The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

The Liberal To Do List If They Win

Department of Peace and Nonviolence Act — H.R. 3760: Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and 74 Democratic cosponsors propose a new “Department of Peace and Nonviolence” as well as “National Peace Day.” Cosponsors include three would-be Democratic Chairmen: John Conyers (Judiciary), George Miller (Education and the Workforce), and Charlie Rangel (Ways and Means).

Gas Stamps — H.R. 3712: Jim McDermott (D-WA) and eight Democratic cosponsors want a “Gas Stamps” program similar to the Food Stamps program to subsidize the gasoline purchases of qualified individuals.

Less Jail Time for Selling Crack Cocaine - H.R. 2456: Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and 23 Democratic cosponsors want to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for possessing, importing, and distributing crack cocaine. John Conyers, the would-be Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over the bill, is a cosponsor.

Voting Rights for Criminals - H.R. 1300: John Conyers (D-MI) and 32 Democratic cosponsors, and H.R. 663: Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and 28 Democratic cosponsors would let convicted felons vote. Rep. John Conyers is the would-be Democratic Chairman of the Judiciary Committee which would consider this legislation.

Expand Medicare to Include Diapers — H.R. 1052: Barney Frank (D-MA) supports Medicare coverage of adult diapers. Barney Frank is the would-be Chairman of the Financial Services Committee.

Nationalized Health Care - H.R. 4683: John Dingell (D-MI) and 18 Democratic cosponsors want to expand Medicare to cover all Americans. John Dingell is the would-be Democratic Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee who along with cosponsors Charlie Rangel, would-be Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and Henry Waxman, would-be Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, would have jurisdiction over the proposal.

Federal Regulation of Restaurant Menus — H.R. 5563: Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and 25 Democratic cosponsors authorize federal regulation of the contents of restaurant menus.

Taxpayer Funded Abortions & Elimination of all Restrictions on Abortion, Including Parental Notice - H.R. 5151: Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and 66 Democratic cosponsors want to overturn even minimal restrictions on abortion such as parental notice requirements. The bill would also require taxpayer funding of abortions through the various federal health care programs. John Conyers, the would-be Chairman of Judiciary Committee which has jurisdiction over the bill, is an original cosponsor.

(kill the babies- any way you can- but don't put drug dealers in jail)

Bill of Welfare Rights — H.J. Res. 29-35: Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) proposes a Soviet-style “Bill of Welfare Rights,” enshrining the rights of full employment, public education, national healthcare, public housing, abortion, progressive taxation, and union membership. On some these measures, Rep. Jackson is joined by up to 35 Democratic cosponsors, including would-be Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers.

Link

Bleaugh-bloat, more absconding of our money to the gov't....whoopee.

I agree with Bear that most of these are empty partisan silliness and, yes, Republicans do it, too. Since you seem to agree, you should not have titled your post as you did. There are, however, some serious issues here.

Right now, the statutory mandatory minimum for 50 grams of not particularly pure cocaine base is ten years. You have to be working 5 kilos of powder to get ten years. The crack/powder disparity and its obvious racial implications have come under substantial criticism. The United States Sentencing Commission recommended that it be eliminated, but Congress did not respond. Now that the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines are merely advisory, there is basically a return to discretionary sentencing. Many federal criminal laws have maximums but do not have mandatory minimums. The federal drug laws, which imprison people for far longer than most state laws do, have long been criticized. In short, there is nothing remarkable or out of the blue about this proposal.

National health care is a serious issue. Other countries do it well, but probably nothing will come of this.

As I recall, diapers are expensive. Diapers for big people probably even more so.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Less Jail Time for Selling Crack Cocaine - H.R. 2456: Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and 23 Democratic cosponsors want to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for possessing, importing, and distributing crack cocaine. John Conyers, the would-be Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over the bill, is a cosponsor.

I fully support this. Of course, I don't think crack cocaine should be illegal in the first place. But this is a move in the right direction.

Independent of the "drug war" mandatory sentenzing is almost always a horrible idea and should be resisted wherever possible.

Voting Rights for Criminals - H.R. 1300: John Conyers (D-MI) and 32 Democratic cosponsors, and H.R. 663: Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and 28 Democratic cosponsors would let convicted felons vote. Rep. John Conyers is the would-be Democratic Chairman of the Judiciary Committee which would consider this legislation.

I support this as well.

Expand Medicare to Include Diapers — H.R. 1052: Barney Frank (D-MA) supports Medicare coverage of adult diapers. Barney Frank is the would-be Chairman of the Financial Services Committee.

If Medicaire is going to exist, this seems a reasonable thing for it to cover but I can't say that I'm familiar with what Medicaire covers in the way of ameliorative devices.

Nationalized Health Care - H.R. 4683: John Dingell (D-MI) and 18 Democratic cosponsors want to expand Medicare to cover all Americans. John Dingell is the would-be Democratic Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee who along with cosponsors Charlie Rangel, would-be Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and Henry Waxman, would-be Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, would have jurisdiction over the proposal.

I oppose this if participation is mandatory and really don't support Dingell's plan. But mandating insurance through employment is an even stupider system so if universal coverage is going to be a societal goal then this is a move in the right direction as a method for achieving it. I just disagree with the goal.

Taxpayer Funded Abortions & Elimination of all Restrictions on Abortion, Including Parental Notice - H.R. 5151: Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and 66 Democratic cosponsors want to overturn even minimal restrictions on abortion such as parental notice requirements. The bill would also require taxpayer funding of abortions through the various federal health care programs. John Conyers, the would-be Chairman of Judiciary Committee which has jurisdiction over the bill, is an original cosponsor.

As long as abortion is legal I see no reason it shouldn't be covered by some of the federal health care programs. And abortion should be legal.

I do support restrictions on access to abortion by minors, so long as there are judicial escape routes for extreme situations.

(kill the babies- any way you can- but don't put drug dealers in jail)

Kill the fetuses, if you want. And drug dealing shouldn't be a crime.



So, some good ideas in there. Some bad ones.

And if Democrats win in 2006, how many of those bills will pass with enough support to overcome the inevitable veto? If that happens, you should have two years of the spending nirvana you want. Dems won't pass the president's spending and he won't sign theirs. Everybody wins.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

I agree with Bear that most of these are empty partisan silliness and, yes, Republicans do it, too. Since you seem to agree, you should not have titled your post as you did. There are, however, some serious issues here.

That was not the point of my post to JW-

I titled my post based on the articles title- not my words.

Thanks-

[CoasterMatt]

I wonder how many ex-senators would be allowed to vote if that voting rights bill passes?

[Alex]

All of them.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by SacTown Chronic

Sign Neph up for anarchy!

You know, I'd love to - but it kinda goes against the whole principle. Much better to remain affiliated with a party and act as the monkey wrench within

[innerSpaceman]

The devil would be in the details, but on the face of them ... I am in favor of every single one of those so-called Crackpot Democratic Bill Proposals.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

The devil would be in the details, but on the face of them ... I am in favor of every single one of those so-called Crackpot Democratic Bill Proposals.

Even the menu one??

[innerSpaceman]

Yes, even that. I'm totally for transparent food content and origin information. Everywhere food is sold. Nutrition, ingredients, sources, etc. What's wrong with letting consumers know what they are putting inside their bodies? And why let such VITAL health information be optional, when consumers can hardly count on businesses to look after the welfare of their customers?

[Alex]

The big problem with menu regulation is that the testing necessary for detailed nutritional information is expensive. It also precludes frequent menu changes as that would require relabelling, and requires absolute consistency in portion sizes or the restaurant opens itself up to lawsuits.

But why is it a relationship that requires government intervention? When I buy a package of Oreos it is very difficult to inquire as to what may be in the food I just purchased. But at a restaurant this is very easy.

If I don't want to eat foot with a lot of fat, just ask what is in the food and if they can't answer to your satisfaction, don't eat there. Frankly, if you need government mandated labelling to know that the 2-pound plate of fettucine alfredo at Olive Garden has a stupid amount of fat, calories, and sodium then it would be easier for the government ot just put you in an asylum for your own protection.

"Would you like some grated parmesan on your pasta? First I must inform you that it contains these 8 indredients, has 4 grams of fat per 1.5 cranks of the grater, 35 mg of sodium, 70 calories (35 of which are from fat), and I'm sorry but your food is now too cold to melt the parmesan so you probably should just pass on it. Would you care instead for some pepper which has 0 calories per twist of the pepper mill (0 calories is defined as less than 1 calorie per 5 grams), 0mg sodium (0mg calories is defined as less than 1mg per 50 grams), and 0mg fat (0mg fat is defined as less than 1mg per 50 grams). No? Then enjoy your meal, salt is on the table (contains a mix of sodium and potassium chloride; 0mg of sodium (0mg is defined as less than 1 gram per serving); serving size is one shake, approximately 0.75 grams."