Today’s Washington Post Outlook piece by Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein is about how to fix the corrupt, gridlocked, angry circus we call Congress. In it, they offer “five much-praised solutions we should avoid, followed by four that have a chance to make a meaningful difference.”
Won’t Work:
— A third party to the rescue
— Term Limits
— Balanced-budget amendment
— Public Financing of elections
— Stay calm — things will get back to normal
eventually
Will Work:
— Campaign finance reform that’s realistic (considering the Supreme Court we have now)
— Non-partisan redistricting
— Restoring majority rule in the Senate (filibuster reform)
— Expanding the electorate (including an amazing idea inspired by Australia’s $15 fine for not voting)
Since most of these “solutions” would depend on congress critters to make changes, I think I won’t hold my breath. I haven’t seen any indication they want to ‘fix’ their sweet spot. As long as the voters don’t pay attention (and too many don’t) they’ve got a good deal going.
This is long, but I urge you to watch. It is well worth your time.
“A Question of Integrity” examines growing concerns about ethically questionable and overtly political behavior by some Supreme Court justices, and explores the need the need to apply the same ethical standards that govern every other judge in the federal court system to the nation’s highest court.
In order for a republic to remain strong and free it has to have standards and hold it elected and appointed brokers of the power wheeled by such a republic.To a higher standard and ethics code then any other member of that republic.
By the acceptence of that higher office the appointee must understand that their actions and conduct is always at question. In particular the office of high court and the decider of facts.
PrairiePopulistsAndProgressives.net 
Today’s Washington Post Outlook piece by Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein is about how to fix the corrupt, gridlocked, angry circus we call Congress. In it, they offer “five much-praised solutions we should avoid, followed by four that have a chance to make a meaningful difference.”
Won’t Work:
— A third party to the rescue
— Term Limits
— Balanced-budget amendment
— Public Financing of elections
— Stay calm — things will get back to normal
eventually
Will Work:
— Campaign finance reform that’s realistic (considering the Supreme Court we have now)
— Non-partisan redistricting
— Restoring majority rule in the Senate (filibuster reform)
— Expanding the electorate (including an amazing idea inspired by Australia’s $15 fine for not voting)
Since most of these “solutions” would depend on congress critters to make changes, I think I won’t hold my breath. I haven’t seen any indication they want to ‘fix’ their sweet spot. As long as the voters don’t pay attention (and too many don’t) they’ve got a good deal going.
Here’s the piece. What do you think?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/want-to-end-partisan-politics-heres-what-wont-work–and-what-will/2012/05/17/gIQA5jqcWU_story.html
This is long, but I urge you to watch. It is well worth your time.
“A Question of Integrity” examines growing concerns about ethically questionable and overtly political behavior by some Supreme Court justices, and explores the need the need to apply the same ethical standards that govern every other judge in the federal court system to the nation’s highest court.
In order for a republic to remain strong and free it has to have standards and hold it elected and appointed brokers of the power wheeled by such a republic.To a higher standard and ethics code then any other member of that republic.
By the acceptence of that higher office the appointee must understand that their actions and conduct is always at question. In particular the office of high court and the decider of facts.
Shuks and dog-gone that almost sound intell-i-gent and in-sight-full!
Of course! It was written by an intelligent and insightful man!
This fall’s election will make a big impact in many ways, nominations to SCOTUS is one of them.