If you could change things in your country, what would you do?

[Ninastar]

So lets just say we were all rulers of our own countries... what would be some of the things you would do?

One thing I would do is change life sentences to 70 years +... I'm sure I'm not the only one that thinks sentences in court here in the country are pretty tame compared to other places in the world. I'm in no way saying, I'd bring back the death penalty, but I'm only saying that sentences for life should actually mean life. Other charges I'd make longer too, but that all depends on what they are etc. People can get 5 years for brutally assaulting someone and I personally don't think that's right.

I'd make people work for job seekers allowance. Whether it be picking up litter or doing 2 weeks work experience in a cafe. It would be up to the individual and if they chose not to do any work experience, they wouldn't get the benefits. Obviously if they worked in the cafe, they'd get lunch provided. I'd make travel free for people who had to leave their towns to do work experience... I think the more people are sent out on work experience, the better. If I had the power to do something about it, I'd make it a rule for businesses to allow people to work for so many hours a week to learn what to do, to understand what its like to be in a work environment and get used to the schedule, really. (Also, if people don't manage to find a job within 6 months of being on JSA, I'd not let them be on it anymore... it shouldnt take that long tbh)

In schools, (especially lower years) I would want more teaching assistants in class because I think the more help available for the kids, the better.

Another thing I would do was longer school hours (by like an hour or so) but with more breaks. I wouldn't have any children (of any age) in the classroom for any longer than 2 hours straight. I'd want there to be just as much practical work as there was writing/note taking etc. I think the way forward is for children get involved with experiments and discussions because it's so much more interesting that just sitting and listening to teacher speaking.

I'd either make it legal for cyclists to cycle on pavements or have bike paths everywhere. Probably both. Id much rather be knocked down by a cyclist than see someone on a bike get runover by a car.

I'll write down a few more in a bit. I know lots of us here are very political, but please don't be telling people that they are wrong for what they are saying... this is just meant to be a fun/entertaining thread.

[Kyle]

Sounds fun, I'll have a crack.

Fly the St.Georges flag over every major building in every Town and City across England.

Press-gang the penal population into community service projects as additional penance for their crimes and reward their contributions by small perks or slightly reduced terms.

Encourage children in school to pick what sports they would like to do and allow them to take part in them. Increase physical education periods in the curriculum.

Take an isolationist policy with regards to military intervention unless it contradicts with the national security of ourselves or our allies.

Vastly reduce financial aid to foreign countries. Instead send personnel and equipment that can be used at grass roots rather than filtered through corrupt governments.

Propose a European military police force that acts as peacekeepers with contributions from member states.

Increase greenery and fauna across heavily urban and industrialised areas.

[Kate!]

I like and agree with all your proposals there Caitlin, except the Jobseekers stuff although I do agree a shake up is needed in some way, yours is quite radical and there'd be a backlash, people have to have some money to live on so I wouldn't stop that but making them do voluntary work then yes, I'd personally and gladly do so, but only charitable work but not for a company that's just making money, because giving them free labour would only increase official joblessness (could become a vicious circle?)

Your points about education are very valid and would be a good route to go down :) good food for thought there.

I'll post again later when I've had a think :)

[Kate!]

Sounds fun, I'll have a crack.

Fly the St.Georges flag over every major building in every Town and City across England.

Press-gang the penal population into community service projects as additional penance for their crimes and reward their contributions by small perks or slightly reduced terms.

Encourage children in school to pick what sports they would like to do and allow them to take part in them. Increase physical education periods in the curriculum.

Take an isolationist policy with regards to military intervention unless it contradicts with the national security of ourselves or our allies.

Vastly reduce financial aid to foreign countries. Instead send personnel and equipment that can be used at grass roots rather than filtered through corrupt governments.

Propose a European military police force that acts as peacekeepers with contributions from member states.

Increase greenery and fauna across heavily urban and industrialised areas.

Love the patriotism. All good points raised here.

I'm pretty impressed with both the first two posts in this thread already tbh. The two of you would make a damn sight better job of running the country than the shower we've got in. They've just got no common sense whatsoever :nono:

Sometimes I despair for our country. :(

[Jesus.]

Invest in infrastructure, such as the railways, roads, and bridges, creating jobs for people and increasing tax revenue.

I'd switch televisions and the internet off for key periods of the day to encourage parents to parent, and spend quality time with their families instead of sticking them in front of the TV, or being on the internet i separate rooms.

Provide free babysitting for each couple with children to be able to enjoy a "date night" at least once a fortnight. A strong relationship, will improve parenting.

Any government that votes to go to war would would automatically conscript their own (legal aged) offspring to fight on the front line. If a war is just, then politicians should also be willing to sacrifice.

I'd stop trying to balance the books of the country on the backs of those with least to give. Corporate welfare and tax avoidance would be clamped down on, the tax rates for salaries over £1m/year would be introduced.

Look to reintroduce farming as a major industry in the country, so we have the means to become more self sufficient, instead of relying on big supermarkets.

[Kate!]

Look to reintroduce farming as a major industry in the country, so we have the means to become more self sufficient, instead of relying on big supermarkets.

Amen to this as well, would be a huge step forward, although the supermarket powers that be would kick up a stink, the greedy bastards (especially Tesco - I'm looking at you).

[Crimson Dynamo]

Firstly I would annexe the Sudetenland

or England if you prefer

Repatronising all the Sudeten Scots

Then a lightning war to overrun Wales and Ireland

oh and increase pensionable age to 75

[arista]

[I'd switch televisions and the internet off for key periods of the day to encourage parents to parent, and spend quality time with their families instead of sticking them in front of the TV, or being on the internet i separate rooms.]

No as Live Business News is 24/7 no gaps


Life In The City

[Crimson Dynamo]

[I'd switch televisions and the internet off for key periods of the day to encourage parents to parent, and spend quality time with their families instead of sticking them in front of the TV, or being on the internet i separate rooms.]

No as Live Business News is 24/7 no gaps


Life In The City

Bang right

BBC NEWS 24HD has 2 crucial weather reports every hour and they MUST not be switched off as our climate changes:nono:

[Jesus.]

[I'd switch televisions and the internet off for key periods of the day to encourage parents to parent, and spend quality time with their families instead of sticking them in front of the TV, or being on the internet i separate rooms.]

No as Live Business News is 24/7 no gaps


Life In The City

I somehow doubt that mothers/fathers with children in front of dvd's are busy checking out David Buick on sky news. You could apply for special dispensation as a business or an employee of such a business.

[arista]

Freedom
is more important than J's dream

[Jesus.]

Freedom
is more important than J's dream

In my my oppressive regime, you'll be the first person locked up for dissenting. Your bunker won't save you when I've got bunker-busting bombs in my armoury.

[Crimson Dynamo]

:fist: How dare you insert your big shiny hot missile up Arista's dark bunker, penetrating it and destroying it for all to see

[arista]

In my my oppressive regime, you'll be the first person locked up for dissenting. Your bunker won't save you when I've got bunker-busting bombs in my armoury.


My Drones will stop you
Punk

[Jesus.]

My Drones will stop you
Punk

Arbeit macht frei punk.

[Kyle]

Sounds fun, I'll have a crack.

Fly the St.Georges flag over every major building in every Town and City across England.

Press-gang the penal population into community service projects as additional penance for their crimes and reward their contributions by small perks or slightly reduced terms.

Encourage children in school to pick what sports they would like to do and allow them to take part in them. Increase physical education periods in the curriculum.

Take an isolationist policy with regards to military intervention unless it contradicts with the national security of ourselves or our allies.

Vastly reduce financial aid to foreign countries. Instead send personnel and equipment that can be used at grass roots rather than filtered through corrupt governments.

Propose a European military police force that acts as peacekeepers with contributions from member states.

Increase greenery and fauna across heavily urban and industrialised areas.

Also like to add;

A national holiday of remembrance for those we have lost where all but essential services are closed for the day and people can spend time with loved ones.

A hall of heroes where the names of people who sacrifice themselves In selfless acts to protect or save other people are forever immortalised and in the first year of secondary school a school trip to it would take place including a short lecture about being independent but also empathising with others and the merits of helping people.

Hunt and kill Godzilla.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I would also only have one sat and sunday off per month, this 2 days off a week thing is ridiculous

get the economy going

[Me. I Am Salman]

these suggestions :umm2:

[Ninastar]

these suggestions :umm2:

Instead of bitching about ours, why don't you post some of your own?

[BBfanUSA]

I would allow cuss words like *******, etc. On national television at anytime.

I would move funding over from paying the senators and representatives into a fund that would people to go to college for free and school for free.

I would require that all electoral debates must send out invites to all political parties candidates. No matter how absurd they are. And each gets a word in abput an issue.

[smudgie]

I would pass a law that ALL children had a proper childhood.
Anyone found not nurturing their kids and cherishing them would get sterilised.

[Kate!]

I would pass a law that ALL children had a proper childhood.
Anyone found not nurturing their kids and cherishing them would get sterilised.

Best one yet Smudge :love:

[user104658]

I somehow doubt that mothers/fathers with children in front of dvd's are busy checking out David Buick on sky news. You could apply for special dispensation as a business or an employee of such a business.

You've just poked a hole in your own regime...

...you don't need television signals or the internet to stick on a DVD.

[Livia]

I’d cut foreign aid to the bone, keeping a fund that could be used to send the Red Cross or Medecins Sans Frontiers (for example) to places that have suffered badly from war or natural disasters. The money saved would be spent at home, helping the poorest in society and raising the state pension. If people want to send money abroad that should be their personal decision, not one the government makes, especially when we have so many worthy causes in this country, shaking tin cups and buckets for pennies so they can keep going.

I’d like to see the UK produce stuff again… not sure how I’d do this but I’d like to see, for instance, the shipyards reopened and viable along with other industries.

I'd make all schools secular and make available separate funding for study of people's own religions if they want it. But they'd have to do it in their own time.

I’d reinstate grants for further and higher education for everyone. No student loans, no means testing. I’d also like to encourage more people who would currently be funnelled into uni to consider vocational education.

More money for the NHS generally and particularly more funding for elderly care, mental health and help with drug and alcohol addiction.

If someone’s on benefits looking for work, and if after two years they’re not working or in some kind of education, they’d be given a job to do to earn their benefits.

I'd scrap the bedroom tax. It's ridiculous and unfair.

I’d make homelessness a priority. It’s shameful that one of the richest countries in the world has people living and sleeping rough.

Life imprisonment would mean just that: your whole life.

If I had to raise tax to pay for all this, then I would.

On a whimsical note, I’d like to see England swap the cross of St George for the white dragon.
http://theenglandstore.com/images/categories/saxonpatchsmall.gif

[Ninastar]

loving some of these idea guys :D

[Livia]

I look forward to seeing some of them implemented, Rt Hon Ninastar.

[Ninastar]

Oh Livia, don't make me blush... :blush2:

[Kizzy]

I want my own flag like hers... :laugh:

I'd secure jobs in public service and first responder jobs in iron so they are not messed with as well as pensions.
I would control private care homes and services to ensure they are accountable.
I would stick with europe to maintain food safety and employment/ workers rights.
Make MPs take a wage with no expenses, and no employing family members.
Clamp down on profiteering via lobbying, hedge funds and tax avoidance.
scrap 0hr contracts
Create new 'garden cities'
scrap VAT on food
bring back tax for all 3 tax brackets with 50p being the highest
Bring tuition fees back down
introduce a living wage
Have rent caps for private rental properties.... that's all ,for now

[Kazanne]

:fist: How dare you insert your big shiny hot missile up Arista's dark bunker, penetrating it and destroying it for all to see

:joker::joker::joker:

[Vicky.]

I would scrap these ridiculous work programs that cost billions. With the money saved, anyone who had been out of work for 2 years would be given a fulltime (paid) job that lasts at least 6 months, to show them the financial benefits of working...not just the downside which is what unpaid placements do. To encourage companies to sign up to do this I would give them tax breaks or financial incentives...possibly the state pays half of the wage or something.

Also scrap ATOS. I trust the word of a qualified doctor above the word of a 'trained' monkey tbh. If a few fakers slip through the net, then so be it. You can never get rid of 100% of fraud anyway, so I wouldn't worry myself too much about 1/100 people faking really. They would get found out eventually.

Another for cutting foreign aid to the bare minimum. I feel we have plenty of problems in our own country.

Introduce a living wage. That way we can get rid of tax credits, and stop having to pay housing benefit to employed people. The huge majority of businesses can afford to pay this..they just don't want to, the smaller businesses with smaller profit margins (family run shops and such) would get state help.

Close ALL tax loopholes. It is ****ing ridiculous that the normal working person pays so much in tax when large companies pay next to nothing.

Allow JSA claimants to take part in college courses, and anything that would better their chances of securing employment. I find it stupid that they cannot do this already because it would mean they dont have enough time to jobsearch, yet a work placement for 40 hours per week in poundland or some other profit making company is fine. I would also allow JSA claimants to volunteer off their own backs, for as long as they wish to..at the moment they are limited to (I think) 16 hours per week...but again, if a 40 hours per week unpaid placement is fine, then volunteering for the same time should be too.

Build a hell of a lot more social housing. It will be expensive short term but long term it will save more.

Prison sentences only for violent crimes. Things such as shoplifting and that would get community service instead. Murder sentence to be raised to an absolute minimum of 50 years. Same for offenses against children.

I have more but cant think right now :laugh:

[Kizzy]

I would scrap these ridiculous work programs that cost billions. With the money saved, anyone who had been out of work for 2 years would be given a fulltime (paid) job that lasts at least 6 months, to show them the financial benefits of working...not just the downside which is what unpaid placements do. To encourage companies to sign up to do this I would give them tax breaks or financial incentives...possibly the state pays half of the wage or something.

Also scrap ATOS. I trust the word of a qualified doctor above the word of a 'trained' monkey tbh. If a few fakers slip through the net, then so be it. You can never get rid of 100% of fraud anyway, so I wouldn't worry myself too much about 1/100 people faking really. They would get found out eventually.

Another for cutting foreign aid to the bare minimum. I feel we have plenty of problems in our own country.

Introduce a living wage. That way we can get rid of tax credits, and stop having to pay housing benefit to employed people. The huge majority of businesses can afford to pay this..they just don't want to, the smaller businesses with smaller profit margins (family run shops and such) would get state help.

Close ALL tax loopholes. It is ****ing ridiculous that the normal working person pays so much in tax when large companies pay next to nothing.

Allow JSA claimants to take part in college courses, and anything that would better their chances of securing employment. I find it stupid that they cannot do this already because it would mean they dont have enough time to jobsearch, yet a work placement for 40 hours per week in poundland or some other profit making company is fine. I would also allow JSA claimants to volunteer off their own backs, for as long as they wish to..at the moment they are limited to (I think) 16 hours per week...but again, if a 40 hours per week unpaid placement is fine, then volunteering for the same time should be too.

Build a hell of a lot more social housing. It will be expensive short term but long term it will save more.

Prison sentences only for violent crimes. Things such as shoplifting and that would get community service instead. Murder sentence to be raised to an absolute minimum of 50 years. Same for offenses against children.

I have more but cant think right now :laugh:

how could I forget?..... great point

[Niall]

I'd introduce sweeping educational reform, modelling the new system after the one they have in Finland. That'd mean throwing out the culture of tests and grades and instead opting for actually making sure the child learns. It'd also mean teaching would be a profession treated with far higher respect, in conjunction with requiring teachers to have a PHD level education (something that would be fully subsidised by the state of course). I'd also make sure all higher education is free of charge, and I'd introduce a complete ban on private schooling - everyone deserves a level playing field.

All forms of public transport would be something I'd immediately nationalise. From what I've seen, private companies are completely incompetent at running trains and busses when compared with other state run providers around the world. I mean it stands to reason to have a system where money paid in through fairs goes back into for extra investment in said system really. I'd do the same for utility companies too, bringing them back under state control for the same reasons.

The market would be something I'd regulate very stringently. I don't have anything concrete in my head about how I'd go about that, but as a general rule the market would always be under very close scrutiny from new and more empowered regulators.

I'd force more green policies down too, introducing generous subsidies for companies manufacturing wind turbines etc, in addition to awarding much more generous grants for solar panels on housing. I'd try to weane the country off fossil fuels by gradually introducing more and more renewable power stations when and wherever possible. And I'd force all car manufacturers to offer one affordable electric car in the near future in addition to heavily beefing up the electric car charging point network across the country.

Moreover I'd cut defence spending and pump more money into generating an industry for green technology in Britain. Financial services has proven to be a cesspit that promises only ruin, so I think investing in a back bone of green tech will only serve the nation well in the long run in terms of employment and economic stability.

Another thing I'd do is create a devolved parliament for England, and separate out Westminster as a parliament for the UK on the whole. I've always thought it's bizarre how three out if the four constituent nations got a devolved assembly and one didn't.

[smeagol]

first plan would be to trial and imprison all political leaders for war crimes. treason and breaking human rights laws within our own country. bring back hanging for the guilty

totally reform the schooling system. we spend years in school and learn nothing. it needs to be reduced and more vital skills applied.

a simple 24 hr deport policy adapted. more affordable housing.

[Ninastar]

Id make doctors surgeries open on the weekends and open from early till late every day... i find it crazy that you cant go to the doctor on a weekend, when most of the working population work mon - friday...

another thing to do with hours would be no more short sunday hours... like shops would actually be open normal times on sundays. I hate it, i think its totally pointless. not only would more jobs be available, but people would be able to go shopping at normal times on sundays. especially if they work on sundays too...

[Marsh.]

Bring tuition fees back down
introduce a living wage
Have rent caps for private rental properties.... that's all ,for now

:worship:

[Marsh.]

I would also only have one sat and sunday off per month, this 2 days off a week thing is ridiculous

get the economy going

D: Anxiety, stress and depression is rife enough as it is.

[Kizzy]

I would get rid of free schools, they are places of learning not businesses.

[Marsh.]

I would get rid of free schools, they are places of learning not businesses.

:eek:

[Kizzy]

What's so shocking about this? they are causing so many issues at the moment with schools not following the curriculum and soon they will be staffed with unqualified teachers.. Nip that in the bud!