13 Achievements Conservatives Would Roll Back

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Since President Obama's election, Fox personalities have expressed opposition to or called for the repeal of virtually every progressive achievement of the 20th century, including Social Security, Medicare, the Americans with Disabilities Act, portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the 16th and 17th Amendments to the Constitution.

1. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

Social Security is a federal social insurance program funded through payroll taxes that provides benefits to the elderly and disabled and their survivors. It was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935. Medicare and Medicaid were established by the Social Security Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. They provide health insurance to the elderly and the poor. All three programs have been defended by progressives and opposed by conservatives for decades.

2. 17th Amendment

The 17th Amendment provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators, rather than their selection by state legislators. It was passed by Congress with the support of progressives and submitted to the states in 1912 under President William Howard Taft. It was ratified under President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. Recently, tea party activists and Republican members of Congress have called for its repeal.

3. 16th Amendment

The 16th Amendment allows Congress to collect income taxes. It was passed by Congress and submitted to the states in 1909 and ratified in 1913, both under President Taft. Republican congressmen have called for the amendment's repeal.

4. Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), originally sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and then-Representative Tony Coehlo (D-CA) and signed by President George H.W. Bush, "prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities." Recently, it has been attacked by conservative pundits and candidates.

5. Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 — signed by President Lyndon Johnson and opposed by then-Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater — "prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal."

6. Voting Rights Act of 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Johnson after he "issued a call for a strong voting rights law," outlawed a number of discriminatory voting practices, including requiring literacy tests as a prerequisite for voting.

7. Nuclear arms control

For decades, presidents of both parties negotiated and signed treaties with the Soviet Union (later Russia) to reduce the nuclear arsenals of both nations. President Ronald Reagan, who signed the START I treaty, repeatedly stated that his "ultimate goal" was the "total elimination of nuclear weapons." More recently, conservatives have panned President Obama's new START treaty, which would further reduce nuclear arsenals, and even questioned the importance of nuclear reductions in the first place.

8. Abortion rights

In the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court held that the constitutional right to privacy extends to a woman's decision to have an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, and in the second and third trimesters under certain circumstances. Since then, progressives have traditionally argued in favor of the decision and the right it preserved, while conservatives have opposed it.

9. Labor unions

In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act "to protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining, and to curtail certain private sector labor and management practices." Labor unions have long been part of the progressive coalition, while conservatives have worked to limit their right to bargain collectively.

10. Department of Education

The Department of Education was established by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 and serves to "to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access." Conservatives have long called for the Department's dissolution.

11. Unemployment insurance

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act, signed by President Roosevelt in 1939, together with the Social Security Act of 1935, established the modern U.S. system of unemployment insurance, in which employers pay payroll taxes to the federal and state governments which are used by the states to finance benefits to those who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Conservatives have often attacked the system of unemployment insurance as well as those who receive unemployment benefits.

12. Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970 under President Richard Nixon and works to "protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment — air, water and land — upon which life depends." Its work has long been opposed by conservatives.

13. Progressive taxation

Liberals traditionally support progressive taxation, in which those with less income are taxed at a lower rate than those with higher incomes. Conservatives have opposed that system of taxation in favor of "flat taxes" in which everyone pays the same tax rate.

link

[JohnSmith2007 353]

Media matters??? Good Lord! Getting scared? This kind of fearmongering in prep for the election is funny!! It sounds a lot like the old, "your grandmother will be eating dog food if the reps win" mentality.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Media matters??? Good Lord! Getting scared? This kind of fearmongering in prep for the election is funny!! It sounds a lot like the old, "your grandmother will be eating dog food if the reps win" mentality.

Which of the 13 Achievements do you think should be off that list?

[Danno 1,228]

Steve, I have been meaning to sit down and make out a "TO DO LIST".

... and here is was already made up.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

Which of the 13 Achievements do you think should be off that list?

All of them. The reps will not roll back a single one of them. They had their chance before the dems took over and they didn't do it. What makes you think this time would be any different? This is just political fearmongering.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

All of them. The reps will not roll back a single one of them. They had their chance before the dems took over and they didn't do it. What makes you think this time would be any different? This is just political fearmongering.

It's a wish list of what many Conservatives would do if they had the chance to. Many of them have or are campaigning on such ideas. You should never fear the truth.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

It's a wish list of what many Conservatives would do if they had the chance to. Many of them have or are campaigning on such ideas. You should never fear the truth.

Really? Show me where a majority of Reps would do any of these things. A single one here and there isn't the truth, it is fearmongering.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Really? Show me where a majority of Reps would do any of these things. A single one here and there isn't the truth, it is fearmongering.

Oh, the truth can really bite you on the #######....

...privatizing Social Security, there are a number of leading Republican officeholders who have endorsed the concept of doing so. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), the “ranking member on the House Budget Committee,” has put together a road map for privatizing the program that is similar to President Bush’s failed 2005 plan. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) has also indicated that he’d like to revive the Bush effort. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has talked about the need to “wean” Americans off the program. Meanwhile, a number of leading Republicans running for office have also endorsed radical plans to privatize the program. Both Pennsylvania Republican senate candidate Pat Toomey and Rand Paul have endorsed at least partially privatizing Social Security. Nevada Republican senate candidate Sharon Angle has called for the program to be “phased out,” and Alaska Republican senate candidate Joe Miller has gone even further, declaring that the program is simply unconstitutional.

[evli1966 88]

Since President Obama's election, Fox personalities have expressed opposition to or called for the repeal of virtually every progressive achievement of the 20th century, including Social Security, Medicare, the Americans with Disabilities Act, portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the 16th and 17th Amendments to the Constitution.

1. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

Social Security is a federal social insurance program funded through payroll taxes that provides benefits to the elderly and disabled and their survivors. It was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935. Medicare and Medicaid were established by the Social Security Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. They provide health insurance to the elderly and the poor. All three programs have been defended by progressives and opposed by conservatives for decades.

The opposition is to those recieving benefits who never paid into these programs or their spouses.

Not counting eligible spouses or disabled citizens there are many who now recieve these benefits and have for decades.

While some of the arguments I have not agreed with such as private investment and not paying in sets the stage for peopel not to use the money as it should be used.

2. 17th Amendment

The 17th Amendment provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators, rather than their selection by state legislators. It was passed by Congress with the support of progressives and submitted to the states in 1912 under President William Howard Taft. It was ratified under President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. Recently, tea party activists and Republican members of Congress have called for its repeal.

17th Amendment should stand it was created for a reason

3. 16th Amendment

The 16th Amendment allows Congress to collect income taxes. It was passed by Congress and submitted to the states in 1909 and ratified in 1913, both under President Taft. Republican congressmen have called for the amendment's repeal.

Again another item I do not agree with from the right.

But they wish to change how tax is to be collected abolishing 16th Amendment is not the answer.

4. Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), originally sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and then-Representative Tony Coehlo (D-CA) and signed by President George H.W. Bush, "prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities." Recently, it has been attacked by conservative pundits and candidates.

Actually some of what they say is true.

Being a Veteran with a minor disability I have encountered many disabled people who demand that potential employers make changes to the work environment to allow them to be employed; even though the resulting employment of the disabled person would result in lower productivity than hiring a non disabled person.

Some changes to the Act is needed.

5. Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 — signed by President Lyndon Johnson and opposed by then-Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater — "prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal."

There is no prove of this.

Unless someone is twisting the fact that support to deport Illegals no matter what color race creed religeon etc is supported.

6. Voting Rights Act of 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Johnson after he "issued a call for a strong voting rights law," outlawed a number of discriminatory voting practices, including requiring literacy tests as a prerequisite for voting.

Hmm please provide information where this is true.

7. Nuclear arms control

For decades, presidents of both parties negotiated and signed treaties with the Soviet Union (later Russia) to reduce the nuclear arsenals of both nations. President Ronald Reagan, who signed the START I treaty, repeatedly stated that his "ultimate goal" was the "total elimination of nuclear weapons." More recently, conservatives have panned President Obama's new START treaty, which would further reduce nuclear arsenals, and even questioned the importance of nuclear reductions in the first place.

This is laughable.

Obama is an idiot in this area and although Reagan made these statement and we all agree the world would be better with out them it just will not happen. (Pandora's Box has been opened)

Lets get rid of all Nuclear Arms while countries like North Korea and Iran are deveoping them.

Soon it will not matter because once these countries have them then the terroists will have them if they do not already.

8. Abortion rights

In the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court held that the constitutional right to privacy extends to a woman's decision to have an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, and in the second and third trimesters under certain circumstances. Since then, progressives have traditionally argued in favor of the decision and the right it preserved, while conservatives have opposed it.

Pro Choice will stand

9. Labor unions

In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act "to protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining, and to curtail certain private sector labor and management practices." Labor unions have long been part of the progressive coalition, while conservatives have worked to limit their right to bargain collectively.

Unions had their time and most recently in the last few decades actually hurt the workers with its greed and corruption.

10. Department of Education

The Department of Education was established by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 and serves to "to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access." Conservatives have long called for the Department's dissolution.

I do not think dissolution is needed but chnages are needed.

To many student still drop out, HS education is just not enough anymore.

Equal access is needed for colleges as well.

With that said a college degree is no gaurantee of future success it just means you may have to work harder.

11. Unemployment insurance

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act, signed by President Roosevelt in 1939, together with the Social Security Act of 1935, established the modern U.S. system of unemployment insurance, in which employers pay payroll taxes to the federal and state governments which are used by the states to finance benefits to those who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Conservatives have often attacked the system of unemployment insurance as well as those who receive unemployment benefits.

With what I have read here on the boards regarding people passin on jobs beneath them so they will no tsully their resume the UI needs to go or change.

Also with the new 99 week increase barring SO no matter how long ago their offense and how long they have been working are not eliglble needs to change or the law will be ultimately challenged as prejudicial

12. Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970 under President Richard Nixon and works to "protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment — air, water and land — upon which life depends." Its work has long been opposed by conservatives.

It has been opposed due to the overly restrictive laws passed leading to issues like the BP incident.

13. Progressive taxation

Liberals traditionally support progressive taxation, in which those with less income are taxed at a lower rate than those with higher incomes. Conservatives have opposed that system of taxation in favor of "flat taxes" in which everyone pays the same tax rate.

The traditional tax laws are burdensome and need changing.

a flat tax has both positve and negative

a federal sales tax has lots of positives

coupled together could make things interesting

link

[JohnSmith2007 353]

By the same token I could make a case that dems want to make us a communist country. I can find a few here and there that put the idea forward and by your logic we could say that all dems want to drive us into communism.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

Oh, the truth can really bite you on the #######....

...privatizing Social Security, there are a number of leading Republican officeholders who have endorsed the concept of doing so. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), the “ranking member on the House Budget Committee,” has put together a road map for privatizing the program that is similar to President Bush’s failed 2005 plan. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) has also indicated that he’d like to revive the Bush effort. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has talked about the need to “wean” Americans off the program. Meanwhile, a number of leading Republicans running for office have also endorsed radical plans to privatize the program. Both Pennsylvania Republican senate candidate Pat Toomey and Rand Paul have endorsed at least partially privatizing Social Security. Nevada Republican senate candidate Sharon Angle has called for the program to be “phased out,” and Alaska Republican senate candidate Joe Miller has gone even further, declaring that the program is simply unconstitutional.

And this is your proof? How are these few people going to get a majority in congress to change all 13 items you cite? Your the one that talks about minorities being able to block the majority. These people are just a few people spouting election year BS. You know as well as I do that none of this will ever happen. It is just fearmongering in an election year.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By the same token I could make a case that dems want to make us a communist country. I can find a few here and there that put the idea forward and by your logic we could say that all dems want to drive us into communism.

As if the Right Wing doesn't do this.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

As if the Right Wing doesn't do this.

Good excuse to do it yourself!

[Danno 1,228]

Oh, the truth can really bite you on the #######....

Awwe come'on Steve, the TRUTH IS: You are afraid of Change.

Nothing wrong with modifying or even eliminating programs and methods which have been a failure or are past their time.

EXAMPLE: Dept of Education.

The current budget is more than 68 Billion Dollars!!!

That means every year we dump an ever growing lake of money into an agency which has not delivered a measurable, meaningful increase in education.

Give that money back to the parents in vouchers that "market forces" ... might finally bring about the results the Dept. of Education has failed to deliver.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Since President Obama's election, Fox personalities have expressed opposition to or called for the repeal of virtually every progressive achievement of the 20th century, including Social Security, Medicare, the Americans with Disabilities Act, portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the 16th and 17th Amendments to the Constitution.

1. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

Social Security is a federal social insurance program funded through payroll taxes that provides benefits to the elderly and disabled and their survivors. It was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935. Medicare and Medicaid were established by the Social Security Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. They provide health insurance to the elderly and the poor. All three programs have been defended by progressives and opposed by conservatives for decades.

2. 17th Amendment

The 17th Amendment provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators, rather than their selection by state legislators. It was passed by Congress with the support of progressives and submitted to the states in 1912 under President William Howard Taft. It was ratified under President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. Recently, tea party activists and Republican members of Congress have called for its repeal.

3. 16th Amendment

The 16th Amendment allows Congress to collect income taxes. It was passed by Congress and submitted to the states in 1909 and ratified in 1913, both under President Taft. Republican congressmen have called for the amendment's repeal.

4. Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), originally sponsored by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and then-Representative Tony Coehlo (D-CA) and signed by President George H.W. Bush, "prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities." Recently, it has been attacked by conservative pundits and candidates.

5. Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 — signed by President Lyndon Johnson and opposed by then-Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater — "prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal."

6. Voting Rights Act of 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Johnson after he "issued a call for a strong voting rights law," outlawed a number of discriminatory voting practices, including requiring literacy tests as a prerequisite for voting.

7. Nuclear arms control

For decades, presidents of both parties negotiated and signed treaties with the Soviet Union (later Russia) to reduce the nuclear arsenals of both nations. President Ronald Reagan, who signed the START I treaty, repeatedly stated that his "ultimate goal" was the "total elimination of nuclear weapons." More recently, conservatives have panned President Obama's new START treaty, which would further reduce nuclear arsenals, and even questioned the importance of nuclear reductions in the first place.

8. Abortion rights

In the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court held that the constitutional right to privacy extends to a woman's decision to have an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, and in the second and third trimesters under certain circumstances. Since then, progressives have traditionally argued in favor of the decision and the right it preserved, while conservatives have opposed it.

9. Labor unions

In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act "to protect the rights of employees and employers, to encourage collective bargaining, and to curtail certain private sector labor and management practices." Labor unions have long been part of the progressive coalition, while conservatives have worked to limit their right to bargain collectively.

10. Department of Education

The Department of Education was established by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 and serves to "to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access." Conservatives have long called for the Department's dissolution.

11. Unemployment insurance

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act, signed by President Roosevelt in 1939, together with the Social Security Act of 1935, established the modern U.S. system of unemployment insurance, in which employers pay payroll taxes to the federal and state governments which are used by the states to finance benefits to those who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Conservatives have often attacked the system of unemployment insurance as well as those who receive unemployment benefits.

12. Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970 under President Richard Nixon and works to "protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment — air, water and land — upon which life depends." Its work has long been opposed by conservatives.

13. Progressive taxation

Liberals traditionally support progressive taxation, in which those with less income are taxed at a lower rate than those with higher incomes. Conservatives have opposed that system of taxation in favor of "flat taxes" in which everyone pays the same tax rate.

link

1. All three are bankrupt and have added billions to costs. Good riddance.

2. SOMEONE in our government should not be in perpetual re-election mode. The senate is supposed to represent the STATES, not the people. STATES should decide how their Senators will be chosen, if they want a popular vote and corrupted Senators, it should be their choice.

3. Good Riddance. Replace it with the FAIR TAX

4, 5, 6. All unnecessary. We have constitutional rights which cover these.

7. Moot point. Neither country would ever use them against the other.

8. Covered by the 9th and 10th amendment. Un-needed

9. Unneeded. Besides, all they want to do is make them voluntary, they have no plan to eliminate them. If they were eliminated by being made voluntary, they were never needed anyway.

10. Department of Education doesn't educate anyone. Get rid of it. NOW.

11. State issue...9th and 10th amendment.

12. See number 2, above. EPA has been abused to acheive political agendas and avoid congress. Get rid of it. Allow congress to their job and protect our national interests. Maybe the unelected Senate would do it if the corrupted and paid for House of Representatives doesn't have the nads for it.

13. See number 3 above. FAIR TAX is a progressive tax. Everyone paying the saame rate IS a progressive tax. It also eliminates all the tax loopholes and exlusions enjoyed by wealthy people.