jlf1961
Posts: 14840
Joined: 6/10/2008
From: Somewhere Texas
Status: offline
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First of all, this is not in reference directly with any poster or anything posted on these boards in the last months or years, but is merely some observations I made after attending a county commissioners public forum this morning concerning some citizen proposed changes in local laws and citizen proposed new county codes.
After listening to some of the stuff proposed, I could not help but think that some of these people have no clue as to what is in the US or state constitution.
Seriously, a number of people were pushing to have the licenses of few businesses revoked due to the smell from them, one a live stock auction business, a feedlot, horse boarding stable with arena and a local drag strip.
Now the funny thing about that is that both businesses have been in existence for going on 20 years, and were there prior to the subdivisions who's residents are filing the complaints were even thought of.
I mean if you drive past the business in question to look at the $200,000 house, you should be smart enough to know there will be some odor you will have to deal with.
Right?
As for the drag strip, the complaints range from noise to the fact the place has opened it to 'amateur' racers on Saturday afternoons, where anyone that wishes can race for a small purse and bragging rights, minimum age is 17.
Now, since the raceway started this, the street racing problem went to almost zero, from about 90 tickets issued a week to around 10, and the number of kids involved in speed related accidents has also dropped dramatically.
Next was the proposal to ban hunting on private and public property in the county, along with the making it illegal to own firearms in the county.
Then there was the proposal to change the requirements to hold county office so that only property owners can hold office, also that only property owners can vote in county elections, since if you do not actually own property, you are basically exempt (actually you pay a substantially lower rate for county taxes, including the local school district taxes.)
Finally, there was the suggestion that, since the personnel at the Air Force base and their families are 'non permanent residents of the county' they should not be allowed to vote in any county election.
Well after hearing all that, it dawned on me that these adults clearly never took the required (at least in Texas) civics classes and never read the constitution.
Now with the above referenced, I have some thoughts to make changes to the way things are done in the US which might make the majority of Americans happy (sarcasm intended) since clearly our present system is not working, judging from all the complaints.
1) New requirements to vote or hold public office:
A) The right to vote be allowed to only those who, for a period of no less than four years, served the public either in the military, fire or police (or some other local service provided, ranging from garbage collection or any other municipal employment.)
B) The same applies to holding any elected office.
C) Should any of the public service related jobs require specialized training or college degrees, the cost of attending the advanced training incurred by the person be reimbursed fully after the term of public service.
D) no person can be disqualified for any reason of physical impairment, meaning that if they want to serve the public, something will be found that they can do.
E) State and federal offices require a minimum 8 years of service in active duty military, no reserve, no national guard.
F) Failing to vote in two consecutive elections automatically removes the right permanently.
2) Fire arm ownership to be limited to former members of the military or law enforcement, with clean criminal records, and a lifetime commitment to be subject to recall to service should the situation warrant such recall, regardless of physical condition.
Finally, non voting citizens have all protections under the law except any critical of the government, meaning they cant protest, criticize or otherwise do anything critical of the government, if they don't vote, don't want to qualify then they need to keep their mouths shut.
Or, baring all of suggestions of changes listed, how about if you dont vote in any election, you give up the right to be critical of any decisions made by the ones elected. When you figure that the turnout of registered voters is usually less than 60%, and then you look at the number of people raising hell, you have to ask the simple question:
If you didn't vote for the other guy (or gal) what fucking right do you have to say shit about the way things are?
You didn't exercise the one power granted to the citizens of this country to effect change, but you want to run your mouth?
All citizens not having met the rights to vote are entitled to all protections as anyone else, except their right to criticize the government, elected officials etc.
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Boy, it sure would be nice if we had some grenades, don't you think?
You cannot control who comes into your life, but you can control which airlock you throw them out of.
Paranoid Paramilitary Gun Loving Conspiracy Theorist AND EQUAL OPPORTUNI
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Problems with American Democracy and the constitution - 
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