If I could fix things, here’s a few of the changes I would make.
Rosie’s Laws! 
1. No one could run for an office unless they’ve suffered either tragedy, or poverty. And the ‘tragedy’ or ‘poverty’ would have to be agreed upon by a majority of Americans. (For example, being raised middle class is neither a tragedy, nor suffering from poverty.)
2. A person wouldn’t be kicked out for making mistakes, but atonement would be necessary and chosen by the public in an open council.
3. Voting would be staggered and in large areas, where people can come and actually see the candidates in person, for themselves. Every American community would offer free bus rides to the location.
4. Minorities and women would get 1.25 votes until Congress and the Senate was only half full of old men – then things would go back to normal.
5. Any political person who did not adopt an American child out of foster care, would not be allowed to maintain office.
6. No politician should be able to talk without actions backing it up. If you’re for the environment, go out and save a tree or an almost extinct animal or something – don’t just talk about it. In general – less talk, more walk.
7. We would have a new branch of our government that only opens once every ten years (for 5 years), and is picked by our Supreme Court Judges. While politicians should be flawed, these men and women should not be. They will run the Quality Control Department/ISO Dept – and their job will be to comb through every single law made, and make suggestions to congress and senate so as to get rid of the dross. Their conduct must be unimpeachable, and anyone suspected of being partial, or having been seduced by lobbying, will be immediately dismissed from the committee – with credit for time served, whether or not it’s true. Once the 5 years is up, they’re done. 5 years later, the supreme court would appoint another panel – to be repeated ad nauseum. If they finally get caught up (doubtful), the quality control committee can convene every 15-20 years.
8. Anyone who is Pro-Life will have to become a foster parent, or adopt an American child out of foster care. Anyone who is Pro-Choice will volunteer time at a Planned Parenthood Clinic.
9. Community Service would be mandatory for all politicians – and, again, would not include more talk than action.
10. It would become against the law for a news outlet to state anything as fact that is only editorial. The words ‘editorial,’ or ‘opinion piece,’ would be required on everything that was not 100% fact.
11. The Pledge of Allegiance would be allowed back in schools, as is. There would be a 15 minute break after lunch for napping, meditation, or prayer. All faiths allowed, and any bullying in the name of religion would be grounds for immediate expulsion.
12. A one line box next to your vote for President will ask you why you voted for that person. All reasons (not names), and the county/state they came from, will be published.
13. Large penal colonies would be disposed of. Small, local prisons would hold everyone they needed to. Any lawbreaker, that the majority of Americans think has a stupid reason for being in jail, would be let loose.
14. The death penalty would be overturned. Instead, would be life in solitary confinement, with the option to work. Anyone put in jail for 6 months or longer, would be required to finish one year of schooling.
15. Our elderly, sick, and mentally ill will be given all the medicines they need. Diabetics, people with cancer and Aids patients (etc), would be given free supplies. Diabetics who didn’t follow the diets, would have those free supplies taken away and will have to buy them until they can prove that they’re following the diet to the best of their ability. No free rides – everyone is accountable.
16. Accountability, honesty and action will be the cornerstone of my laws.
17. Unions would be developed for white collar and middle management workers, many of whom desperately need the help right now, but are in powerless situations.
18. Anyone who who has been proven to knowingly, and with malice, harm a child, will have their tubes tied – whether male or female. And possibly be branded. (I haven’t decided if that’s cruel – or just – yet.)
19. No one would be able to sue a doctor or nurse for making simple mistakes, even if they result in death. Doctors and nurses are not Gods – just humans doing the best they can. Intention would matter more than results.
20. No one would be denied treatment because of income – whether from an MD, a dentist, an eye doctor, or a chiropractor. But… 2 different doctors in different cities/towns would need to sign, and date, a form saying the need is great.
21. No company will be allowed to put money over the health or safety of their employees. No excuses.
22. No community, anywhere, will be allowed to put laws on the books telling people what kind of fences they’re allowed to have, or what kind of shingles they have to use, or who they’re allowed to contract with – period. And no city, period, would be allowed to have a police ‘quota’ for tickets.
I’m sure I’ll have lots more if I think of them, but this is my beginning two cents. I’m very careful to not talk about politics with people, but even I have my moments. Our system is outdated and flawed. It needs to be picked over with a fine tooth comb. Our foster care system is a mess, and too often, it breeds disorder. Our children are alternately being bullied or worshiped. Our prisoners are being raped, classed, ostracized and beaten up, when, in fact, they may be in jail for non-violent offenses (stealing a parked car for example), and prisons are overcrowded because of the same dross that’s weighing our system down.
I could never, and would never run for office. I exercise a lot, but am a little overweight. I love nice clothes, but would have no interest in performing for a media circus that was intent on criticizing me – first and foremost, because I’m a woman. I grew up in foster care, and did stupid things in my 20′s. All in all, I’d be too real of a candidate.
And that’s part of the problem too – those that are real, don’t have the money to be part of the system. Most of those that have the money, don’t have the common sense. Wouldn’t it be nice to have something in between?
~ Here’s dreaming ~
~ Rosie
