Question for TexasTiger, LegalEagle, etc

[BamaGrad03 0]

Now that it is pretty much all said and done...what key things do you guys feel the president and now strongly controlled house/senate need to do to reach out and bridge the divide in this country? Are there certain policies that they can put into effect that will be a type of 'olive branch' extension? Or is it more of a need for political rest and national stability that will do all of that?

Really curious about this one...could probably make for some good discussion.

[jaydubb121 22]

I think realistically dealing with the spiralling out of control deficit while also shoring up Social Security and providing some relief to the American public from the whole prescription drug debacle would be a good start. How on earth any of that gets accomplished without rescinding taxcuts or raising taxes is beyond me.

I think with the gains in the House and Senate should put a lot of pressure on the GOP to try and effectively govern and reach across the aisle to hear what the other half thinks.

Makes me glad I'm just a voter.

[WarTim 3,457]

Jaydubb hit on some good points. Everyone has their "pet projects", but, how do we pay for them?

Better to concentrate on the things that are "doable".

Health care must be adressed. (But, stay far far away from govt. health care.)

Something MUST be done to allow private investment, to some degree, concerning Social Security before the system collapses.

Since GWB will not have to worry about getting reelected, he has the opportuntiy to make some bold moves and reach across the isle.

The only question is will he find a partisan bunch hell bent on gaining the White House in 2008?

[quietfan 233]

You all seem to have hit upon what I consider two of the major crises threatening our country. It also seems to me that both liberals and conservatives have an equal stake in solving these problems:

1) Solving the health care crisis. Americans should not have to worry about how, or if, they can pay for their [or their childrens'/parents'/spouse's] medical bills.

2) Salvaging Social Security. A catastrophy is looming as the Baby Boomers age if we don't take immediate steps to fix this.

Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to either of these. I don't think either can be solved exclusively through the private sector nor exclusively through the state, but will probably require some blending of government programs and private sector initiatives.

The two sides of the aisle will obviously argue over the best approach, but hopefully recognition of dire emergency in both cases will result in a spirit of compromise.

------------

I believe the third major problem of the next four years will be the war in Iraq, as I see no quick and simple resolution and withdrawal of American troops. I don't really like using the "Vietnam" analogy because it immediately turns a lot of people off--but I honestly don't have a lot of confidence in the Iraq security forces establishing/maintaining peace on their own and fear we will be bogged down in that country for a very long time. THAT, unfortunately, will obviously NOT be a topic on which there will be great compromise and bipartisanship. Harmful as it may be for the country, I don't see much chance of the Democrats and Republicans agreeing on how to handle that.

But in the interest of extending an olive branch myself--I'm not interested in attaching blame or re-debating the past. It's more important that we ALL try to find a way to work together to resolve the situation in Iraq.

[LegalEagle 22]

I agree with all of the above. Except we need to conclude the Iraq War. Quit fighting a sensitive war, blow the hell out ot the insurgent strongholds and move on with reconstruction.

We need to reward companies that do not outsource jobs.

We need to create jobs by:

Doing things inside this country to prevent terrorism.

Investing in alternative fuels and sources of power.

Protect our environment, our public lands and parks.

Decide we've lost the war on drugs and find ways to get these folks out of prison where I pay for their meals and enter back into society and the workplace.

Do something about illegal aliens other than hire them to work in TX.

Do something about white collar crime and folks that do not pay their income taxes.

Quit acting like a school bully toward the other countries of the world. Engage them in solving our global problems.

Tell the truth.

There's more, but I've gotta go.

LE

[channonc 466]

I pretty much agree with everything.

I would add that the moral agenda has taken a front seat and needs to take a back seat. Example: For the upcoming lame duck session the Rs have called a hearing in the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on pornography.

This is absolutely absurd. We can no longer have manned spacecraft in space, however, we have plenty of time to discuss how horrible pornography is. I am just ready to see us get to real issues like healthcare, SS, etc. without being sidetracked by issues that are not important.

I think most people agree that the situation with NASA needs to be fixed, and fast. If we continue to not do anything, pretty soon we will no longer be the leader in space.

[BamaGrad03 0]

Im more concerned with the moral void in my country than I am space exploration.

[Tigermike 3,057]

I pretty much agree with everything.

I would add that the moral agenda has taken a front seat and needs to take a back seat.  Example:  For the upcoming lame duck session the Rs have called a hearing in the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on pornography.

This is absolutely absurd.  We can no longer have manned spacecraft in space, however, we have plenty of time to discuss how horrible pornography is.  I am just ready to see us get to real issues like healthcare, SS, etc. without being sidetracked by issues that are not important.

I think most people agree that the situation with NASA needs to be fixed, and fast.  If we continue to not do anything, pretty soon we will no longer be the leader in space.

118284[/snapback]

I will go on record right now as having absolutely no problem whatsoever with anyone on a manned spacecraft watching any type of movie they wish! If they are brave enough and smart enough to qualify as an astronaut, more power to them. They can watch or read anything they wish!

[channonc 466]

I pretty much agree with everything.

I would add that the moral agenda has taken a front seat and needs to take a back seat.  Example:  For the upcoming lame duck session the Rs have called a hearing in the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on pornography.

This is absolutely absurd.  We can no longer have manned spacecraft in space, however, we have plenty of time to discuss how horrible pornography is.  I am just ready to see us get to real issues like healthcare, SS, etc. without being sidetracked by issues that are not important.

I think most people agree that the situation with NASA needs to be fixed, and fast.  If we continue to not do anything, pretty soon we will no longer be the leader in space.

118284[/snapback]

I will go on record right now as having absolutely no problem whatsoever with anyone on a manned spacecraft watching any type of movie they wish! If they are brave enough and smart enough to qualify as an astronaut, more power to them. They can watch or read anything they wish!

118287[/snapback]

[quietfan 233]

I pretty much agree with everything.

I would add that the moral agenda has taken a front seat and needs to take a back seat.  Example:  For the upcoming lame duck session the Rs have called a hearing in the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on pornography.

This is absolutely absurd.  We can no longer have manned spacecraft in space, however, we have plenty of time to discuss how horrible pornography is.  I am just ready to see us get to real issues like healthcare, SS, etc. without being sidetracked by issues that are not important.

I think most people agree that the situation with NASA needs to be fixed, and fast.  If we continue to not do anything, pretty soon we will no longer be the leader in space.

118284[/snapback]

My guess is they're talking Internet porn, hence the "technology" committee assignment--but I don't know. I do agree that there are MUCH more serious things for them to spend their time on.

On the other hand, can anything really be accomplished during a lame duck session? Maybe they just have time on their hands because they are lame ducks and can't do much really productive. This, then, gives them a chance to watch porn on the job to fight the boredom?

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

I agree with all of the above.  Except we need to conclude the Iraq War.  Quit fighting a sensitive war, blow the hell out ot the insurgent strongholds and move on with reconstruction.

We need to reward companies that do not outsource jobs.

We need to create jobs by:

    Doing things inside this country to prevent terrorism.

    Investing in alternative fuels and sources of power.

Protect our environment, our public lands and parks.

Decide we've lost the war on drugs and find ways to get these folks out of        prison where I pay for their meals and enter back into society and the workplace.

Do something about illegal aliens other than hire them to work in TX.

Do something about white collar crime and folks that do not pay their income taxes.

Quit acting like a school bully toward the other countries of the world.  Engage them in solving our global problems.

Tell the truth.

There's more, but I've gotta go.

LE

118281[/snapback]

Better get a new platform. Most of that one just got defeated

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

I would add that the moral agenda has taken a front seat and needs to take a back seat.  Example:  For the upcoming lame duck session the Rs have called a hearing in the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on pornography.

This is absolutely absurd.  We can no longer have manned spacecraft in space, however, we have plenty of time to discuss how horrible pornography is.  I am just ready to see us get to real issues like healthcare, SS, etc. without being sidetracked by issues that are not important.

I think most people agree that the situation with NASA needs to be fixed, and fast.  If we continue to not do anything, pretty soon we will no longer be the leader in space.

118284[/snapback]

Comments:

--as long as you think the moral agenda needs to take a back seat, you will continue to be in the minority party. Wake up to what the majority of Americans are trying to tell you.

--are you even aware of the new Exploration Initiative that pres. Bush has proposed? Will Sen. Hollings support it?

--I can tell you first hand NASA is no longer the the leader in space. I can't bale Dems of republicans for this except to say it is due in large part to Dan Goldin who served as the NASA Administrator under both Democrat and republican administrations. But I would point out he was brought into NASA largely because of support from Al Gore.

[WarTim 3,457]

Im more concerned with the moral void in my country than I am space exploration.

118286[/snapback]

Have faith bg. It seems that the SILENT MAJORITY was out in force on Tuesday and it's voice was heard loud and clear by those that have eyes and ears.

President Bush now has, in his words, "political capital". Since he does not have to worry about another election, maybe he and WE can get some good things accomplished for our country in the next four years.

God Bless ! ! !