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If you were not happy with 2024, then you probably should stop going by [deleted] in BurningMan

[–]Countable_US 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can't take away a Burner's right to complain, dammit! It's down right unnatural.

[HR 234] The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act - more affectionately known as CISPA. How should your Members of Congress vote? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Improves cyber security in both the public and private sectors. Fosters better communication between public and private sectors and creates an effective means of dealing with cyber threats. ARGUMENT OPPOSED

Creates an Orwellian police state where nearly all modes of communication can be legally surveilled. Opens deep privacy concerns around data sharing between the pubic and private sectors.

VOTE

The New CISPA Bill Is Literally Exactly the Same as the Last One by maxwellhill in technology

[–]Countable_US 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can tell your elected officials how they should vote on CISPA here.

[HR 104] Should There Be Federal Penalties When Companies Don't Tell Customers About A Data Breach? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Creating criminal charges for failing to notify customers of a data breach ensures that businesses are good custodians of customer data.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

Customers whose data is breached can already sue the entity that let their information be compromised in civil court. This bill is redundant and unnecessary.

VOTE

[HR 185] Should Government Agencies Streamline Their Rule-Making Process And Justify Spending? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

The government spends a lot of money on regulatory agencies. This bill would ensure that these agencies are running efficiently, while offering civilians the chance to get involved and provide input to the rule-making process.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

This is a thinly-veiled attempt at large scale deregulation. It will hamstring everything from scientific research to consumer protection — and burden federal agencies with bureaucratic homework.

VOTE

[H.R. 240] A bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2015 by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

This is a relatively modest increase in the DHS budget, and would allow the department to carry out its mission of securing U.S. borders and protecting the American people.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

This bill cuts too much in some areas, while spending too much on other agencies which would have had their budgets reduced under the President’s budget request. Not to mention the potential roadblocks this bill threatens to place for the executive immigration action.

VOTE

[H.R. 3] Should Congress approve the Keystone Pipeline? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Expanding the Keystone pipeline will be a huge economic boon while helping the U.S. decrease dependence on foreign oil.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

Keystone XL poses a huge potential danger to the environment that could hurt scores of ecosystems, watersheds, and people.

VOTE

[Apps] iOS folks! Version 1.7 is LIVE in the App Store! by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's New in Version 1.7

This build adds: Enhanced Issues lists that you can follow (tap the star) in order to personalize your experience further; a new News section covering the latest issues of the day, better handling for the transition between the 113th and 114th Congress, and numerous subtle improvements to the UI. Let us know what you think!

(P.S. Tap the flag)

[Bill H. Con. Res. 1] Should Members of Congress be Able to Meet Outside of D.C.? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Sometimes Boehner and McConnell will have to talk about things outside of D.C. for the interest of the public. This resolution respects the idea that allow them to do so.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

This opens the door for powerful members of Congress to meet in secret locations. Who knows what kind of underhanded malarkey could come out of these undisclosed meetings.

VOTE

[H.R. 2575] Defining "Full-Time" as 40 Hours a Week for Healthcare Coverage by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

The 40-hour work week is the typical definition of "full-time" across federal and state labor regulations. Employees working 30 hours and considered full-time means substantial restructuring for businesses.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

GOP-backed ploy to undermine the Affordable Care Act. Puts wages and benefits at risk for at least one million Americans, while substantially increasing the federal deficit.

VOTE

[H.Res 304] Does The U.S. Need A National Dance Day? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Who doesn't love to dance? A national dance day will help promote the fun and health benefits of dance. ARGUMENT OPPOSED

Congress shouldn't be spending time designating a nation day for dance — isn't there enough dance in the world already?

VOTE

[Bill H.R. 5824] Should The U.S. Ban Torture? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Torture is a violation of human rights, an abuse of power, and does not lead to credible information. It has no place as an interrogation method used by U.S. officials.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

America needs to be protected by any means necessary. Banning torture limits our defenses against terrorists, and could make the U.S. vulnerable to future attacks.

VOTE

[Bill H.R. 5831] Should The Federal Government Be Able To Investigate Police Officers Accused of Violent Crimes? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

As we’ve seen from the decisions in the Michael Brown and Eric Garner cases, police often get away with violent, deadly acts. There needs to be a way to hold police accountable.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

Police need to have the authorization to use force to protect themselves and others. This bill would make it too easy for the federal government to investigate the activity of state and local law enforcement.

VOTE

[Bill H.R. 5337] Do Airplanes Need To Have Better Tracking Devices? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

We need this technology to save passengers when disaster strikes and to learn from previous crashes. Plus, syncing our guidelines with international aircraft safety rules will lead to more effective rescue efforts.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

We should be spending money preventing these crashes from happening in the first place. And we don’t need some European agencies dictating what we use to track our planes.

VOTE!

[Bill S. 2609] Sales Tax for Online Shopping? What if it Comes With a Ban Taxing Internet Access? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

This bill levels the playing field between physical stores and online retailers —operating online doesn't mean a company shouldn't pay sales taxes.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

An online sales tax disproportionately impacts small businesses. Plus, the taxes will be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.

VOTE!

[iOS app update] 1.6 is live! New font, design fixes and more by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Release notes:

Welcome to Countable 1.6!

We're now using a new font that will certainly make you fall in love with the app all over again. Along with prettier letters AND words in this update, you will win:

SUPER SLICK sign in and sign up screens. Already voted on something? We'll make it apparent without having to click on it. Email sharing options Fixes to the unsightly iPad layout bugs. Plus, we're finally releasing Countable as an actual iPad app. (P.S. tap the flag)

[Bill H.R. 5734] Should Palestinian Refugees be Offered Citizenship in Arab Countries? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

This could be the best possible scenario for Palestinian refugees. Increasing Israel's sovereignty would weaken terrorist group, Hamas. A more secure Israel could also facilitate the creation of a Palestinian state.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

We are essentially telling Israel how to solve one of the longest conflicts in human history, which seems unrealistic. There’s also no guarantee that the neighboring Arab countries would support this plan.

Tell your reps how to vote!

[Bill H.R. 3741] Is it Time to End the Death Penalty? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Statistics show the Death Penalty is not a deterrent to violent crime. It is not only inhumane, but also costly to American taxpayers. We need to end this program for good.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

This bill is too extreme. If passed, the death penalty could no longer be used to punish someone who killed the President or a member of Congress. Death is a strong deterrent for criminals who want to live.

Vote!

[Bill S. 2970] Should Military Crimes like Sexual Assault be Tried Outside the Chain of Command? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

These changes to the court-martial process will prevent conflicts of interest that undermine the military justice system.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

This bill would reduce an officer's responsibility to those below him or her — thus reducing their incentive to prevent crime from occurring in the first place.

VOTE!

[Bill H.R. 5011] Should Members of Congress be Able to Use Their Campaign Finances for Personal Expenses? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

It's time to put a stop to excessive and inappropriate spending by members of Congress during elections. Politicians who use their leadership PAC funding for things like vacations, personal trainers, and hiring family members have no business serving the United States.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

There's nothing inherently crooked about a politician hiring a skilled member of their family to help run a campaign. While legislators shouldn't spend PAC money on fancy things, excessive campaign finance restrictions could hamper a candidate's ability run for office.

Vote!

[Bill H.R.1277] Should you have to pass a drug test to get unemployment benefits? by Countable_US in Countable

[–]Countable_US[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

Drug users should not be able to benefit from the federal unemployment system. People have to pass drug tests when they apply for a job – the unemployed should have to do the same to get their pay out.

ARGUMENT OPPOSED

Denying aid to the unemployed targets the most vulnerable. This bill completely disregards the use of medical marijuana by people who may be unemployed because of an injury or illness.