jaje

Now that Congress is getting a good cleaning (and finally) what does everyone think needs to be done in their first year?

I would like a real investigation into the Iraq intelligence scandal and the illegal wire tapping that lead us into the war and violating due process. I think it's time the truth came out. If it is as bad as I fear it to be then I think Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld need to be censured or impeached for their actions.

I would like a real cleaning of Congress in order to get out the cancerous bits still in there (this includes Democrats too! - such as Byrd - can we get this crazy old coot out of there?).

I would like many of the pork barrel projects granted to be repealed and money returned. These were an affront to US citizens for the politicians personal gain.

I would like to see Bolten not get reaffirmed for his UN Position. He's been a creep since day one and has already pissed off most of his underlings and peers at the UN. Like we couldn't say we told you so.

I want a more clear direction in Iraq. No more "stay the course" (note Rummy said this may take up to a maximum of 6 months!). I don't think we should immediately withdraw but I find the only likely way to succeed is to divide Iraq up into ethic regions with their own government.

I want our gov't to create a basic socialistic healthcare for all US citizens - of course with the options to pay above what is needed. On top of this a cap on malpractice and healthcare insurance lawsuits to stabilize prices and protect healthcare professionals.

I have more.

Big AL

I agree with everyone you just said. I also would like Medicare to be able to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. We should also be able to buy foreign prescription drugs. It's just ridiculous that they aren't allowed to do either of these.

Bl@ck

the "cleaning" that congress just had can be equated to swirling a mud hole around with a q-tip
pandering to different interest groups is still pandering. the only way to really "clean" congress is to make accepting "donations" and "campaign contributions" from lobbyists illegal and actually prosecute those who do so.

i would like to see a clear direction in iraq as well though i'm sure we will vehemently disagree on that direction. fighting a politically correct war is a losing battle. we need to allow our field commanders to do their job and win. then and only then can a safe withdrawal happen and until such time, timelines for withdrawal are useless and a blatant sign of weakness that can be more or less equated to pouring blood into a shark tank.

This has to be the worst idea ever. government involvement has fucked up welfare, fucked up social security, etc... what makes you think they won't fuck up something of this magnetude. personally i can afford my own healthcare because i've worked hard to be sucessful. why in the hell would i want to pay extra taxes to support those that feel they don't have to?

this on the other hand is a good idea and i am a staunch supporter.

jaje

I think we should all have a basic level of healthcare regardless of your social status. Something like adapt the basic HMO plan as a free level. This brings in Federal guidance (which when done well is a good thing). We also fund this through taxes and gov't holds money in interest bearing accounts.

Welfare and Social Security is botched up b/c of the big interests and corruption have ruined it. Also Social Security was a good idea in the beginning however as with GM's suffering it is now not working and the band aids they keep on applying do little to help. Because more workers are entering retirement than supporting it the premise of Social Security is failing. This was never a sustainable idea if our population did not explode (population grew much slower than anticipated).

I agree that I've worked my butt off to have good things in life and my family deserves them. I'm willing to pay into a higher level to reap the benefits.

However at our current rate we have about 80M people who work but cannot afford adequate health insurance (and this includes some lower middle class people cannot afford the extreme high costs of private health insurance). Most of these people work hard (including 3-4 jobs) but still can't make ends meet or keep their family safe in case of an emergency.

When one of these $80M people get sick they go to the hospital where if its an emergency they cannot be turned away even if they are homeless. Our system does give a basic (emergency only basis) level to those who need it in life/death scenarios. What happens is the bill collections, write offs, and endless paper trail.

Why not just nip this in the bud and evoke a basic no frills plan for everyone. There is money to fund this level as we cut many other federally funded healthcare programs that don't work (we can get rid of Medicare / Medicaid). Also if we get the Fed to help negotiate analgesics (drugs) to a lower cost then the billions wasted in profit to insurance - healthcare organizations - drug companies will pay for it in the end. The companies also get benefits as staff reductions due to federal employees and protection from lawsuits cuts their doing business / going concern insurance rates too.

Bl@ck

it would have to be passed by congress and we all know that "no frills" and congress are at extreme ends of the spectrum.

jaje

More.

Repeal the tax breaks given to the oil companies as they are making record profits never seen in this day and age. I don't agree with Pelosi who wants to further push E85. It is a band aid technology and has many bad drawbacks:
- a 400mpg tank only gets 300mpg, it costs $250 per vehicle to fit the new equipment
- the distribution system will require a complete overhaul and in ground fuel tanks will need to be replaced as alcohol is a lot more caustic than gasoline or diesel (thsu requiring trucking it to the coasts)
- we do not have near enough the supply without using product destined for use as food (rather than waste)

Let's invest in diesel fuel technology...it's cheaper to refine even with the lower sulfur content, it gets 30% greater mpg with lower carbon dioxide release than gasoline, emissions technology is now becoming better with BlueTec and Honda's cleaning system. It also removes ignition compotents and simplifies drivetrains (cheaper to make engines). Diesels can easily be installed without a complete redesign in the chassis as such with Hybrids.

Fuel Cells are the future and the best option. With the first production car coming out in 2008 they are drawing nearer and nearer. Infrastructure needs to be built but a better investment than for short sighted E85.

DVPGSR

If we investigate why our intelligence was wrong and how the CIA screwed up then I am all for it. However if the investigation is to finger point andtry to blame Bush then it is going to fail miserably and nothing will get done in Congress.

Congress will only get cleared by the people unless they do something wrong.

Agreed on the pork...this is why I support a presidential line-item veto.

I think Bolton has done a good job making America's interest known and unwavering in the UN. That place is the most corrupt organization on earth and a strong presence like Bolton is needed. Those he pisses off want more of the status quo and are the real ones that need to go.

Iraq needs something done but pulling out is a BAD idea. I am curious to see what Baker comes up with as recomendations.

Socialist healthcare will be another BAD idea that will be corrupted as soon as the ink is on the bill. We need less government not more.

Duff Man

haha...if we point fingers at George Bush, we won't get anywhere. If we point fingers at Bush's regime, Rove, Cheney, the investments they have made in halliburton, all of the war profitearing privatization and all of the illegal passed on powers that this administration has given them, all of the illegal acts of violence that this administration has givin the thumbs up towards, all of the twisted and unconstitutional acts that they have praised.....good god I can only imagine what investagations will turn up. I'm almost scared and sick in the stomach to find out everything that has gone on behind our backs and with our money.

A gigantic, full fledged, and detailed investigation is beyond nessacary. I have a feeling that this will go down in history books as the biggest and most horrific anti-patriotic act of tyranny and injustice.

mmm.....pork....where's my jerky? cause we've got a giant mess to clean up. Its sad but the republicans want to spend and spend and spend. That way, the dems will come back in 08 to try and fix our trillions of dollars debt....but if we strictly focus on debt, we will loose site of national security. Interesting plan....but I don't think the american people will hold on to the fear factor for much longer. national security is an interest, but it's been blown way out of proportion for far too long. What ever happened to "we nothing to fear but fear itself"?

are you fucking kidding me? This bow tie sportin neo con southern baptist gun totin asshole should be put on the line of fire and shot between the eyes. This wild west wacko is the WORST idiot to even CONSIDER as a UN rep. I would rather have pee wee herman represend the US then this gun totin ass hat. All this guy wants is more blood, more guts, more american and iraqi lives so he can keep his job. Fuck bolton. You have got to be kidding me if you think Bolton is an answere.

Didn't he beat his wife a couple of years back? I also heard he shot a black man for not calling him sir....Bolton....LMAO nice one[/QUOTE]

You would have to live under a rock to not have an opinion and say that something needs to be done. I can only hope that people start joining the Biden band wagon and start thinking that a seperation of three states is the only answere. Separate the three major groups and organize a fair and balanced distrabution of oil revenue among the three. Take bagdad and make it a center for all three. Thre united states and a DC like city...it's fully legal under the Iraq constitution and it will work.[/QUOTE]
Health care shouldn't be an option for those in need. I don't care who you are, where you come from, and what your situation is. Espeacially children. Anyone under the age of 18 should be fully covered, no questions asked. For the rest of us, we need a free option. It shouldn't be the best of the best, I still believe in private health care options. But there should be something....the simpliest of options....but something.

and like I said, childredn under the age of 18 should be fully covered and should have no fear of future debts, nor should there families. This shouldn't even be a question.

jaje

Bolton is a prick in the highest sense of the word - he does not respect the UN nor his working peers (and has quite a reputation of berating his employees from many sources). As such any time Bolton needs to do something he has to overcome the barrior of disrespect and spite to even get anything done. I smacked my head when Dubya announced he was going to appoint him. I understand that we could use a strong individual for working with the UN but not a corrupt prick of a boss and person who was repeatedly on record calling the UN itself a joke. You'd think we'd be able to find someone more willing to work with them yet make influence. It's the old cliche - you get more flies with honey than vinegar.

DVPGSR

You would have to live under a rock to not have an opinion and say that something needs to be done. I can only hope that people start joining the Biden band wagon and start thinking that a seperation of three states is the only answere. Separate the three major groups and organize a fair and balanced distrabution of oil revenue among the three. Take bagdad and make it a center for all three. Thre united states and a DC like city...it's fully legal under the Iraq constitution and it will work.[/QUOTE]
Health care shouldn't be an option for those in need. I don't care who you are, where you come from, and what your situation is. Espeacially children. Anyone under the age of 18 should be fully covered, no questions asked. For the rest of us, we need a free option. It shouldn't be the best of the best, I still believe in private health care options. But there should be something....the simpliest of options....but something.

and like I said, childredn under the age of 18 should be fully covered and should have no fear of future debts, nor should there families. This shouldn't even be a question.[/QUOTE]

Are you going to post something of subsance on Bolton or just post a pre-pubecent rant?

As for free healthcare that is not going to happen. Nothing is free in life, someone is always paying for it. If it is not the individual it is someone else and when the government means "free" that means my taxes go up. I hate when taxes go up because I work damn fucking hard for my money and the government gets their cut before I get mine. The government needs to be smaller, not larger and creating a government run healthcare plan to cover all Americans that cannot get insurance on their own will be yet another entitlement program making government a bigger father than it already is.