Congress needs to be purged

[Synthaholic]

I realize this will go unanswered but name the number ONE thing you think is a problem in the country...

FREEDOM !!

i had more freedom the first 30 years of my life than these past 40+

do i need to explain to the libertard simpletons on this forum ?

No, just your psychiatrist.

 

[AtheistBuddah]

We need fewer politicians and lawyers in congress and more doctors, teachers, engineers, and scientists taking public office. Why is it that when you look at Congress as a group only one walk of life is represented? We need more average citizens in legislation. Throw those self serving politicians out.

Before that can happen, we will need campaign finance reform so more can afford to run.

You're 100% right. There are a lot of things we need to reform about the way people run for and get elected into office. The current system is slowly turning this democracy into an aristocracy and it truly saddens me.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

We have term limits. They are called elections.

Limiting the amount spent in elections will only serve to further favor those with high name recognition; usually the incumbent.

The only force that will change the course of the nation in any measurable way is an engaged electorate who pays attention when politics is not dominating the news.

Quick; do you know what bills are on the floor of the House or Senate...what is being debated? Neither do I? It's piped into your house through C-SPAN but nobody watches it.

While it is true that the workings of Congress have become so convoluted and complex that only the acutely aware could tell you what is going on....as you may recall, when the ACA was being considered the big votes were not the up or down on the bill itself...they were the procedural nonsense. What is more important is that few are willing to take the time to even bother to find out.

It's easy and alarmingly American to hope and pray for some sort of easy fix. It's also sad that so many think there are easy fixes. It will take a sea change in American life to get a more responsive government that better represents the people's wishes. It will be uncomfortable and tedious. So it won't happen.

Correct.

Real change needs to start from the bottom up, with Americans getting involved at the very local level of politics.

A top down approach isn't going to work, where nonsense such as term limits, balanced budget amendments, and lobbying 'reform' are unwarranted and in some cases un-Constitutional.