Ava
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Post by Ava on Jun 8, 2019 19:49:54 GMT -5
For me, I would say the main concern is healthcare. I believe in universal coverage European style but I am open to hear what candidates have to offer. I truly think the current system is unsustainable.
Another one is student loans. I think it's the next crisis waiting in the wings to take center stage, and it won't be long for that. I am paying mine but it certainly puts a damp in my financial picture. Kids in general graduate with too much debt and it will hinder the economy as they default. Even if they don't, it will still slow things down as they are unable to buy a house, a car, start a family, spend money on vacations, etc.
There are, unfortunately, many other issues but those are the two I think are more urgent and I will be paying attention at the candidates' proposals to solve them.
What are your concerns going towards the next election? Guns, infrastructure, the deficit, the environment, immigration, something else?
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sesfw
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Post by sesfw on Jun 8, 2019 20:48:51 GMT -5
I agree with your concerns and because I live in AZ illegal immigration is a huge problem.
I would put student loans on top of the list. If more people would take pride in doing manual type work and get training in a trade, I think the other things would take care of themselves. People would have the funds for other things like health care, homes, cars, vacations …….. all of these things would pay other workers for their needs and wants.
A college education is good to engineer a road, but it takes a trades person to build them.
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Jun 8, 2019 21:52:25 GMT -5
My concern is it will be ugly, divisive, last too long, waste too much money on political commercials that will make us all insane through repetition, and at the end, we will all be exhausted, burnt out and stuck with a pack of politicians that would rather stab each other and burn Congress down rather than actually do anything constructive.
Our robot overlords can't come soon enough.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Jun 8, 2019 22:38:23 GMT -5
Getting trump and mcconnell out would be great. But then who would be better anymore. The only one I can see is biden, but he is old, suppose would be ok. But we need someone new and inspired like Kennedy.
And yes healthcare is a big concern for us as we get deeper into our old age going to eat up our money. We are now over $1k a month for healthcare and scrips. Once I hit the donut hole, not sure how much it will be but I cringe. I know a lot of folks don't even have supplements because they can't afford them.
But I want to see fair elections, get foreign money out, politicians to stop going after the jugular on each candidate and stop all the lies. We need people that really want to work for us peole and not the wealthy and lining their own nests. Where do we find these people anymore? And term limits.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Jun 8, 2019 23:08:05 GMT -5
Another one is student loans. I think it's the next crisis waiting in the wings to take center stage, and it won't be long for that. I am paying mine but it certainly puts a damp in my financial picture. Kids in general graduate with too much debt and it will hinder the economy as they default. Even if they don't, it will still slow things down as they are unable to buy a house, a car, start a family, spend money on vacations, etc. The average student loan is 30K from my institution. I don't think that level of debt is preventing folks from starting a family, having vacations, buying a house, etc. I mean, surely folks with one car loan close to that are still able to spend money...so why wouldn't folks with student loans?
Unless, you mean that young graduates don't get everything they want, including a lifestyle similar to their 50/60 year old parents at age 23, at the same time? IMVHO, it doesn't hurt to ask young adults to prioritize what they want. If they have some college debt, and want to buy a house ASAP, then well, it's a beater for them. I think that's how most of us get through life, I don't understand why young people should be excluded from having to make such choices....
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Jun 8, 2019 23:16:31 GMT -5
Student debt is getting out of control. Also, it's compounded by other issues; the high cost of housing and the high cost of healthcare, for example.
The average student loan debt may be 30K for an undergraduate, but nowadays you probably need a Master's, and that adds a lot of additional debt.
I'll tell you two examples I know from RL. One is a friend's son who decided, at age 25, that he didn't want to be a tradesperson anymore. He now lives at school full time while he studies for a pharmacist's degree. With one year in, he owes 33k, and he calculates he'll graduate with 175k of debt. The other case is a coworker's son. His family had him apply to several schools that offered the engineering degree he wanted. After carefully studying all financial aid packages they chose the school that was the best financial option. He already owes 22k and his father calculates he'll graduate with approx. 40k. After that, the idea is he'll move back home and live with his parents until he pays off his student loans.
It adds up, and the loans compound, and school is becoming more and more expensive. It's not sustainable. Just my POV, anyway.
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 8, 2019 23:17:29 GMT -5
Honestly everything's second to women's rights. Don't think I'll have to look more beyond that except primaries.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Jun 8, 2019 23:18:03 GMT -5
I think the tax code should be fixed. There's no reason that we should have a $0 tax bill, and get an extra 3k in refundable tax credits provided to us because we have four kids. Our gross was like 85K last year. That's not exactly what I call a poverty-level income.
They need to figure out what to do with SS and medicare. I would like to know sooner than later for retirement planning purposes.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Jun 8, 2019 23:37:03 GMT -5
Student debt is getting out of control. Also, it's compounded by other issues; the high cost of housing and the high cost of healthcare, for example. The average student loan debt may be 30K for an undergraduate, but nowadays you probably need a Master's, and that adds a lot of additional debt. I'll tell you two examples I know from RL. One is a friend's son who decided, at age 25, that he didn't want to be a tradesperson anymore. He now lives at school full time while he studies for a pharmacist's degree. With one year in, he owes 33k, and he calculates he'll graduate with 175k of debt. The other case is a coworker's son. His family had him apply to several schools that offered the engineering degree he wanted. After carefully studying all financial aid packages they chose the school that was the best financial option. He already owes 22k and his father calculates he'll graduate with approx. 40k. After that, the idea is he'll move back home and live with his parents until he pays off his student loans. It adds up, and the loans compound, and school is becoming more and more expensive. It's not sustainable. Just my POV, anyway. It depends. My state has frozen instate tuition for a 8 years now. There are also other midwest states that have chosen to do so. So. His total debt falls in line with what's expected as a pharmacy major. I wouldn't expect 6-8 years of school to be had for cheap.
ETA: I'm working on my second masters. Cashflowing and using unmarked savings. Work is paying for a tad. Maybe 20%. Because I don't want to owe them if I leave. I found a decently ranked program (ranked 25) for a decent price. It took me years to find it though. I'm not kidding...about 3 or so years.
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Value Buy
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Post by Value Buy on Jun 9, 2019 8:32:36 GMT -5
Getting trump and mcconnell out would be great. But then who would be better anymore. The only one I can see is biden, but he is old, suppose would be ok. But we need someone new and inspired like Kennedy. And yes healthcare is a big concern for us as we get deeper into our old age going to eat up our money. We are now over $1k a month for healthcare and scrips. Once I hit the donut hole, not sure how much it will be but I cringe. I know a lot of folks don't even have supplements because they can't afford them. But I want to see fair elections, get foreign money out, politicians to stop going after the jugular on each candidate and stop all the lies. We need people that really want to work for us peole and not the wealthy and lining their own nests. Where do we find these people anymore? And term limits. Outside of your opening sentence, I agree 100% When you say term limits, what is the number you want? Mine is 12 in the House, or six terms, and 18 in the Senate, three terms. I am not opposed from a House member after 12 years, going to a Senate seat.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 9, 2019 8:45:19 GMT -5
Honestly everything's second to women's rights. Don't think I'll have to look more beyond that except primaries. Definitely other issues but this is far and away the biggest for me and our sisterhood.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Jun 9, 2019 9:16:13 GMT -5
I think 2 terms in each is plenty, they need to get out and not get so entrenched they are there forever.
mcconnell needs his sorry ass out of there
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2019 15:19:58 GMT -5
The debt, the deficit, warmongering, climate change, legislating with the bible.
But really the main one is getting someone in the office of President who isn’t a complete effing joke of a human being that completely embarrasses us on the world stage. I’ll be lied to on all the other issues so I’m at least hoping for this one.
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Jun 9, 2019 15:32:09 GMT -5
I think 2 terms in each is plenty, they need to get out and not get so entrenched they are there forever. ... I would prefer entrenched elected officials having the power than to have entrenched staff and bureaucrats be in control.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 9, 2019 15:48:56 GMT -5
I am worried about income inequality and the fact that our possibility for upward mobility is lagging behind so many other countries. Fixing those two encompass a lot of stuff - education, healthcare, taxation, workers rights, civil rights, etc.
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Jun 9, 2019 19:11:55 GMT -5
I am worried about income inequality and the fact that our possibility for upward mobility is lagging behind so many other countries. Fixing those two encompass a lot of stuff - education, healthcare, taxation, workers rights, civil rights, etc. The income inequality thing is going to bite us in the ass.
Middle class voters have been stagnating for the last decade. One significant medical diagnosis could bankrupt them. Kids graduate from college with debt and have to live with mom and dad because they can't afford housing. Meanwhile, the only demographic who's seen an increase in wealth is the top 10% of the country.
When this kind of trend continues too long, it always ends in civil unrest/revolution. People begin to think the game is stacked against the middle class and poor, and there is no way to improve their lot in life.
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gs11rmb
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Post by gs11rmb on Jun 10, 2019 8:28:00 GMT -5
I'm with some other posters that reproductive rights is now my top priority. Taxation pales in comparison to personal freedom and autonomy. Leaving that to one side I'm irritated that the Democrats can't seem to get their shit together. I know Republicans have the same issue in that primary voters skew too far to the right but the Democrats don't seem to acknowledge that picking a hard left candidate will be un-electable on the national stage. They need to pick a moderate that will cause those on the left to grumble but who will be palatable to the majority of middle ground people.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 10, 2019 9:14:44 GMT -5
I am worried about income inequality and the fact that our possibility for upward mobility is lagging behind so many other countries. Fixing those two encompass a lot of stuff - education, healthcare, taxation, workers rights, civil rights, etc. The income inequality thing is going to bite us in the ass.
Middle class voters have been stagnating for the last decade. One significant medical diagnosis could bankrupt them. Kids graduate from college with debt and have to live with mom and dad because they can't afford housing. Meanwhile, the only demographic who's seen an increase in wealth is the top 10% of the country.
When this kind of trend continues too long, it always ends in civil unrest/revolution. People begin to think the game is stacked against the middle class and poor, and there is no way to improve their lot in life.
That is what I am worried about. I have a lot to lose, but not enough power to do much about it. I would rather give a little to keep our society stable.
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Jun 10, 2019 14:26:43 GMT -5
The same as usual, keeping government small, keeping it focused on the things it should be involved in because they kind of have to (basic defense, infrastructure, etc) and out of things it shouldn't. I don't see this as much different than other elections. In terms of candidates, mostly finding candidates that I think understand basic logic or aren't just outright lying about things (i.e. If you say you're going to have a tax cut funded by XYZ, and it's obvious to everyone that the tax cut is going to pass but the way to pay for it isn't ever going to happen in reality, I'm not interested). Really it comes down to which candidate makes me less often roll my eyes and say "wow, you're either really stupid or a total liar". Which means maybe the candidate who simply talks the least.
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buystoys
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Post by buystoys on Jun 11, 2019 7:53:31 GMT -5
Illegal immigration is still one of my top concerns. Living in TX, it costs our state a fortune that could be better spent elsewhere. I'd love to see the 300 million spent on additional law enforcement last year go back to being spent on disabled children.
For student loans, I'd like to see a cap put on how much a student can take based on the degree they are working towards. Womens Studies and Music Education should not be able to take out the same amount as someone working on a medical degree.
I don't agree with Medicare for All proposals I've seen so far (I don't believe they will pay for themselves and not create a huge deficit) but I also know that something has to be done. ACA is horribly expensive for people who qualify for subsidies and worse for those who don't.
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Value Buy
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Post by Value Buy on Jun 11, 2019 7:57:13 GMT -5
I think 2 terms in each is plenty, they need to get out and not get so entrenched they are there forever. ... I would prefer entrenched elected officials having the power than to have entrenched staff and bureaucrats be in control. Country Girl, Why only four years of service in the House? Hard for anyone to do anything important in their first two years of service..... Under your thoughts a Senator gets 12 years. What about the President? Two terms, or go to three terms? I say stay at two.
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 11, 2019 8:59:08 GMT -5
The more I hear all these arguments against term limits, the more I think the arguments are just BS. Sure, it's hard for freshman politicians to do anything in this specific environment because it's become so convoluted, cliquish, and exclusionary. But if 1/3 of the group was always freshmen - well then of course things would change. And if people only had 6-10 years to get shit done maybe things would go faster and there'd be less dicking around and posturing. And yeah maybe the way bills currently are will become a thing of the past - but frankly maybe we need to get rid of the past where bills are literal inches of paper which no one could seriously read before voting and has so much pork hidden in it it's not even funny.
I'm still not totally sold that we need term limits, but I'm over buying into this new politicians are useless for years trope. They're useless for years in THIS fucked up political climate that has done little to no good in years. Congress needs shaking up to get their heads out of their asses and their mouths off the asses of lobbyists. Maybe term limits is what will do it.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 11, 2019 9:36:32 GMT -5
The more I hear all these arguments against term limits, the more I think the arguments are just BS. Sure, it's hard for freshman politicians to do anything in this specific environment because it's become so convoluted, cliquish, and exclusionary. But if 1/3 of the group was always freshmen - well then of course things would change. And if people only had 6-10 years to get shit done maybe things would go faster and there'd be less dicking around and posturing. And yeah maybe the way bills currently are will become a thing of the past - but frankly maybe we need to get rid of the past where bills are literal inches of paper which no one could seriously read before voting and has so much pork hidden in it it's not even funny. I'm still not totally sold that we need term limits, but I'm over buying into this new politicians are useless for years trope. They're useless for years in THIS fucked up political climate that has done little to no good in years. Congress needs shaking up to get their heads out of their asses and their mouths off the asses of lobbyists. Maybe term limits is what will do it. Also, 1/3rd won't be campaigning - at least not for the same seat. I'm okay with 12 years for both the house and the Senate. Turnover has made our country strong.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Jun 11, 2019 9:47:59 GMT -5
Getting trump and mcconnell out would be great. But then who would be better anymore. The only one I can see is biden, but he is old, suppose would be ok. But we need someone new and inspired like Kennedy. And yes healthcare is a big concern for us as we get deeper into our old age going to eat up our money. We are now over $1k a month for healthcare and scrips. Once I hit the donut hole, not sure how much it will be but I cringe. I know a lot of folks don't even have supplements because they can't afford them. But I want to see fair elections, get foreign money out, politicians to stop going after the jugular on each candidate and stop all the lies. We need people that really want to work for us peole and not the wealthy and lining their own nests. Where do we find these people anymore? And term limits. Outside of your opening sentence, I agree 100% When you say term limits, what is the number you want? Mine is 12 in the House, or six terms, and 18 in the Senate, three terms. I am not opposed from a House member after 12 years, going to a Senate seat. Realistically I wonder if we should go for much higher numbers. We have had numerous people in the Senate/House serve 30, 35, 40+ years. John Dingell served 59 years in the House. He was 89 years old when he left office. At a minimum, how about having an upward cap on who can run for office? Say you can't run for office after you are 75 years old. That would mean the Oldest people in the Senate would be in their Early 80's? I also think since it is not uncommon for People serving in the House/Senate to reach 30+ years, these numbers are very low - How about 30 years of service max, so in the House 15 terms and in the Senate five terms. What is your thinking on why a lower total years of service in the house? I was thinking that since they stand for re-election every two years, it may be logical to let them serve a little longer?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_the_United_States_Congress_by_longevity_of_service
Sure would be nice if we could get Corporate money (lobbying $$) our of Washington. Right now our government is for sale to the highest bidder. My priorities are Election Security, Women's rights, Healthcare for all/access to affordable healthcare/lower US Prescription drug costs in line with other countries - there is no reason we should pay for the research for the rest of the world. My in-laws went to the pharmacy to fill a prescription for FIL's diabetes last week and it was over $1,000 for a 3 month supply (either that or it was $1,000/month). MIL said she told them to prescribe something else and they left without filling the prescription. This is going to happen more and more imho. I myself have a prescription I refuse to fill because it is like $173/month and I feel it is just too much. I don't think our legislators live in the real world on healthcare because their health insurance is so much better than the average American, and they get benefits after retirement.
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oped
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Post by oped on Jun 11, 2019 9:50:39 GMT -5
Another one is student loans. I think it's the next crisis waiting in the wings to take center stage, and it won't be long for that. I am paying mine but it certainly puts a damp in my financial picture. Kids in general graduate with too much debt and it will hinder the economy as they default. Even if they don't, it will still slow things down as they are unable to buy a house, a car, start a family, spend money on vacations, etc. The average student loan is 30K from my institution. I don't think that level of debt is preventing folks from starting a family, having vacations, buying a house, etc. I mean, surely folks with one car loan close to that are still able to spend money...so why wouldn't folks with student loans?
Unless, you mean that young graduates don't get everything they want, including a lifestyle similar to their 50/60 year old parents at age 23, at the same time? IMVHO, it doesn't hurt to ask young adults to prioritize what they want. If they have some college debt, and want to buy a house ASAP, then well, it's a beater for them. I think that's how most of us get through life, I don't understand why young people should be excluded from having to make such choices....
This is true. It is also true that our current economic system is structured upon people buying more and more things. Something gives. I’m not saying it’s a good or bad thing. But it’s reality.
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oped
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Post by oped on Jun 11, 2019 9:54:19 GMT -5
I mostly agree with 4 years not being enough, but homey cannoli AOC is showing what a freshman can do...
I was honestly never much for term limits, but 8/12 years at 2-3 times the pay, absolutely no lobbying or dealing during after... might work.
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Jun 11, 2019 10:14:36 GMT -5
My biggest concern is environmental policy and the complete lack of certainty. We continue to flip flop back and forth with no one steering the boat. Pick a direction and move forward.
I also desperately hope for an administrative change before we piss off enough countries that we are dragged into another large scale war. I honestly don’t think our country could survive since we are so divided.
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gs11rmb
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Post by gs11rmb on Jun 11, 2019 10:16:37 GMT -5
One thing I remember from my MA in Political Science is that when surveying the general public for their opinion on Congress as a whole the answer is often negative. However, those same people will hold their own representative in high esteem. It's the "other" representatives causing a problem not their own. One issue with term limits is that voters are attached to their representative/senators and don't want them ousted.
I see that way of thinking in myself. I live in GA-05 and John Lewis has been the representative for over 30 years. I would be really sad if he was forced to step down because I think he has/is doing a good job.
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Jun 11, 2019 10:28:15 GMT -5
One thing I remember from my MA in Political Science is that when surveying the general public for their opinion on Congress as a whole the answer is often negative. However, those same people will hold their own representative in high esteem. It's the "other" representatives causing a problem not their own. One issue with term limits is that voters are attached to their representative/senators and don't want them ousted. I see that way of thinking in myself. I live in GA-05 and John Lewis has been the representative for over 30 years. I would be really sad if he was forced to step down because I think he has/is doing a good job. Politics is also one of the only areas where we really seem to "idealize" people getting involved who aren't actually good/proven at it due to inexperience. You don't elected because you are good at being in Congress, you get elected because you're good at getting elected. You don't just show up on your first day at a job that you have zero experience in, that has lots of intricasies, and just start doing great work. It's probably unreasonable to think that if we had a ton of novice Congresspeople that we'd be in good shape. People tend to get better at their jobs as they learn over time. They might get good in 10 years, I don't think having a limit of say 10-12 years is necessarily bad in itself...it's the fact that if the limit is too low you get a lot of turnover, which means a TON of novice folks all the time and fewer experienced folks.
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Jun 11, 2019 11:06:59 GMT -5
... but homey cannoli AOC is showing what a freshman can do... ... What has she done?
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