person responsible for screwing up America is not a person but persons, and it is the American people because they don't hold politicians ACCOUNTABLE for what they do.

How many CAREER and multi-term politicians are out there that shouldn't be? A lot. And that is due to the American people constantly voting them in.

The majority will always consist of the ignorant, politicians prefer it that way because it makes them easier to manipulate. The fact that most people in a democracy still believe they are governing themselves testifies to this.

[AlanC]

The majority will always consist of the ignorant, politicians prefer it that way because it makes them easier to manipulate. The fact that most people in a democracy still believe they are governing themselves testifies to this.

That is why the founders, in their wisdom set up a Republic instead of a democracy. Trouble is, in the last 200 years we have worked diligently to destroy that wisdom.

[Pookie]

That's true. And the "no taxation without representation" thing is a load, too. How many taxpayers actually think of believe they are being properly represented and are secure in knowing exactly what their tax money is used for?
Not me, that's for sure.
Purrs,
Pookie

[vladward8]

proposed solution......we make all our Congressmen and Senators man their offices in their home state and make them do all their work over the internet.....



thus, they will be conveniently close to us if we need to tar and feather them, the lobbyists would have to spread themselves thin to slip money under the table, and it would be difficult for Congress to get anything done....thus they would have a legitimate excuse when someone points out they haven't done anything.........

"Out of the mouths of babes" :worship: "Senators", "Congressmen" bah humbug! They are supposed to be our 'systems managers'. They are supposed to be designing the nation in the best interests of its citizens.
In this 'New World Order' the systems managers of all nations should be cooperating for all they are worth to find a way to produce all the neccessary goods and services to achive peace and prosperity for all while making the consequences of failure plain to all. Hi :innocent::fight:

[AlanC]

"Out of the mouths of babes" :worship: "Senators", "Congressmen" bah humbug! They are supposed to be our 'systems managers'. They are supposed to be designing the nation in the best interests of its citizens.
In this 'New World Order' the systems managers of all nations should be cooperating for all they are worth to find a way to produce all the neccessary goods and services to achive peace and prosperity for all while making the consequences of failure plain to all. Hi :innocent::fight:

No, they are not. Our nation has already been designed quite well thank you. Senators and Congress people are supposed to fullfill their duty as its defined by the Constitution.

Your "systems managers" produce NO goods or services. They only steal money from those that do. :thumbsup:

[apdst]

Maybe I'm just being one of those damned ole Righties, but I don't consider the country to be, "screwed up". Are there things that need to be fixed? Sure, there always will be. I don't The United States is nearly the shit hole that some Liberals make it out to be.

They are supposed to be designing the nation in the best interests of its citizens.
In this 'New World Order' the systems managers of all nations should be cooperating for all they are worth to find a way to produce all the neccessary goods and services to achive peace and prosperity for all while making the consequences of failure plain to all.

Producing goods and services isn't their job. Their job is to insure that the citizens can produce goods and services, so they can sell them to other citizens, using the money to pay their employees, so their employees can go out and spend that money on other goods and services, so other employees can make money and go out spend that money, and, well you get the picture.

[Truth_and_Power]

Their job is to insure that the citizens can produce goods and services, so they can sell them to other citizens, using the money to pay their employees, so their employees can go out and spend that money on other goods and services, so other employees can make money and go out spend that money, and, well you get the picture.

Why is it that so many of the things they do are not done with this goal in mind?

Most of the voters dont have half a clue about public policy and its effects on their lives. They just vote for someone that "seems like a good guy/gal" and hope everything turns out well. If you ask the average guy on the street about Obama they will either tell you they hear he was a muslim or a racist, or they will say he seems like a great guy. Ask them about hillary, they'll say she's a bitch or that she seems like she could kick some ass if she had to. Ask them about McCain they'll say.. I don't know.. do people talk about McCain?

[apdst]

Why is it that so many of the things they do are not done with this goal in mind?

I think it happens more often than we might think. There are quite a few laws that effect us in the work place that are total BS and do nothing other than to hamper production, but, the ultimate motivation for those pieces of legislation is to insure a safer, healthier more productive working environment. The biggest problem, I believe, is that those laws are being passed by people who have never had a real job before.

I'm a truck driver, an owner operator, and I pay more money in fees, taxes, permits and insurance than a doctor does.

[Scribbler1]

I'm a truck driver, an owner operator, and I pay more money in fees, taxes, permits and insurance than a doctor does.Add fuel to that and what do you take home per week, $1.75?

I think the insurance alone would kill my budget.

[Scribbler1]

And that is the fault of the voter. Instead of voting for the best candidate, they vote for the candidate that has the least amount of mud on them.And that doesn't always work either. If memory serves, didn't Bush's "friend" put out that tape of Bush talking about his pot smoking days BEFORE the second election?
I heard the tape, and was amazed there wasn't a peep out of the left OR the right.

[apdst]

Add fuel to that and what do you take home per week, $1.75?

Naw, I clear a little more than that. We just slam the oil companies with a 30% fuel surcharge and it's all cushin for the pushin'.

[Scribbler1]

Naw, I clear a little more than that. We just slam the oil companies with a 30% fuel surcharge and it's all cushin for the pushin'.I'm not sure I follow. I'm sure you don't CHARGE the oil companies, but I don't know what you mean exactly.

[apdst]

I'm sure you don't CHARGE the oil companies

The hell we don't. I'm leased to the largest oilfield transportation company in The World. We have alliance contracts with Shell, BP, Conoco-Philips and quite a few more. Believe me we bill'em.

[Scribbler1]

Oh. When I heard "trucker" I immediately thought the type who hauled freight to stores, businesses and the like. I didn't realize you were working for the oil companies. My error.

[apdst]

When I heard "trucker" I immediately thought the type who hauled freight to stores, businesses and the like

I never said, "trucker". I'm a truck driver, not a trucker, and, I do haul freight to businesses and the like. The bussinesses I haul to are offshore support facilties, rental tool companies and land based oil rigs. Truckin's truckin, babe. The World don't turn without it.

[Scribbler1]

True, and at $4.30 a gallon for diesel, I think it might turn a little slower, at least for the independents.

[apdst]

When you consider that each of my trucks buys around 120 gallons of fuel in each fuel up, the increase only means that I'm paying anywhere from $500-$1,000 dollars additonal each week. That's not that big of a hit, really.

[DamnYankee]

Who screwed up the country and who should fix it.

I've said it before. Term limit all the politicians out of office.

[jff.law]

If you are saying that everybody is responsible for the mess we have, then can agree in a couple of ways. Even in a most popular federal election, 30% or so of us vote. Why not legislate that EVERYBODY MUST vote, giving some consideration for people who are infirm, traveling outside the country unexpectedly, over 65 under 18 etc. Anybody who did not vote would have to pay some type of fine, and would not be eligible for any federal benefits until they worked it out. It would also serve as a type of federal ID system. An other way is that we will all need to pay more taxes to keep the country going, that much seems clear with the bad economic news we have everyday.

[brien]

I understand that, El, but look at what we get to choose from. Hell, they are all politicians. The best a voter can do is vote for the lesser of evils. And even that, still, does not get us the results we want. This country is still fraught with problems.
Purrs,
Pookie

The answer to the question is right in the simple answer above; ie "voting for the lesser of two evils. By my math, it still gives you evil. People who vote for the "lesser of two evils" perpetuate the very system they are complaining about here. Try voting for someone who is not an evil and you might get some positive results.

[NoMoreDems-Reps]

Who screwed up the country and who should fix it.

I've said it before. Term limit all the politicians out of office.

That's really not a good solution. Even though you will stop an individual from causing
problem, but as we have experienced,it's not just the person but the party they
are aligned to that promotes the corruption.

The REPS&DEM have had >120yrs to get this "Governing" thing down ! It obvious they
can't or don't want to do a good job (for "We the People" !).

If you people really want to get our government back on track think about doing the
following:

If you're a registered REPS, DEMS, or an Americans not registered, "Re-register" as a third
party voter. This will show the DEMS&REPS that you will not support them, and they will
have to reconsider their political agendas! And Don't Worry You can always register back to
you favorite corrupt party before the next primaries.

On Election day, vote late.So if your state is guaranteed to one party by a lager margin
then you should vote for a third party. I would suggest Nader for few reasons:
1) He has the biggest name recognition and
2) If he gets enough votes he might get more funds to compete head to head with
the REPS&DEMS next time around. This will bring new topics to the debate.
3) It will prove that Americans are ready for a good leader! No more Lesser of Two Evils.

[DamnYankee]

...then you should vote for a third party. I would suggest Nader for few reasons:

I vote according to my beliefs. Not the party. I am neither a Dem nor a Rep. And I am definitely not a Green Party person.