http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7874498These threads are always fun.
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 07:41 AM
Exilednight (7,757 posts)
four amendments I would like to see added to the Constitution. [View all]
1. All elections will be publicly funded. Candidates qualify by achieving 10% in public polling.
2. No member of either house of congress shall make no more than 10% of the average pay of the hourly worker, nor will they profit from private sector entities while serving.
3. There shall be a minimum of four public debates for the general presidential election with the last debate taking place no later than 2 weeks before elections.
4. Voting will last for a minimum of five days, not exceeding 10 days, nor shall any polling take place 30 days prior to the first election day.
Math is not a strong point for primitives, as we shall soon see:
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 08:00 AM
Star Member gollygee (20,233 posts)
4. 10% of the average salary is like $4500
People can't live on that, so they'd already have to be rich before running. Working people could never hold office.
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 09:59 AM
Exilednight (7,757 posts)
6. I didn't word it properly. the national average plus 10'%.
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 01:38 PM
Rosco T. (6,169 posts)
24. the proper phrasing then is "110%"
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 02:48 PM
Exilednight (7,757 posts)
29. that leaves it open to interpretation, see examples below.
Using round numbers, let's say that the average hourly workers yearly salary is 100,000/ year.
Is 110% equal to $110000, or is 110% equal to 100,000 + 110,000 (110% of 100,000)?
It could be argued both ways and we all know that judges lean towards the higher number.
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 05:05 PM
SickOfTheOnePct (4,377 posts)
39. Math is not open to interpretation
110% of $100,000 is $110,000.
100% of $100,000 is $100,000
210% of $100,000 is $210,000
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 07:20 PM
Exilednight (7,757 posts)
41. Answer the following:
I pay 50 cents for a widget and then sell it to you for $2.00. What percentage is my profit?
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 07:27 PM
SickOfTheOnePct (4,377 posts)
42. 300% n/t
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 07:33 PM
Exilednight (7,757 posts)
43. If you're a retailer it's only 75%. They audit using $2.00 as the value. Manufacturers audit using
50 cents as the value, so it would be 300% if I were the manufacturer.
Same item, same price but different perspective.
This goes on for a little longer. Worth a row over to see the whole thing. Meanwhile, back in amendment dreamworld:
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 08:20 AM
Star Member Javaman (46,320 posts)
5. 5. Election day will become a national holiday. nt
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 08:13 PM
Ilsa (37,667 posts)
51. Yes!!! This is the way to do it, and
Let it be two days if necessary.
HEY! How about we make it FIVE national holidays in a row! Paid!!
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 10:23 AM
TrappedInUtah (84 posts)
8. Abolish the electoral college
Our system will always be a joke until the electoral college is gone and we have runoff style elections.
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 11:48 AM
Initech (52,541 posts)
10. No equal rights amendment?
Equality for everyone regardless of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation should be written in the Constitution before all the others.
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 12:39 PM
Exilednight (7,757 posts)
15. I sort of agree, but there's one problem. you can't
put forth an amendment that has zero chance of passing and nix every other idea. Granted, politicians would not like these changes, but I believe you can get a groundswell of support from the populace, no matter their political allegiance, to support these four items.
Among the constituency there would be great support and lots of pressure could be applied, but you will not get amendments with a strict partisan bias through our system.
I doubt you could even get much of a pantswell out of even stevenumbers over any of these.
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 02:46 PM
Star Member gollygee (20,233 posts)
28. You think your other four suggestions are more likely?
They have zero chance of passing too.
This is a really disappointing post. You're all about amendments that benefit you, but an amendment for equal rights is over the top.
Back to potato math again...
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 01:42 PM
firebrand80 (2,688 posts)
25. Disagree with the restrictions on polling in #4
Taking polls is a huge part of campaign strategy. It's the major way candidates stay connected to what ordinary people are thinking.
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 04:56 PM
Star Member pnwmom (73,258 posts)
37. Right. They should all get priority over the Equal Rights Amendment.
And apparently you only want the super-wealthy to be in Congress, since you think they should only be paid 10% of the average hourly pay.
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 07:43 PM
SickOfTheOnePct (4,377 posts)
48. Well, in all fairness
he really meant 110%...or 210%...or 110%=210%...
In his world, 110% can also mean 210%.
Math is a social construct!
