Separation of Church and State 

We need a stronger set of regulations and public transparency regarding the separation of church and state.

Ones religious beliefs should be private and should not be included in the affairs of the state. More importantly, religious views should not be the motivating factors behind policy.

Rumsfeld would deliver war briefings to President Bush with a quote from the Bible on the cover. That should never have been allowed.

The freedom of religion is important in this country; but, the freedom FROM religion is important in our government.

Congress must show up and Vote. 

Hi.

I find it frustrating how many times members of congress are absent when votes come before them. I feel that we must put in place some sort of mandatory requirement. If I don't show up to work, I lose my job.

Now, I understand that a politician's job requires travel and that when campaigning for re-election it's not possible to attend every vote. I'm fine with that. Work in a respectable provision that allows for that.

Let's make sure members of congress are forced to show up and vote a bit more often. And, if they don't, they need to face some sort of repercussion. Like losing seniority, committee positions and eventually their jobs.

Obesity Problem 

Hi. This is just a rough idea, but I felt I should share it.

Our country is dealing with a huge obesity problem. In short, we need to get this country to exercise.

I think it would be worthwhile for the government to set aside funds to partially subsidize exercise and fitness programs.

While we do have low cost alternatives like the YMCA and public park space for running and jogging that’s clearly not doing enough. And, for a lot of people those spaces now have a low class stigma to them. Regardless of how great they are.

Now maybe this is something that can be tackled with healthcare reform, or maybe it’s just part of boosting the nations morale, but I think it would be amazing if the government worked out a system where we could just walk into an eligible gym or fitness class and pay little or nothing. Gyms would have to meet specific criteria and obviously cost needs to be managed appropriately.

This would ultimately make America fitter and it would result in lower health care related costs (heart disease, diabetes, etc). A fit and healthy population needs less medical attention.

Maybe it’s something to be included in a (long fabled) “single payer” health care system. But in the meantime, I think it would be fantastic to see the government making a push to get America back in shape. If we the taxpayers all split the cost everyone could enjoy life at the fullest – even those who have recently lost their jobs.

I know our obesity is caused by a lot of cultural factors and that not everyone wants to go to a yoga class, lift weights, and run around a track; but, I think providing some sort of government funded exercise would be a big morale boot for America. It’s time we did something fun with our tax dollars. It can't all be war and auto bailouts.

One Bill = One Idea 

One thing I find frustrating is that congress can pass a bill with "hidden" mini laws.

For example, congress recently passed a bill to reform credit card companies and it also included a provision allowing people to carry handguns into national parks. What? How do those two ideas relate?

Those items should have been two separate bills. I know politics is about compromise; but, I want congress debating the details of credit card reform and not slipping in a gun law so that they can get a few extra votes. This seems disingenuous.

Each bill should focus on one idea/concept/law. This only seems fair.

President's Salary = $1 per year 

I really like Obama, but in this modern age there is no real need for the President to make a salary of $400,000 per year. Right?

For several decades each new president has already been wealthy when entering office. After leaving office the multi-million dollar book deals, lucrative speaking tours, and their general celebrity makes the idea of paying the president seem silly.

I think the presidential salary during office should be revoked and that our current president should set a strong precedent by working for only one dollar per year.

U.S. citizens are all making sacrifices in our daily lives and we will have to make more. I think this symbolic gesture would mean a lot and would send a strong message to corporate america as well.

President George Washington refused to accept his salary asking that his living expenses to be covered. I think that paying living expenses is an acceptable thing to do. Currently this is $50,000 per year according to Wikipedia.
John F. Kennedy donated his salary to charity.

I think that in this economic down turn it would be the right message for President Obama to do something along this line.

More info on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States#Salary