The Common Ground thread

I'm taking the inspiration for this from Cred's post. I do believe that 70% of normal Americans have common ground that we can agree over, but for whatever reason our voices get drowned out by the vocal minority of extremists.

Things like term limits - I'm open to the idea not only for Congress (especially for Congress) but for SCOTUS as well, somewhere in the length of 25-30 years.

Even though I am obviously a lib, I support gun rights too. I just believe something needs to be done to make it harder for kids under 21 to buy semi-auto rifles with large capacity mags, and for people who are deemed a violent threat by the court (let's say domestic abusers for instance) to not be able to purchase guns while on probation.

Those are just a couple to start, but I am open to more ideas. There has to be more common ground that we can agree on otherwise we risk the United States of America turning into the divided states of America. Also if this thread is going to work I'd like to also say we should approach it from the idea of "what is a position of the opposite party that I agree or don't oppose."

I've wanted term limits and a "Flat tax" for years..............

I agree with legalizing pot, guaranteeing no exclusion for pre existing conditions, and a higher tax on the super rich, which I would define as 6 times yearly average livable wage. Why 6x, that means every year you earn enough money to live an average life for 6 years, which is enough to avoid economic downturns if you are wise with your money, over that should be taxed at a rate needed to sustain the government structure that has given you the ability to "live your dream"

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NJ legalized, good news for NY as they will likely follow suit shortly.

I thought this was kinda crazy, I applaud it but it still surprised me

Oregon Decriminalizes Small Amounts of Heroin and Cocaine (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/ballot-measures-propositions-2020.html)

Oregon is a shithole period. Let their children die, who cares

This is said as someone who has worked with heroin addicts in the past who past diseases like hiv, who purpose starved their children for fixes.

It’s disgraceful period

To me agreeing isn't even necessarily the issue. Or biggest issue(s) at least.

What are you willing to compromise on and/or give up? This is where everything has gone to shit. No compromises in DC. Just incessant name calling.

To me agreeing isn't even necessarily the issue. Or biggest issue(s) at least.

What are you willing to compromise on and/or give up? This is where everything has gone to shit. No compromises in DC. Just incessant name calling.

You can approach drug issues with a health based problem strategy...that’s fine. But you are taking a terrible approach to decriminalize. Use the drug courts as avoidance.

When these shitholes gets funding cut bc one issue or the other, that’s really when u see the issues. Falls thru the cracks of society. Oregon has blood on hands also here come all the drug addicts from California

You can approach drug issues with a health based problem strategy...that’s fine. But you are taking a terrible approach to decriminalize. Use the drug courts as avoidance.

When these shitholes gets funding cut bc one issue or the other, that’s really when u see the issues. Falls thru the cracks of society. Oregon has blood on hands also here come all the drug addicts from California

I gotta dig up the article again but I could swear the article I read said that they will issue fines for certain amounts, and if they do get arrested they can get treatment instead of being convicted. So I'm not gonna judge them off the headline alone.

Since this is the common ground thread, maybe we can try an exercise in compromise. around drugs. So, rather than focusing on the talking points and extreme stances, what core points do we find that common ground on?

Common ground statements - can you compromise on these points, without contradicting your core values:
Decriminalizing recreational pot -
puts the onus on the individual
could lead to acceptance of harder drugs
could reduce the damage done to minority groups by overly harsh sentences
could still have requirements for treatment, but not criminal records
could have requirements for treatment, and expunge criminal records after short sober period
does not mean all drugs should be legal,
does not mean all drugs should be illegal.

Maybe there are other core value statements that have to be worked in to a final solution. What would your redlines be around drug use decriminalization?

Legalize all drugs. Make crimes committed while high on drugs very very stiff, with required treatment prior to going to prison (if convicted).