Just wondering, with future elections what issues do you think are really important?

[Puffy2]

I'm just curious, with future elections coming up, which issues do you think are really the MOST important to the survival of our nation and the good of the American people?

I ask this because with every single election, politicans like to manipulate voters with "hot button" issues that when you get right down to it, don't matter a hill of beans.

So what DOES matter?

For myself, these are the top issues:

1. Election Reform (legislation to prevent voter fraud - mandated paper trails for all electronic voting machines) - because without honest elections, we've lost everything.

2. Government Reform - our nation has a problem inside the CIA (government coverups, intimitation and information manipulation), FEMA (need I say more that Katrina?), the FDA (politics intermingeled and trumping science - bad drugs being approved. Good drugs being denied. It's corrupt and something needs to be done about it)

3. Health Care Reform (we have to have a system in this country where the basic needs of all Americans are met ) Reform should also include adequate funding for the CDC and National Institute for Health to combat future health threats.


4. A Progressive Exit Strategy for Iraq (responsible exit stratagey which consults other nations for advice and assistance. It takes 3-6 months to train new recruits for the US military...why on earth is it taking over 2 years to train the Iraqis to take over their own nation?)

5. Energy Research - we have to find new sources of energy. An increase in efficent public transportation in all major cities (public transporation in Atlanta is nearly non-existant for the outlying suburbs where millions of people live).

6. Real Education Reform - not just stuffing the pockets of text book publishers and testing companiers (working with business leaders and Universitities to target areas of need and working to fufill those needs plus partering with businesses and Universities for mentoring to at risk schools and youth.)

7. The Economy. Support of SMALL BUSINESS growth (the Exxon Mobiles of the nation have grown enough thank you). Legislation that helps the average working American instead of hurting them.
Tax Reform - it is ridiculous that college educated individuals have a difficult time filling out their own taxes. Enough already. And an END to no-bid government contracts being handed to corporations with political ties.

(although they may be important issues for me, nowhere on my list is "abortion" , "gay marriage" , "the posting of the 10 commandments in govenrment buildings" or any other hot button issues. These issues are insignicant compared to larger issues that effect every one of us, and will impact our very survival).

 

[KristaTX]

That about sums it up for me, too.

 

[Chicago526]

1) Education. There is no reason why in a country that has the kind of wealth that the US has, that many of our schools are so poorly funded. If we properly educated ALL of our citizens, a lot of our social problems would be reduced.

2) Illegal immagration. This is both a security concern and an economic one. I've got no problem with immagration, but the way the system is now is a total mess.

3) Alternative Engery Solutions. Oil and Natural Gas will run out eventually. And even if it didn't, do we really want to be dependant on foriegn energy cartels and corporate conglomerates for something so crucial? Not to mention the impact of fossil fuels on the enviroment...

4) Health care. Something has gotta give! Even large corporations can't absorb the cost anymore.

 

[rigs32]

Social Security - if you remove the social safety net, what are we going to do for folks who didn't save anything or lost it in the market? Will we be OK with thousands of homeless elderly?

Education - with fewer and fewer jobs for non-college grads, why are people talking about decreasing financial aid as college costs skyrocket?

 

[JimB.]

Tax Code simplification
Energy research
Immigration - AND THE ILLEGAL EMPLOYEMENT THEREOF BY AMERICANS!!
Government spending

And an END to no-bid government contracts being handed to corporations with political ties.

I agree. Like Halliburton did during the Clinton Administration.

 

[figment52]

KEEPING JOBS IN AMERICA - not India or China!!

 

[hokiefan33]

I'm just curious, with future elections coming up, which issues do you think are really the MOST important to the survival of our nation and the good of the American people?

I ask this because with every single election, politicans like to manipulate voters with "hot button" issues that when you get right down to it, don't matter a hill of beans.

So what DOES matter?

For myself, these are the top issues:

1. Election Reform (legislation to prevent voter fraud - mandated paper trails for all electronic voting machines) - because without honest elections, we've lost everything.

2. Government Reform - our nation has a problem inside the CIA (government coverups, intimitation and information manipulation), FEMA (need I say more that Katrina?), the FDA (politics intermingeled and trumping science - bad drugs being approved. Good drugs being denied. It's corrupt and something needs to be done about it)

3. Health Care Reform (we have to have a system in this country where the basic needs of all Americans are met ) Reform should also include adequate funding for the CDC and National Institute for Health to combat future health threats.


4. A Progressive Exit Strategy for Iraq (responsible exit stratagey which consults other nations for advice and assistance. It takes 3-6 months to train new recruits for the US military...why on earth is it taking over 2 years to train the Iraqis to take over their own nation?)

5. Energy Research - we have to find new sources of energy. An increase in efficent public transportation in all major cities (public transporation in Atlanta is nearly non-existant for the outlying suburbs where millions of people live).

6. Real Education Reform - not just stuffing the pockets of text book publishers and testing companiers (working with business leaders and Universitities to target areas of need and working to fufill those needs plus partering with businesses and Universities for mentoring to at risk schools and youth.)

7. The Economy. Support of SMALL BUSINESS growth (the Exxon Mobiles of the nation have grown enough thank you). Legislation that helps the average working American instead of hurting them.
Tax Reform - it is ridiculous that college educated individuals have a difficult time filling out their own taxes. Enough already. And an END to no-bid government contracts being handed to corporations with political ties.

(although they may be important issues for me, nowhere on my list is "abortion" , "gay marriage" , "the posting of the 10 commandments in govenrment buildings" or any other hot button issues. These issues are insignicant compared to larger issues that effect every one of us, and will impact our very survival).

For me, I would take the 7 issues above and throw them in the parenthetical explanation at the bottom, and move the issues in the parenthetical explanation as numbers 1, 2 and 3 in my list. I think that the aforementioned 7 issues are "insignificant" compared to larger issues that, whether directly or indirectly, affect all of us, and will indeed impact our very survival.

 

[cats7494]

Education Reform
Social programs for poor/those in need (we need more and better run)
Health Care Reform
Exit Strategy for Iraq
Energy Research
Environment protection

 

[jimmiej]

In order of importance:

-Securing our borders

-Winning the war on terror

-Drilling for oil on our own land

-Flat tax or sales tax (Ditch the IRS!)

-Control government spending

-Energy research

 

[Puffy2]

Illegal Immigration is one I left off that should have been put on the list - it is a top priority but it needs to be addressed at the source - THE BOARDER. The huge, gapeing hole to our south where litereally millions have crossed over illegally.

Ignor the politicans who "claim "to fight illegal immigration by supporting legislation that prohibits illegals from obtaining health care or driver's licences...they aren't solving the PROBLEM- that Huge HOLE!!! If the powers that be didn't want these illegals in the US , they wouldn't be here - they would seal the boarder. But they DO want them here- for whatever reason (cheap labor source for their corporate buddies? drug trade?) Illegal immigration can only be solved at the source - reject any "false" attempts to address the issue, and demand real solutions.

 

[Mugg Mann]

For me, I would take the 7 issues above and throw them in the parenthetical explanation at the bottom, and move the issues in the parenthetical explanation as numbers 1, 2 and 3 in my list. I think that the aforementioned 7 issues are "insignificant" compared to larger issues that, whether directly or indirectly, affect all of us, and will indeed impact our very survival.

I must admit I'm curious. Since only a small fraction of the population would ever take advantage of it if it was available, please explain exactly how gay marriage either directly or indirectly "impacts our very survival" ?

 

[bicker]

1. The economy; specifically increasing the competitiveness of American business, specifically, though, to foster job growth within our economy. The economy is #1, by far.

2. Freedom; specifically a reduction in government interference in people's lives. Removing the incentive for politicians to project their personal perspectives through legislation.

3. International respect; specifically fostering an international environment where the vast majority of nations of the world appreciate America's friendship, rather than resent it.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree with many of you. My list:

1. The economy. Job growth is vital for a stable and strong economy, and such an economy is vital for job growth. They prop up each other IMO.

2. Alternative fuels. More research and tax incentives to develop this science. The less we depend on the status quo the better off we'll be.

3. Exit strategy out of Iraq. It's time to start letting the Iraqis handle their own affairs.

4. Environmental protection. I prefer tax incentives to laws but whatever it takes to further clean the air and water, and protect wild lands from development.

5. Healthcare reform. Set caps on MOST medical lawsuits and get a handle on the runaway costs of healthcare and drugs.

 

[Puffy2]

5. Healthcare reform. Set caps on MOST medical lawsuits and get a handle on the runaway costs of healthcare and drugs.

Whereas I agree that we need healthcare reform, I am strongly against caps on lawsuits - we have caps on lawsuits here in Georgia - $350,000 max. Do you think the doctor's insurance rates have come down? Of course not! The docs lobbied for the caps hoping the rates would drop, but all they accomplished was giving a gift to the insurance companies (because fewer lawyers are willing to take on these cases which can be very costly to bring to trial). The people who really end up hurt by it are the honest citizens who have had their lives ruined by incompetent doctors. All the while, our insurance rates aren't any cheaper and neither are the doctors.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

My first thought was that illegal immigration will be high in many people's minds. I did some research and all 4 southern border states -- California, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona -- have Senators up for re-election. I know CA and I believe TX will have gubernatorial elections as well, and illegal immigration will sure to be a hot topic in those states at all levels.

Tax reform should be, but I doubt it will be.

An exit strategy for Iraq -- people are becoming impatient, but any strategy should be realistic. I've seen this commercial for something (I think cable or DSL internet) that shows a lady ordering a decaf latte and then a second later asks the clerk "where's my latte?" People want what they want and they want it now. Helping Iraq build a long-lasting democracy is not going to be accomplished quickly, but neither do we want our troops over there indefinitely.

Emergency planning and management -- Katrina showed a massive breakdown in coordination at all levels of government, and will definitely be a very hot issue in the Gulf states.

 

[hokiefan33]

I must admit I'm curious. Since only a small fraction of the population would ever take advantage of it if it was available, please explain exactly how gay marriage either directly or indirectly "impacts our very survival" ?

Because I view things from a completely different perspective than many others on here, including, I would assume, you. And anytime we as people or as a nation are doing things that we are clearly told not to do, we risk punishment and judgment upon ourselves.

 

[Mugg Mann]

Because I view things from a completely different perspective than many others on here, including, I would assume, you. And anytime we as people or as a nation are doing things that we are clearly told not to do, we risk punishment and judgment upon ourselves.

While I do not share it, I can appreciate your perspective, and to be fair, your assumptions about me regarding this issue would be correct. I believe that religious diversity (including the lack of religious beliefs among many in the populace as an equally legitimate viewpoint) are one of the great strengths of this country. May I also assume that your objections to gay marriage are religious in nature? If so, may I respectfully ask how you reconcile your objections with the fact that the first amendment, while protecting your right to believe whatever doctrine you want, specifically prohibits passing laws that establish any type of religious doctrine in this country?

 

[Mugg Mann]

There are some very thoughtful entries on this thread; please allow me to add a couple of my own...

-The Deficit. Probably my first, second and third priority. Unless the deficit is brought under control, there will be a ripple effect that will impact virtually every issue listed above. We can argue about whether decreasing spending, tax cuts or tax increases are the way to go, but I believe that this will be the ultimate hangover that we will have to deal with as a country.

-I'll give props to Puffy2; The more I think about it, he/she (I don't know which, and no offense meant!) is absolutely right about making sure that all Electronic Balloting has a verifiable paper trail, and that we do verify! Without faith in the democratic process, the constitution might as well be printed on toilet paper. We ridicule third world countries for having elections that are a sham, I'd like to think that as a nation, we can do better here.

-My last one (for now) seems a bit obtuse at first, but think it through for a second. I think we need to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine via the FCC.
It was passed by a bi-partisan congress in 1987, and then vetoed by President Reagan. Consider this, courtesy of the museum of public broadcasting (full link at http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/F/htmlF/fairnessdoct/fairnessdoct.htm)

The fairness doctrine remains just beneath the surface of concerns over broadcasting and cablecasting, and some members of congress continue to threaten to pass it into legislation. Currently, however, there is no required balance of controversial issues as mandated by the fairness doctrine. The public relies instead on the judgment of broadcast journalists and its own reasoning ability to sort out one-sided or distorted coverage of an issue. Indeed, experience over the past several years since the demise of the doctrine shows that broadcasters can and do provide substantial coverage of controversial issues of public importance in their communities, including contrasting viewpoints, through news, public affairs, public service, interactive and special programming.

I think that current poisoning of public discourse started when the fairness doctrine went away. Since then, broadcasters on both sides of the political spectrum have been allowed to spew away and make any claim they want without any real fear of reprisal. I think the issues facing us are far too important to let public opinion be swayed by a shouting match over the public airwaves with no referees. We've tried it without the referees for almost 20 years, and let's face it folks, it clearly ain't working!

 

[goofygirl]

1. upholding Roe V. Wade

2. Social Security issues- making sure there's SSI for my generation.

3. withdrawling from Iraq

 

[jimmiej]

May I also assume that your objections to gay marriage are religious in nature? If so, may I respectfully ask how you reconcile your objections with the fact that the first amendment, while protecting your right to believe whatever doctrine you want, specifically prohibits passing laws that establish any type of religious doctrine in this country?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...

Doctrine? Not in the first amendment. Your interpretation. hokiefan33's views (which I share for the most part) seem to be protected quite nicely by the second phrase in that amendment.