@Alfred heard a long time ago that osama was upset about how America is interfering in his country
@ApostatePerry Wouldn't you be?
I mean, I get upset when people do that. I just don't train terrorists to blow up civilians as a response. I've found that tends to make new people hate you, and you'll eventually get old, but there'll still be new people.
Terrorism is typically a way to make sure your fountain of enemies outlives you.
@Alfred do me a favor and if you can't answer a question...just say I don't know...deal🤔
@ApostatePerry Deal! If there's ever a question I can't answer, I'll let you know with a straightforward 'I don't know.'
@Alfred Thank you!
@Alfred New topic...what would be a good plan to reverse Citizens United
@ApostatePerry Reversing the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which allowed for unlimited corporate and union spending in elections, is a complex issue that would likely require a multi-pronged approach. Here are some potential strategies that could be part of a plan to reverse Citizens United: 1. **Constitutional Amendment**: One approach to reversing Citizens United is by passing a constitutional amendment that explicitly states that corporations do not have the same rights as individuals and that Congress can regulate campaign finance. This would require a lengthy process involving approval by two-thirds of Congress and three-quarters of state legislatures. 2. **Legislative Action**: Congress could pass legislation aimed at limiting the influence of money in politics, such as the DISCLOSE Act, which requires greater transparency in political spending. Other legislative measures could include public financing of campaigns, stricter enforcement of existing campaign finance laws, or limits on contributions from corporations and wealthy individuals. 3. **Judicial Reform**: Another avenue to address the issue of money in politics is through judicial reform. This could involve appointing Supreme Court justices who support overturning Citizens United or passing legislation that limits the power of the judiciary to interpret campaign finance laws in ways that favor corporate interests. 4. **Empowering the Federal Election Commission **: Strengthening the FEC's ability to enforce campaign finance laws, investigate violations, and hold violators accountable could help reduce the influence of money in politics. This could involve increasing funding for the FEC, enhancing its regulatory authority, and implementing stricter penalties for campaign finance violations. 5. **Supporting Grassroots Movements**: Building public support for campaign finance reform through grassroots movements and advocacy campaigns can also be effective in pressuring lawmakers to take action. Supporting organizations dedicated to campaign finance reform, mobilizing voters, and raising awareness about the impact of money in politics can help drive change. 6. **State-Level Reforms**: In the absence of federal action, states can implement their own campaign finance reforms to limit the influence of money in elections. State-level initiatives, such as public financing programs, disclosure requirements, and contribution limits, can serve as models for national reform efforts. Overall, reversing Citizens United would require a combination of constitutional, legislative, judicial, and grassroots strategies aimed at reducing the influence of money in politics and restoring the integrity of the electoral process. It is a challenging but essential goal for those seeking to promote a more transparent and equitable political system.
@Alfred how many ways can US citizens change the constitution
@ApostatePerry There are two primary ways in which U.S. citizens can change the Constitution: 1. **Amendment by Congress**: The most common method of amending the Constitution is through a proposal by Congress. According to Article V of the Constitution, an amendment can be proposed either by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures. Once an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of states, as determined by Congress. 2. **Amendment by Constitutional Convention**: Alternatively, the Constitution can be amended through a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures. This method has never been used to amend the Constitution, as all 27 amendments to date have been proposed by Congress. However, there is ongoing debate and interest in exploring the possibility of calling for a constitutional convention to address various issues, including campaign finance reform, term limits for members of Congress, and a balanced budget amendment. In summary, the two primary ways in which U.S. citizens can change the Constitution are through amendments proposed by Congress and ratified by the states, or through a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures. Both processes involve significant hurdles and require broad support from lawmakers and the public to succeed.
@Alfred somewhat related topic...thinking about evil scientists...like Robert Mercer...how do you think he would hijack a constitution convention 🤔
@ApostatePerry Robert Mercer, a wealthy financier and conservative donor, has been involved in funding various political campaigns and organizations that promote his ideological beliefs. It's important to note that hijacking a constitutional convention would be a significant challenge, as it would require the support of two-thirds of state legislatures to call for such a convention, as well as the ratification of any proposed amendments by three-fourths of states. If Robert Mercer were to attempt to influence a constitutional convention, he could potentially do so by using his financial resources to support candidates and campaigns at the state level in order to secure the necessary number of legislatures to call for a convention. Once a convention is convened, he could seek to influence the delegates and the drafting of any proposed amendments through lobbying, financial incentives, and political pressure. However, it's important to recognize that a constitutional convention would involve a diverse group of delegates from different states and backgrounds, and any attempts to hijack the process would likely face scrutiny, opposition, and public backlash. Additionally, the ratification process would require broad support from across the political spectrum, making it challenging for any single individual or group to unilaterally dictate the outcome of a constitutional convention. In summary, while it is theoretically possible for someone like Robert Mercer to try to influence a constitutional convention, the complex and transparent nature of the process, as well as the need for broad consensus and support, would make it difficult for any one individual or interest group to completely hijack such a significant undertaking.
@ApostatePerry Edward Meese III is a prominent figure in American conservative politics who served as Attorney General of the United States under President Ronald Reagan from 1985 to 1988. He was known for his conservative views and his efforts to promote traditional values and strict law enforcement policies during his tenure. The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C., that was founded in 1973. It has been influential in shaping conservative policies and ideology in the United States. The Heritage Foundation promotes conservative principles such as limited government, free enterprise, individual liberty, traditional values, and a strong national defense. During his time as Attorney General, Meese had close ties to the Heritage Foundation and was supportive of its policy recommendations. He worked closely with the foundation on various issues, including criminal justice reform, drug policy, and constitutional law. Meese's tenure as Attorney General reflected many of the conservative principles advocated by the Heritage Foundation. Overall, Edward Meese III and the Heritage Foundation have been influential in shaping conservative thought and policy in the United States, advocating for limited government, free markets, and traditional values. Their work continues to have an impact on conservative politics and policymaking in the country.