What do you think is most important to change?

[Anoobis]

So, what do you think?

If you choose other, feel free to discus what and why.

[pentimenti]

Until we corporations no longer have standing as persons, I don't think we can achieve a number of those other goals.

[Anoobis]

Honestly, I agree. I wish I would have put that in, but oh well...

[ahalls]

We have to start with the fundamental of getting money and international corporations out of our government. People's votes have to count again. We have to fight this idea that private corporations managed in secret driven by profit for a few are automatically better then government managed by open processes. We hear all the time of examples of bad Government. We need to hear about the great things that happen every day in our lives by the hard work of our public servants (to use an old phrase).

Good things government brings to my life!

Denver's RTD what a good transportation system has been consistently improving ... So much better for everyone then private toll lanes.

Recreation centers, I have a priceless set of centers a short drive from my home.

What are some good things government brings to your life.

--A

[lockeinsocks]

Two things only would solve all our woes: An informed electorate and return to the rule of law.

People often say, "There oughtta be a law". In many of these cases, there was a law. Plenty of laws. They simply aren't being enforced. No, I tell a lie. If you're a bank, a politician, a policeman, well-heeled and well-connected and part of the machine, the laws are ignored. If you're just some schmuck citizen-serf, the laws are enforced by the dozen.

We saw this in action last night. It is always against the law to physically assault.someone who is no threat to you... unless you are a cop serving a mayor who finds you inconvenient, in which case it's still illegal but good luck finding someone to enforce the law.

Under the rule of law, such things do not happen. One law, applied to all without fear or favor. If it should happen, an informed electorate would take to the streets to make it abundantly clear it will not be tolerated a second time.

Government requires the consent of the people. Whittle all philosophy away to get to the wild snarling bone, and you find that so for no reason than we will always outnumber them. However, our consent need not be enthusiastic; if we consent grudgingly, fearfully or because we simply don't care so long as WE are left alone, the outcome is the same.

We need the rule of law, and when the elite and their lackeys become shiny-eyed about ignoring the law, an electorate that will jerk them up short and remind them who really owns this country - the people.

[winstonsmith655321]

If we don't take back our government, none of the other options can change. The best, first, and most realistic step (if we can clarify and amplify the message) is to remove ALL money from the equation.

We need to require all campaigns are publicly funded only. Candidates will be provided free and equal access to the PUBLIC airwaves to present their issues.

We need to eliminate the entire lobbying system. (This will be more difficult but necessary.) In fact, in this day and age, there is no need for congressional sessions to be held in DC at all. We should require representatives to remain within their districts and hold open forums with their constituents. Then congressional sessions can be virtual and transparent to all citizens.

If we do not remove the corruption, the government will continue to legislate for the highest bidder.

We also need to break up these giant media conglomerates. The when 6 or seven corporations control the flow of news based on the profit motive we again face the same issue of the highest bidders controlling what we see. When the biggest advertisers are the food, auto, pharmaceutical, chemical, and fossil fuel industries, it is no wonder that the average joe and jane have no idea how badly industrial farming is polluting our watershed etc.

The Occupy Movement has captured the attention of the American people, so the next step to me is counter education. We need to Occupy, the message boards, talk radio, the mental space of the people. We need to correct misinformation spewed by Faux News and the other Corporate Media outlets. People are finally aware of the problem of income disparity and the lack of social justice, now we need to show how we got that way and what we need to do to change it.

Sorry so long winded, I only get to make it to the Saturday Marches when I am not too swamped at work and I have only attended a few GAs.