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DEL.ICIO.USWhat do you want to hear from politicians?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I had an interesting conversation the other day.
I had gone to Taco Mac in Duluth after work with a co-worker. We were talking to this man, he been in Atlanta for about a year and was originally from Connecticut. We talked about a lot of things: motorcycle helmets, the Fair Tax, the differences between North and South. I asked him what he thought about what was going on in politics.
“Man, I don’t even discuss politics anymore,” he replied. “I’m so sick of it all.”
“What you mean?” I asked.
“I’m sick of our politicians. Iraq, for example, it’s either ‘stay the course’ or, ‘we have lost.’ I don’t agree with Bush, but I don’t like much of what the Democrats are saying either. I have to be extreme on either one side or the other, and is the only choices I’m getting.
“No one’s talking about Social Security, no one’s talking about health care. We either believe in global warming, or you believe it’s all hocus-pocus. We’re either God-fearing Christians or heathen pagans. We are either liberal or conservative.
“Where is the middle ground?”
I thought about this for a minute. I said: “It seems to me like a politician is someone who can come up with more than one answer, or at least be able to persuade someone without beating them over the head. Have we run out of good ideas or have we just run out of politicians?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “We cannot possibly have run out of good ideas. I know some pretty smart people, and I know some pretty good politicians. They would never run for office. The elections aren’t about who is the better candidate, the elections are about who can stay the same thing consistently and spend the most money doing it.
“Personally, I think that’s boring. And ignorant. Politics is a profitable business, I have no doubt of that. It’s all become so standard though, there’s no creativity. It’s like movies, TV, sports, cars, everything else. Everything is marketed towards what makes money, not about what is unique. Sure you fail, but your success is much better doing something new than it is doing something consistently. That’s the best way to kill off creativity.”
He had a valid point. Nobody talks about politics anymore beyond the sound bite that they heard on the radio talkshow or on the TV news program. It’s more important to tell somebody that they are wrong than to convince somebody that they are right.
To me, that makes ideas stagnant and lethargic. I think some change would be nice.
What kinds of things would you like to hear our politicians talk about?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Categories: Bill Allen
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By Michael H. Smith
May 14, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Putting America and American’s interest first before foreign and corporate interest on every issue:
Fair Immigration
Fair Trade
Fair taxation
National Security i.e. everything from natural disasters preparedness and response to food safety to water distribution to mobility to terror and yes most certainly energy independence - and we can no longer ignore the economy of exclusion that exists in Mexico, our soft underbelly. It is not in our national security interest to have a socio-economic weak Mexico rife with third world poverty, corruption and oppression.
Restoration of sane bankruptcy laws and offshore banking regulations
Universal healthcare controlled by the individual through a privet public entity, separated from government and business controlled dependency
A domestic national service – with optional voluntary regular military enlistment - to provide the young people of this country that would be otherwise educationally deprived of college or technical school educations full four year scholarships for their four years of services to this country, in: border and port security, national park services, food and imports inspections, teaching in pre-K, building a strategic water distribution network, working in law enforcement, working in health departments and geriatric care facilities for the growing elderly population. Add whatever you like call it spending if you must I say it is investments of a very high yielding return. We as a nation are producing 1 million high school dropouts every year we do not need any more under educated unskilled labor doing second chance jobs and training for a better life while denying our very own that opportunity of economic inclusion.
Workfare before welfare - Outsourcing jobs to answer a Georgia government phone to India when able American bodies are on public assistance and doing nothing is ridiculous. Pay Americans to do American jobs assisting them, while training them, for jobs readily available in the private sector. Just checked the AJC job listings for Customer service Reps, 205 ads posted.
Restore Social Security to its’ original intent to aid the elderly in retirement not the umbrella it has become for a multitude of societal ill, better addressed by better means.
By Katie
May 15, 2007 5:55 AM | Link to this
I don’t want to ‘hear’ anything from politicians. What I want is to see actions being taken. Enough talk, how about some results. All politicians do is talk talk talk, how about taking action on some of those words spoken. enough talk about illegal immigrants, health care and welfare. Start doing something about it. enough said.
By jd
May 15, 2007 7:52 AM | Link to this
Amen, Michael H. Smith. Why don’t you run for office? You have my vote. Of course, wanting to change things and actually doing it are completely separate. There are too many sqeaky wheels out there that make it hard to fix what is broken. We not only need someone that wants to fix the system, they must also have the guts to stand up to those putting obstacles in the way. We must do what is best for the country as a whole without worrying about offending anyone or having one person or group claim their civil rights are being violated. It takes a true leader to earn our respect and to stand up and say, “this is how it’s going to be and if you don’t like it…leave”. Do we have any true leaders anymore?
By Rick in Lawrenceville
May 15, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
Politicians don’t solicit feedback from their constituents, only from lobbyists that are contributing what really amounts to paltry sums of money for large amounts of favortism.
Our US Senators and those in the House of Representatives aren’t even putting in enough time at the office.
Our local politicians like David Shafer, R-Duluth, don’t even represent all their constituents. Mr. Shafer worked tirelessly and found all kinds of excuses to delay or kill the “Sunday sale of alcohol” bill this year. A significant majority of metro residents, including those in Duluth wanted to vote on Sunday sales of alcohol…but Mr. Shafer, the christian that he is decided to be our moral compass and not one of our elected officials. I hope this is his last term in office.
It is fairly clear from the recent vote in Farmers Branch (suburb of Dallas that wanted to restrict landlords renting to illegal immigrants) and others around the nation that a majority of US citizens do not want to grant Amnesty to illegal immigrants. However, our national politicans think they can ignore our wishes without consequence.
We do need a third party in this country!
By LJ
May 15, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
I would like to see politicians who are first and foremost loyal to this Country and her ideals, not their back pockets and who can provide them with what they want.
Who respects her laws.
Who puts her legal citizens before those who are not legal.
Who believes unless you are a citizen you do not have “rights” above those same legal citizens.
Who disdains special interests.
Who doesn’t pander to each group in each state just to garner votes.
Who not only has high self-esteem but also impeccable morals.
Who actually believes what they are telling us.
Who views each voter as something more than just a throw away once they are in office.
Who will actually atleast try to accomplish what they promise while on the campaign trail.
I would like to see politicians who don’t have a “FOR SALE” sign on this Country…
I would like to see the real person behind the poster photo…
and especially, I would like to see…
…politicians who actually love this Country.
By LJ
May 15, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
Rick in Lawrenceville: “It is fairly clear from the recent vote in Farmers Branch (suburb of Dallas that wanted to restrict landlords renting to illegal immigrants) and others around the nation that a majority of US citizens do not want to grant Amnesty to illegal immigrants. However, our national politicans think they can ignore our wishes without consequence.”
The sad truth about your statement above is…our national politicians are right. So far we don’t see protests opposing those who are blatantly illegal and blatantly demanding their “rights” openly on our streets.
In any other country those same illegals would not be handled so kindly. No wonder they are becoming more and more beligerant and aggressive. They know the legal citizens of this great Country are too lazy, self-indulgent and passive to actually fight for their country. As long as you leave their families, homes and toys alone…they could care less what the illegals do.
I am not advocating violence or anything near that, but it is frightening to see how the apathy in this Country is at such staggering proportions. It’s such a “wonderful” sight to watch people who have learned the system actually, openly march down our streets, waving THEIR flag (not ours) and actually believing they have RIGHTS?????
Well, thanks to the “politicians” who’s loyalty is not to the legal, taxpaying American citizen (including legal immigrants). No, they want the illegals to have more rights than those who should have rights. And we dare not demand an end to this stupidity or WE are “racist”.
No wonder the other countries laugh at the stupid American citizens. Get rid of those who are teaching our children to be nothing more than mindless mice, bring back real families with real family values, bring back actual pride in this Country.
I fear most have become too brainwashed into thinking no matter how sensible, it is a bad thing to actually stand up and be loyal to this Country. Worst of all, we have become lazy. Just let me have my toys, you can do whatever you wish otherwise.
We need to study the true Roman history, not the “remix” history schools expose our children to today. Perhaps it’s not too late…
By Bob
May 15, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
What do I want to hear. THE TRUTH. I am so sick of the game playing. Where is it written that once elected to office, one turns on the citizens that voted him/her into office. I am tired of the back sling. These officials act younger then my kids. Thats bad. While they are in office figting and calling names, who is it that is running the country.
I say its time that all elected officials are removed from office and we start over. In fact its past time.
No more stealing from social security to pay for other areas. Thats not the governments money to spend. Pay social security back with interest. Stop stealing from the american people.
No more illegals in the streets. They are illegal. When they go into groups like that, that tells me you know where they are. Go in, round them up and send them packing.
Welfare is lazy. If you issue a welfare check, make them work for the money. The people who say they cant work for their welfare check should be on disability not welfare. Its time to inforce it. Quit playing games.
Get out of my personal life. Its not the governments business how I raise my kids. A spanking is NOT a beating, live with it. Its an attention getter and it helps guide down the right path. Until you send me a support check once a month its not your business how I raise my children.
Stop support all the other nations while our people suffer. Take care of our own first. No senior should lose their homes or file bankruptcy because of an illness. That is a slap in the face of every American who has ever supported this country by way of taxes.
No more free services for immigrants and illegals. If you dont belong here get out. If you came over the right way, welcome to America. Support yourself like I do.
Fix the healthcare system. Its terrible and every WORKING American deserves to get the same helth benefits that we give to the welfare people though our taxes. For years I had no insurance but my tax money went to give excellent benefits to my no good lazy neighbor holding down 6 kids and a welfare check.
Be fair. A fair tax is needed in this country. Say goodby to the IRS. The IRS is not neeeded in this country, fair tax laws are.
By Pompano
May 15, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
What I’d like to hear from Gwinnett politicians is how do they hold the Gwinnett County DOT accountable?
Several years ago, the Gov ordered the counties to synch all lights for gas savings. Gwinnett, on the other hand, seems to have gone out of it’s way on the major roads to make sure that you catch EVERY light! PIB, Buford HWY, etc are jokes. A monkey could randomly program better traffic flows than the GDOT.
Its almost like they are attempting to frustrate and bait drivers so they can catch us on the red-light cameras.
By LJ
May 15, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
I’d love for the politicians to go to the NumbersUSA website.
On that site there is an article, at the head of that article is a photograph.
In that photograph, which was taken during the Illegal Alien March in Chicago on March 7, 2007, there is an American flag.
OUR flag is being flown UPSIDE DOWN (atleast they are savvy enough to know what THAT signifies) UNDER a MEXICAN flag.
I’d love to see a video tape of the look on the politicians’ faces…and how many had the guts to DEMAND that this insanity be stopped!
The more I see these marches by the masses of illegal aliens, with OUR FLAG flown in such a manner, the more convinced it’s not citizenship these people want. They just want the Country.
So, do we have ANY politicians who actually have the Country’s security and interest at heart?
Naw, that would be asking too much.
Good question and Michael H. Smith, I agree with the person who suggested you run for President!
By Leah
May 15, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Let’s see… Gwinnett/Duluth Elected Officials - What is it you do exactly? 1. Horrible traffic 2. Too many strip malls 3. Lack of high-paying employers 4. Crime rates on the rise 5. Not fully addressing the rise of gang activity 6. Not fully addressing county-wide blight 7. 21st-century innovation missing in county schools at all grade levels 8. Behind the ball for possible future water woes
National/State Elected Officials:
Yes, please tell the truth. There isn’t enough money in government to solve all of our problems. Healthcare, Medicare, war on terror and drugs (both jokes), social security, welfare (corporate and personal), etc…
I’m no expert; however I don’t think you need to raise taxes. Just take the money you already have and spend it wisely. Also, if you cannot promise the money I pay into social security will be there when I retire in 30 years; leave it in my check and let me invest it the way I so choose. I didn’t vote for Medicare, I don’t want those payments coming out of my check either.
I want my children to inherit a better American; currently we’re on the wrong path. You were elected and now you’re being paid to get us there. If this is beyond your ability, you should resign your position or not seek re-election.
By Woodie
May 15, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
I’d like to see this illegal immigrant crisis actively solved as quickly as possible. It is illegal for a reason and we’ve experience every reason.
We need to yank our army out of Iraq. We aren’t at war with them and they are perfectly capable of determining their own destiny. The government cannot afford to play big brother to the world.
By Atico
May 16, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
This is what I would love to hear from at least one Politician AFTER he is elected to office. “This is how we are going to lower taxes, solve the immigration problem and handle the crime situation.” Then see the results.
Elected politicans normally turn to: ‘how we are going to raise taxes, they forget the immigration problems, and let crime run wild.’ Their campaign promises are menaningful, but seldom carried through. Once they get the candy nothing else really seems to matter except being reelected.
Typical statement of a bureaucrat or polictican: “I have not comment to make on raising property taxes. However the county can always use the revenue.’ Give me a break idiot, just say what you want to say and shut the hell up. yOU WANT TO RAISE TAXES. Duh!
By Primary Colors
May 17, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
I’ve been earning my living in large part doing political work in Georgia for about two decades now. During that time, I’ve worked with literally hundreds of campaigns - lots of names you would know. For what it’s worth, I’ll offer you good folks my opinion of politicians.
As has been so aptly pointed out already, these days you have to have an incredibly thick hide to run for public office - and you’d better not have any major sins in your background someone could expose either.
Unfortunately, a large percentage of those persons in our population who are interested in public office, who also have extremely think hides, and have no fear of anything they’ve done being exposed, are that way because they are also crazy as hell. Some of these folks just don’t think like most of us do. To them, political power is like dope to a junkie.
If someone accused you or me of something really ugly, or claimed we’re soft on crime, or corrupt, or any of a dozen other allegations that seem to be standard fare these days - we’d get pretty upset over it - and we should. That is the normal reaction.
Not so with these folks. You could accuse them of theft, or incest, or being a pervert, or whatever else, and it would hardly even phase them. It would just roll off like water on a duck’s back.
There are some truly good folks in Georgia politics - from both parties. I’ve had the privilege to work with many of them over the years - but they are few and far between, and sadly they often hold up under the pressure for only a few short years.
The moral of the story here? This situation is our own fault folks.
It’s our fault when we allow ourselves to be blindly led around by the nose by our partisan, socioeconomic, religious, or racial affiliations.
It’s our fault when we allow politicians to manipulate us based on sound bites and hyperbole instead of really digging into the issues.
The sad truth is, we are creating the very monsters we like to complain about.
By Todd
May 18, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
I would love to see money taken out of politics. Who spends 10million+ to get elected for a job that pays $100,000 a year unless they plan to steal it back or are expecting kick backs. Also TERM LIMITS say it with me people TERM LIMITS career politicians benefit no one other that themselves lining their own pockets and hooking their buddies up with fat jobs they are not qualified for. And finally accountability public servants should be held to HIGHER degree than your average citizen. You do the crime you do twice the time!
By LB
May 19, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
The ideal situation is to have polls open every Tuesday for people to go and vote for or against anything and everything being proposed. The surprise announcements of things being passed are getting old. We, the people of the United States, are the United States. The person we vote into office needs to be hearing and representing us. If citizens could get 500 signatures on a petition to impeach these people it would be amazing how quickly these politicians would start representing us.
By jais
May 19, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
What do I want to hear from politicians?
The sound of them shooting themselves in the head with a magnum, just like Bud Dwery.
Politicians will be the death of everyone. Whenever politics touches something it turns to crap.
By jd
May 20, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
What are the chances that our elected officials will actually read this? They really need to know how everyone feels. Of course, when they read it, they will say that those who responded are the only ones that feel this way and everyone else supports them fully.