[BenLurkin]

If government had fewer agencies, fewer departments, less authority to regulate, less power to control — it’s stupidity and cupidity would be less of a threat to the American people.

[Awgie]

Grinding my teeth. This is the beast that needs to be rode to ground. Donald is the new sheriff in town. And the beast will be broken!

[Michael.SF.]

We need to start by shifting power away from DC. Abolishing the 17th Amendment would be one place to start.

[exDemMom]

We don't have a stupid problem in government; we have an ethical problem. Those entrusted to represent us are, instead, representing themselves.

Can we count on our elected representatives to rectify their ethical lapses? Not on your life.

Oh, those elected representatives are very aware of their ethical lapses, and they take very seriously their duty to address these lapses. That is why every government employee (at the federal level, I can't speak for state) has to take ethics training at a minimum of once per year. The penalties for a federal employee violating ethics rules are very strict. So, you see, the elected representatives absolute *do* care about ethics.

I liken the situation to that of historic royalty, who would punish "whipping boys" for the transgressions of their children, because they would never lay a hand on their own misbehaving spawn.

[Hugin]

Laura Ingrham had maybe the best explanation of Trump’s popularity. Americans are sick of being bullied by government at all levels. Trump is like he older kid on the playground who steps in and kicks the bully’s ass, so they hate him.

[sgtyork]

Use of private emails should be a felony.

[rlmorel]

LIBERALISM.

[null and void]

EVERYTHING obama does either:

a) Weakens America/Americans
b) Distances America's allies
c) Strengthens America's enemies
d) Attacks Christianity
e) Serves islam
f) Harms Israel
Or some combination of the above.

There are NO counter examples.

[blueunicorn6]

I’m sorry, but we are going to have to start hanging thieves.

There are too many of them and they aren’t afraid of prison.

[thirst4truth]

And when the citizens of a state put a measure on the ballot and vote overwhelmingly for it, 57% in the state of Oregon voted for one man, one woman marriage. The homosexuals took it to court, judge shopped for a homosexual judge and he, one homosexual guy overturned the majority vote of the citizens of Oregon. How the hell are we ever going to stop the courts?

[generally]

One major thing that would reduce criminal behavior by the “ruling class” would be a requirement for absolute financial disclosure.

I would like to see the DAILY totals of all savings and investments of anyone in public office. That would be a real eye-opener.

Many votes are made in order to enrich politicians, either by bribes or by affecting their stock investments. Even a mutual fund investment can be drastically affected by a single vote. Let’s look behind those curtains and see what’s happening.

And while we’re at it, I’d also like to see where politicians go. Spending a lot of time with lobbyists? Taking luxury vacations at taxpayer expense while pretending it’s for “fact-finding”? (Why are so many facts found in places with nice beaches and restaurants?)

[Carry_Okie]

Alabama voters enacted a constitutional amendment that sets legislative pay at the median household income in the state. Amendment 8 passed with 69 percent support.

Thus tempting them to take outright bribes unless they are already independently wealthy.

[JPJones]

Worse.

Worse than we thought.