Even if we get rid of * and the rest of them, we have a long road ahead...

[demgurl]

if we are to get our old country back. It looks like everything (and I do mean everything) would need to be revamped. Some things we would not be able to set right at all. It is exhausting to think of everything that has changed, and will need to be changed, in our country.

First we would need to look to the Supreme Court. I assume we would not be able to just boot out people like Alito. We would need to live with the ramifications of those nominations for years and years to come. This is one thing we could not even undo.

We would need to look at things such as lobbying laws. Bribing should not be legal and just because one does it does not mean it is OK for everyone to do it. We would need to redo a whole set of laws and make sure there are stiff penalties not only for the lobbyists but also for the representatives who take the bribes. Big Corporations should not, in essence, own and run our country and create laws.

We would need to look at overturning laws such that the credit card folks wrote. This means looking at such things from interest rates right up to bankruptcy laws. We would need to make it fair for the citizens and put everything back in their favor.

I liked the proposal of another Duer who said all our representatives should have to publicly divulge what investments they have as well as what corporations donate to their campaign efforts. This information would be announced before any speeches on the floor or in the press. It would come at the start of any given speech so that we would know what evil may lurk in the hearts of our representatives.

To even start toward a free press we would have to start breaking down all of these communications monopolies. I believe this would be the hardest part because I truly believe that the way the press should act has been really just ground into editors and such to a point where they would need to be deprogrammed.

There is so much work. I am not even sure our system is fair. I believe what we really need to do is start from scratch and build it from the bottom up. I am not sure we will ever get our old country back. Thanks for letting me vent a little.

demgurl

[niyad]

1. the whole system needs to be examined, and yes, it appears to be a

thoroughly daunting task. but, we cannot give in to fear and despair, for that way lies failure.

remember this thoroughly bastardized "latin" phrase, "illegitimati non carburundum", or, "don't let the bastards grind you down."

this is OUR country, and we are not going to give it up to the greedy, corrupt, lying, self-serving soulless bastards seeking to destroy it.

[FlowerKrout]

3. there is an ebb and flow to things

the fundies, greedies, exploiters, soulles, have a vote to. Stop looking for a perfect world, there'll never be one. For our part we need convert many people's thinking as possible and do it with humor and song, not with blood and bile.

[stevietheman]

2. If Alito makes it on the court, progressives would then have...

no choice to intensify political battles at the state level. It will become a lot harder to get courts to recognize inherit rights. Therefore, it will become necessary to utilize small-d democratic approaches to getting the public to enact progressive public policy, including the expansion of rights we believe are inherit in our constitutions, but the courts sworn to uphold these constitutions will be hostile to such expansions. (sorry for such a mangled sentence)

[MeGreen]

4. Assuming there is much improvement to be made in USA...

If you could pick another country to pattern our form of government after - what would it be?

[demgurl]

6. Well, I was raised in Canada.....

So I guess if I had to put one forth perhaps it would be that one. But I think we need to tear it all down and build a new one. I know that no government will be perfect but the neo-cons have shown us just how imperfect, and corrupt, this particular system can be.

I know you can not make an omelet without breaking a few eggs but right now I feel the only way to rebuild this government is to throw an egg against the wall and try to glue all the pieces back together again. I am afraid our government is Humpty Dumpty and it may never be put back together again.

We can not go on with the same system. We all have a daunting task ahead of us but we can not proceed until we somehow exterminate (as in get rid of, not kill) he vermin who inhabit it right now.

demgurl

[newyawker99]

7. Hi MeGreen!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Frustratedlady]

5. I would add to your holding/investment disclosure statement

that a procedure be set up that requires each senator and/or representative to sign a disclosure (to-date) as to whether or not they, or any member of their staff or family, have received illegal contributions or favors/perks from any lobbyist. corporation or organization, et al., AND, if found to be untrue, will face double the penalty/fine plus a public dressing-down. Just the threat would make them take a close look at their own "house" and we could CLEAN house. You may feel this is pushing the envelope, but they pushed first and furthest. (Of course, if we could ever do something such as this, we'd have to have an election to refill most of the seats, but wouldn't that be fun?)

This administration has lied to its citizens and the world, hidden facts from their own people, and manipulated events to meet their lust for power. I, for one, can no longer believe anything that comes from any member of this administration. They are running doubletime to deny they have lied. Too late! I believe it is time for tough love. Let them prove to us they are now worthy of our respect and that we will be treated as citizens of the United States. It's time for them to step "into the confessional of the American people" and tell all!

George is still acting like a little boy who was never told "No!" It takes a village, folks, and we have our work cut out for us.