Things that should change

[AllyRose]

Entrenched incumbency.

 

[pete]

on a similar note... academic tenure

 

[AllyRose]

While I know that some of my friends who are teachers, or aspire to become teachers, would hate me for saying it, I'd have to agree with you.

 

[pete]

another thing:

street lights. the technology is there for the streetlights to recognize when the intersection is clear and thus give waiting cars a green light. this would not only save time but would reduce harmful pollutants that come from cars idling needlessly

 

[contrifan32]

Public sector unions

 

[NeverEndingMe]

on a similar note... academic tenure

Amen. Tenure is a disease, like obama

 

[AllyRose]

another thing:

street lights. the technology is there for the streetlights to recognize when the intersection is clear and thus give waiting cars a green light. this would not only save time but would reduce harmful pollutants that come from cars idling needlessly

I can't count how many times I've sat there in my car on an empty street, waiting for the light to change. I had to show great restraint... because I *know* that as soon as I go through that red light of death that I'll get pulled over.

 

[about_average]

another thing:

street lights. the technology is there for the streetlights to recognize when the intersection is clear and thus give waiting cars a green light. this would not only save time but would reduce harmful pollutants that come from cars idling needlessly

Roundabouts would do that too, and not need maintenance or malfunction.

 

[sufisaint]

Keyboard...voice recognition software is good to go...

 

[pete]

Roundabouts would do that too, and not need maintenance or malfunction.

i like roundabouts, but they're not a solution for every intersection. roundabouts require a lot more space, and environmentally they're bad by paving over more square footage of greenery.

the technology to make streetlights completely solar isn't there yet, but would be nice to see someday

 

[Balladeer08]

Keyboard...voice recognition software is good to go...

Obviously you've never read Damn You AutoCorrect.

 

[Balladeer08]

i like roundabouts, but they're not a solution for every intersection. roundabouts require a lot more space, and environmentally they're bad by paving over more square footage of greenery.

the technology to make streetlights completely solar isn't there yet, but would be nice to see someday

Have you seen the proposed road that is a solar panel, and lights itself and the lanes? SO SciFi, and so elegant.

 

[AllyRose]

Have you seen the proposed road that is a solar panel, and lights itself and the lanes? SO SciFi, and so elegant.

Solar Freakin Roadway

 

[Aquagal]

The batteries on my vibe.

 

[Que]

another thing:

street lights. the technology is there for the streetlights to recognize when the intersection is clear and thus give waiting cars a green light. this would not only save time but would reduce harmful pollutants that come from cars idling needlessly

Most major cities out here already have lights on trip switches like that.

I can't count how many times I've sat there in my car on an empty street, waiting for the light to change. I had to show great restraint... because I *know* that as soon as I go through that red light of death that I'll get pulled over.

The solution if you get there right as it's turning red is to make a right turn, drive a safe distance (past any business entrances) then make a u-turn then another right. I've only done it in front of a cop once, but it is legal.

Entrenched incumbency.

A friend of mine was part of the Gingrich congress. That year a lot of freshmen congressmen ran on proposing term limits. Three, two year terms for the House, Two six-year terms for the Senate. They were not able to get it through legislatively. Typically, when the Republicans were in power suddenly they didn't want to give it up either.

When his six years was up in a very, very safe district, he did not run, but a friend of his still holds that seat, about 8 terms later. He recently, (last congress, maybe the one before that) ran again and won in another district. Even though he lost 'seniority' he is consulted a lot because he has experience in congress going back 20 years.

I am in favor of term limits. Even if that means 'my guy' has to go. As it is not only does the rank and file become corrupt and stagnated, it also has resulted in a system where the man or woman in the safest, LEAST likely to cooperate with the other party district rises to leadership. Really dumb system. By the time they are in power they owe 20-30 years worth of favors, and are old and near senile. what could possibly go wrong with that??

 

[AllyRose]

The solution if you get there right as it's turning red is to make a right turn, drive a safe distance (past any business entrances) then make a u-turn then another right. I've only done it in front of a cop once, but it is legal.

Murphy's Law dictates that when I attempt that, I'll get stuck at another red light.

A friend of mine was part of the Gingrich congress. That year a lot of freshmen congressmen ran on proposing term limits. Three, two year terms for the House, Two six-year terms for the Senate. They were not able to get it through legislatively. Typically, when the Republicans were in power suddenly they didn't want to give it up either.

When his six years was up in a very, very safe district, he did not run, but a friend of his still holds that seat, about 8 terms later. He recently, (last congress, maybe the one before that) ran again and won in another district. Even though he lost 'seniority' he is consulted a lot because he has experience in congress going back 20 years.

I am in favor of term limits. Even if that means 'my guy' has to go. As it is not only does the rank and file become corrupt and stagnated, it also has resulted in a system where the man or woman in the safest, LEAST likely to cooperate with the other party district rises to leadership. Really dumb system. By the time they are in power they owe 20-30 years worth of favors, and are old and near senile. what could possibly go wrong with that??

Two years isn't a lot of time to get anything done, especially when you factor in time needed to raise money and campaign. You could extend the HoR to three-year terms, and have a limit of 5 terms... or something.

 

[yossi]

Have you seen the proposed road that is a solar panel, and lights itself and the lanes? SO SciFi, and so elegant.

I made a thread about that at some point. They look amazing.

 

[about_average]

i like roundabouts, but they're not a solution for every intersection. roundabouts require a lot more space, and environmentally they're bad by paving over more square footage of greenery.

Yes, yes and yes, Though on the last one I'm sure it's way more than offset by less fuel burned by idling vehicles.

 

[Balladeer08]

Solar Freakin Roadway

Thank you for the link, I couldn't remember it.

If I win the Lottery, you have to KNOW my driveway, sidewalks etc will all be made this way!

 

[pete]

The batteries on my vibe.

heh, nice

 

[pointless]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJO_Mn49QmQ

 

[Balladeer08]

I made a thread about that at some point. They look amazing.

And I WANT them! Any idea of the cost to buy them now?

So much of the SciFi of my childhood has become real, and this would just thrill me to own. It is just so RIGHT.

 

[about_average]

Solar Freakin Roadway

I wonder how they'd hold up to soil movement under the roads.

 

[AllyRose]

Thank you for the link, I couldn't remember it.

If I win the Lottery, you have to KNOW my driveway, sidewalks etc will all be made this way!

I want one of those old fashioned dirt-road driveways with stone walls and statues of lions or griffins posted at the entrance gate.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Roundabouts would do that too, and not need maintenance or malfunction.

Pfft....the closest I've come to Vetteman-ing my pants as an adult was on a tour bus in Paris...the bus operator decided to get us up close 'n personal with the Arc de Triomphe and skittered six lanes across a crowded roundabout at about 40 mph.