How would you reform the political system?

Should earmarking be allowed? What might be some of the benefits?

What process or guidelines should be in place to prevent the potential abuse of earmarking? How would you reform the earmarking process?

Go to: http://www.examiner.com/earmarks/ and look at the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations earmarks for your state. Do you see some recipients you know? Maybe you see organizations or causes you support. Would you be willing to support a ban on earmarks even if it means that your community's federal funds might decrease?

Total public funding of elections - no lobbyists allowed. Shut down the electoral college immediately. Some earmarks are necessary for public funding of community health services, but all such funding should pass through a bi-partisan committee in no longer than one week. So much more....

There are two things necessary for democracy to survive: One, verified, witnessed counting of paper ballots started at the precinct/district level with totals handed to upper levels, and two, education based on equal time for all candidates to express what they have achieved and what they want to achieve if elected.

I think that we have gone too far down some dark, corrupt roads to do much in the near term to delouse the system.

The most crucial issue that we MUST deal with before the 2008 election is to insure that we have an open, trustworthy, and auditable voting system.

Every voting and tabulating machine that records votes electronically should create a paper audit trail.

I suggest that these machines be required to print out a paper confirmation of every vote. The voter would receive this while still in the booth and confirm that his or her vote is recorded accurately (at least on the paper). As each voter leaves the booth, s/he deposits the paper slip in a slot in a locked box. This old-fashioned paper ballot system is still by far the best, IMHO, for accurate verification and recounts.

Independent exit polls should be performed on all elections to national or state office, and a predetermined divergence from the official count should trigger a mandatory manual recount.

When a vote is close, within a predetermined percentage, a full manual recount should be triggered.

Candidates should also have a set of national guidelines defining their right to call for manual recounts.

Lastly, a predetermined percentage of machines or districts should be chosen at random and manual recounts be performed as a means of verifying the system.

We need to consider a Constitutional Amendment that would assert federal authority to impose baseline standards on the various states. If we are electing people to national office, it shouldn't be up to states, counties, or even local districts to apply standards with widely varying dependability rates.

Partisan state officials must be removed from control of electoral processes. We need to establish an independent federal commission to oversee all election standards and procedures, perhaps modeled on the League of Women Voters.

Until we can verify that our electoral system is secure and dependable, all else seems futile.

First, we must return the control of the debates to the League of Women Voters. The League resigned when they were asked to lend their good name to the rigged system we now have,and we are the worse for it.
Second, we should adopt Oregon's method of voting by mail. Without polling places there is no need for computers, programming, drayage,or poll workers' stipend. Ad hoc discrimination in certain neighborhoods would be eliminated. Computer breakdowns would be rare.
Third, by law, the entire process of counting the ballots should be supervised by trained monitors.

I would start at the beginning. And standardize the voting machines, and there tabulating systems. And have them manufactured under the supervision of an independent(if you can find one)governmental body.

To the question as to earmarks everyone, including fiscal conservatives agree that the McCain and Obama proposals are a good start. Let us all support items. Voting reform sounds fine-my precinct turned out less than 17% for the primary, however.

When you don't have open, honest elections, you probably won't get open, honest politicians.

There is no mention of political parties in the Constitution and no powers were granted them.

I believe that we need a more decentralized form of government so that legislators can actually represent their constituents instead of big corporations with many lobbyists.

Our present form of government was constructed when there were fewer people, no large corporations, and a manageable budget. Congress is no more suited to today's America than the quill pens that drew up the plans for it.

I think that Americans are too spoiled and live so well that they don't really pay attention to the real problems in this country. Why else would George Bush have been elected? As long as people can continue to live comfortably,there will be no sense of urgency or responsibility.

To start fix the voting system. Paper-trail voting would fix most of the corruption now so evident.

Next, make it easier for alternative political parties to get on the ballot. The fact that half the voting populace doesn't vote speaks volumes why a two party system can't possibly represent a population of 300 million.

Eliminate special interest money. Campaign financing should be taken equally from a central fund.

These three steps would do wonders in restoring our republic.

1. Vote by mail (like Oregon)

2. Dismiss and dismantle the Electoral College.

3. Turn to Parlimentary Govt.. where intelligent debate is demanded and debates are telecast.

4. Take privilege away from corporations. If they want the same privilege as a person, then they must be held to the same accountability.

5. Place a cap on the 'war chests' for elections.

If a government of, by and for the people is sick, then it's us, the people, who are ill and in need of healing. To state it as simply and profoundly as I can, as long as we each believe what we merely "think", in particular the seed thought that "I am a separate and autonomous mind/body organism: alone, afraid, needy, greedy, and under constant threat of obstruction, loss, harm and death," we are each in big trouble. This, the mother of all delusions, multiplies into many more producing imbalanced and harmful behavior. This process, however innocently it started, needs to be reversed, and just as innocently. Education about it is the key, but of course, the will to learn and understand must exist, because nothing is ever taught - only learned. And that will to learn, to change, to reverse direction, can only come about with sufficient misery, frustration and despair. Carry on!

The only way to stop this is at the systemic level. Only individuals can give to a politians campaign. And only individuals that will have that politian on their ballot. No companies, unions, special interest groups of any kind, includind the national parties. Bar any politian from public office whose campaign breaks the rule, even by a staffer. Heavily fine and jail the Chief Executive of any entity that breaks the rule. If the CEO of a company or a Union Chief might go to jail for 180 days because there staff broke the rule. They will reign in the staff.

The biggest problems, as I see them, are a bloated federal beurocracy and an unrepresentative governmental structure.

First, we need to strip the federal government of all powers not directly relegated to it by the constitution and turn control of all those powers back to the states and local governments. We currently have a government that is too far removed from the average person for the average person to feel they have any real control over it or voice in it. A good way to start that process is to reverse the distribution of taxes. Most of the taxes we pay should go to our state governments, who will then contribute or not, depending on the will of the people in that state, to projects or undertakings the federal government wants to pursue. That way, the states can hold the federal government to task by having control of the purse strings. The states will be able to take care of themselves with their own money and the federal government cannot pursue any agenda that a significant number of states haven't signed on to.

Second, we should abolish, or significantly reform the electoral college system and create a more representational government. The electoral college is outmoded and allows someone to win election without winning the popular vote. We should also move towards a more representative governmental structure like in many European contries were each political party gains seats in the congress based on the percentage of votes they recieve. That way more minority poltical views gain a voice in the system and we aren't dominated by a two party system that offers no real choice. I also think it would be good to restructure the congress to stipulate that congress can only create legislation and present it to the people for their evaluation and vote. There should also be a process by which the people could introduce legislation to be considered for law.

In addition to improving election integrity, we should limit lobbyist and industry access to politicians. These people push politicians to make it easier for them to do business. But what do politicians know? What do they know about the effects of pollution and food additives and pharmaceuticals? Certified, independent experts should be involved in any decision whose outcome will affect the chemicals going into our air, water or food. People are sick. They're sick because they fall victim to PR and hype. Billions of dollars go into advertising and ad research to find more effective ways to influence people. But the education system does not teach people to make better decisions. So we basically have one side with limitless resources at their disposal to get people to buy products and watch tv shows and movies, and the other side left with no tools, other than common sense, to combat it. It's basically a slaughter, funded by our money and endorsed by our politicians and celebrities. So, basically, we need to realize how much the playing field is already slanted to help those who don't need it, and put protective measures in place to keep corporate interests from creating legislation designed to weaken the individual.

1. Campaign financing by Federal government.
2.Change to Parliamentary system.

Two words: Term limitations.

PEAK OIL is what is driving this nation to the end of democracy as we've known it. Not that I agree with their strategies, but this administration is trying to guarantee oil company access to the world's remaining oil reserves. All of our battles now and in the future will be to protect that access. This strategy is intended to guarantee "free market" access to oil, which drives all developed economies. Oil is going to begin declining in availability in the near future and it will destabilize our economy and our lives in ways that we cannot imagine. Just sit down and think of all the products, services, communications, medicines, foods and their farming and transport, etc. and think of the oil that has gone into making each possible. Legislation and laws that seem so uncharacteristic for the U.S. are preparing us for martial law as people become displaced or cannot get their daily needs met. Read Richard Heinberg's "The Party's Over" and go to the attached Energy Bulletin website. Exxon has worked hard to debunk this as they have tried to debunk Global Warming. Don't believe them. Dave O'Reilly of Chevron came out and flatly said that the "era of cheap oil is over" and that the oil that remains is located in geopolitically challenging parts of the world. There is no war on terror. It's a war over oil in largely Muslim nations and our inserting ourselves into their lives.

So, in answer to the question: We have to develop strategies for transitioning to living with less and less oil. The government needs to lead the way and not cover up the issue, pretending like true believers that the market will save the day. The market is what got us here! We cannot discuss changing government anymore without addressing this monumental issue AND its fraternal twin Global Warming. We have very hard choices to make in the near future and Cheney, et al have started the process. Unfortunately, they have not told the public the truth behind their actions and they are not leading the public to alternatives.

The upcoming election is the most important item on everyones agenda. There should be a bi-partisan group of people surrounding each polling place in America; 24 hours before the election. This group would be respomsible for insuring that no hacker could enter the polling place. Then the next morning on the election day an independent organization would certify each machine's authenticity to provide accurate election data.
Otherwise this election will be thrown by at least but not more then one and one half percent; towards the Republican party, irrespective of the exit poll statistics.

The Abramoff scandal is not an aberation -- it's a typical manifestation of how our presidentialist constitutional system has to operate. The same for ear-marking, and other familiar pathologies. Most countries that use our system collapse into tyrannies. We are able to survive just because of the prevalence of pathologies like those you pin-point. Well-meant reforms are bound to fail so long as we fail to undersand and reform the constitution. You can read more about how our complex system really works if you open my site at:
http://webdata.soc.hawaii.edu/fredr/AmMyth.htm. Or do a GOOGLE on my full name to find my site, then click on 'CHOICES'. With aloha, Fred

The first thing we must do in any discussion concerning earmark abuse is to actually focus on the questions proposed for discussion. The discussion is not about voting machines or how ballots should be counted. It is not about Big Oil. It is not about the November 7 election and how polling places should be operated.

The failure of most respondents here to actually focus on the topic and questions proposed is a pretty stark reminder of why we are where we are. This lack of focus and inability to address the problem at hand is what gets pretenders promoted to positions of leadership - a failure of reasoning. All the signs about the type of people we now have in office were around well before any votes were cast. Half the nation showed by their 2000 vote they had done their homework.

Those who propose government funding of all elections come closest to targeting a real solution. Politicians always "dance with the ones who brung them". The American people should bring them to the dance through an equalized funding of a tiered system, from President to local judgeships.

Second, state and national candidates should be provided equal and free air and print time by all media and incumbents should not be allowed to use the mail franking system to make sure folks who haven't heard from them in months get a lot of "news" a few weeks before an election.

Third, local elections should be just that - fought in real-time, person-to-person, shake-my-hand events rather than relegated to full page newspaper ads and expensive regional TV ads. Many future leaders start their careers by running for small local offices. People should have the opportunity to get to know them before they become just a face in an ad somewhere. And the candidates need to see the people they represent so they are made real.

Fourth, the party in power should never be allowed to draw the redistricting lines. Assign it to the court system to begin with since most plans end up there anyway.

Last, projects of merit (earmarks) which should be federally funded for the Good of the Commons ought to be submitted to a responsible, non-partisan selective body on the state level first, with the understanding that worthy projects will be matched dollar for dollar by local citizens and the state which benefits. Only a selected number of those projects should be passed on to both US Senate and House Representatives (whether they represent the districts requesting funds or not) to be submitted as part of a ONE PER YEAR, published for the public omnibus bill, several weeks before voting takes place.

If necessary cuts must be made, every project is cut the same percentage but no full projects are cut as punishment or vote extortion.

Each state would be granted funding up to a certain amount of money (predetermined by any good budget procedure which figures out how much money is likely to be available that year) so that everyone walks away from the table holding something to take back home. But no one walks away with all the marbles while some leave with nothing.

Projects which businesses and the marketplace ought to be funding instead of government should not even appear on the list.

When earmark projects are viewed as a competitive process which is based solely on the value of the ideas they represent, the less worthy ones or those which benefit only a small number of people will not survive the cut. The good ones will survive and receive help, even if not the full amount requested.

That's very like the process many families use to decide where to spend any money they have after bills are paid, emergency needs are met and savings are laid aside, whether we're talking about $25 or $25,000.

It's the same process used by every school Principal when deciding how to best utilize limited funds.

It's the same process used in education to let the best ideas float to the top.

And, for "free market" proponents it meets their narrow and nonsensical ideology that all things must be defined by the competitiveness of the marketplace, even if it forces blood banks to compete with a bridge to nowhere.

If lobbyists have nothing to sell, maybe they'll get a real job. If there is no financial advantage for an elected representive to promote earmark A over earmark B (earmark A bringing them more in campaign contributions), the better idea will win support. When ideas have to go through several levels of scrutiny before they ever reach the hands of a politician on a Congressional floor, the power of money to persuade is abated. Even if bribes continue to occur, at least we'll know that regardless of the final decision, every funding request they had was a good one and vetted before they ever saw it.

The trick is to let as many people as possible vet them before politicians start using them as re-election barter.

I feel that bribery and "corporate personhood" must go. Corporations do not have rights on a par with human beings and CEOs need to be held accountable for malfeasance, theft, harm. I also agree that clean elections are essential. Still, I feel very strongly that if we are to truly fix the system, we require forthright communications and authentic journalism. The concentration of media ownership must end.

Public financing of elections is a good place to start. Maine and Arizona have good models of programs that have resulted in better public policy, more diversity in elected officials and greater voter turnout. North Carolina has public financing of judicial elections and several other states and cities have developed programs for public financing of elections. The current flow of money to judicial candidates is one of the scariest trends I've ever seen and it must stop. Without an impartial judiciary, our balanced form of government cannot survive.

A well educated and informed electorate is necessary for real, lasting reforms and a stable and improved government. Therefore we should:

Return responsibility for education to state and local communities and support them with federal and state equalization programs that ensure access to necessary resources by all communites....and we should

Require those licensed to use the public airways to provide free, equal access to all viable candidates for public office. Also, we should require licensed radio and TV stations to provide in-depth and multi-sided coverage of major public policy issues and not just during election season.

Change lobbying from a money and influence-driven business to an information and public service approach to the development of law and public policy. Expect legislators and their staffs to seek out and be open to the information they need from business and professional organizations and other experts.

Adopt legislation such as proposed by Senators McCain and Obama and by the Heritage Foundation. Record, make public and ultimately eliminate earmarks and pork. Direct all public funds to projects that have been fully examined and are part of adopted and accountable public programs. Enforce these laws, inform the public and hold public officials accountable.

Finally, we need to honor and respect all elected officials and encourage respectable, ethical people to seek public office. Reduce the number of appointed officials and hold all appointed and career public employees to high levels of accountability for quality service to the public.

We need to consider short term and long term. Short term we need to make sure there are paper ballots and that the electronic system is not hacked. In the long term we need to eliminate TV advertising, shroten the length of the campaign, eliminate the electorial college.Following the British model would help a lot. We also need a press that doesn't let lies pass as the truth. There is a desperate need for an independent foruth estate.

The size of central government must be drastically reduced to a central coordinating function with all governance responsibility made as local as possible all the way down to greater personal responsibility for individuals over their own lives. Dependence on government justifies its intrusiveness, and encourages its disrespect for irresponsible citizens. A system of elections untouched by wealth.

TWO WORDS
TERM LIMITS!!!!!!!!!

I would establish mental health qualifications for all persons running for public office so that sociopathic personalities (4% of the population according to recent medical literature) could not be elected.

I would like to see elected leaders given the ability to form coalitions, such as is done in other democratic countries. I think that there are plenty of people out there like me who are anti-abortion, anti-death penalty, pro-conservation, anti-tax cuts for the wealthy, etc. Or some other sort of "odd" mix. People who are not opposed to religious belief, and belief that faith has a role to play in politics, but that don't use it to advance only their particular causes. A mix of "crunchy cons" and pro-life Democrats would be a great coalition; perhaps a majority of the country. As it is currently, one cannot run on a Democratic platform or a Republican platform unless he/she adheres to particular "pet" positions on specific issues.

DO WHAT ROBERT KENNEDY JR DID. FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE USA GOVERNMENT USING AN 1863 ABRAHAM LINCOLN LAW TO BYPASS ALL OF CONGRESS, JUSTICE DEPT AND WHITE HOUSE. TAKE IT DIRECTLY TO COURT AND PRESENT THE LOSS OF OUR REPUBLIC.. TAKEN BY THE FEW.

We will never clean up the filth in Washington DC until all the dirty money is taken out of politics.

There should be a total ban on special interest PAC money for elections. That includes corporations, trade associations, Abortions Rights Groups, Anti-Abortion Groups, Religious organizations, foreign governments, unions, etc.

Candidates should be allow to accept donations in a limited amount only from the voters in their home state and in their home districts.

Candidates need to be totally dependent on their voting constituents in order for the representative system of government to work.

WHAT WE NEED IS DIRECT
DEMOCRACY LIKE THEY HAVE
IN SOME CANONS IN
SWITZWERLAND.

now that we know the problems with the lobby system and their influence.
who is going to over turn the laws and bill that hurt the average citizen.
banking laws,medicade laws,
and many others.

Bill Moyers on America is the best show on PBS and surpasses his NOW.
This is the first time in my 66 yrs that I felt a need to log on and make this comment. I look forward to the next segment.

If you want to see which candidates for Congress support publicly funded elections visit www.VotersFirstPledge.org. Incumbents will always work for those who can get them re-elected. Right now that is the lobbyists. With publicly funded elections, Congress can work for us.

I would institute term limits

The only hope we have is PUBLIC FINANCING! As of now the Corporations(including the MSM) have control and the votes are no longer necessary or counted to change the present loss of our democracy.

The most pressing reform we need is to overturn the 19th century Supreme Court decision that ruled that corporations are entitled to the same political rights as individuals. Strip corporations of these rights and forbid them from lobbying and from making political contributions of any kind whatsoever.

My concern with the PBS broadcast is that this appears to be ONLY a Republican issue. As a former lobbyist, I can assure you it is exemplified in the Democratic Party as well. How did former President Bill Clinton (a Democrat) fund his campaign? As I recall, John Gotti had his hand in it. Do you think honesty followed in his polital party during his tenure? This is not honesty in my book!

We need total campaign finance reform. I very much like the model Arizona has, where candidates can accept tightly capped contributions and ONLY from people who live in their district. We need 100% public funding of elections plus PACs should not be allowed to purchase any advertising or spend any money other than operating costs. PACs should become groups of citizens committed to public debate and direct communication with representatives and ideas should be advanced by Blog and public meetings. Let's see whether we can get a democracy going here before we attempt any more exports.

Hello all, first time on this site.
I think the answer is term limits to a year, require voting to be mandatory to ensure max participation. Hell make it a federal day off or something where you have to renew your drivers license in addition to. OK maybe a week. And only allow donations during that time with a cap of $200. per person. Maybe it'll work, maybe it wont', but anything is better than what we have now....

Prohibit bills in Congress which are not directly related to the title of the leglislation. As an exampole, an amendment for an appropriation of funds to build a bridge in Texas cannot be attached to a bill dealing with federal taxation of corporations. Members of Congress should vote up or down on leglislation on a single topic. Stop the politics of using votes for or against a bill, with all kinds of unrelated amendments attached to it, as a basis of running an election campaign.

Too bad that we keep choosing between Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Discussing Nader as a potential "spoiler" in 2004, the PBS website stated that "Nader is undeterred, repeating that he is driven by a desire to open the electoral process from a two-party to a multiparty system.
"After a while, you say this is a shutout. And what do we do?" Nader said on the NewsHour a day after announcing his 2004 candidacy. "We either go to Monterey and watch the whales, or we do what Jefferson counseled: that when the government is taken away from you by the corporate interests that are swarming over this city, you've got to go into the electoral arena."
When are we going to wake up?

Just a my personal oppinion, but less sounding like a politician people, and more real talk. Sound like a bunch of Delay Jr's out there....

Where is the outrage? We the people must stand and say to these Congress you have betrayed us.Thanks to corrupt congressman we have no say in how we are governed.If you don"T have a PAC you have no voice, your votes are meaningless.Goverment of the people ,by the people, for the people.NOT BY PAC"S

The citizens of this country have allowed the American Political to become so corrupt. We have allowed ourselves to become uninformed and lazy about supervising our representatives. It is the cynicism that has dulled our senses. We need to get angry and stop laughing at the blunders our representatives are making. It has almost come to the point where our public officials make such outlandish statements and crimes that we lose sight of the actual injustice they have perpetrated. This is the time when whispers of revolution need to become billboards and television commercials, not just jokes on the Daily Show with John Stewart.

wonderful show. a few comments:
1. public funding of elections
2. public education of lobbying results,i.e., oil companies contribute $5 million to campaigns, get $2 billion in tax cuts, pharma $5 million contribution, $50 billion in profits because law prohibits reimportation or "shopping" for best price for drugs, etc, etc. Consumers don't seem to realize that lobbying HURTS them right in the wallet while fattening the corporate profits, shareholders only receive a tiny fraction of profits, unless of course you own 1,000 or 10,000 shares,i.e., management.
3. no earmarks
4. 0 ,as in zero, corporate contributions.
5. term limits - 8 years reps, 12 years senate.
The most important is public funding. It frees up 50% of the time for congress, prez, that now spend the time on daily fund raising.

I totally agree with the person that wrote this..."Those who propose government funding of all elections come closest to targeting a real solution. Politicians always "dance with the ones who brung them". The American people should bring them to the dance through an equalized funding of a tiered system, from President to local judgeships."
It's the only hope we have to take back our country!!

Corporations/lobbyists have gone global and their interests have become supeior to those of individual nations, including those of the United States of America. The sovereignty of nations needs to be redefine within the context of this reality. It has come to the point of determining whose interests will prevail....those of global corporations or those of the peoples of once sovereign nations.

The only way to change the system is for the those among us who are outraged to unite!!!!!

Our political system is so out of control it appears that we are doomed. The world is crumbling from within us. The majority of the world used to look to the USA for leadership. We are now despized by most the countries that used to call us friends. We have an administration that is arrogant and believes they can do whatever they please. They go unchecked at every corner. We have lost all trust in the world and think we can solve all the world's problems on our own. The people running this country don't really care about America they only care about furthering their own agenda.
The focus is now on the republicans because they wield the power. When the democrats take control and are under the microscope it will br the same thing. If you look back in history every administration had and currently has their own set of problems.
Kennedy was a womanizer. Nixon was a crook. Ford was a buffoon. Carter was weak and naive. Reagan was inept and couldn't stay awake. He needed to be prompted by Nancy. Bush 41 lied about Iran Contra but nobody called him on it. Clinton liked sex. Most people do. Bush 43 has failed at everthing he has attempted. He lied to the American people about Iraq. We were safer when Saddam was in Power. We have now lost more people in Iraq than in 9/11.
We have a congressman who signed the contract with America and said be would only serve 12 years. If elected this Nov. he will definately exceed that number. Must be an easy job.
The problem with America is that politically we have become to polarized. People vote for a candidate based on one issue and damn the rest. How can you totally agree with everything one party stands for and nothing the other one does. Do we really care about what will happen to our children. We will talk and argue about what is going on in the world and eventually what will happen? We will die and our children will have to make their own decisions anyway. Why can't we just leave the rest of the world alone and just maybe they will leave us alone. The ones who have it right are two guys who created south park. It's all one big joke.

As a foreign student from Sweden I’ve always been amazed by the lack of outrage in here. I’m trying to grasp around why people aren’t speaking up more, why people aren’t demanding more of their politicians. One thing happens and the media is on it for a couple of days, then something else pops up and the old thing is forgotten. It never leads to anything. On the other hand, if only 50% of the people vote in the “greatest democracy in the world”, do people care? A good start, like some of you said, is changing the election process. With the complicated process here, one can wonder if politicians really want people to vote.

Unless more people get involved in the politcal debate, have an opinion and get out and vote, the politicians can play in Washington as much as they want. As it is now, government seems to be there for the politicians – not for the people. One can only hope someone who never voted before got stuck in front of “Capitol Crimes” and then decided to write his or hers congressman/woman.

I do not believe this is a Democrat or Republican issue... it's a public issue. PACS must be banned altogether and forever; they have brought about total corruption in our current poor excuse for a government 'of the people." The only people who are benefitting are those of the same ilk as DeLay & Abramoff and the corporations and contributors who are willing to play their game. What we learned tonight makes me very angry. Politicians should be ashamed of themselves, no matter what party affiliation, because you know they all know it's going on and they do nothing to stop it. No elected official in Washington appears willing to take a stand and say, "Enough." Even if they may go in clean, they appear happy to come out dirty as long as their wallets are full. It's a sad state of affairs, indeed.

One quick thing that will increase disclosure is to pass S1508, that will require the Senate to file electronically with the FEC instead of on paper with the Secretary of the Senate. Right now, you cannot see the contents of the latest reports filed by candidates for Senate seats because the Senate reserves the right to file its reports on paper. Unlike other committee reports that are filed electronically and can be seen immediately, some of the reports for the Senate cannot be seen for 30 days or more. Thus, you will not have a clue as to everyone who has contributed to your Senator's election until long after November 7. In addition, paper filing makes it much more difficult for the data to be converted into a useful form, for example, a database to link earmarked contracts to contributors. Every other type of committee that accepts over $50,000 in a year is required to file electronically -- in the interests of clarity and full disclosure, the Senate should be required to do the same.

In the hue and cry for reform, no one seems to be asking the question as to what motivates the frantic money chase by our elected representatives in the first place. Where is it all going? Think about this: without the need to fund huge television advertising budgets, perhaps our representatives could spend more time actually governing than constantly chasing contributions. Make all paid television advertising by candidates for public office, or by outside organizations attempting to influence an election, illegal. Require television licensees to provide air time free of charge and equally to all candidates, as part of "operating in the public interest", as they're supposed to be doing in the first place. We need to stand up to the NAB,kill paid TV political advertising, "Slay the Beast", and let our representatives get back to governing.

Saul Alinsky was concise in "Rules for Radicals" when he wrote: The separation of the people from the routine daily functions of citizenship is heartbreak in a democracy.

Columnist Thomas Sowell a year or more ago proposed one excellent solution to part of the problem--pay Congressional legislators $1 million/year--and eliminate all campaign funding--they can spend all their time on their jobs and none on fund-raising.

I have always been dubious about term-limits--for one, we already have them--it's called the ballot; for another, there might occasionally be an excellent legislator one wishes to retain for a longer period. But I've finally decided conclusively that term-limits are essential--and must be drastic: one term only and you're out--rather what the Founders envisioned as temporary politicians. Many argue that legislators need more time, especially in Washington, "to get used to the system, to understand how it works". EXACTLY!!! I don't WANT them to figure out how ir works!!! One term and they're out! Maybe they could return for another term in 10 yrs. or so--but the main impact would be to create an enormous demand for these short-term legislators that would bring in a wealth of new ideas & expertise. I think Congress would boil with ferment--they'd really have to move fast!

Dorothy

This is a question of Power and how those within the power structure have been totally consummed with keeping it and perpetuating their control. It is not enough to just try to correct the system as it has become unipolar, just as America has pushed it's national agenda on the world. Elections will be rigged again this year and from now on, so that Republicans will stay in power. They learned this lesson not from Machiavelli, but from the master himself, Thomas Hobbes. Hobbsian philosophy was to win against all your adversaries including your friends and do anything it takes to keep your power. The unprecedented corruption that we have seen while hiding behind a smokescreen of Christian morals and ethical values is the order of the day, week, month, year and century. It is also part of the ploy of multi-national corprations to control all they survey. They can only do this if they control all aspects of business, government, media and made up religious value fanatics. Neither can we complain about it as the media is totally controlled by conservative, make that reactionary or even proto-fascist, right-wingers.
So in spite of all our objections, the media will push the Republican best face forward and continue to mind control the mindless masses who do not see the charade. Until there is a major attack against the United States will people learn that it was us who actually initiated 9/11 by fostering and fomenting sectarian violence within the Middle East. When we are attacked maybe then, just maybe, people might realize that the Republicans took us on this greed and corruption self- destruct mode.

MODERATOR RESPONSE TO DEAN ANDERSON REGARDING "ODD MIX"

Dean and others,

I hope that you will stay tuned for the documentary Is God Green and will participate in the discussion on common ground!

Taylor Willingham
Moderator

MODERATOR RESPONSE TO CINDY REGARDING CONERN ABOUT LACK OF FOCUS ON THE EARMARK QUESTION

Cindy,

I found it interesting that so many people were focused on the election process until I realized two things. First, we have an election coming up and if people live in states like Texas that is using electronic voting, they are probably bombarded with political ads from their secretary of state espousing the virtues of electronic voting. Secondly, the first question posed in this thread is "How would you reform the political system?" While the background reading focused on earmarks, clearly the mechanics of our election process and lack of faith that the process will be fair is weighing heavily on people's minds and is their priority for reforming the political system. This is very instructive and indicates that this is an issue for further deliberation.

Thanks for bringing us back to the issue of earmarks and for your extensive, thoughtful list of proposed reforms! You have clearly thought through these issues - ranging from campaign financing to district lines - and have presented a comprehensive plan for further evaluation.

Taylor Willingham
Moderator

I suggest several things to deal with the corruption: 1. Federal Funding of all Federal elections. This immediately eliminates the lobbyist's clout and gives the elected official time to concentrate on legislation rather than raising money for re-election. It also opens the door for non-millionaires and 3rd parties. 2. A non-partisan electoral board in every state that prepares for and runs the elections. All equipment must be certified accurate and produce paper trails for recounting accuracy. 3. Eliminate earmarks - eliminate the corruption of this. The elected officials will have more time for "open" legislation since they don't have to raise money. 4. Term limits: 5 or 6 for US Congress; 2 or 3 for US Senate. 5. Strict accountability for all members of both houses of Congress as well as the Executive branch. Just follow the constitution.

I am outraged at the last writer's comments that the media is slanted in favor of the Republican Party. The broadcast on PBS that you just commented on was completely slanted in favor of the Democratic Party! Furthermore, I had the opportunity to travel to the Middle East, i.e. Turkey, Italy, Greece. CNN's comments, in that area, were tragic and completely negative lies regarding the United States as well as our President. The U.S. nor President Bush are perfect, however, neither were former President Clinton, President Reagan, President Kennedy, etc. If they were perfect, they would be God! Until the media, i.e. CNN, STOPS bashing the United States, as well as our Commander in Chief, I am afraid we will continue to have a bleak outlook for generations to come. So, be prepared to defend yourselves when the nukes hit! CNN ought to be shut down for creating chaos with extreme lies regarding the United States and broadcasting those in other countries. Our broadcast that we see in the U.S. does not compare to the negative campaign that CNN sends to other foreign countries. Maybe CNN needs to be on the front lines to defend our country, since their negative campaign toward our President and the United States is adding to the unrest issues that we are facing!

Schools have a process to choose scholarship recipients, let's adapt it to choosing political candidates. Then, upon selection of worthy applicants, give each equal amounts of publically funded campaign money & media coverage. And require they participate in prime time debates carried on all networks and monitored by the League of Women Voters. Let's get America involved and talking about something other than what movie stars and sports celebrities are doing...we could have a "real" reality show!

1. Most importantly, we need election reform. Currently elections are rigged in favor of a two-party system. Instant Run-off Voting (IRV) is essential.

2. We need publicly-funded Clean Elections like we have in Arizona.

3. We need an independent ethics committee for politicians.

4. More and more government transparency!

We have a branch of government designed to fix our current problem, namely, the Judiciary. My vote is being compromised by lobbiests, businesses, and political donations which influence political decisions by those who make laws, inforce laws, and set policy. I think we need a class action that will assure one vote for one citizen, regardless of business interest, wealth, or poliyical connection. I consider the current way our government is operating unconstitutional and a compromise of my, and every citizens civil rights, which only the courts can remedy.

I'm a Canadian who's been living in the USA as a legal alien for over 20 years. Until recently I didn't see the need to become a US Citizen. But the combination of Bush's foreign policy catastrophy as well as the erosion of the democratic process by corrosive corporate influence and the epidemic corruption of politicians has made me take the first step in obtaining a US Citizenship application so that I can become an American and VOTE. It'll be just one vote and may do no good at all, but I can't wait to cast it.

I would say that we have got to make our disgust known by voting every single Republican (since GOP leadership has commandeered the legislative process & controls it all in a very undemocratic way) out of office - but our very votes are stolen as well. I have come to believe that Capitalism is evil when corporations are given the same status as individuals, and their rights are placed above the rights of the people by our loegislative representatives. We need to have laws passed that will place public good above corporate self-interest, but I have come to doubt that I will ever see that happen. How do we pass laws for public financing of political campaigns, mandatory free time over radio and tv waves to candidates, regulation of corporations to protect the public, adequate funding for education,and universal healthcare, when our legislators refuse to do so?

Democracy is a very messy state of affairs. We watched the program tonight "Bill Moyers' America." The commentators at the close of the show said the corruption as portrayed by the Abramhoff scandals -- the culture of corruption -- is not going to be corrected overnight. Are we outraged enough to demand reform? Are we patient enough? I find I have all the feelings --- outrage, cynicism, pessimism, short on optimism. At least am moved to do something --- even if it is to post a comment. I write letters to congress persons, even the president. (well, maybe one) You can't stand to be in a state of angry outrage all the time. We all have to grow up, behave like adults and work towards the solutions that will be slow in coming. I think campaign finance reform is great idea, but am too cynical to think it'll actually work unless there's a prosecutor sitting at every candidate's elbow. There's always a way to cheat. Maybe enrolling in Jimmy Carter's Sunday School class would be good idea for the whole country.

Firstly, great job, Bill Moyers on today's show! Very well narrated.

The biggest problem today facing big democracies is getting the public informed and participating. The advent of Internet and TV ads has made the situation worse by:
1) Not keeping the public fully informed. Sound bites, TV ads, distortions, don't tell the full story.

2) Not bringing the official and his constituents/public closer. We need the public official on the streets and going door-to-door for votes, not fund raising with the elite and spending it on TV ads.

So my reforms are:
1) Limit TV ad usage.
For example, ban TV ads 2 months before election (hopefully, will force them to meet with public and get them to vote for them). Limit ads before the deadline to a 2-minute or 5-minute format, where both the parties' ads are aired back-to-back. That would take away the money edge and fundraising.

2) No term limits. Yes, term limits is a bad idea. Let the people have the power to vote them out, not wait them out.

3) Minimum of 3 debates/town hall meeting on live TV with a free format, and no pre-screened questions.

There are many more ways to reform, I know. But if John McCain and other so-called reform-minded (yeah, I can take on McCain!) people really want to do something to reform, they should start with controlling where the money is spent, not from where it is collected or how much. Make it a level playing field by giving equal time and format for each party to air their ads.

If you want my opinion on other subjects, please send me an email. I might run for office someday.

We elect people from our local district to represent our many and differing needs: a tough assignment. But once our elected representative finishes his/her tenure in Washington, it should be MANDATORY that the representative return to the home district (unless indicted, convicted, and imprisoned for a crime), either to resume gainful employment or to be involved in local governmental leadership. Staying in Washington,D.C., as a lobbyist or consultant should be expressly outlawed. A truly representative Representative should return to his/her community.

here's a start:

public funding of all elections

elect:
Bill Moyers president
Ralph Nader vice
appoint:
Amy goodman attorney gen
andy stern labor sec
noam chomsky education
bill clinton sec. state
molly ivins press sec.
tavis smiley defense sec.
william greider FED chief

that's a start, the rest will take care of itself

THE CITIZENS GOVT REFORM ACT of 2006

Publicly funded elections

a.)ALL federal elections will be paid for by the Citizens. Candidates will no longer be allowed to raise money on their own for campaign funds, or accept donations from outside entities or lobbyists. Elected Officials will no longer be forced to prioritize their Access to their constituants or lobbyists based on the necessity to raise Campaign Funds. This will force our elected officials to create and vote on legislation that is beneficial to their constituants instead of special interests, and money will no longer mean free speech. Our elected Officials will now be lobbying their constituants based on performance instead of the other way around. In order to stay in office, our representatives will have to work for the people.

Tax Deductible Private Donations

b.)Tax deductible donations by the Citizens of the United States to pay for all federal elections. An automatic Payroll deduction of $5 per week from Every Citizen of the United States. Each Citizen is also given the opportunity to get an additional 100% Tax Deduction for donations up to $2000 dollars per year to be donated to the Party of their choice.

Free Access to Citizen Owned Airwaves/FCC Changes

c.) The Citizens of the United States own the Airwaves and lease them to Corporations Via the FCC. Why should our representatives have to spend our money to buy time on our airwaves? This corrupts the system and allows special interests an unfair voice. Being that we now live in the digital age with Hundreds of Channels now available. There shall be 4(four) 24hr Channels per party with a total of 16(sixteen) Channels total (4 possible parties) to be used for all Campaign Commercials, Speeches, Debates, and party platform support. Fair and Equal Access to these channels by Challengers to Incumbants during the Campaign Season to be determined. Websites will be used for campaigning as well. C-Span will continue in it's current form at this time.

Realistic Pay for Elected Representatives

d.) This ties elected officials compensation to how the average middle class American is doing. Presidential salary: 5 x the median annual income Senatoral salary: 3 x the medial annual income Representative salary: 2 x the median annual income A "bonus" structure based on how well those at the bottom are gaining, if the number of americans under the federal poverty level (or some other, more objective measure) is dropping, how affordable a home, health care, higher education is, etc., an extra bonus if the national debt is being reduced or kept low, if social security is fully funded and projected to pay increasing benefits, etc. A metric on each goal will be established, and "Bonus" compensation will be granted as each goal is reached. Hey, this is the way a lot of people are evaluated on their job performance (at least in theory): you meet or exceed some goals by objective measurements, and you prosper. Why should it be any different for those who purport to run the country? Why reward them for not making things better? .

Lobbying Reform Provisions for Elected Officials

e.) elected officials would give up the right to work for any lobbying firms for life after holding elected office unless it is for pro bono purposes. This would not infringe on 1st Ammendment Rights for individuals as Law Makers would still have the same individual rights to "Petition The Government" that you aor I do as Individuals. They will however not be barred from working as Campaign Managers or staff, or grassroots organizers or media personalities. This is their sacrifice to hold Government Office. The current system establishes a conflict of interest to the Citizenry that is Legal at this point. The Current System, on it's face, is unfair.

Congressional Travel Reform Provisions

f.) All travel to be funded by the federal government using a Voucher System. All Federaly Elected Officials and their Staff Members would be issued "Vouchers" allowing them "Business Class Seats" or their equivalent. Upgrades to "First Class" status would be allowable using funds from the elected officials pocket or through the use of "Frequent Flyer Miles". This will be fully disclosed as part of a yearly review conducted by the Justice Department.

Gifts

g.) All gifts from constituants to be reported under full disclosure and limits on the value of those gifts to be determined later.

Independant Congressional Ethics and Oversight, Internal Affairs Agency

h.) It is obvious that our current and past track record leaving Congressional Ethical Oversight in the hands of Congress doesn't work. Congress doesn't hold Congress acountable for it's actions. Earmarks, insider contracts, and numerous other "inside Baseball" forms of congressional appropriations of the Citizens Funds has been abused for decades. Given the Deficit, this must stop immediately. At least for the near future, establishment of such an agency needs to be established to de-politicize investigations into violation of established laws concerning ethics violations, and violations of congressional parlimentarian rules. This agency will be formed out of career Law Enforcement Officials from Justice, FBI, and the CBO, or some such combination, in order to not allow Executive Appointments, or Congress itself, to be the personel in charge of selecting who gets investigated. Establishment of such an Agency appears to be critical to thwart corruption and to insure confidence of the American People in their Government. This agency would be established with a "sunset" governing it's existance, and would be an individual issue on all General Elections in the future to be Voted On by the People of the United States not hindered by Party Lines for approval or defeat.

This is just a first thoughts proposal. The main thing is to take the money out of campaigning, and to take the unfair adavantage to access by the professional special interest lobbying firms by making the priority of access to special interests by our elected officials a matter of principle instead of a need to raise millions of dollars on their own just to be able to campaign. I feel that this would completely change the kind of people that would go into politics. They would need to have a desire to serve instead of using it as a corrupt way to gain wealth.

No matter what attempts are made at any levels to reform government, no real positive change will take place until there is an evolution of consciousness among people in general. The only true reform will have to come from within the individual persons and the population as a whole, waking up and realizing the truth of who we are, what we give our attention and power to, and what we truly care about, and then living our lives, public and private, in accordance with higher principles than we are at present. At this point, whether people admit it or not, most of us, and not just the politicians, are driven by desire for more good stuff for ourselves, and often what we desire is not really even good at all, but just temporary satisfaction of our wants. We are so distracted by trying to get more than we really need, that we haven't even noticed that we are being manipulated and duped by advertising, the big corporations, and our government to enrich them even more. Most people are placidly staring at TV or video/computer games instead of being really involved in their own lives, much less taking the interest to protest and actively become involved to improve anything in the governmental process, or even in our own families and communities. All the proposals, reform plans, and other mental ideas in the world will not really help until the vast majority of people become conscious of what is going on and really begin to care--about the bigger picture, and our own part in it as well. The sickness in the government only reflects the sickness in the country as a whole, in fact, in the world as a whole. This lobbying scandal is one symptom of a very unbalanced species out of control within and and without. I am amazed that there is not widespread outrage at so many things that are being done daily, openly, by my fellow humans.
I do not believe it is hopeless, but the hope must arise from within--no one else, no programs, policies, new politicians, or imposed procedures will fix this for us, though there are certainly clear, needed improvements that move in the right directions. I am not saying "do nothing". But I am saying that all our doing must be supported by conscious awareness if it is to be effective.Historically, all "revolutions" have failed in the long run because the consciousness was not sustained over time. Those who worked to effect the changes soon fell into similar patterns of behavior to those whom they replaced. We must all wake up now, or we will all self-destruct and take everything else with us. The urgency cannot be overestimated.
Thank you for airing this program. I hope it helps to shock people into waking up. Please continue to shed light on these happenings.

Everything we do revolves around our energy use. We must move our country toward a "Solar Economy" and all that this means (find out). Lobbyists must be moved out of the halls of Congress and we should move to strickly PEN, PAPER, PERIOD for our voting system. If it takes two weeks to count the votes - so be it. It's the only way to be as safe as possible to know our votes were counted correctly. The only holiday we have for a non American is Columbus Day. It's now known he was a pillager and killer - why celebrate this person - he didn't really discover America away.. We need to make this holiday a nation day to go VOTE.

The first thing we have to do is to VOTE, monitor the voting, and insure an accurate vote count. This is in the next 30 days, folks. Take a personal day and volunteer rides, your time, your eyes, your handy-cam.
As noted by the panel, too many current incumbents have displayed a contempt for government of, by and for the people and THAT has to change. We need to reclaim our commons: our airwaves, our highways and infrastructure, our hospitals and schools; and we need to end corporate welfare and influence. Close our wallets, demand public accountability - there are so many great suggestions already made!
But first we must attend to this coming election and educate our friends, relatives, co-workers, churches, and social groups as to what is at stake. This program airs again on Sunday - have a BIG Sunday dinner, and turn on the TV.

Try this URL for solutions to the United States Problems.

www.citizenamendments.org