CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

mika — Thu, 10 May 2007 06:31:55 -0000

what are the duties and responsibilities of the leaders of antigua and barbuda?

Re: Question of the day

Rick — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 19:05:18 -0000

UNICAMERAL LEGISTLATURE

TERM LIMITS

Re: Question of the day

JudyO — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 13:48:12 -0000

Wow! A lot of inspiring and well thought out ideas but politicians won't support them unless the voting public starts to become an active member of the political society.
1) Registered voters should do their best to attend their local town/township meetings to hear what's going on and the lend their voice to these decisions.
2) I agree with Beowulf, if an elected official is convicted of political wrong-doings then they should forfeit their State/Federal pensions. Let's face it, it's a sweet deal that is only afforded to them.
3) I also think Hoosier Daddy has some good ideas about term limits - but if term limits are put in place, then corruption can still occur because many of these politicians get appointments to positions that can them on the payroll for years.
4) I agree with nearly everything Rich Whitney has to say and I'd like to add to his comments. All debates should include every candidate who will be on the ballot regardless of party. Right now our media only invites the Democratic candidates and the Republican candidates - once in a while a Libertarian may be invited to Presidential debates, but debates like the upcoming ones for Governor of Illinois, the public will only hear from Blagojevich and Topinka. For a true debate, all candidates must be invited to attend and be given equal treatment - then a true debate of this issues would occur.
5) Non-partisan primary elections are a great idea, we the people should demand it!
6) Sheep peole need to wake up. Yes, there's more to like than your kids next soccer game and where you're going to eat out for dinner on Friday night. You can't go to the polls blindly thinking I'm a Republican, I'll vote for all the Republicans on the ballot! You have to attend forums where the candidates are speaking, ask questions, and determine which candidate regardless of party is the best to elect. Become involved.
7) Lastly, and I'm not sure how to get people to understand this, but remember why we are free today. Remember the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, what they stand for and that people fought and lost their lives so that we may enjoy these rights today. So get involved with local issues, take the time to volunteer to an orgranization that protects rights that are important to you - because only YOU can make a difference on who gets elected, what laws get passed, and holding your elected official accountable.

Re: Question of the day

Dick M — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 09:48:38 -0000

Get rid of that crook Son-in-law of mine in the gov's office

Re: Question of the day

47th Ward — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 01:29:55 -0000

Two words: mandatory voting.

Re: Question of the day

Reformed — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 23:03:47 -0000

1) State version of Federal Hatch act....easy investigative report: How many County Chairmen of both parties work in State government...

2) Eliminate state agency term appointments...terms only hold down experienced employees who don't want to promote to that senior level and have to kiss ass every four years to keep their jobs

3) Limit contributions from any and all businesses/individuals doing business with the state. Easy investigative report: pick any major road contractor, search ISBE site and find that they all contribute huge dollars to both parties gubenatorial candidates...why is that?

4)Personnel Directors should all be code employees with full civil service protections and hired by an independent HR commission. Its the only way to free them from political pressures from above to hire the hacks.

5) CMS should be broken-up. All the goodies.... personnel, contracts, leases, procurement, benefits, under one roof keeps it ripe for corruption.

Re: Question of the day

Squideshi — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 22:56:59 -0000

I'm going to echo Rich Whitney's last comment. Say, why haven't Rod or Judy posted their responses? :)

Re: Question of the day

Democrat — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 22:15:39 -0000

Put a cap on how much someone can donate to a candidate..Then set a limit on how much a candidate can spend on a campaign. That puts everyone on a level playing field. Then everyone can run for office not just the rich.

Re: Question of the day

Alan — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:57:22 -0000

1) Eliminate the income tax, so there is less money to steal from the public treasury.
2) Have one Senator from each county. Reduce the house reps to 102 and allocated upon proportional representation. This may not make things better, but the current system screws the many counties without the large population center of Chicago.
3) Hire competent managers. Yes, this means gutting the personnel system in its entirity and those who abuse their positions in a criminal and unethical fashion. Managers want to hire good people on the front-line to get the job done. Take hiring decisions out of the hands of the mysterious and corruptible personnel system and place it in the hands of those responsible for their units work getting done. We are tired of people showing up without so much as a job even being posted, let alone interviewed.

Re: Question of the day

William — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:37:08 -0000

1. Repeal Article II, Section 2 of the Illinois Constitution, the blank check for Illinois state government.

2. Specifically list the powers of the Illinois state government and strictly limit it to those enumerated powers.

3. Remove as many responsiblities from Illinois state government as possible.

4. Control this limited political power by dividing it up among many office holders. Make many new offices and strictly limit terms, compensation and pensions.

5. Make public office and public employment as unattractive as possible.

6. Remove all incentives to draw a check from the public treasury.

7. Outlaw the title "Honorable".

The reason there is so much under the table money being passed along to "public servants" is because the potential payoff is so huge. Limiting state government's power will reduce the potential payoff for conniving rent seekers.

Re: Question of the day

Marlowe — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 19:30:21 -0000

Get rid of the Stroger dynasty

Re: Question of the day

Shelbyville — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 19:13:12 -0000

Pay the directors enough to get professional people in those positions.

Re: Question of the day

Jon — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 19:11:43 -0000

1. Term Limits
2. Tax Accountability Amendment
3. Amendment on limiting growth of government
4. Sunshine ordinances
5. Televise votes and debates
6. Put votes online
7. Unicameral legislature
8. Combine Treasurer and Comptroller into 1 appointed post
9. Eliminate LT Gov
10. State/City County Hatch Act
11. Eliminate contractors from donating political money
12. Eliminate HDO
13. RICO sue the bad elected officials

Re: Question of the day

StevesFire — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 18:08:37 -0000

Make it illegal for any statewide office to be held by a person who lives or has lived within the last five years in Cook County.

Thank you.

Re: Question of the day

Truthful James — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:25:22 -0000

A major but unnoticed or ignored part of my recommendation dealt with the foreshortening of campaigns. The long (some would say enervating) campaign periods require ever more gobs of money.

Incumbents have the cingular ability of being able to campaign forever. But formal campaigning for a primary, a run off and a general needs to be foreshortened to enable the new voices with less money the ability to compete.

Oh, and I forgot one thing. Cut away the gerrymanders for GA Districts (and hopefully for City and Village Councils. For the former, draw the Districts as close to square as possible. We have got computers to do this with. Triple the size of the Districts and have three people elected, with multiple voting permitted. For Cities and Villages do the same thinbg. Do not triple the size of the Council, re-size the Districts.b Redraw after each census.

And finally, change the whole pension scheme. allowing only pernsion accumulation against one political job. An alderman and also a member of the GA would not be able to slide in two pensions for one serving period.

Re: Question of the day

Niles Township — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:21:15 -0000

Elminate party primaries. Move to non-partisan elections. Majority is required to win. If no majortiy winner in round 1, then a run-off is held.

Re: Question of the day

Lovie's Leather — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:12:43 -0000

Gregor, I am against stopping unions, businesses, PACs, etc from contributing how much they want to. If all sides tried to get money from unions, businesses, PACs, etc that would level the playing field. If a third party is entering the political arena, the first thing they need to do is get support from these entities. If they can't, they can't. Maybe deregulation is the answer....

Re: Question of the day

Bluefish — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:53:28 -0000

PalosParkBob is on the money. We need to see the rise of a moderate third party that actually cares about what the middle ground cares about. The Dems and GOPs only care about the narrow-minded positions at the extremes of their bases and maintaining their monopoly on power, not the average person who wants an efficient government for their hard-earned tax dollars.

So my answer is make it easier for alternative candidates to get on the ballot and ensure them a place in every debate. Also require the media to cover these debates so that the voters have the opportunity to actually hear what each candidate stands for.

Of course, getting the average potential voter to actually pay attention is another matter.

Re: Question of the day

angry and outraged — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:26:03 -0000

require thought on the part of the voters! As I said before we are the power, we need to take control; if we look weak we get what we deserve; if we look strong we get what we want!

Re: Question of the day

The Conservative — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:22:16 -0000

Palos Park Bob: This is a long term job. I am one such rebel and have been for many years within the party. I work within the organization where I can and help those that are of the same view, and work against those that are not. If there is a candidate in the General that I cannot support I do not, I work on someone else that I can support. This is a slow process. I do not believe in working to destroy the party as there are more each day that are joining the fight. The key still remains, if you change the heart you capture the mind. Already the true Christians are becoming involved more and more. This does not bode well for the crook and back room politician. The heart mind and sole are the key. However we must have a strong backbone ourselves and not bend for the sake of winning.

Re: Question of the day

angry and outraged — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:19:25 -0000

PalosParkBob-do you really think that we are living in a 2 party system? After working in a state agency for awhile I realized there is no such thing as a 2 party system. Maybe the solution is the people don't vote for anyone, because no one is good enough, but that would re

Re: Question of the day

Truthful James — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:07:10 -0000

Palos Park Bob--

which is why I want to load the ballot. I believe that is the best way to realign the parties. Money is the glue that binds together each party. The internet may develop into a power for reform as it promotes the freedom of ideas. Unfortunately this vehicle is under attack by powerful utility companies which want to use the airways fdor monopoly profits.

Re: Question of the day

bored now — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:06:34 -0000

a. special elections to fill any vacancies on the ballot that occur more than six weeks out from the election.

b. allow people who've contested the most recent primary to run in said special elections

Re: Question of the day

Pat Quinn's evil twin — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 16:02:01 -0000

Fix the cutback amendment by returning to multiple member districts, which would constrain both partisanship and omnipotent leaders by electing more moderates interested in (and capable of) in getting things done. OK, Pat, no need to go ballistic -- I'm fine with the SIZE of the GA, just not the electoral method. Let's make 132 reps elected from 44 senate districts -- at 176 members, a reduction by 1 in the total # of legislators but a restoration of balance in public debate.

Re: Question of the day

PalosParkBob — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 15:55:42 -0000

Conservative,

Voter awareness is irrelevant if there are no clear choices between politicians on the ballot, if the Dems and GOP even allow competing names on a ballot for an office.

This year's Governor's race is a great example. We have a choice between a corrupt, money pandering incumbent and a challenger so far to the left of her party on all issues from abortion to increasing taxes that less than half the voters in her party can fully support her.

The more "aware" the voters are, the less likely they'll be to vote in November, because there are no candidates in line with what mainstrem voters want done in Springfield.

The key is to break up the monopoly of the Republicrats in Illinois who limit candidate choices for voters.

I'm convinced that reform is impossible through the existing parties. There's too much money going into too many pockets for them to want to rock the boat in either party.

If the apples in the barrel are rotten, your only choice is to go directly to the tree. You've got to find candidates who just want to clean up the mess and get the heck out of Springfield. They're out there, and many are so disgusted with both parties that they're starting to step forward as "outlaws" in their parties. That's why petition requirements and independent roadbloacks were increased by the GA last year.

The best hope for change is for "renegades" like Meeks leading a faction that can get the laws changed to create competition to the Dem and GOP stranglehold.

Dem factionalization and Republican impotence may create an opportunity to do this in the near future.

The Kjellander/Ryan/Topinka wing of the GOP has pretty much dissolved the conservative Republican base, and we're looking for somewhere else to go.

The Stroger debacle in Cook has alienated so many "middle of the road" Dems that they're looking for other political alternatives.

These Dems and Republicans have a lot in common. They want prudent use of tax dollars, an end to corruption, legislators and a Guv who'll put their interests before the contractors, cronies, unions, and lawyers who currently own Springfield. They want value for the government and educational services they're receiving commensurate with the cost.

They want the legislators to be straight with them, give them all sides of the argument, and come up with the best solutions ot the state's problems.

No one of whom I'm aware in either party is doing that now, and both parties work very hard to keep such people out of the mix.

A party that could serve this middle majority of the parties is the only way this mess can be cleaned up, IMHO.