Coffee Talk V: The Final Battle

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Laws/Amendments to Improve American Election Integrity, Democratic Representation, and Leadership

(1) Age limits - President/Reps/Senators must be under the age of 70 years on inauguration day
(2) Term limits - 12 years for both the House and Senate, cut in half if you serve in the other body previously
(3) DC Statehood - grant statehood, full voting privileges for representative and senators
(4) Presidential popular vote - end the ridiculous electoral college, make all American votes equal, and stop deciding the election in 5-6 states
(5) Reapportion senate based on population - 10%+ of pop. = 4 senators (CA) , 5-10% = 3 senators (FL, TX, NY) 2-5% = 2 senators (12 states), Less than 2% = 1 senator (34 states)
(6) Federal law requiring identification at polling places in order to vote in all federal elections
(7) Federal law requiring signature verification of mail in ballots in all federal elections
(8) Modify Supreme Court service to 20 years from appointment, retirement, or death instead of just the latter for all future appointments
(9) Provide public financing for all federal candidates that offer to give up fundraiser, PAC money, and ads on their behalf


These are all unquestionably rooted in improving democratic representation, election integrity, and cutting back on career politicians. There are elements both parties will like to each.

Why can't our leaders produce something like this that makes sweeping and real change to improve our country?

I wouldn't touch the senate size or apportionment, but I'd definitely implement something like the Wyoming rule to greatly expand the size of the House.

I also wouldn't touch the photo ID UNLESS the federal government were sending out an ID to all eligible voters or otherwise stipulating which ID is accepted, which would never happen. One of NC's attempts at voter ID was struck down because the legislature a) intentionally made the types of ID used by minorities ineligible and b) failed to provide any remedy for the 10s of thousands (estimated) of older African American citizens who the state won't issue a valid form of ID to (see a) because the state refused to issue birth certificates because they weren't recognized as "people" for a period of time in the state.

 

[elocomotive]

I wouldn't touch the senate size or apportionment,

Why? Just based on tradition? Under the system I mentioned, California still has the same number of senators as like Wyoming, North Dakota, Montana, and Vermont combined. Still leans towards having states being overrepresented, but at least not to the extreme that they currently are.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Why? Just based on tradition? Under the system I mentioned, California still has the same number of senators as like Wyoming, North Dakota, Montana, and Vermont combined. Still leans towards having states being overrepresented, but at least not to the extreme that they currently are.

Because I'd be fixing the House instead, thereby preserving the idea of having one chamber dominated by the most populous states and one chamber not.

This would also fix the EC issue by default since the EC votes would also be increased.

 

[returnofjakedog]

Laws/Amendments to Improve American Election Integrity, Democratic Representation, and Leadership

(1) Age limits - President/Reps/Senators must be under the age of 70 years on inauguration day
(2) Term limits - 12 years for both the House and Senate, cut in half if you serve in the other body previously
(3) DC Statehood - grant statehood, full voting privileges for representative and senators
(4) Presidential popular vote - end the ridiculous electoral college, make all American votes equal, and stop deciding the election in 5-6 states
(5) Reapportion senate based on population - 10%+ of pop. = 4 senators (CA) , 5-10% = 3 senators (FL, TX, NY) 2-5% = 2 senators (12 states), Less than 2% = 1 senator (34 states)
(6) Federal law requiring identification at polling places in order to vote in all federal elections
(7) Federal law requiring signature verification of mail in ballots in all federal elections
(8) Modify Supreme Court service to 20 years from appointment, retirement, or death instead of just the latter for all future appointments
(9) Provide public financing for all federal candidates that offer to give up fundraiser, PAC money, and ads on their behalf


These are all unquestionably rooted in improving democratic representation, election integrity, and cutting back on career politicians. There are elements both parties will like to each.

Why can't our leaders produce something like this that makes sweeping and real change to improve our country?

How about Gerrymandering?
Decide districts via an agreed mathmatical equation, and applied from the same physical point in every state (for example: SE corner, expanding outwards). Any variations, exceptions, or changes to incorporate outliers to be decided by an non-politically affliated council.

Oh, and require the representatives to vote their constituent's will in federal elections. No exceptions.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I guess my question regarding senate reform would be are you awarding senate seats based on statewide vote totals? Because if so no Republican is going to agree to a system where a blue state that also has more Republicans than any other state in the country gives five senate seats to the Democrats and leaves the state’s sizable Republican minority voiceless in the senate.

And then how do you come up with a system to make sure vote distribution is equitable and not manipulated like House districts are?

 

[puckhead]

i just don't get the continued loyalty.
or the loyalty to begin with, as they all knew what a snake he has always been.

 

[dare2be]

"Save America PAC"

Just keep sucking money from the suckers.

 

[dash]

i just don't get the continued loyalty.
or the loyalty to begin with, as they all knew what a snake he has always been.

75 million people voted for him (and that was more than in 2016). They probably still think he's their best chance at retaking the presidency in 2024.

 

[puckhead]

75 million people voted for him (and that was more than in 2016). They probably still think he's their best chance at retaking the presidency in 2024.

best case scenario is his ego makes him support a new Patriot Party (or PP party, from the Russian perspective)
and it splits the Republicans into irrelevance for a few generations.

on the one side you've got the racists, and on the other the crazy racists

 

[thedddd]

 

[sbb122]

good, similar to the churchgoers who leave servers Jesus pamphlets disguised as money as a “tip” after church on Sundays

 

[dash]

good, similar to the churchgoers who leave servers Jesus pamphlets disguised as money as a “tip” after church on Sundays

In God we trust - Everyone else pays cash

 

[dare2be]

In God we trust - Everyone else pays cash

If God wants to be taken seriously, he'd better pay cash too.

 

[dash]

If God wants to be taken seriously, he'd better pay cash too.

 

[Comeds]

Its funny how when something goes wrong in a area traditionally controlled by Democrats, Republicans blame Democrats. When something goes wrong in an area traditionally controlled by Republicans, Republicans blame Democrats.

 

[dash]

Its funny how when something goes wrong in a area traditionally controlled by Democrats, Republicans blame Democrats. When something goes wrong in an area traditionally controlled by Republicans, Republicans blame Democrats.

I remember when I was living and working down in Atlanta and we had a cold snap and the local weather guy was blaming it on a Alberta clipper.

/Although I like Saskatchewan Screamer and Manitoba Mauler

 

[elocomotive]

"Save America* PAC"

Just keep sucking money from the suckers.

*From the mess I made. #Stank

 

[thedddd]

I remember when I was living and working down in Atlanta and we had a cold snap and the local weather guy was blaming it on a Alberta clipper.

/Although I like Saskatchewan Screamer and Manitoba Mauler

In Pittsburgh when you get a stinky heat wave it is called a Cleveland Steamer.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

This shit in Texas is fucking nuts. All I got on that one.

 

[Comeds]

In Pittsburgh when you get a stinky heat wave it is called a Cleveland Steamer.

Glad you got that of your chest, aren't you?