https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:28:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1420975 Thu, 13 Feb 2014 14:57:35 +0000 looch 1420975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I agree they have taken steps in the right direction, but I have also seen people shoot up on the tram. </p> <p>The problem seems to be that the addicts that do not get treated are the ones that are not Swiss. I think there's a statistic that something like 90% of the prison population are non Swiss. They're notorious for helping their own, which is why their policies are crafted as they are. Not a citizen, go home. It's not all chocolate and gold coins over there.</p> <p>Eta: thanks for the link! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1420951 Thu, 13 Feb 2014 14:50:26 +0000 Arden 1420951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Yep.<br /> You are correct though - to my knowledge the production and selling of drugs is still illegal in Switzerland (I think?) but I think the country has taken some fantastic steps in the right direction. There's some good information here: <a href="http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69O3VI20101025?irpc=932" rel="nofollow">http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69O3VI20101025?irpc=932</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1420943 Thu, 13 Feb 2014 14:49:28 +0000 skibobrown 1420943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>(1) Make automatic weapons illegal.<br /> (2) Mandate 1 year of paid parental leave that could be taken by either parent of a new child or split between both parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1420908 Thu, 13 Feb 2014 14:40:46 +0000 looch 1420908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: was that book you quoted in the other thread by Rick Steves?</p> <p>I have lived in Switzerland and frequented a Starbucks near the famed drug park that used to be behind the train station in Zurich. There are no blue lights in the bathroom, nor have I seen these needle vending machines ( pregnancy test and condoms, yes). It is my understanding though, that drugs are not legal. My husband is snoring away otherwise I would ask him as I am genuinely curious now.</p> <p>They also institutionalize their addicts and people with disabilities and while prostitution is legal, that only works because the government mandates everyone must have self paid health insurance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1419257 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 21:42:47 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 1419257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM!!!! Not sure on the specifics, but something like federal funding of elections that only last 6-8 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1419222 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 21:26:46 +0000 Mrs. Taco 1419222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: As a teacher, I agree on your first point! Mostly, the hiring requirements (although more $ and respect would be nice too!). </p> <p>Here in FL, anyone with a 4 year degree can walk into a classroom and teach ANY subject, as long as they pass the subject exam test (which are quite simple in my opinion). They have no training on delivering curriculum, working with/managing students, and other extremely important aspects that are required to successfully teach each day. These 'teachers' then go through a very condensed training which is suppose to replace the traditional education obtained at the collegiate level. If I didn't have the knowledge and skills I learned during my Masters program, I wouldn't be half the teacher I am today. Oh, and I don't get paid extra for having my Masters. </p> <p>/end rant. </p> <p>I also strongly agree with those of you that mentioned a life skills course in HS. I have proposed this idea to my principal before...and will continue to do so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1419140 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:48:05 +0000 stargal 1419140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Make it a law that we can't cut funding by a certain percentage for social welfare issues. The most vulnerable are always the ones who get the shortest end of the stick. Funding for programs for the less fortunate are always the first to get budget cuts and it sickens me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1419069 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:24:03 +0000 Lindsay05 1419069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: i guess I mean life sentence actually mean life. Until they die. However, I am not a fan of taxpayers paying for their stay, but that is a WHOLE new topic! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1419055 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:19:57 +0000 Lindsay05 1419055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: In Canada, it is a requirement to take a safety course! Its a great great law! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1419013 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:06:00 +0000 mrbee 1419013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would increase pay and hiring requirements for teachers, to make it a more coveted and respected position.</p> <p>I'd also require all gun owners to take basic gun safety and gun storage classes, and to get a license from the state that certifies they passed a test. I am ok with gun ownership, but there is not enough standards and training out there and too many gun owners who don't take responsibility for their mistakes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1419002 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:03:04 +0000 artsyfartsy 1419002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: hmm possibly! But if that were the standard then maybe not. If all schools were funded equally by the government to provide free tuition, then where would Harvard stand vs a community college? Maybe alumni would provide extra funding? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418977 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:53:18 +0000 Happygal 1418977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: as someone who was in higher ed for awhile, my first reaction was to do a fist bump when reading this! I do wonder though about the psychology of money--people often think that a higher price tag = higher quality. Would making something free lower the perception of quality? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418976 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:53:08 +0000 deactivated_account 1418976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: Shoot no! I've said too much already. I love hellobee for baby and TTC purposes. It amazing me when people (including myself!) get caught up in debates that reach outside that realm. And as a super conservative gal, I am sure to ignite some debates if I were to provide an example as you have requested! I will save that for my day job. :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418969 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:50:24 +0000 Happygal 1418969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMcD: want to give an example of something that would make you unpopular? Share!</p> <p>@mae: I don't want to offend anyone's religious choices, so I'll just leave it at this: there are some religions with beliefs that I don't think would necessarily come out through those types of questions. And that makes me way too nervous! We can wall each other to further discuss if you want. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418957 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:43:01 +0000 Kemma 1418957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not American but I would do something to the laws that ensured politicians actually acted in the best interests of the people and stopped fighting amongst themselves like badly behaved toddlers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418954 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:41:03 +0000 Crystal 1418954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would require teaching of foreign languages, most likely Spanish and french. More than just the Spanish 1 we have now in highschool- make it something that is actually taught and used. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418945 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:35:10 +0000 jedeve 1418945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: totally agree. If we eant to talk about wasting taxpayer money, the war on drugs has been a huge waste with no results. </p> <p>The problem is we tend to focus on the supply. We crack down on drug routes through Europe, they show up in Mexico. We crack down on heroin, people turn to prescription drugs. It's like playing whack a mole. We should focus more on demand and increasing mental health access as well as research on chronic pain. We don't though because people don't like spending money on drug addicts, even if it woukd actually help the problem. They woukd rather spend money on crime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418904 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:11:00 +0000 artsyfartsy 1418904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would make higher education free or incredibly inexpensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418902 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:09:23 +0000 Mae 1418902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: I guess I just think it will be obvious. Like they would still have to answer questions about their policy positions, right? So if someone tells me they are pro-life and for "traditional marriage" then I automatically put them in my "hellzzzzno" box. Which is the same box they end up in if I was aware that they are practicing southern baptists. The difference, I think, is that either way I know who they are, but I think it would be harder for them to justify their points without using the bible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418887 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 19:02:53 +0000 Happygal 1418887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I don't believe people are blank slates. Religious beliefs are bound to influence someone's decisions. </p> <p>I think someone could be quietly motivated by their religious beliefs, but could use non-religious rationales to promote their agendas. Politicians are clever/sneaky like that! I'd rather it all be up front. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418869 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:49:03 +0000 sunny 1418869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: I think the problem with not being allowed to disclose religion is that so many policies are pursued because of an individual's beliefs. </p> <p>For instance: I wouldn't want to vote for someone who had beliefs that were completely incongruous to mine because policy is going to be formed in that direction. For instance, I can't support a candidate who says they are anti-abortion and wants to repeal abortion rights.</p> <p>On the other hand, I don't agree with voting for someone for the simple reason that they are of the same religion as you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418863 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:45:59 +0000 deactivated_account 1418863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would love for everyone to spend a day in the booking portion of a county jail and then have a chat about drug use and crime in our country. </p> <p>Oh there is so much I would do a president of our country that would cause the majority of citizens to not vote for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418860 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:45:46 +0000 Mae 1418860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: why does it matter though? I guess I could see sort of… I'd be uncomfortable voting for someone who is from a super conservative religion that I know opposes basic human rights. But at the same time, if they're not allowed to discuss their religion at all how could they possibly justify policies in furtherance of that? Right now politicians don't even try to hide the fact that they are making policy on behalf of their church. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418853 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:43:50 +0000 Arden 1418853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418852 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:43:40 +0000 Happygal 1418852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: but would you still want to know a candidate's religious beliefs? I'm a believer in separation of church and state, but I definitely want to know their religious views. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418847 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:42:04 +0000 Mae 1418847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I'd vote for you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418845 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:41:39 +0000 pinkcupcake 1418845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsMcD: if they found a cost effective way to do this, I would have no problem with it. I don't see why drug testing is a problem. You're asking the govt (taxpayers) for help. I don't see why there can't be strings attached to that help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418842 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:39:10 +0000 loveisstrange 1418842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I actually agree with legalizing prostitution. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418835 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:35:26 +0000 Arden 1418835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would recommend those interested in the legalizing drugs argument to look into how the drug system works in Switzerland and what it has done for their crime rates, drug related deaths, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-were-president/page/2#post-1418824 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 18:32:06 +0000 pinkcupcake 1418824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: agreed. I would never support the legalization of every drug. There are some i would be okay with (ex: pot) but def not all. </p>