CONGRESS: THE FIRST 100 DAYS

[BanTheGOP]

The first 100 days of the 111th Congress will be the most significant congressional action in the history of the country. It will set the tone for the progressive agenda that President Obama will initiate, and allow the people to see how an effective, unencumbered group of representatives and senators can get things done in the country.

The most important items on the agenda, of course, is arbitrary, and the amount of effort to promote the legislation will be crucial. President Clinton made the mistake of misprioritizing issues, such as gays in the military, when it was obvious that more people were concerned about the economy, universal health care, and the education cesspool caused by 12 years of Reagan and Bush the First.

In this go-around, though, we have far more severe problems to clean up. We have this little ongoing thingy called Iraq that we didn't need to worry about in 1992. In addition, we have a recession--er, depression, 100% cause by criminal republican policies, that will have to be reversed. The ravages of the most horrific bit of government control in the history of the free world will have to be undone.

Therefore, here is my list. Although I put the list in my particular order of importance, that is not as important as ensuring that all of these issues get movement.

1. Nationalize Energy Companies. The absolute FIRST order of business is to ensure that the energy companies, along with the ilicit profits and insistence on maintaining coal and fossil fuels as the predominate form of capitalist endeavor can be controlled. While the recession was not caused directly by the summer energy crisis, the financial devastation caused by the rising prices provided the impetus that has fully engulfed the United States into a major depression.

Nationalizing the oil companies will allow the government to control the prices of energy, ensuring that no entity makes windfall profits. In addition, with the ability to hold the price of gasoline at a stable rate, the rest of the economy can better be controlled. But energy is the key, and nationalization of the industry must be a top priority.

2. Fill the federal judge vacancies. See JUSTICE 40/40: 40 Judges in 40 Days for details.

3. Sign the Kyoto Treaty. IMMEDIATELY show our commitment to the rest of the world that the United States Government is environmental-friendly. In addition, during the first hundred days, break out a comprehensive plan to present to the American People on laws that will significantly alter the methodology of doing business with regard to the environment, including scrapping the "carbon credits" initiative and mandating industrial adherence to very strict environmental controls. This will establish President Obama's credentials to work with Congress toward leading the world in de-clawing the replucan-corporate antagonism toward the health of our planet.

4. Initiate a comprehensive universal health care plan. The primary method will be in nationalizing the current private medical care providers into a single, efficient national database that will allow people to obtain every level of medical care without worry of cost. This policy will also mandate patient loads and specialties for doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals to follow, and will also prohibit private medical services from being rendered. Having a comprehensive summary of such a plan in the first 100 days will show the country that universal health care is not only feasible, but can be delivered in a short amount of time.

5. Establish a fair tax system. In other posts I'm mandated a return to the fair tax policies of making sure the rich pay a significant percentage of their income, including a "maximum wage," or 100% taxation of all income over $10 million. Rates should be significantly raised across the board for individuals who make over $75,000 per year, while those who make $40,000 to $75,000 should not have their rates increased at this time. These tax rates should also be made permanent, with little chance they can be changed by future administrations. Having a comprehensive tax summary in the first 100 days will prove to the citizens, and the world citizens, that President Obama and the Democratic Congress are making significant steps to prevent further collapse of the republican-caused depression, and will prevent further catastrophes with this comprehensive tax legislation.

6. Nationalize private retirement accounts. Mandate that all 401(k) retirement plans be converted to federal control with rates that were comparable to those in August, and placed in an account that grows 3% per year. Make private accounts illegal, and establish a board level office to ensure that the conversion of all retirement accounts be done in an expeditions matter as possible.

7. GET OUT OF IRAQ!Announce a schedule that removes ALL US military personnel from Iraq by a certain date.

8. Cut Military Spending. Initiate an immediate 25% reduction in defense spending, and divert the savings to establishing a citizen group that promotes peace and understanding. On the same token, create a cabinet level position called "Department of Peace" and establish its mission to coincide with a devolvement of the US Military.

9. Investigate crimes by the Bush Administration. Establish a task force to investigate the crimes of the previous republican administration, including the disposition of all evidence obtained in the first hundred days, and a timetable to fully investigate and prosecute previous administration members, in particular George Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Karl Rove, and all aides affiliated with helping them cover up the truth. While this issue does nothing for solving the economic crisis (barring evidence that can help pinpoint financial malfeasance), it will show the US citizens and, more importantly, citizens in other parts of the world that NOBODY is above the law.

These are but nine steps, certainly not all-inclusive, but easily delegated and consolidated.

Thoughts? Additions? Go to it.

[Blue Meany]

1. 10. Impeachment of Suprement Court justices who handed the

presidency to Bush in 2000.

11. Clean up the electoral process: Abolish the electoral college; institute instant run-off voting; abolish private political contributions; force media to give free time for political debates and campagins; outlaw voting machines that don't have a paper trail that can be used for voter verification and recounts; permanently remove voting rights to anyone involved in voter suppression or election fraud; allow 2 weeks for voting and same day registration nationawide.

12) Establish reuirements for public office, including:
a) passing an exam about the constitution, government structure, etc., euivalent to what is expect
of civil service exmanees.
b) 2 years experience as a community organizer, or an equivalent amount of time spent in the
military during war time, or living below on poverty-level income in the US

[aquart]

2. You cannot "abolish" the electoral college.

It would require an amendment to the constitution and YOU WILL NOT GET IT.

[BanTheGOP]

3. Not feasible at this time

By the numbers:

10. Supreme Court members cannot be impeached except by majority house vote and 2/3rds majority of senate. In addition, they cannot be removed for partisan reasons. They do have a stricter code of conduct with regard to public appearances, have strict financial investment protocols, and in general cannot talk to the media about specific cases, although they can speak or right books with regard to the law or their own biography.

Technically, I guess, once we get a 2/3 majority in 2010, we can think about impeachment of justices, and the rules do not FORBID kicking them off the bench for partisan reasons. So we may return to this argument down the road.

11. The election process is severely flawed in many ways, including the ability of republicans to steal elections based on the emerging electronic technology coupled with a horrific control of paper balloting measures. In my opinion, we need to improve the process for creating technology. You made a point about instant runoff; with the current system of accountability for SINGLE ballots we are having incredible problems. I don't believe that instant runoff elections will work until we have an established electronic system. Hence, I didn't include it in the first 100 days.

I also disagree on the registration process you mentioned. I believe that registration should take place at least a month before an election to allow for voter credential verification, preferably by social security number.

Understandably, most of us are extremely skeptical of electronic voting systems. I've written about a system that leverages electronic technology while ensuring accountability through paper verification HERE . Read it before you have replies with regard to the election process.

With regard to contributions: McCain / Feingold already did that. And if you prevent private money, the Obama would not have been able to raise 600 million for the campaign (and not just from individuals); he would have been bound to only 85 million plus matching funds.

12. Won't happen. And it shouldn't. US citizenship is enough (along with age limits).

[BanTheGOP]

4. FORGOT ONE

I forgot one VERY important issue that needs to be addressed.

The Fairness Doctrine. The rules for broadcasters with regard to shows political and ideological content needs to be readdressed. Specifically, broadcasters designate content of political and opinion shows as being liberal or conservative. Stations must provide an equal amount of time for each viewpoint. In addition, stations must schedule content in similar time periods. Solidifying this proposal will show that Congress is proactive on the matter of broadcasting fairness, and that the government-controlled airwaves are not just used for a single point of view.

[pat_k]

5. It's not "the first 100", it's whether or not they impeach before January 20th. . .

. . .that "will be the most significant congressional action in the history of the country."

A few weeks -- whether in a lame duck session of the 110th, or the first session of the 111th -- is plenty of time to impeach and finally rescind the all encompassing declaration of surrender embodied in Pelosi's "off the table" edict.

Unless they break that "spirit of surrender" they will continue to run around parroting their favorite refrain: "Be afraid. Be very afraid!" (And they aren't warning each other to be wary of the fascist faction, they are warning against actually DOING SOMETHING. "Don't overreach! Squawk! Backlash! Squawk. Aisle! Bipartisanship! Squawk! Squawk!")

Without impeachment, the theme of the first 100 days of the 111th will continue the tune set by the 110th. (i.e., Speak no ill of torturers. Make nice with fascists.) As long as DC Dems are driven by irrational fears of what "they" will do to "us," the leadership will never actually go for what we want; only the half-measures the Dems think "they" will allow. (And end up with even less.)

If the leadership doesn't allow a vote on impeachment, they lose before they get out of the box.

You want to see real progress next year? Then fight for impeachment NOW.

[Shishio]

6. I want things to change I just see different ways to make it happen

1. Who will guard the guardians? If we give control of the energy to the government who will protect us from them if they get out of hand or we feel the rates they charge us are too much? With the horrible state of elections (zero accountability), and the fact that congress had a historic low approval rating and yet incumbents mangaged to retain over 85% of their seats, it's obvious that we could not simply vote the problem out or control them through the will of the people (see the bailout bill for example). Wouldn't it be smarter to allow private industry to compete with the monopoly that big oil has by freeing up the patents that are collecting dust on technology like Geo-thermal which could power the entire world and is renewable and clean? More red tape and government regulation will not necessarily equate to us getting out of the spiraling problem we are in. New Ideas will though.

2. /shrug ok. Why not, it's the spoils of war after all.

3. We need to sign the treaty in order to take the initiative to clean up our own backyard? I don't think it's necessary. Why don't we just do it ourselves and maintain our soverngty as a nation instead of being bound to another entity? Why would we allow another nation or governing body to dictate to us how profitable our industries can and will be, will they always be in our best interest or in theirs? On a personal note, i've spent more than half my life as an environmentalist. I've planted more bay grass than most, i've been an educator on environmental issues. I am pro-environment. But I am also pro- accepting responsibility for my own mess.

4. I'm a vet. Ever been to the vet hospital? If that is evidence of what government run health care will be like, i'll continue to be uninsured and continue to recieve no health benefits as I currently am (I state that to let you know that I do have a vested interest in health care issues). Not to mention the extreme privacy issue that goes along with this new pillar of power the government would have. I don't trust the government as far as I can throw the whole lot of them, yet you want to have a national database... So that all the records and personal private information of the entire country can be streamlined for easier access and manipulation and control. That sounds rather reminicent of Gnomeland Security. Further more the stated plan would "prohibit private medical services from being rendered"... So anyone that would not want to be apart of your plan would lose the freedom (freedom) to opt out and seek another means. "Any society that gives up a little liberty for a little security deserves neither and will lose both" Ben Franklin... I think his wisdom applies here as well.

5. You have to realize that taxes are a form of slavery... If the government too 100% of your money in the form of taxes you'd a complete slave. But if they take 38% or whatever the current tax rate is for you, you are 38% slave... but still a slave. And a maximum wage??? Once you give them that weapon to use they will be able to wield it as they please. So it starts out at 10 million, as stated in the post, then it drops to 5 then 1 million. Why not just max everyone at 75,000 a year. That would be fair, right? That seems like a very slippery slope.

6. Nationalize retirement accounts... so your retirement is the property of the government and they can give it or take it away as they see fit. You pay into it all your life, just to have the wrong guy in office when it's your turn to retire and he decides to play the stock market with it as George Bush suggested doing with Social Security... Not a gamble I want to take.

7. YES! Great Idea. Lets leave. We don't need to bomb people for oil or democratize them with our bayonettes. I hope Obama recends his plan of leaving 40k troops permanently in iraq. And lets not escalate the war in Afgan. Those poor people with no army and no airforce do not need the weight of our massive military pressing down on them and fear mongering them to not be a threat to us.

8. Once again I agree, but I say we can do more than 25%. If we will dismantle our oppresive imperial forces spread across the world and bring our troops home our budget would be cut much more significantly than 25% and not a single troop would have to lose any pay.

9. I agree with this one more than any. The crimes of the bush administration are so heinous and go so deep I think we would actually agree to setting up new office or offices within the government to fully investigate EVERYTHING that has happened under his watch. Everything. I think the trials that would take place would make the coverage of the original OJ trial compare to the unfair, unjust lack of coverage that has been given to bushes known war crimes like torture. But the rabbit hole goes much deeper.

Lastly I do not mean to offend. I merely wish to offer a different view point. I want peace and prosperity as i'm sure you do. We just envision different avenues to get there. And i'm hoping that you will at least consider mine.