Balanced government

G.O.P. Threatens Seats Long Held by Democrats - NYTimes.com

The interactive map on the left is nice. In the Senate, I think the GOP will pick up all the toss up states, as well as Ca and Pa. The Senate would be left in a 50/50 split if that happened. The House is headed for something similar, although I think the NYT map doesn't do this election justice. For example they have Boyde holding his seat, which I don't think is going to happen.

All-in-all, once this next election is over, Congress will be a ~50/50 split. That, IMHO, is really good news.

How so? Congress is already deadlocked. This would change nothing, IMHO. We will end up with congress deadlocked.

expunge lobbyists and nepotism, install term limits, stop the flow of corporate dollars to campaigns, allow equal media access to qualified candidates, and you will have fair government. now we have a corporate republic.

expunge lobbyists and nepotism, install term limits, stop the flow of corporate dollars to campaigns, allow equal media access to qualified candidates, and you will have fair government. now we have a corporate republic.

I thought you were against term limits?

I think the current disgust most Americans have for Congress/politicians will be the only term limits we need.

expunge lobbyists and nepotism

Definitely like this idea

install term limits

We definitely need these since we effectively have lifetime terms for federal office now

stop the flow of corporate dollars to campaigns

I have freedom of speech issues with this. I believe that every candidate should have to publicly detail every contribution, contributions should not be allowed from any foreign national/interest and every contribution should have a taxpayer ID associated with it and be cross checked with the IRS. However, within those constraints I think the citizenry should be able to do with their money as they please.

allow equal media access to qualified candidates, and you will have fair government. now we have a corporate republic.

We'd need an entirely different media structure for this. Our current model of for profit (above all else) media and the rise of Internet 'news' sources makes this all but impossible.

I think I'd also add to the list the elimination of any form of gerrymandering. the repeal of the 17th Amendment and a very, very strict code-of-ethics for elected/appointed politicians and officials.

I thought you were against term limits?

perhaps i was