We, the people, of the United States of America...control our government. Right? WE elect the people to represent OUR voice, we control what happens in Washington...or do we?\n\nHas the government taken its rights too far? Have THEY become the voice of THEM and no longer the voice of its citizens? Do they do as THEY want and not as the people need? \n\nDo you think its time that the we, as American people, pull our strings to change what we do not like? Or do you think that they are just doing what is best??
131665
i think you hit it dead on, THEY are now THEM.  like a bad sci-fi movie, they exist to perpetuate their species (the lifetime politician) and placate the angry voter only as necessary.\n\nis the system broken, or just the people we choose?  if you believe it's inherent in the system of government we have, then a revolution (a major "change") is in order.  if you think it's the people we choose, then a revolution (vote dem bums out!) is also in order.  \n\nwhich type of revolution is more likely to happen?  as long as they're in power, the possibility of the 1st one is nil.  why change the system when it rewards those who revel in it?  as for voting the bums out: it can be done, but the money and power an incumbent has makes it far rarer than it should be.\n\nthey are not doing what is BEST, but we are quite powerless to change it.  now move along before the police come.  the system is humming along... as usual.
387727
Oh boy! Im glad you broke the ice! This has been bothering me too! Right now until the elections are over,nothing will be done. They are all focused on campaigning and basically looking good.Half of them are spending 3 times as much just commercializing themselves and If they get into office they are only going to make 1 times worth of the cost they spent out! I dont mind people coming to my country BUT they need to do things and respect the country like an american citizen.Dont misconstrue,they can still cherish and keep their respects to their own heritage. But they dont need to look at me funny when i put my american flag up by my front door!!!They need to learn our language,just like we do in their country. THEY NEED TO PAY TAXES!!! Thats the part that really makes me mad there! And the majority of them sneaking in here are living off of our government!?! Now if they are here illegally and our government is signing them up for all kinds of welfare,they should be taxed from that! The whole reason people come here is for freedom and a better chance for a more meaningful life. You see them driving these beautiful cars around and the average hard working tax payer cant even afford it,and the tax payer deserves it! I have heard of local factories with thier employees having social security cards from the 1930's and the people who have those in their wallets dont look a day over 25! But i think something will give soon,we cant ignore it much longer. Its going to take a group other then the government to put something in action. Right now the government has too many wars,not enough eyes or money to keep it all under watch. These people should put america right beside the place in their hearts where they have a place for their own country,make a stand for whats right and fair,walk up to the offices and make their own selves leagal without threats! Our country is not a free ride,its a home to alot of different types of people. If you are here illegally,you are not being fair to us!
310106
Who the hell voted for these people is what i want to know!!we are all guilty, we let our government do as it wants so we all have to take some blame,unless you stand up and be counted,and make your voices heard this kind of stuff will go on for ever.
394199
I commend you for your feelings and wish every one felt the same.  We MUST be UNITED is these United States.  I have been around for a while.  For 71 years to be exact.  It would scare the hell out of you if you could see what is becoming of our nation through my eyes.  I have never missed my chance to vote.  It's okay to be liberal or conservitive but the least our people could do is to be a little discrete.  It looks to me as if nothing these days goes on behind closed doors.  What in the world are we thinking?
159347
I totally agree with you . The crime continues to go up and our schools are over populated as is . Our rights as Americans are going to crap ! If the Americans are the people and we are the voice then why allow such things to happen to our homelands ? People are to lazy or dont want to be the one who gets picked out as the one to be heard but , they are the first to complain ! Our nation is falling to pits as we speak whats next ? Our children have less and less chance to become prosperious in our own country when we allow things like this to happen . Naturally you want to protect your children from the evils of the world correct ? Then take a stand  , be a voice speak out for the rights we have as Americans . Our freedom is going and befor it is gone we need to come together and say WE the People have had enough! We dont want war , we dont want illgeals , we dont want more crime , we dont want more over crowded school and highways , we dont want these people to come in and take whats rightfully ours . This could mean more taxes , more money the states have to sink into unemployment , more  welfare . Drugs are easy enough to find on our streets allow these people to come in with their ways of living will send United States into a HOLE! These people come here make our money , take our jobs and infect our lives with smut and if you dont have the courage to stand up for whats your then  it is sad . Say No ! Stand in the gap for those who are lazy and just dont care ! Write letters send emails , tell everyone where you stand ! Be proud of who you are and where you live !
278545
FIRST OF ALL:  a_team_rerun, your answer was beyond condescending.  I haven't noticed that this board is a spelling contest.  Occasionally people inadvertently use a wrong word or an incorrect spelling.  Glad we have you to police things.\n\nIN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION:  It would be wonderful if we could do such a thing.  There have been a lot of suggestions on this board recently about how our election system could be changed; however, a lot of people always seem to point out that there are too many reason why those ideas wouldn't work either.\n\nWe have three main strikes against us, as citizens, right now:\n\nOne, the entire Nation is infected with apathy (they don't seem to care; they think someone else will 'take care of it');\n\nTwo, we, as a Nation, seem to think like 'a_team_rerun' in that we have been doing something too long to change it.  Thank goodness our founding fathers didn't have those same ideas.  Without change, we are rapidly becoming a stagnant pond and the stench of rot is becoming wide spread.  Why does everyone pretend it doesn't stink?\n\nThree, until the American people have had it up to their eyebrows with the corruption that is going on and everyone stands up on their feet at the same time and starts yelling 'WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE" ... until we have massive demonstrations on the White House lawn ... until we get pro-active and stop being inactive, nothing at all is going to change.\n\nYour idea is not bad, but my humble opinion is that a very charismatic man would have to be found to run for office; one who can sell ice on the North pole, so to speak; one who can easily make himself understood to all people using common, ordinary, everyday words that everyone can understand.  A man who can get the majority of America to support his campaign financially.  The list is endless.\n\nDo i think someone like this exists?   Yes, i do!  The problem is, where do we find him and how do we promote him?
107608
Let's focus on our country USA It's high time we take pride in our own as a number one priority! It calls for some radical changes that many do not understand be cause they believe and trust in a system that is corrupt and run-a-muck! voting is not honest,representative government not serving its constituents,money controlling the majority,a well entrenched ruling class plutocracy,needs to be eliminated etc! Our constitutional right is to form a militia assault Washington D.C. fire all the beltway insiders hold honest elections that are verifiable,give the public a true check and balance in participation.modify capitalism to be inclusive for all of its legal citizen's etc.
366701
A personal note to the Founding Fathers: We're sorry. We blew it. You made it possible for us to live free and we blew it. We've given up nearly every personal liberty in the name of a false sense of security sold to the masses by the same type of maniacal government about which you warned us and against which you fought so bravely.  We never deserved you.\n\nThe Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.
520508
I feel very angry about what Bush has done to our reputation around the world.  It is something that really concerns me.  But, and this is a big but, I believe you are wrong about the American people and our government.  The American people ARE the government, in a very real sense.  We elect and we reject.  We are free to speak out and criticize our government and our President if we feel they are screwing up, and thankfully can effect change fairly easily compared to most governments.  You can see from our polls (yes, polls are notorious but when they all agree it's good to pay attention to them) that the majority of the American people do not approve of the job that Bush is doing.  We can support our troops and still be unhappy about the reasons they are there.  \n\nWe will change the tide by voting, it is our most precious freedom, IMO.  Apathy keeps many Americans at home during the mid-term elections, but I feel this time around we will see a big surge at the polls in the Democratic favor.  I have to say, as unhappy as I am with the Bush Administration, I bristled when I read your opening statement.  It just isn't true, we are the sum of all of our parts in this democratic republic.  We will continue to respond harshly to terrorists and their threats, whether our government is headed by a Republican or a Democrat.  Guantanomo Bay?  It's unfortunate and there's house cleaning to be done, but we have a right to detain those who are a threat to our national security.  We learned on 9/11 what it means to remain complacent and have a false sense of security.  We won't make that mistake again.
375006
This is a representative democracy, a government "of the people, by the people and for the people" my friend. Why in God's name would you want to cede that right to a legislator who only has his or her own interests at heart? Hasn't the last six years of politicians lying and spinning and changing the subject taught you anything?\n\nThere actually was a time when people fought and died for the freedoms you dismiss (Iraq does not count because our freedoms are not and never were at risk). But from The American Revolution to the War of 1812 to the Civil War, men fought and died for this country, "the last great hope of mankind on earth."\n\nDear God man, it's not just your right but your reponsibility as an American to know and understand the issues and VOTE DAMMIT the best way you know how - to have a say in the future of this democracy, to leave this country a better place than you found it. And you dishonor the memory of all those people who gave their lives if you don't.
347501
I agree! It seems as though things in our government have gotten out of hand. I don't know if it would take a good president or the united states keeping our noses to ourselves. Its like we are trying to fix the world and we can't even fix ourselves. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks our America is in need of dire help. Good job for speaking out.
569215
The melting pot is RUNNING OVER!!!! It's PAST TIME to put a STOP to it!!!!!!!! And YES,we do have a right to protect the sovereignty of this country! Come November,we need to SHOW our politicians that we will NOT vote for anyone who is for amnesty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Our ELECTED officials, swore to UPHOLD our constitution, and defend THIS country and the AMERICAN people!!! NOT cater to "special interest" groups,to the point that we are LOSING our sovereignty as a nation!!!!
418273
think that the American people should be allowed to vote on all issues and every thing that come about instead of the gov. being able to do what they want.  What happened to We the American people?  Instead of allowing things to just be in acted and becoming law and spending the tax payers money we the people should be allowed to vote on each and all things done.
359203
Once again, I totally agree with you on this subject. I that when immigrants come over here and don't won't want to become citizens that they are just taking advantage of us and that their plans are to just use and abuse our economy and go back where they come from later after they have soaked up everything that they can. \n\nAlso, if they came over here b/c America is a great place, then why do they expect us to change our language, lifestyles etc....... If their own land was so unbearable to them that they couldn't live there, why do they want to turn our country into the same place?\n\n That was a great question! I know I have a lot of mad people out there who are reading this, but those are my feelings about this and my feelings will not change as long as I see my country getting run over by illegal immigrants.
450981
I think it is our job as citizens of the USA to NOT trust any government official fully. We should all question the actions of our politicians and then if we agree, so be it. If we don't, then our voices should be heard.
484435
the government is now democrat and they forgot this....\n\nhow do you think we got our freedom by standing back.\n\nin the public eyes iraq does not deserve freedom like ours.  we need keep fighting the terrorist for the people OF THE WORLD from the terrorist who rule it.  and we are not dictator we are freedom fighters who fight for FREEDOM,  JUSTICE AND LIBERTY.  unfortunitly people lost sight of it  and voted wrong yesterday.  \n\nand morally we are now also headed in the wrong direction.  people need to be responible for their action and not blame it on science or the society.\n\nfinally for the budget there goes the state and national level budget and economy and our taxes.  people what things to be in place for a better country and community.  but who do you think we pay for it in the long run.  we do with our taxes, not with the so called federal and state money people think we have.\n\n country is in a mess thanks to the ungrateful american public who forget how our free
471997
80% of Americans do not want people coming here illegally.  If government is supposed to be run by the people, why hasn't the will of the people prevailed.  Think deeply about this, because it really ought to be raising red flags as to something is VERY,VERY wrong.\nNo I am a centrist.  I agree with some of the right and some of the left, although I would categorize myself as having "right" leanings.   And yes the "rumors" are true.