If You Could Change One Thing...

If I could change one thing about the federal government it would be to make them stop wasting money and to make them use our tax money wisely.
One thing I would change about schools is that I'd have them do more prevention classes and more classes on sensitivity and respect towards others.
One thing I'd change about my husband is to make him more affectionate.

To change the Federal Govt- I would change the tax code and make it easier to understand. Alot of people misread and misunderstand the tax code and get burned in the process. These people often had no intent to cheat, but simply misunderstood the very complex tax code.

To change schools - the best computers, a laptop for every child and high speed internet for all!

To change something about my spouse- Are you trying to get me killed? LOL

In changes with the federal government, I would have them give every legal citizen complete health coverage for free so not one person has to be ill or unhealthy and be able to get the treatments and medications they need. As for changes in school systems, it would have to be more teachers/smaller class sizes so every youngster gets the proper attention they need in obtain that all-valuable education so they may get ahead in life with equal opportunities for all. With a spouse, the only change I'd make would be in finding one!

I think I'd like to see term limits in Congress.

If you could change one thing about our federal government, what would it be?

Answer: I would put all the politicians under some sort merit base pay. If they can't balance the budget or if their programs go over budget, they get assessed a penalty.

How about public schools? If you could change one thing...?

Answer: I would get rid of all the teacher unions that impede the removal of bad teachers.

Okay, how about your spouse?
I plead the 5th

1) About changing the government I would change the nature of the money we use to a non-POM. (See Invisible Hand.)

2) I would remove the grading function from the teachers and make that the sole responsiblity of a completely independent staff. That would make the teachers and students be on the same side.

3) I would make her 135 lbs so she could ride her horse better.

If you could change one thing about our federal government, what would it be? Now don't get greedy. Just one thing.


I would change their retirement plan and make them have to use social security same as everyone else instead of this crap in effect now where they retain their salaries till they die!


How about public schools? If you could change one thing...?

I would make all of the ones that have a "no tattling" policy throw it out and have "tattle boxes" or other options where the kids are encouraged to communicate about things that are bothering them and even given anonymous avenues to do so. I think it would make kids feel better about coming forward with their problems with bullies, students using drugs, students that are pregnant, students with bad home lives or being abused, etc. I think this one thing would make a huge difference in making our schools a safer place for our kids


Okay, how about your spouse?
Absolutely nothing. I love him just the way he is. It drives me a little crazy that he is a little bit of a procrastinator but I am a severe get it done now kind of person so his procrastination helps give us balance so I would not change a thing. He is wonderful just the way he is!

government, make it easier for the elderly
public school,,, at least here help those in the bright areas, let them go ahead
husband,, make him a cigerette that cant hurt him or others around him and this make him happy( he been smoke free for 3 months now ) bear cat for 2

I like the above idea where they can only get Social Security and they should HAVE to use medicare, then they would improve these things for all

for schools: increase the pay rate for teachers so people who would LIKE to be teacheres could actually afford to live while being one, we might get some better quailifed teachers that way.

Hubby: nothing :)

For the federal gov. I would make a change in the taxes and cut them down. For the schools I would give teachers a raise and for my husband, to make him more affectionate.

Oh, boy..one thing, huh?

The federal government must reform the healthcare system to provide reasonable cost insurance to its CITIZENS which will be comprehensive for preventive care and when a major illness strikes.

Schools should include a "practical" curriculum coupled with an academic one such as teaching kids how to balance a checkbook, counseling about credit card debt, and nutrition counseling.

I'm not denying that there are days my husband could put me over the edge but it dissipates pretty quick when we talk it over. I'm extremely grateful and blessed by his presence in my life.

If you could change one thing about our federal government, what would it be? Now don't get greedy. Just one thing.

I would change the current [and always has been] method they use to determine how much to tax people.



How about public schools? If you could change one thing...? I would make them "three Strikes You're Out" schools...miss classes, disrespectful, fighting, bullying, all count as strikes and the second strike your parents are fined an amount based on the issue causing the problem and must be paid within a week and the third strike the parent must come and sit with you in school for the entire day supervising you for a week.....that should cut down on all this bullcrap going on now.



Okay, how about your spouse? His NON-handyman status. He can sing like a bird and play any insturment but a hammer and nail confuse him and we have so much that needs done around here that I can't do myself and can't afford to hire the work out....*sigh*

Great questions.

If I could change one thing about the federal government I'd put someone well-qualified and wise enough to run the nation in charge.

And I haven't got a spouse. :)

I'll answer the one about my spouse. I'd make him more easy going... two uptight people can get frustrating sometimes.

I'd make the senators and congress have the same health care as we do and not for life, the job ends so do all the benefits.

I'd make it mandatory for students to have practical classes such as: Marriage and family, real life economics(based on running a household including how to stretch a dollar), manners and consideration for fellow human beings.

I don't have a spouse, but I wouldn't change my finance.

I loved reading the responses... thanks for publishing this provocative discussion Marilyn!

By the way... I hope you're feeling better!

I can't say it any better than Danielle did... but I DO have a spouse so I will add what I would change about him.

Not a thing.

Federal Gov't- Realize that healthcare is a basic human right.

Public Schools - Give the teachers and ESP's a nice big raise and to heck with the Administration.

My spouse - That he'd get serious about his health.

#1-I'm gonna have to piggy-back Kimber L. That retirement plan is a hot mess
#2- I would put much more of the "ARTS" (Drama, Acting, Music) into it
#3- His Inability to see the forest beyond the trees. He's just so.......hot-tempered and stubborn in his ways ,then by the time the storm is over, he'd pissed everyone off with his temper-fits and righteous attitude. Can you tell he's got me that way right now.(Lord, give me strength)

I want educated children who can compete in a global economy. Healthcare is right up there but if people can't afford to earn money to help pay for drugs and doctor care, then I think they need an education and a decent job.

I'd have them stop this insidious war...

How about honest politians? Just one would help.

"Schools? Better pay so we could hire better teachers.

Husband? LOL Don't have one, don't want one. Once was enough for me. I'm no glutton for punishment.

Good choice of questions.

Hmmm, this is a hard one. There are so many things that could be better. Great questions!

If I could change one thing about the federal government, I would do away with the IRS!!!!! YAY!!!!

In the schools, I would do away with the TAKS testing!!!!

Honestly: government - Supreme Court Justices would be elected as opposed to political appointees; public schools - teachers should be paid more money (yes; more;) and I wish my spouse would get treatment for his medical problems.

Hmmm. Okay. I like the idea of our government officials having to have the same kind of medical coverage and medical care that we all do - so they can out understand our frustrations.

I would make sure teachers are graded for their performance...about whether or not their students are actually learning (and enjoying learning) and not just passing tests.

Hubby? He gets on here from time to time, so...I'd urge him to follow the doctor's instructions more, especially when it comes to his diet.

Uh, Phyllis... not only is The Chive dead on in pointing out just how Compassionate a Conservative you are, but the The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 already did that.

Duh! What Penny and Chive said.

A mouth is a terrible thing to waste. Research before forming an opinion, how about it?

Government - Speed up the process of a disabilty case... i've been fighting for mine for 2 years now!

Pooblik Skooles- Me goned tu Pooblik Skooles! lol. but seriously, i would still have the moment of silence, so that the kids that do pray can, and those who dont can just use the time to think for a sec or wake up...

My man- his hard headedness! He'll tell you he's right till he's blue in the face, then half the time it blows up in his face... lol.

I would make them all have term limits and then survive on Social Security like the rest of us.
As for my husband; I would have him not worry so much about what needs to be done or what he didn't get done. I would like him to relax a little more and not sweat the small stuff.

For real justice.
Better paid teachers.
Neater spouce.

Government- that's a loss
Schools- more pay for teachers.
I love my husband just the way he is.
But if I could I would ask that people stop killing and abusing each other.

10 4 u

federal government change--lower taxes

public schools change--lower school taxes

husband change--no snoriing

If I could change one thing about the federal government. Take away there POWER!!!! MU HA HA HA

These are good questions. It's just too bad that not all of the commenters had their answers and attacked other commenters for voicing their choices for change.

Perhaps someone could ask what you would change about people and my answer would be that they allow others to comment or voice opinons without being attacked in print for doing so; that they be willing to show some respect for the feelings of their fellow humans.

The guys in government shouldn't get to decide when they get a raise and how much they will make. Only people who own businesses get to decide that and they don't own the government they work for, so they shouldn't get to decide their wages/salaries. Or maybe it should be that civil servants should be like everyone else: it should be possible to fire them if they do a lousy job.
Schools allow too much violence and should allow bus drivers more power to deal with threats from the students.
I don't have a husband, thank goodness. There were too many things that needed changing, so he is gone instead.