twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Sept 28, 2020 17:03:59 GMT
...What is on your wishlist? I am assuming the House stays blue, and that, if there is a God, Biden is the POTUS. [Edited: This is a "fantasy" wishlist, i.e. not the stuff that we know a blue Congress will go for with a Democrat in the White House.  ] I think the first thing I want them to do is restructure how Secret Service benefits are used for an ex-POTUS. As far as I know, there is no SS guarantee in the Constitution (correct me if I'm wrong), so Congress can set the rules. 1. Each previous POTUS or V-POTUS, along with spouse and minor children, gets a reasonable, annual budget. Once the budget is used for the year, the ex-POTUS has to pay. The only exception would be for a CONFIRMED credible threat as assessed by the FBI, and in the case of an official event at which the ex-POTUS has been asked to attend by the current POTUS (so for example, representing the U.S. at a state funeral or wedding). 2. Adult children would also have a budget. Once it is gone, it's gone. 3. SS Agents would be subject to the same federal room rate restrictions as other government authorities. If the ex-POTUS wants to stay at a resort that costs $1500 per night, the agents will only be covered for the federal rate for the city, just like any other federal employee. If ex-POTUS wants to stay there anyway, he will have to cough up the difference. Exceptions: (1) when the resort/hotel is being used for some official function that involves heightened security because other national leaders are in attendance, it makes sense to use that facility and pay additional for agents because it will be less expensive than re-doing the entire security set-up at a different location or (2) a cost-benefit analysis shows that the higher rate is justified because the location has unique features that reduce the security risk to the point that it is not costing the government significantly more than another location would. 4. Ex-POTUS/family and any adult children will be billed monthly for any charges for which they are responsible. Failure to pay will result in immediate suspension of the Secret Service detail until such amounts are paid in full. If there is a credible threat during this time period, the person who needs security will be relocated to a "safe haven" such as Camp David until the threat passes or until the outstanding balance is paid. Without these kinds of limitations, the whole Trump family will do its best to bankrupt the U.S. with trips around the world (in order to make money). While the numbers aren't made public, it costs tens of millions per year to protect former presidents ( link). That is in addition to the other support they receive ( link). I am not against lifetime protection for former presidents, but there needs to be some accountability for how that money is spent on behalf of those who are making millions because they are former presidents. |
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Post by Merge on Sept 28, 2020 17:15:22 GMT
Well, my wishlist has more to do with healthcare, education, and enshrining a woman's right to privacy in federal law. And then I'd hope for statehood for DC and PR, closing loopholes so the rich pay their fair share in taxes (which will help with healthcare and education), and disbanding the electoral college.
It's also my hope that the whole Trump crime family will end up in prison, and we won't need to worry about their SS detail or hotel bills.
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,641
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Post by janeliz on Sept 28, 2020 17:20:36 GMT
Well, my wishlist has more to do with healthcare, education, and enshrining a woman's right to privacy in federal law. And then I'd hope for statehood for DC and PR, closing loopholes so the rich pay their fair share in taxes (which will help with healthcare and education), and disbanding the electoral college. It's also my hope that the whole Trump crime family will end up in prison, and we won't need to worry about their SS detail or hotel bills. I honestly can’t think of a more perfect wishlist. |
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,087
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Sept 28, 2020 17:22:41 GMT
Well, my wishlist has more to do with healthcare, education, and enshrining a woman's right to privacy in federal law. And then I'd hope for statehood for DC and PR, closing loopholes so the rich pay their fair share in taxes (which will help with healthcare and education), and disbanding the electoral college. It's also my hope that the whole Trump crime family will end up in prison, and we won't need to worry about their SS detail or hotel bills. If all three branches go blue, I think those things are a given. I'm thinking more along the lines of my fantasy wishlist LOL. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Sept 28, 2020 17:24:57 GMT
Wow, you really don't like Trumps family, do you! LOL. Mine would be more geared towards healthcare, taxes, etc..
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,087
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Sept 28, 2020 17:46:09 GMT
Wow, you really don't like Trumps family, do you! LOL. Mine would be more geared towards healthcare, taxes, etc.. It's not just Trump. Look at the articles I posted. These guys are making millions off speaking engagements, and we are subsidizing them. Bill Clinton leads the list in net worth with over $70 million. There was a bipartisan bill to limit taxpayer funded benefits for former presidents, but I don't think it ever went anywhere. And I revised my OP--this is more of a fantasy list as opposed to the stuff that is in the party platform. But yes, I do hate the entire Trump family LOL. |
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,277
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Post by lindas on Sept 28, 2020 17:54:11 GMT
There was a statute passed in 1994 limiting SS protection for ex presidents taking office after 1997 to 10 years. You can thank Obama for changing it back to lifetime protection. Also, they do get a fixed annual budget for office and staff of up to $150,000 for the first 30 months then $96,000 after that.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,922
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Post by pinklady on Sept 28, 2020 18:04:54 GMT
Here's my wish list:
1) Add 3 additional seats to the Supreme Court
2) Remove any "rule" that give the majority too much power. Make it so both parties HAVE to work together to get stuff done.
3) Remove any "rule" that allows the Senate majority from holding up legislation.
4) Make Puerto Rico and DC states.
5) Kick Texas out of the union...just kidding...sort of
6) Whatever it takes to keep the ACA or some version of it in tact
7) Remove all tax breaks/loopholes for anyone making over $500,000 annually
8) Give people making under $150,000 annually the most tax breaks in the history of the US
9) Prosecute EVERY Trump to the fullest extent of the law.
10) Limit pardon power of the president
11) Enact term limits on all Senate and Congress to two 6 year terms.
12) Change whatever needs to be changes so a sitting president can be prosecuted.
13) Make the disclosure of the previous 30 years of personal and corporate tax returns for anyone running for president required by law or they cannot run.
I could go on and on but these are my top to do's.
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Post by nlwilkins on Sept 28, 2020 18:05:35 GMT
Term limits - I believe this lies within fantasy as there is no way it will ever be passed through Congress
no retirement pay for elected officials until they reach retirement age like the rest of us.
Define the role of the Attorney General, perhaps even make him/her appointed by the Supreme Court instead of the President.
Overhaul of the election districts so they do not favor one party over another. Create laws as to number of voting stations required and hours of operation.
Redefine impeachable offenses so there is no loopholes
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Post by hop2 on Sept 28, 2020 18:09:53 GMT
Well, my wishlist has more to do with healthcare, education, and enshrining a woman's right to privacy in federal law. And then I'd hope for statehood for DC and PR, closing loopholes so the rich pay their fair share in taxes (which will help with healthcare and education), and disbanding the electoral college. It's also my hope that the whole Trump crime family will end up in prison, and we won't need to worry about their SS detail or hotel bills. This plus Voting rights reform And campaign reform And term limits - no more Moscow Mitch ever period. New minds, new ideas both sides reflecting their current constituency. |
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Post by hop2 on Sept 28, 2020 18:12:41 GMT
Oh and a real dream list- I think military personnel DESERVE the same health & retirement benefits that senators get. After all they are the reason senators even have a job.
And don’t say it’s too expensive - well then maybe senators don’t deserve it either. Figure it out.
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Post by aj2hall on Sept 28, 2020 20:24:43 GMT
Trump and his family have taken 4,650 trips on fiscal years 2017, 2018 & 2019. The Obamas took the same number of trips in 5 years. Admittedly, Trump has more children, they’re older and they travel for business. But, I think the protection for his children ends when he is no longer in office. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/10/secret-service-has-protected-trump-family-members-4000-trips-three-years/My main objection is that when they travel, they stay in Trump properties, further lining his pockets. Other than healthcare, voting rights reform, campaign finance reform and other items already mentioned, my wishlist would be for Congress to pass a law legalizing abortion, securing the right for all women so that it can’t be overturned by a Supreme Court. |
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Post by lucyg on Sept 28, 2020 20:47:13 GMT
No term limits. First of all, I believe it would take a constitutional amendment. Second, I want to retain the right to send someone I like back to Congress for as many terms as they/I can stand. The fact that YOU don’t like MY representative is irrelevant. Even including goddamn Mitch McConnell.
I don’t begrudge former presidents the cost of security and support staff for the rest of their lives. It’s an imperative in today’s world. But I have no intention of being ripped off by the grifter-in-chief, either. Limitations are fine.
VOTING RIGHTS: for the love of God, pass a new John Lewis Voting Rights Act and make it Supreme-Court-proof. Make sure it includes rules not just to protect racial minorities, but political minorities, too. No more closing down poor people’s polling stations while leaving them open in wealthier neighborhoods. Stop demonizing early voting and vote-by-mail. Make voter intimidation a crime with real teeth. Do something once and for all about gerrymandering abuses.
DARK MONEY: we need a constitutional amendment for this one. Hard, but we should at least try. Citizens United has done more to destroy this country than any other SC decision of the last decade (that I can think of ... someone will correct me, no doubt).
EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT: revive it, call it the RBG ERA, and get it passed ASAP. It’s an embarrassment that we’re still fighting this battle.
THEN I want to see a whole series of laws designed to prevent another unethical president from breaking down our norms and traditions the way this one has. Things that never needed legislating before clearly do now. Independent watchdogs in every department that aren’t beholden to the White House. Requirements that executive branch employees show up when subpoenaed, with criminal charges to follow if they don’t cooperate. Make it a crime to try to use the military, treasury department, justice department, or HHS as a political tool. Rules/laws to prevent a repeat of Mitch McConnell’s years-long, successful effort to pack the federal courts with often unqualified, far-right judges. (If the President makes an appointment, and the Senate Majority Leader cannot produce a truly legitimate reason to hold up the appointment, then after a certain number of days without a vote, the appointment is assumed to be approved. If 9 months is too close to an election in 2016, then 2 months is way.too.close in 2020.)
After that, I’m happy to let nature take its course.
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lizacreates
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,856
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Post by lizacreates on Sept 28, 2020 20:55:30 GMT
If the Senate goes blue, I’ll pull a Rainbow and post, “WE WON! WE WON! Hahahaha. Awww, GOP tears.” Or something like that. And I’ll do it with purple comic sans font.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Sept 28, 2020 20:56:11 GMT
I want term limits for the supreme court, no more than 2 replaced during a presidential term. Single payer health insurance and the abolition of the electoral college. PR and DC become states.
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Post by FrozenPea on Sept 28, 2020 20:59:53 GMT
Much of what is posted above as well as term limits for ALL federal judges including the Supreme Court.
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,798
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Post by Rhondito on Sept 28, 2020 21:08:42 GMT
2. Adult children would also have a budget. Once it is gone, it's gone. Children of a former president who are over the age of 16 are not provided with SS protection. (Bush and Obama asked for extensions to cover their college-age children for a period of time after they left office.) The US will be saving a ton of money just by cutting loose the Trump offspring's SS details when he goes! |
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Post by femalebusiness on Sept 28, 2020 21:12:04 GMT
If the Senate goes blue, I’ll pull a Rainbow and post, “WE WON! WE WON! Hahahaha. Awww, GOP tears.” Or something like that. And I’ll do it with purple comic sans font. Now that made me laugh...a much needed laugh today. |
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Post by peasapie on Sept 28, 2020 21:13:30 GMT
Wow. This is like playing what would you buy if you won the lottery... I'm not sure what's needed to do this but my fantasy is to abolish the electoral college.
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Post by peasapie on Sept 28, 2020 21:14:19 GMT
Much of what is posted above as well as term limits for ALL federal judges including the Supreme Court. Oh I love the idea of term limits for the Supreme Court. |
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lizacreates
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,856
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Post by lizacreates on Sept 28, 2020 21:15:40 GMT
If the Senate goes blue, I’ll pull a Rainbow and post, “WE WON! WE WON! Hahahaha. Awww, GOP tears.” Or something like that. And I’ll do it with purple comic sans font. Now that made me laugh...a much needed laugh today. Lol. Just for some relief. Man, that Rainbow. Her rebuttal to every anti-Trump argument was HE WON! HE WON! |
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Post by pierogi on Sept 28, 2020 21:25:33 GMT
2. Adult children would also have a budget. Once it is gone, it's gone. Children of a former president who are over the age of 16 are not provided with SS protection. (Bush and Obama asked for extensions to cover their college-age children for a period of time after they left office.) The US will be saving a ton of money just by cutting loose the Trump offspring's SS details when he goes! I've always wondered if Trump goes to prison, would he have SS protection next to him in the yard? Or would the Aryan Nation provide it instead? |
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Post by hop2 on Sept 28, 2020 22:45:09 GMT
If the Senate goes blue, I’ll pull a Rainbow and post, “WE WON! WE WON! Hahahaha. Awww, GOP tears.” Or something like that. And I’ll do it with purple comic sans font. add a ‘so there, deal with it’ for Lauren |
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Post by AussieMeg on Sept 29, 2020 0:55:25 GMT
Not that it really matters what *I* think, way down here, but this would be my wish list: 1. Abolish the electoral college 2. Set term limits for Supreme Court judges. Or mandatory retirement at a certain age. 3. Pass the ERA (or whatever the correct terminology is) lucyg I recently watched Mrs America, and I had to keep pausing it to google the characters and events, as I didn't know much about them. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the ERA was only ratified by the 38th state this year!! |
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Post by mollycoddle on Sept 29, 2020 1:00:05 GMT
Wow, you really don't like Trumps family, do you! LOL. Mine would be more geared towards healthcare, taxes, etc.. It's not just Trump. Look at the articles I posted. These guys are making millions off speaking engagements, and we are subsidizing them. Bill Clinton leads the list in net worth with over $70 million. There was a bipartisan bill to limit taxpayer funded benefits for former presidents, but I don't think it ever went anywhere. And I revised my OP--this is more of a fantasy list as opposed to the stuff that is in the party platform. But yes, I do hate the entire Trump family LOL. I agree with you, though I would prioritize healthcare, the environment and the SC. |
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Post by mollycoddle on Sept 29, 2020 1:01:29 GMT
If the Senate goes blue, I’ll pull a Rainbow and post, “WE WON! WE WON! Hahahaha. Awww, GOP tears.” Or something like that. And I’ll do it with purple comic sans font. 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆 |
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Sept 29, 2020 1:22:45 GMT
Everything that’s already been said, but on a more personal level I just want serenity. I want to read the news without having my stomach in knots. I want to not be an embarrassment. I want to relax.
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Post by pierkiss on Sept 29, 2020 1:26:31 GMT
Well, my wishlist has more to do with healthcare, education, and enshrining a woman's right to privacy in federal law. And then I'd hope for statehood for DC and PR, closing loopholes so the rich pay their fair share in taxes (which will help with healthcare and education), and disbanding the electoral college. It's also my hope that the whole Trump crime family will end up in prison, and we won't need to worry about their SS detail or hotel bills. 👏👏👏👏👏 |
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Post by beaglemom on Sept 29, 2020 5:35:56 GMT
No term limits. First of all, I believe it would take a constitutional amendment. Second, I want to retain the right to send someone I like back to Congress for as many terms as they/I can stand. The fact that YOU don’t like MY representative is irrelevant. Even including goddamn Mitch McConnell. I don’t begrudge former presidents the cost of security and support staff for the rest of their lives. It’s an imperative in today’s world. But I have no intention of being ripped off by the grifter-in-chief, either. Limitations are fine. VOTING RIGHTS: for the love of God, pass a new John Lewis Voting Rights Act and make it Supreme-Court-proof. Make sure it includes rules not just to protect racial minorities, but political minorities, too. No more closing down poor people’s polling stations while leaving them open in wealthier neighborhoods. Stop demonizing early voting and vote-by-mail. Make voter intimidation a crime with real teeth. Do something once and for all about gerrymandering abuses. DARK MONEY: we need a constitutional amendment for this one. Hard, but we should at least try. Citizens United has done more to destroy this country than any other SC decision of the last decade (that I can think of ... someone will correct me, no doubt). EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT: revive it, call it the RBG ERA, and get it passed ASAP. It’s an embarrassment that we’re still fighting this battle. THEN I want to see a whole series of laws designed to prevent another unethical president from breaking down our norms and traditions the way this one has. Things that never needed legislating before clearly do now. Independent watchdogs in every department that aren’t beholden to the White House. Requirements that executive branch employees show up when subpoenaed, with criminal charges to follow if they don’t cooperate. Make it a crime to try to use the military, treasury department, justice department, or HHS as a political tool. Rules/laws to prevent a repeat of Mitch McConnell’s years-long, successful effort to pack the federal courts with often unqualified, far-right judges. (If the President makes an appointment, and the Senate Majority Leader cannot produce a truly legitimate reason to hold up the appointment, then after a certain number of days without a vote, the appointment is assumed to be approved. If 9 months is too close to an election in 2016, then 2 months is way.too.close in 2020.) After that, I’m happy to let nature take its course. I know we are localish to each other. I really hope that once this pandemic is under control I get to meet you in person. You always post the most thoughtful things and I always find myself nodding along with what you have written. Thank you for always having compassion, reason, and using facts to support your views. I think you are awesome! |
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,387
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Post by cycworker on Sept 29, 2020 5:51:43 GMT
I heard an idea where you bumped SCOTUS to 15, and have 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, 5 Independents. I like that idea.
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