Nope, I think you've pretty much summed it up. I find it rather lacking honestly, it's not a cohesive platform, and there's a lot of redundancy in it.
I do like some of the ideas though. For example, I think a balanced budget amendment would be wonderful to see.
I like some of the ideas too. In fact, I think most people who take the time to think about it, would like some of the ideas.
Certainly I agree that a balanced budget is a good idea in theory. States have it--they can't run a deficit and the governors' feet are held to the fire for finding a way to balance--one reason many of them are for the stimulus IMO, they need the federal money to balance the states' budgets. So, if the federal government was not allowed to run a deficit, I am not sure where that would leave the states. But I am sure that some bright economics mind could find a way.
I would like to see our government work more efficiently and there is certainly room for improvement; but, I don't think government is inherently "evil"; I think a solid public education system is important -- it has made a real difference in our country throughout our history. I do think that much of the day to day operations of the system should be left to the local governments/school districts;
I feel very strongly that the "health, safety, and welfare" (language from the Florida laws) should be a prime reason for government to exist. I would not want to live in a country where there were no safety protections; no product safety protection; no consumer protection from businesses and corporations;
I think the Constitution should be preserved and I don't know anyone who doesn't agree with that...but, I think the Patriot Act and the ensuring wire tapping procedures were one of the biggest moves
against the Constitution and our basic freedoms; I think the treatment of prisoners at Gitmo and other places goes against the basic values we have always aspired to as Americans.
I think all Americans should be treated justly--and in many places in this country today women and minorities and the disabled still are not; I think Americans should treat all people (including prisoners) justly because that is who we are--that is how we behave, no matter what others do.
I think every American child should grow up having the same opportunity as everyone else and because of economic and social issues beyond individual control, that is not happening either. I do feel as though we have an obligation to our fellow citizens to work together so that all have the opportunity to succeed. What the insurance and drug companies have been allowed to do at least for the last 25 years in health care should not be tolerated by American citizens.
I think citizens should hold elected officials to a higher standard than people who are not public servants...and if they are not doing their jobs, or if they are adversely affecting the people they represent, then they should be replaced.
I think everyone should vote and become actively involved in some manner in our government--or they should be satisfied with whatever they get. I have no patience for people who constantly complain about how things are going, but who do nothing constructive to make it better.
I think our duly elected presidents deserves respect, especially from other elected officials. I certainly believe in the right to disagree with policies and even not like the person; but when the people have elected a president, then respect from those people is a basic expectation IMO.
I think we have an obligation to work with the other countries in the world toward peace. War and violence are seldom the best way to handle a problem; it doesn't work in a family and it doesn't work in a country or a world.
And, I think if a group feels as strongly as the TP does about issues, then the least they could do is come up with a more cohesive document that could be discussed and considered in a civil, informed way, and then adopted or not, on the merits of the ideas. I think this Contract From American falls short of that, but if the people who are so passionate about it, would take some of that passion and work toward a more enlightened plan, then I think it would look like a positive approach to solving some difficult circumstances and might have a lot more citizens involved with it.
I think more civil discussions such as the one Diane Rehm was able to have yesterday on NPR are important to the success of any movement. I have faith in the American people's ability to determine the truth versus the "spin". The American people just need to pay attention in greater numbers than we are today IMO.
