Make him take the citizenship test. See if he can pass it.
He said himself during his campaign, "I've been to all 57 states...." Are you kidding me?!?
59 votes
I disagreeHe said himself during his campaign, "I've been to all 57 states...." Are you kidding me?!?
59 votes
I disagreeOur food chain is being adulterated/poisoned/contaminated, killing us for the sake of greed (or depopulation). This will make Big-Pharma profit and the "New Health Plan" (which I don't support) cost much more money. Don't take away nutritional supplements. Mr. Obama, you planted an organic garden for your family, let us have organic food too. Don't criminalize people who produce healthy food. Codex was founded by ...more »
Our food chain is being adulterated/poisoned/contaminated, killing us for the sake of greed (or depopulation). This will make Big-Pharma profit and the "New Health Plan" (which I don't support) cost much more money. Don't take away nutritional supplements. Mr. Obama, you planted an organic garden for your family, let us have organic food too. Don't criminalize people who produce healthy food.
Codex was founded by a Nazi man who was a threat to humanity during WWII who later became the president of IG Farben. He wanted to control people by controlling the food. Is that what you want to do?
« less full details »
58 votes
I disagreeOne of the major challenges with large initiatives (such as this Transparency and Open Government initiative) and large organizations/institutions (such as the Federal Government) is the lack of integration, collaboration, and synergy that usually result from trying to design, implement, and manage anything this large and complex. They are typically designed and implemented in separate pieces based on the concept that ...more »
One of the major challenges with large initiatives (such as this Transparency and Open Government initiative) and large organizations/institutions (such as the Federal Government) is the lack of integration, collaboration, and synergy that usually result from trying to design, implement, and manage anything this large and complex. They are typically designed and implemented in separate pieces based on the concept that if you break something large, and therefore difficult or impossible to design, implement, and manage, down into its component parts and work on each part separately, that when you put them all back together they will somehow work well together as a complete system. This is a mechanistic approach, or what is known in science as a “Newtonian” approach, to systems that are neither machines nor the static, predictable environments that these traditional approaches treat them as.
A large, complex system like the Federal Government is neither a machine nor a static, predictable environment, so traditional approaches just don’t work well. For example, each new piece of legislation and each new regulation can’t just be “plugged in” to the existing “machinery” of the current government without impacting other aspects of the government.
A graphic example of this, that we all have to deal with at least once a year, are the Federal Tax Code and the IRS regulations that try to “Provide America's taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all” (IRS Mission Statement).
How can the IRS effectively and efficiently carry out its mission when the Tax Code is a massive patchwork of laws that have been enacted as separate measures, often driven by political aims rather than the common good?
How can a Senator or Representative gain sufficient understanding of this jumble to pass legislation that will optimize the entire system of taxes, including their impact on and interaction with all of the different factors and stakeholders, rather than just the small piece they are working on (even if we assume the best intentions on their part of working for the common good)?
How can taxpayers possibly understand and comply with this mess, especially when it keeps changing all the time and makes little real sense to them even when they can figure out what actions they’re supposed to take?
So the government is not a machine; it is a complex, living, evolving system. In fact, any system involving people is by nature complex and constantly changing, since we are so driven by our personal beliefs, needs, feelings, relationships, and reactions to our environment. Trying to design, implement, and manage a transparent, open government for 300 million of us diverse, unpredictable humans is almost unimaginably complex. What we need for this is a proven way to work with complex living systems, what is often called a “Whole Systems Approach.”
A Whole Systems Approach considers all the factors and elements involved, including how they relate to each other, how they work together as a whole, what the system needs to develop, thrive, and evolve in its environment, and how the system impacts and interacts with its surrounding environment, including how the system will be able to respond and evolve as needs and the surrounding environment change.
For the Transparency and Open Government Initiative this would involve using a whole systems approach throughout this initiative – brainstorming, designing, implementing, and managing the system. This whole systems approach should include:
Look at how the best ideas that emerge out of this effort can come together within the existing government system to collectively produce the desired outcomes of a transparent and open government, as well as the most beneficial impact on the other aspects of the government and the environment in which it operates – this country and the world. The goal is to create synergies that result in a system that is greater than the sum of its parts (these ideas and the elements of the government they involve) -- rather than the other way around, which is the usual result of a mechanistic approach to a complex system. This includes not just synergistic relationships within the Federal Government, but with key aspects of the environment in which it operates such as State and Local Governments, as well as with other current government initiatives such as Economic Recovery.
To address the complexity and uncertainty inherent in this system, a whole systems approach is first and foremost based on a set of principles. These principles guide and shape the whole systems process rather than prescribing a fixed recipe or methodology that details out each step of the process like mechanistic approaches do. What these whole systems principles are varies somewhat among whole systems practitioners and should be crafted collaboratively anyway as part of the initiative’s participative process. But I can provide a couple of examples here to help you envision how they are different from other, more linear, mechanistic approaches.
-- Design for Emergence – This is a concept from complexity science that addresses how to deal with the uncertainty involved with complex, rapidly changing systems. It basically means that you can’t predict in advance everything that will happen within the system, so don’t overdesign everything in the system up front. Instead, design just enough of the system to be able to simulate, prototype or pilot it, observe what happens, and then adjust the design based on your observations of what emerged from the system (thus the term, “design for emergence”). To deal with the complexity of the system, it can also involve implementing the system in stages with each stage adding additional complexity to the previous stages that are already operational and observing and changing the system based on what emerges when you add additional complexity.
-- Design for Sustainability - This means you should expect to go through iterations of this process pretty much indefinitely. This is because not only will you need to make changes to the design based on your observations of the initial implementation, you will also need to keep making changes indefinitely to adapt to ongoing changes in the environment. Another consideration in designing for sustainability is to place a strong emphasis on transforming the underlying culture by embedding the new mindset and practices so deeply into the culture that the system will be sustainable through major changes such as a change of parties, personalities, or priorities in the White House.
Ideally, the whole system view should include the following major elements, how they relate to each other, how they relate to the existing government system, and how the whole thing works together as a whole system. Ideas already posted here are shown in (parens) as examples of each element. This big picture view will also enable us to identify gaps, overlaps, and conflicts between the ideas/elements.
-- Strategy – What are the most important questions we need to address with this initiative such as, “What does ‘open and transparent government’ really mean? Why are we doing this? What are we trying to accomplish? What does success look like? What are the most important factors involved in achieving this success?
(examples: “Develop an overall adaptive, participative strategy for Transparency and Open Government”; “Require all agencies to submit a plan for open government”)
-- Culture (examples: “Ask Federal Agencies to Adopt the Core Principles for Public Engagement”; “Create a Government-wide Transparency, Collaboration, and Participation Culture”)
-- Leadership (examples: President Obama’s ongoing leadership of this initiative, starting with his “Memorandum For The Heads Of Executive Departments And Agencies”; “Hold Agencies Accountable for Implementing the Open Government Directive”)
-- Communication (examples: “Promise USA - National Network of Citizen Conversation”; “Convene the American Public in National Discussions ...”, “Use visual recording and mini animations to convey complex ideas”)
-- Processes – (examples: “72-Hour Mandatory Public Review Period on Major Spending Bills”; “Centralize petitions to Congress and the President”)
-- Organization – (example: “Integrate Participation and Collaboration into All Major Systems of Federal Agencies”, “Invite Congress to work with the Administration on this as a government-wide, bi-partisan initiative”)
-- Technology (examples: “Online, visually interactive, one-stop-shop, federal budget website”, “Digitize everything”)
-- Resources/Funding (example: “Fully fund participation and collaboration activities”)
-- External Relationships – (examples: “Encourage State and Local Governments to Become More Open and Inclusive”, “Use 501c3 non-profit member and volunteer-based organizations and community-based initiatives as models/benchmarks for the Federal government”)
-- System Measurement & Improvement – (example: “Process for measuring, widely communicating the measurement results, and continuously improving the transparency and openness of the government”)
Employ proven systems tools to do this. Some of the ideas already presented in this forum are examples of systems tools: widespread, diverse, coordinated participation; ongoing dialogue; weaving the ideas together into graphic maps or models; social networking, collaboration, and information gathering and dissemination technologies, and others. But there are other tools that would also be useful.
To begin this Whole Systems process and to illustrate how it works, I took a cursory look at the top ideas posted here so far and visualized the system that would possibly result from integrating them. In doing so, I identified some areas where I felt the composite of these ideas needed strengthening in order to create a Whole System that could meet President Obama’s objectives. As a result, I have added several new ideas as separate postings in this forum. They are meant to come together with the existing ideas to create a more effective Whole System. These have been posted already or will be soon.
Develop an overall adaptive, participative strategy for Transparency and Open Government
Create a government-wide culture of transparency, collaboration, and participation
Invite Congress to partner with the Administration on this as a government-wide, bi-partisan initiative
Use 501c3 non-profit member and volunteer-based organizations and community-based initiatives as models/benchmarks for the Federal government
Process for measuring, widely communicating the measurement results, and continuously improving the transparency and openness of the government
« less full details »
58 votes
I disagreeSo much for the "transparency" of this administration. I and thousands of others have asked one simple question and most if not all of these posting keep being deleted. Perhaps there is great merit to our question and we have hit a raw nerve by asking. Why are hundreds of thousands of dollars being paid to BHO's lawyers to keep his real Birth Certificate hidden? Is the POTUS hiding the fact that he was really born in ...more »
So much for the "transparency" of this administration. I and thousands of others have asked one simple question and most if not all of these posting keep being deleted. Perhaps there is great merit to our question and we have hit a raw nerve by asking. Why are hundreds of thousands of dollars being paid to BHO's lawyers to keep his real Birth Certificate hidden? Is the POTUS hiding the fact that he was really born in Kenya as his grandma says she witnessed?
I am an American. Decended from legal immigrants from back in the 1760's. I can prove when and where I was born and trace my blood line far back beyond those same legal immigrants that came here seeking freedom of religion. I'm a nobody, average citizen and I can prove all of this about me.
Come on Mr. President....show us the real Birth Certificate, if you dare. But most likely, this post too will be deleted by those who know this is a real issue.
« less full details »
58 votes
I disagreeAll we are asking is that the man voted to the highest office in America prove that he is elible for the Presidency by producing a legal documentation of his birth certificate.
58 votes
I disagreeTerm limits are the only way to control corruption in Washington. Both political parties are corrupt, and both are drunk on the sweet nectar of power. Democrats and Republicans have BOTH lost touch with the common man, and they've turned him into the forgotten man. Instead of representing our interests, they represent their own. They force stupid laws on us, and create ridiculous programs that they say are designed ...more »
Term limits are the only way to control corruption in Washington. Both political parties are corrupt, and both are drunk on the sweet nectar of power.
Democrats and Republicans have BOTH lost touch with the common man, and they've turned him into the forgotten man. Instead of representing our interests, they represent their own. They force stupid laws on us, and create ridiculous programs that they say are designed to help us. The programs they create do not really help anyone. When government intrudes into our personal lives, it can only make our lives worse.
Look at the Stimulousy Package, for instance. What real good has come of the stimulousy package? Can anyone name one shovel ready job the stimulousy package has created? Can anyone say the money went where it was truly needed? A nice chunk of it went to fund ACORN. was that really necessary? Does ACORN really do anything besides screw up whatever they touch?
Yes, we have trillions of dollars floating around in the Moronisphere somewhere that's only causing our grandchildren and great grandchildren to go deep into debt, even before they're born. I blame the people who voted in favor of this worthless bill, and not the President. He only signed it. Congress created it, and it's nothing but a boondoggle hanging around our necks for generations to come. It will be known as Obama's folly, because that's all it has become.
What we need are responsible lawmakers and representatives in Congress, and not the same old corrupt, lying weasels who would sell their own mother's wheel chair for a dime. It's time for term limits, and it's time for them NOW!
« less full details »
58 votes
I disagreeThere is a big difference in a "Certificate of live Birth" and a "Birth Certificate". The "Birth Certificate" is issued saying someone was born and this person is recognized by the state in which it is filed. A "Certificate of live Birth" is issued by the Hospital and signed by the Doctor and sometimes a nurse of witness ... saying that they verify that the individual baby was delivered by them or that they saw the ...more »
There is a big difference in a "Certificate of live Birth" and a "Birth Certificate". The "Birth Certificate" is issued saying someone was born and this person is recognized by the state in which it is filed. A "Certificate of live Birth" is issued by the Hospital and signed by the Doctor and sometimes a nurse of witness ... saying that they verify that the individual baby was delivered by them or that they saw the birth of the child.
We have two children and have both items. It appears that certain Government Officials as well as the media are playing dumb by saying certain things to ignore the issue. My President ... who I voted for ... needs to show his "Certificate of Live Birth" (some call it the long form) and shut up all this argument up about who is eligible to be President. Of course if my President is hiring lawyers to hide this fact and keep people from seeing the "Certificate of Live Birth" ... then I can only assume that neither He/she or those working for that Office are honest. In that case ... I am without a President and our Country is leaderless.
I am glad I strongly believe in my "Country", but I am loosing faith in my "Government" and the Office of our (supposedly) President. Just show the "Certificate of Live Birth". I don't care what you do with the "Birth Certificate" ... that little piece of paper means nothing. I want to know who saw an Obama baby being born and who delivered the child. I don't need a state to tell me they recognize someone as being born. I want a witness to say they participated and saw the birth.
I was not born in a hospital. My uncle (a country doctor)delivered me at home in 1950 .. and I even have a "Certificate of Live Birth". I also have a Birth Certificate from the State. On my "Certificate of Live Birth" my uncle as the doctor signed th "Certificate of Live Birth" as well as a nurse.
Put an end to all this mess. Disclose the "Certificate of Live Birth" ... or shut down this bogus webb site. The U.S. Government is doing the same old thing of covering up the truth. It is amazing how expensive it is to hire lawyers to make sure no one knows the truth.
« less full details »
58 votes
I disagreeWell, Mr. ABSCAM, John Murtha, has done it again. He's involved in another scandal. This time he's unwittingly funneled federal money to drug dealers in exchange for their donations to his campaign. It's time for that senile, corrupt moron to retire. It's time to ask him to step down. It's time to end the Democrat and Republican culture of corruption in Washington. Both parties are corrupt, and both parties need to ...more »
Well, Mr. ABSCAM, John Murtha, has done it again. He's involved in another scandal. This time he's unwittingly funneled federal money to drug dealers in exchange for their donations to his campaign.
It's time for that senile, corrupt moron to retire. It's time to ask him to step down. It's time to end the Democrat and Republican culture of corruption in Washington. Both parties are corrupt, and both parties need to clean up their act.
Murtha and Pelosi must go!
« less full details »
58 votes
I disagreeWhat are the latest US military death toll numbers since Obama has become president? From what I've heard lately on the news, terrorist attacks against US troops, and Iraqi and Afghani civilians have increased significantly. Yet we never get a body count from the state controlled media like we did when Bush was president. Why not? Is it different now that Obama is president? Does the news media think it will make Obama ...more »
What are the latest US military death toll numbers since Obama has become president? From what I've heard lately on the news, terrorist attacks against US troops, and Iraqi and Afghani civilians have increased significantly. Yet we never get a body count from the state controlled media like we did when Bush was president. Why not? Is it different now that Obama is president? Does the news media think it will make Obama totally unpopular to report the latest number of American casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan? Is that why we're not hearing anything?
Obama is now in charge, and if his apology tour, or his policies are causing more US troops to lose their lives, then we have a right to know, just like we had a right when Bush was president. Remember when we hit 1,000 casualties in Iraq? Democrats fought each other over who would get to the microphone first to tell the nation. Now you don't hear one peep out of a Democrat about US casualties. Not even John Murtha has said anything, and he believes the US military is broken. Or does he now believe Obama fixed it?
Iraq and Afghanistan have now become the sole responsibility of Obama and the Democrat party. They are responsible for keeping the people informed on what's going on over there, even if it's bad news. That's a part of transparency. They can't claim Bush is responsible any more, nor can they blame Bush for any more combat deaths since they've altered what they call Bush's failed policies. It is now their policies that are in effect.
Where's the concern? Where's the transparency they chided Bush didn't have?
« less full details »
56 votes
I disagreeBarney Frank and Chris Dodd continue to play major roles in the business of Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae -- the two quasi-government agencies whose loose fiscal practices caused the housing bubble explosion. Frank and Dodd will be influential in conducting hearings seeking to find out who is responsible for the housing bubble snafu. This is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house! It is time that an independent-of-congress ...more »
Barney Frank and Chris Dodd continue to play major roles in the business of Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae -- the two quasi-government agencies whose loose fiscal practices caused the housing bubble explosion. Frank and Dodd will be influential in conducting hearings seeking to find out who is responsible for the housing bubble snafu. This is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house! It is time that an independent-of-congress legal counsel be selected to investigate all concerned, in particular Frank and Dodd with respect to this issue.
« less full details »
56 votes
I disagreeIf someone wants to create a post on whether BHO is Constitutionally fit to be our president... let them.
56 votes
I disagree
55 votes
I disagreeYou live in Florida and your views line up more with Nader but you're afraid to give your vote to Bush? Support instant runoff elections! It allows you a second choice candidate. If your choice is not in the top two your vote will go to you second choice...Gore! Then you can vote your conscience without being responsible for 8 years of SHRUB and Dick Cheney! If you are not satisfied with the 2 party monopoly stranglehold, ...more »
You live in Florida and your views line up more with Nader but you're afraid to give your vote to Bush? Support instant runoff elections!
It allows you a second choice candidate. If your choice is not in the top two your vote will go to you second choice...Gore! Then you can vote your conscience without being responsible for 8 years of SHRUB and Dick Cheney!
If you are not satisfied with the 2 party monopoly stranglehold, not only of power, but of ideas and debate...then instant runoff voting is the only way these voices will ever be heard.
« less full details »
55 votes
I disagreeOutlaw nontransparent lobbying. The intent here is not to ofend anyone. However, as long as the the big moneyed, special interests have such intimate access to our elected officials, which is beyond the means of most "normal" citizens there is, in my opinion to much influence being "paid for". I hope this gets my point across better.
55 votes
I disagreeAlthough it has been indicted for voter fraud and implicated on other instances of wrongdoing at the taxpayers expense, it appears that ACORN may be of the entities hired to be census takers. This corrupt organization cannot be allowed to participate in Governmental functions.
55 votes
I disagreeDo you want officials to continue to get away with victimizing society? Do you want police to keep tazering and filing false criminal charges against the public? Do you want the in this land to continue to disregard "real law" after "real law" because they want to legislate from the bench anymore? Do you want lawyers to be able to continue to walk into a courtroom in this land and 1) protect child molestors or ...more »
Do you want officials to continue to get away with victimizing society?
Do you want police to keep tazering and filing false criminal charges against the public?
Do you want the in this land to continue to disregard "real law" after "real law" because they want to legislate from the bench anymore?
Do you want lawyers to be able to continue to walk into a courtroom in this land and 1) protect child molestors or other criminals by lying?
2)prosecute or defend ANY other case by not having to present ONLY the truth and the real facts, without being prosecuted for those crimes?
If we take a stand and take their immunity away...they cannot get away with all of the games anymore....Think of all of the lives that will not be ruined by wrongful convictions....or....Think of all of the violent criminals that will not roam free anymore....& surely the rate of false criminal charges that are filed will go down because then police will think twice about being held responsible for their crimes against society....
« less full details »
54 votes
I disagreeHow can obama say that he will give a tax decrease for 95% of americans and then want to tax healthcare benefits at a rate of 25%. I had the choice to choose a job with health benefits pay for by my employer. So does every other american. They also have the option of buying their own healthcare insurance. Do not and I repeat do not tax my healthcare benefits.
53 votes
I disagreeIt's time the censorship dealing with Obama's birth certificate came to an end. You keep censoring those comments, and you're just going to add to the suspicion that Obama is hiding something. The more you censor, the more people you add to the side that questions Obama and his elligibility to be President. Or haven't you bright people who censor us thought of that angle?
53 votes
I disagreeit appears you are hiding something? perhaps the truth? prove you are who you pretend to be
53 votes
I disagreeWhy won't you share a copy of your birth certificate....Why won't you show us a copy of your passport...Why won't you show us a copy of your school transcripts....Why have you spent 1ml dollars on 10 attorneys to protect your records.....Why does Mr Gibb your press secretary laughs when the subject of your birth certificate is brought up at the press conferences...WHY, WHY, WHY ???
53 votes
I disagreeI am now being moderated! Free speech may be a thing of the past.
52 votes
I disagreeSomebody start collecting money to buy advertising in Hawaii to ask for leads as to whom the Dr. is that delivered Obama. We need a movement dedicated to finding and interviewing this most auspicious obstetrician. What an honor to be the man who delivered B.H.O.! Wouldn't we be able to contact ALL of the living obstetricians in Hawaii who were practicing at the time of his arrival upon the earth? How many could ...more »
Somebody start collecting money to buy advertising in Hawaii to ask for leads as to whom the Dr. is that delivered Obama.
We need a movement dedicated to finding and interviewing this most auspicious obstetrician. What an honor to be the man who delivered B.H.O.!
Wouldn't we be able to contact ALL of the living obstetricians in Hawaii who were practicing at the time of his arrival upon the earth? How many could there have been?
Let's find them so we can honor them!!!
« less full details »
52 votes
I disagreeCandidate Obama promised us more transparency in government. Candidate Obama promised us a chance to examine all legislation that came up for vote before Congress. What happened to candidate Obama? He disappeared once he became elected Obama. All those promises seemed to disappear into thin air. I don't doubt Penn and Teller are still looking for them. Obama broke his transparency promise through fear mongering when ...more »
Candidate Obama promised us more transparency in government. Candidate Obama promised us a chance to examine all legislation that came up for vote before Congress.
What happened to candidate Obama? He disappeared once he became elected Obama. All those promises seemed to disappear into thin air. I don't doubt Penn and Teller are still looking for them.
Obama broke his transparency promise through fear mongering when the Stimulousy Package came to the floor of the house for a vote. He swore we needed to pass it right away or else we'd all be wearing nothing but barrels the next day. The Stimulousy Package was passed, and no one knew for sure what was in it.
The omnibus bill came next, but that was blamed on the Bush administration, so transparency didn't matter there either. How many more bills and stupid laws are going to be passed without anyone getting to see what's inside them?
Obama was supposed to be different. He turned out to be the defender of the same old Beltway status quo. Screw unto others before they screw unto you seems to be the philosophy Obama now follows, along with his merry band of robbing hoods, also known as Democrats.
The American people are growing tired and restless with politics as usual. That's what the tea parties were about, not just taxes as some misguided dunderheads may think.
« less full details »
52 votes
I disagreeI voted for Obama, but am beginning to see how his supporters were mislead. Remember the fairy tale about the King that convinced all his subjects that he was wearing clothes when, in fact, he was totally nude? One day when the man was parading in front of his subjects, a wee small voice piped up and say, "The Emperor has no clothes." That wee small voice has reached my ears. How about yours? Still think Obama is ...more »
I voted for Obama, but am beginning to see how his supporters were mislead. Remember the fairy tale about the King that convinced all his subjects that he was wearing clothes when, in fact, he was totally nude? One day when the man was parading in front of his subjects, a wee small voice piped up and say, "The Emperor has no clothes." That wee small voice has reached my ears. How about yours? Still think Obama is the man that we were led to believe he was?
« less full details »
51 votes
I disagreeI would recommend installing electric smart meter technology in each federal building and appoint one employee to monitor and attempt to reduce the building's energy use. This could be the first stage in a larger process of installing solar panels on all federal buildings.
Social Web