Just some of the things we should push for in the 2nd term.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

Last edited Tue Jan 22, 2013, 03:34 AM - Edit history (2)

Election Reform

- Have minimum federal requirements that all states must meet in order to protect the right of all citizens to vote in a timely manner.
- Early voting must begin a minimum of 2 weeks prior to election day, and for a minimum over 8 hours a day, with everyone who is in line by the 7th hour being able to vote that day.
- Allow absentee ballots in all 50 states and require that they are issued to voters no later than 1 month prior to election day.
- Elect the president of the United States by the national popular vote, or require all states to award all of their state's electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins that state's popular vote.

Redistricting Reform

- Prevent partisan state officials from drawing congressional maps favorable to them or their party by creating independent commissions in all 50-states that are responsible for drawing congressional districts in a non partisan manner.

Gun Control

- Require background checks for all guns sold/transferred (even for private sales).
- Require annual registration of all firearms.
- Lost/missing guns must be reported in a timely manner (we can talk about what a timely manner means).
- Require that guns owners show proof of ownership of a gun safe.
- Prevent the open carrying of all guns except in areas that are zoned for hunting.
- Weapons that are being transported from a gun owner's residence to an area zoned for hunting must be concealed, unloaded, and have trigger locks in place.
- Allow citizens to have guns in their own home for protection.
- Increase penalties for those found guilty of illegally importing, transferring, or acquiring guns.
- Limit the size of magazines to 10 rounds.

Health Care

- Expand coverage to all with a medicare for all system that is paid for by a single payer (U.S. Government) in order to cover everyone, to control costs, and to reduce the deficit.
- Allow the U.S. Government to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs in order to lower costs.

Filibuster Reform

- End silent filibusters by implementing the "Talking" filibuster.

Immigration Reform

- Reform our immigration system by giving citizenship to those who are commonly referred to as "Dreamers".
- Expedite the path to citizenship for those who wish to come into the United States.

Citizens United

- Do whatever we can to prevent big money from affecting our elections.

Post Office Reform

- Repeal legislation which forces the post office to fund 75 years worth of employee pensions in a 10 year period.
- Allow the post office to modernize so that they can compete with UPS, Fed Ex, and other shipping companies. Allow them to provide the same services as UPS , Fed Ex, and other companies and remove restrictions you have placed on them to prevent them from doing so.

Tax Reform

- End corporate welfare by eliminating subsidies to multi-billion dollar companies that do not need those subsidies.
- Close loop holes which are abused by those who should pay their fair share

Social Security

- Remove the $110,100.00 lifetime cap.
- Means test SS. Do not pay social security out to those who are so well off that they do not need it.

Climate change and Energy

- Admit we have a dire problem and convince doubters that climate change is real; if they do not accept it, push forward anyway.
- Lead by example and simultaneously convince other nations such as China and India that the world must end the use of fossil fuels and switch to cleaner means of energy.
- Continue to push for innovations in clean energy and subsidize companies and industries willing to promote this policy.

[Tx4obama]

1. Regarding Redistricting Reform ... a bill has been introduced in The House

Dem bill would require independent commissions to redraw congressional districts
Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251276351

[xxxsdesdexxx]

2. Thank you for the link.

We really need to make sure that this happens. This is at the heart of everything.

[stultusporcos]

3. Perhaps the next Democratic President will be intrested in those things

Using drones to kill people in other countries we are not at war with yet and spying on and detaining American Citizens and busting medical marijuana facilities seems to be a bigger priority for this one.

[forestpath]

4. +1 As does cutting SS.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

5. I'd like to see marijuana disappear and

I'd also like to see alcohol disappear. I know that it's not realistic to expect that the society as whole would reject alcohol and marijuana use, but because I don't agree with their consumption/use I'm fine with them going after marijuana dispensaries which , in addition to providing those with legitimate illnesses, allow people with fake illnesses to get high just for the sake of getting high. As far as drones are concerned, I think it's a bit more complex than it's being stated here. I agree that we should use as much caution as possible and avoid collateteral damage entirely, but apprehending an a person who renounced their U.S. citizenship and joined Al-Qaeda - a terrorist organization known for suicide bombings - is not a realistic objective and using a drone strike to take them out is fine with me.

[TeamPooka]

12. Prohibition is a failed public policy...again....

But it's nice to know you think you know what's best for everyone
and think it's okay to criminally persecute people for their illnesses since you seem to know they are faking it anyway.
and you got your medical degree where exactly?
and you are pro-drone too.
it all makes sense now.
Welcome to DU....

[xxxsdesdexxx]

13. If one really needs it due to a legitimate cause I'm fine with them getting marijuana.

I just don't like it when pot heads are using the stuff just to get high, which is why I said what I said. If I have to live with it being legalized across the board for everyone, I'd like to see it restricted to in-home use only since it causes the same problems as alcohol for some.

[TeamPooka]

14. like I said, you seem to know what's best for everyone.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

15. Ok.

[zipplewrath]

16. When?

"...but apprehending an a person who renounced their U.S. citizenship and joined Al-Qaeda - a terrorist organization known for suicide bombings - is not a realistic objective..."

When? When did it become unrealistic? We used to do it. We put the Lockerbee terrorist on trial. Israel ran around the world collecting Nazi's and putting them on trial. We have/had an entire FBI unit that was dedicated to locating and collecting terrorist and bringing them to trial (from where ever they were hiding). When did it exactly become "unrealistic"?

[xxxsdesdexxx]

17. They should be apprehended when possible, but some of them would definitely blow themselves up

before being taken prisoner. I agree with both of you that we should try to apprehend them, but Nazi's weren't likely to detonate in a suicide bomb.

[zipplewrath]

18. Only if they know you are coming

It's not like these guys hang around the house in suicide vests.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. Single payer healthcare

allow state governments to run healthcare

[bemildred]

7. We should push for everything.

It could be another 20 years if we blow this opportunity.

[lunatica]

8. Agreed but even more important than those is climate change

because nothing else matters if we don't do something about climate change.

[Filibuster Harry]

9. Love it. Additionals: Tax Reform, Climate change. How about term limits???

Could be a history making 2nd term if only the obstructionist Rs can learn that they can be a part of good history in restoring this country instead of the party of denying America from growing strong again.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

10. Excellent. I ran out of time when posting, but I'll add Climate change & tax reform.

Maybe make it 3 terms, instead of 2?

[xxxsdesdexxx]

11. Added a couple more to the op.

Tax Reform

- End corporate welfare by eliminating subsidies to multi-billion dollar companies that do not need those subsidies.
- Close loop holes which are abused by those who should pay their fair share

Social Security

- Remove the $110,100.00 lifetime cap.
- Means test SS. Do not pay social security out to those who are so well off that they do not need it.

Climate change and Energy

- Admit we have a dire problem and convince doubters that climate change is real; if they do not accept it, push forward anyway.
- Lead by example and simultaneously convince other nations such as China and India that the world must end the use of fossil fuels and switch to cleaner means of energy.
- Continue to push for innovations in clean energy and subsidize companies and industries willing to promote this policy.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

19. Forward

[stultusporcos]

20. Perhaps you missed the news this week were Harry Reid gave the Republicans

control of the Senate again.

You are only getting what your corporate overlords will allow you to have.

Now STFU and eat your peas.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

21. LOL.

No I did not miss it. Even though highly unlikely due to the views of some senior senators who are democrats, it's still technically a possibility for them to revist and reform the filibuster in 2014 if they still control the senate.

[stultusporcos]

22. I bet Monkeys Will Fly Out of My Butt First!

[xxxsdesdexxx]

23. I agree!