Are you truly satisfied with the American government? Overall and not just in regards to the party in office. If you answered no, then another question... What are you doing about it? If your answer was nothing, one more.... What could you do about it?
The senate needs to be revamped, either change its powers or the way it operates, or make an upper house like the Bundersrat in Germany where the number of seats varies between 3 to 6.
No. I am slightly active in politics, often signing/sending petitions, and letters to my congressmen. I try to keep up with politics so I know what's going on, I tell all my friends about the big shit the mainstream news didn't bother with, and *drumroll please* I VOTE
I really don't care. There isn't anything I can do to change it, and if there were an avenue I could take that would lead to change, I seriously doubt I have the personal dedication, ambition, and strength to accomplish something of that magnitude. I'm too preoccupied with my own personal problems to worry about the fate of a nation of 300+ million.
how could this be achieved? do you find all these things to be effective? hmm. What if the problems of the nation become your problems one day? What if you are forced to care? I think apathy correlates to a certain degree of satisfaction in our government.
It's hard to rate the effectiveness; but I think a good answer would be sometimes. Net neutrality is a prime example of the people coming through again and again against the corporations. It has come up over and over, and the small business sector and the concerned citizens of America have done a wonderful job of stopping the corporations from taking over the Internet. But the fight rages on, the lobbies are gaining strength, and putting more money into every day. SaveTheInternet Mr. Rogers is a great example of how much difference one man can make: link to source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXEuEUQIP3Q"]video of his testimony
The problems of a 300 million nation are never going to be the problems of an individual. I simply am not burdened with that magnitude of responsibility.
It can't be without amending the constitution, and that takes 3/4 of the states, and the small states would never agree to it.
One thing that's more feasible that I think would help a lot is term limits. Maybe 2 terms for the senate and 6 for the house. 12 years is enough time to be in government.
I think corporations taking over the internet might be my worst nightmare. I'm going to have to keep tabs on that particular issue... I love Mr. Rogers What a wonderful man. Of course, he was also a celebrity figure which elevates him above the average man wishing to make a difference. I can think of a few examples in history in which the problems of a particular nation became the burden of every person in that nation. Your answers are actually kind of what I had in mind when I started this thread. I think dissatisfaction with the government is probably at an all-time high. I'm going entirely out on a limb saying that, but I know the Bush administration pissed off 50% of the country and a lot of his policies are still in place so that population is still pissed off, then the Obama administration comes along and pisses off the other 50% of the country. I can't really think of anyone I know thats satisfied with our government right now. The Iraq Wars, the Patriot Act, the possible government involvement in 9/11, the near economic collapse and subsequent bailouts (our government now owns the auto industry....wtf? Hitler owned the auto industry...i hate Hitler comparisons but that one is valid), the astonishing level of greed shown in the healthcare industry and the subsequent Health Care bill...its been an intense 10 years in America. I think the fact that no one seems to like the direction this country is headed calls for drastic change, such as your example of revamping Congress. A drastic change requires a drastic measure, and I can't really think of any examples of American citizens doing anything truly drastic to get what they want. I'm not advocating violent revolution, of course, and the people in this country are too pacified for violent revolution anyways, but if the majority are unsatisfied, there has to be something the majority can do to bring about change...but what, exactly? aside from the things we've been trying since the 60s that have proven to be ineffective.
Another simple thing, increase the size of the house of representatives. The US proportional to our population has a small lower house. Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, ect all have larger lower houses with much lower populations, so each representative serves a much smaller population. The last time the size was increased was around 1920(I think?), then it just stalled as both sides became afraid of having to create new districts.
no, i'm not completely satisfied. what am i doing about it: i am a political scientist (so i produce research) and i vote. i also write to my representatives regularly. proportional representation in congress would make things very interesting. it would be a more accurate representation of the people.
or not... Powell v. Mccormack US Term Limits Inc. v Thornton McCulloch v. Maryland Wesberry v. Saunders
US Term Limits v Thorton only stopped states from imposing term limits. Considering how popular the idea generally is, if a measure for an amendment got 2/3 of the votes requires in congress and go to the states, I see a good chance 3/4 of the states would pass it. Minus that there's the possibility of doing it the way the 21st amendment was passed with state conventions.
that's only speculation. i want to see numbers. not that i don't believe your theory... afterall, we could both be suffering from false universalism.
I was relatively happy until the Republicans got control of Congress. Now, with the rise of the Tea Party, I have no hope that we will ever steer away from our course toward Fascism. The final vestiges of power were ceded to corporate America with the Supreme Court decision giving them control of our election process. .
