What Obama could do quickly to clean up the ties that bind this country.

[The Backlash Cometh]

What we need in this country today, which would clean up every crony cesspool that has been interfering with our Democratic process, would be the establishment of an organization that would take on Whistle Blower type tips from people who wish to turn in public officials who have abused the government process, and who have not come to justice because the usual agencies which handle these complaints, have been comprised. Anyone who has been keeping an eye on the Justice Department scandal knows our Criminal Justice System has been compromised. If this is happening at a federal level, it's probably happening in some states too, where the political environment is too compromised to allow the State Attorney offices or the Law Enforcement agencies to do their jobs. Even if it's not the case, the perception is there because people have been trying for years to get public officials to come to justice and because they've failed to succeed, the networks keep growing until now they extend to every facet of life. You can't escape it. Someone always knows someone, whether it's from their church, or it revolves around a common University or Rotary Club acquaintance, until you just don't know who to trust, so you just shut down.

That's where Obama can come in and improve the quality of life for everyone. These people live these hidden cultures because they can. They get unfair advantage in jobs and business, zoning decisions and are even able to eliminate good public workers who get in their way, using a little collusion. To make it harder to knock them down, their cronies use their power to give them positive community recognition which misleads people into believing they are good people, when really, they're the kind of person who would sell their souls to the devil if they were sure no one was looking.

So I say, Obama, help us help them stay honest. Set up a Federal Oversight organization where the average Joe can provide complaints, along with evidence to an agency so that you can appraise how the State's Criminal Justice department is working and whether it has been compromised politically. This would not be an intrusion on State's Rights if it involves the use of federal money, which just about every city has received in one way or other.

[DangerDave921]

1. Curb lobbying

Or eliminate it. I would bet that virtually every single senator and congressman out there has taken money from lobbyists, and is therefore beholden to act in ways that are favorable to that lobbyist's principal.

The Fairtax wouldn't be a bad idea either. Get rid of the 10,000 pages of current tax code.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Problem in Florida, is that some people within the organization ARE

the lobbyists. Attorneys for local and state agencies, are not shy about recommending people to do jobs within the agency they work for. Now think about that. An attorney representing a government body in one city, is able to recommend someone who he personally knows because of a job he has in another city. What if that Attorney does something controversial in that city? Wouldn't his ability to provide a job for, let's say, a commissioner, win him an a little favoritism? If these cross-contaminations are not legal, then why not stop them entirely when you do find them?

[AndyTiedye]

3. Can't Agree on the "Fair Tax"

What is fair about making the tax system even more regressive than it is now?

[DangerDave921]

5. It's not more regressive

The Fairtax calls for a prebate to cover all basic living expenses. And it's well-known that higher income folks spend more on their spending -- both in the amount of goods purchased and the expensiveness of the items they buy. So rich people will still pay more than poorer people.

The current tax system is insane. It really is a monster. How much do companies spend each year just trying to comply with the tax code? Or in trying to find ways around the tax code?

Either Fairtax or flat tax would be fine with me. But we have to eliminate the thousands of pages of the tax code and the undue influence of thousands of lobbyists all seeking to carve out little exceptions all the time.

[deaniac21]

4. Oh, you mean congress?

[Skidmore]

6. Call me silly, but I think that he and Congress would serve the people

well if they were to put in place a series of "Community Days" in which all citizens and corporations are asked to donate time and energy to cleaning up our communities and working together on identified communal projects. It would foster a sense of being invested in one another's well being, something that has been severely eroded over the past two decades.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Skidmore, where I live, people don't have a problem with doing

the community service stints, what they have a problem with is keeping it selfless. You have to break the networks that have learned to cut the corners, and are cutting our throats.

[DangerDave921]

8. I hereby call you SILLY. LOL

Without any force of law behind it, I doubt many additional people would volunteer for such things.

Baltimore tried a "turn in your gun day". What a disaster that was.