They're all equally corrupted, be it Democrat or Republican, and it's sad that these days we vote for the lesser of the two evils based on how they present themselves (in the case of the President foremost) and immediately look forward to and speculate over who's going to run next time. It just doesn't matter anymore - the good ol' days are long behind us and we, our children, and probably our grandchildren too, are in for a rough time as the system that's grown far beyond its intended construct slowly collapses in upon itself.
I'm not one to complain just for complaint's sake though. A couple suggestions to get us back on track:
1. Stop meddling in foreign affairs when we can't take care of our own affairs at home.
We're gung-ho to enter into conflicts overseas and dump billions into modernized colonial efforts, yet we cut funding to education, social and veterans services at home.
I am not for just handing out free cash to the needy without making them do something for it, and there's a big difference between assistance and welfare. Able bodied people should be able to work for their assistance, and that includes the homeless. Help them to help themselves and restore some modicum of self respect.
2. Political officers should not be paid.
Let's say I ran for and won an unpaid political office - be it in the Senate, Congress, President - whatever. My housing, clothing, bills, food and transportation will be covered for the duration of my term, with a modest entertainment budget. We're talking about a straight down the line middle class equivalent wage. For the term of my stay in this office, my home / living expenses are covered and I need not worry about anything other than doing my job to the best of my ability. Funds from lobbyists, excessive contributions, and bribes would be pretty obvious and my personal finances should be a matter of public discourse.
When you remove greed from the equation, a lot of the problems associated will likely dry up too. People who really want to do a good job will be the ones that run for office.
3. The office of the President should be a three person job.
No matter how badly either side screws up, we keep both the Democrats and Republicans as the only parties that will every win. The independents and third party groups won't get in - and that's the unfortunate fact of the matter. So we elect one Dem, one Rep and one third party. If the three of them can't agree, then it's probably not a good idea to begin with.
It may not be equal representation for all, but it's equal representation for a much larger swath of the populace than we have now, and would reduce this constant in-fighting.
4. Solve a lot of the illegal emigration problem and make outsourcing less shady all in one swoop. Work with Mexico to create more jobs there that give the indigenous population reason to stay home and make their own country better. Let's say, as a generalized example, a computer company builds a plant there rather than India. Labor will still be inexpensive, shipping would be shorter and cheaper, and jobs are created. There's plenty of other situations that would benefit, and maybe we'd help a struggling neighbor country become a stronger asset.
I'll step off my soapbox now. I have a few more social related suggestions too, but the above items I think would smooth out a lot of the troubles that we're saddled with, no matter what "side of the aisle" you're on.
