Does your vote count? Mine does not. Why? Because I live in the wrong voting district.
Are you a disenfranchised voter? I am . . .
- disenfranchised
- A transitive verb, Date: 1664
To deprive of a franchise, of a legal right, or of some privilege or immunity;
Especially : to deprive of the right to vote
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It is time for real change in our voting system.
The Power of the Presidency
the Veto and the Bully pulpit
When Clinton was elected he had promised to clear up the issue of gays in the military. He had garnered a huge gay vote with this promise.
Then he failed. He bowed to political pressure.. . .
As President, all he had to do is declare that it would be new military policy that gays would be treated no differently than anyone else in the military and that would be law.
To the generals that threatened to resign over the issue he could have simply stated that it was THEIR choice but that their retirements might have difficulty and that he would reduce their rank before they could leave.
The president has tremendous powers in this respect. He did not need Congress OR the Pentagon's approval.
It does not matter if you agree with this policy or not. Clinton had the choice and the power.
During every election that I can remember the issue of "Pork Barrel". . now politely called "Ear Marks" but still coming from the pig has been an election issue.
But like election reform, the issue goes away as soon as the election is over.
The actual term is a "rider".
The purpose of a rider was so that unimportant little things could be done as part of the business of congress without adding paperwork and possible debate.
Things like naming a day to remember a specific hero, name a bridge, ship or building after someone. . .
But that purpose changed into the process of institutialized thievery we have today. High dollar add-ons to critical bills became payoff and bargaining chips.
It CAN be stopped
Stopping the use of riders or earmarks is simple. EVERY president has had the power. NONE has had the balls to stop it.
They have whined and complained and asked that they law be changed. They DO NOT need a line item veto. They already have the power.
All they have to do is announce a simple policy. If ANY bill has spending attached to it that is not germane to the purpose of the bill it will be vetoed.
EVERY bill no matter who's benefit or who's party gains.
Then Congress can try to override the veto OR play hard ball and threaten to let government stop running if the President doesn't sign.
All the President has to due is hold a press conference and announce WHY and who is holding up the bill. Put the onus on on the guilty. Point fingers.
THEN let Congress try to override the bill. Under public scrutiny few if any would pass. THIS is the power of the bully pulpit.
In a very short time the practice of pork barrel politics would end and the new policy would forever be called by that President's name.
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