What next? How do we build a better America?

[dmallord]

I'd advocate for something easier and a lot simpler to start.

Get on with Trump's trials as a prelude to regaining a semblance of justice and belief in the DOJ.

Then, move on to fixing healthcare as other countries have done. There is no reason we should not be able to achieve universal healthcare for all. Even education, for that matter.

Strengthen the military and the ability to produce munitions to support our troops. Make their lifestyles one to be admired and aspired to with reasonable incomes, healthcare, housing, etc.

Start passing legislation that secures the border, preferably without a 1,000-mile wall on the southern one. It was Regan, after all, who famously said, 'Tear down that wall.' It worked well enough in Berlin, so putting high-tech stuff in place should be a part of the process. [Forget the shit about moats and alligators!]

End the filibuster.

Create a bi-partisan committee to formulate a new election process and begin gathering state-by-state votes to make it a Constituational revision.

Oh, and mark your calendars to vote in 2028 for Harris' second term!

 

[Justplainjeff]

Assuming that Donald Trump is prevented from seizing power, what should our top priorities be as a nation?

As evidenced from some of my other posts on this board, there are two things I think would immediately make America a much better place:

1. Legalize abortion
2. Build a national high-speed rail network

Use this thread to say what you think America should do after we don't have to spend all our energy fighting Donald Trump. Please keep it positive. Don't worry about politics. This is an aspirational wish list.

I agree with #1, but #2 is impossible as long as rail freight owns the tracks. Your idea is valid, but Kampala will never take the money from the illegals to pay for this job

 

[dmallord]

I agree with #1, but #2 is impossible as long as rail freight owns the tracks. Your idea is valid, but Kampala will never take the money from the illegals to pay for this job

Aliens built the first railroads. You know high-speed rails will not use the same tracks; they need new ones. Congressional incentives could adjust railroad owners' attitudes.

 

[deckardB26354]

First things first in “making America great again” on January 20th…

Impeach SCOTUS Justices: Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh (for a start)—for perjury and ethics violations.

Codify Roe. Repeal Citizens United. Restore the Chevron Doctrine. Restore the Fairness Doctrine.

Restore the Rule of Law in the eyes of the country and put Trump and his criminal minions on the road to prison—where he should have been by now.

Start to overhaul the ACA and put in what should have been there from day one: single payer. Restore the ACA’s mandate based on income—those making under a certain amount would be exempt from paying into the system, but would still be covered by it.

Overhaul the tax code. Remove taxes for senior citizens (over say age 75) and bring the tax rate to pre-Reagan rates starting with 30% for anyone with an income of over $1M with a rising scale up to 70% for income (including investment revenues) over $1B. Reduce the middle class tax rates accordingly. Corporate taxes would be set at 30-40%—with tax rate discounts based on how much of the corporation does its business in the US only. Any corporation that produces goods would be given a sizable tax break if their products were produced 100% in the US.

Tie military spending to the federal deficit. No increases to the military budget while there is a deficit—any increases will only be approved in a time of war or with a 95% vote of both houses of Congress.

I could probably come up with more, but this’ll do for now.

 

[Politruk]

You know high-speed rails will not use the same tracks; they need new ones.

But they would probably have to use the same rights-of-way.

 

[Noor]

Do you seriously think abortion is the most important issue?

It is to women who can get pregnant.

 

[Noor]

Teach civility in school

 

[JoePepsiCo]

We used to teach civility in the schools, Lord's Prayer and all.
Then we kicked God out of school and Catholics off the bus.
Now after enforced moral relativism, the shootings began.

When you do not hold all life sacred,
then life is very cheap
and uncivil

war

 

[JoePepsiCo]

Lord's Prayer, do unto others, forgive trespasses, pure, evil indoctrination, we cannot have that, fuck them!

 

[dmallord]

Teach civility in school

Let's add teaching common sense to prevent these types of events.

child safety

 

[JoePepsiCo]

Common sense cannot be taught.
Some people are just haywire...

 

[Saint_Ann]

It is to women who can get pregnant.

What does that have to do with running the country?

 

[MajorRewrite]

Aliens built the first railroads. You know high-speed rails will not use the same tracks; they need new ones. Congressional incentives could adjust railroad owners' attitudes.

Railroad tracks ought to be nationalized. All of our other transportation infrastructure is publicly owned and operated (roads, airports, seaports).

Trains would continue to be owned and operated by private businesses, and they could go anywhere on any tracks. This would create competition for the first time in US rail transport.

The new Department of Rail could use revenue from charging trains for access to maintain the existing rail network and gradually create a high-speed passenger rail network. The system would be self-funded, just as airports and seaports are.

 

[easyoff]

Stop hating the other side and work together for the good of everyone.

 

[magic_rat]

I'm British so have a different perspecive maybe to some, but here's my take:

Comprehensive gun control.

No brainer. It's not the wild west any more and the notion of an armed militia overthrowing the government... archaic.

Keep your guns for the range, hunting, legitimate uses... get some control over the rest, Your kids will thank you.

Proper taxation for corporations and the ultra-wealthy.

Not just the US. Our goverment too.

Prescription drug cost reform.

No brainer. I've seen how much basic stuff like insulin cripples some of my American friends. Over here if I need that stuff, it's free. I had my hip replaced earlier this year. Cost to me? The gas to get to the hospital and back. Healthcare should be available based on need, not depth of pockets. Jesus I even get my viagra for free.

Legalized pot nationwide.

Obviously

End tax loopholes and bank strangleholds on housing.

Yes

And as the OP suggested, give women back the rights to choose what happens to their bodies.

 

[forgotmyantidepressants]

Do you seriously think abortion is the most important issue?

I think women's rights are the most important issue, especially when J.D. Vance rubs elbows with Christain nationalists who want to repeal the 19th Amendment (women's sufferage).

Some may laugh and scoff at such a notion, saying that only a deranged fringe group wants such a thing, that it would never happen in this century America, but I said the same thing about Roe V. Wade being over turned. I'm paying attention now.

I understand that as a woman, I am biased. Many men do not seem to give a shit about issues that affect them directly and it's very telling. It's wild to me that a certain demographic of men wants women to be dependent on them; to force them back into the kitchen and make them their slaves. It's even wilder that some women go willingly.

So, yes, abortion rights are the most important issue to me. Josselli Barnica, Yeniifer Alvarez-Estrada Glick, Nevaeh Crain, and others didn't have to die.

 

[JoePepsiCo]

Railroad tracks ought to be nationalized. All of our other transportation infrastructure is publicly owned and operated (roads, airports, seaports).

Trains would continue to be owned and operated by private businesses, and they could go anywhere on any tracks. This would create competition for the first time in US rail transport.

The new Department of Rail could use revenue from charging trains for access to maintain the existing rail network and gradually create a high-speed passenger rail network. The system would be self-funded, just as airports and seaports are.

We let them run Amtrack..., to the ground. Read more Ayn Rand. BlueStar says: Buy Reardon Steel...

 

[MajorRewrite]

We let them run Amtrack..., to the ground. Read more Ayn Rand. BlueStar says: Buy Reardon Steel...

Dear stupid person:

I said trains should be private but the tracks should be public. Try to keep up.

As I pointed out, all other transportation infrastructure is publicly owned and operated. The rails should be run like airports and seaports, which are excellent.

 

[JoePepsiCo]

Yes
the overriding concern must always be abortion
I wish the hell the Republicans would wise up and just let them get it all over with...

Just keep having your babies, raise them in the church, teach them the fundamental rights, homeschool them and let nature take its course. Those people hate children (of their own) and eventually statistics will win out.

 

[JoePepsiCo]

Dear stupid person:

As I pointed out, all other transportation infrastructure is publicly owned and operated. The rails should be run like airports and seaports, which are excellent.

We run Greyhound???

WTF???

 

[forgotmyantidepressants]

If this is just a wish list, then enshrine a woman's right to choose and vote. Then, actually do something about the environment.

 

[MajorRewrite]

We run Greyhound???

WTF???

Dear stupid person:

Greyhound is not transportation infrastructure. The roads are infrastructure and are public.

 

[JoePepsiCo]

Then you have a specious point.

It's like saying, they make Musk because they control the airways...

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

What does that have to do with running the country?

Nothing. The government has no business regulating abortion.

 

[JoePepsiCo]

But it has a "thriving" business protecting it.