They should pay their bills first and get the deficit under control.

Why?

@talljasperman , agreed; financial responsibility would be a good part of a makeover.

@Josie, because lots of what represents us to the rest of the world is outdated, and represents a country which no longer exists. Other countries have changed name, borders, fag, or other things. It is sort of like a kid being nicknamed puppypuss when he is little because it is cute. When he grows up, he wants to be called by his name, dress to impress, and get business cards.

The US has already been undergoing a make-over ever since its inception. : )

Not a huge make-over, but a little tweaking and a small shake-up would be good I think.

The US was amazing innovation at the time of it’s founding. Freedom of religion, new immigrants, equality, no royalty, ability to climb the class stucture, judged on your own merit and not that of your family. These are all still good ideals, and other countries have caught up to what we embraced a long time ago. We have not been perfect at playing out the ideals and idea for America, but the basis is good. We need to just get back on course, we seemed to have strayed. We don’t need to rewrite the costitution. We don’t need a new flag. We can go back to the original pledge.

America needs to get a little more with reality and stop borrowing on credit, and get a little more integrity in business. Also, we need to simplify politics, not more throwing unrelated garbage in to bills to try to get some law passed that goes unoticed.

The U.S. is always changing, always evolving, for better or worse.

A radical change will only happen due to circumstances beyond our control-world war, pandemic, etc.

We can’t get 3 people to agree that pissing into the wind is a bad idea. How are they going to agree on terms for a radical change?

I think some are getting caught up in the population, and companies. I meant our image and structure. Makeover usually is associated with image.
@JLeslie , exactly. We were a great idea. patriotism was another way of saying “Passionate need for independence from tyranny.”
We are no longer under the thumb of a King. We might seek new identity.

It will never happen. Consider the brouhaha recently dealing with the confederate flag – and that’s not over yet.

And this suggestion is to throw out 240 years of American history and symbols? Name, flag, symbols?

non-starter.

@Here2_4 I think our image matters, but I think more than image the people of our country need to decide what they want the country to be. When this country first started we weren’t a power house in the world scene, yet we were still a place of opportunity and freedom. I think a lot of people focus on our power, and although I think it is important, both our economic and military power, I think we need to also focus on prosperity, quality of life, an equal chance for all to fulfill their goals; I think we have lost our way a little.

We are way overdue for a constitutional convention.
We had one in 1787 and the constitution provides for total revision as well as for amendments.

The potential outcomes range from inspiring to terrifying.

It’s sink or swim at this point, sister.

The US has been the innovator for the past 250+ years, globally. The question is, can we now turn that innovation toward sustainability?

Burn the fucking Constitution. While good at the time, it is entirely outdated and I am baffled why idiots cling to it. Oh, 2nd amendment.

@ibstubro I relate to that on personal level: when starting out in a new phase of life (job, marriage, etc.) the growth period is exciting. When the learning curve flattens out, and maintenance becomes the norm, I get bored and become disinterested.

But why can’t the country continue to be innovators, albeit at a slower pace? Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the White House. Ronald Reagan had them removed. If Carter had been re-elected, we could very well have become the leaders in solar technology. That would have created jobs, reduced environmental issues, and greatly reduced the Middle East’s influence on global affairs.

Oops, sorry, I forgot. Not everyone acknowledges that the US government has played an integral role in the country’s infrastructure development that paved the way for private market innovation and increased standard of living for all.

@Here2_4 If you’re thinking about a completely makeover, how about returning to the eras where the government and the free market were a symbiotic relationship that truly benefited everyone.

I see some good points well made here. Some apply to my question better than others, but still good, solid, intelligent answers. It is making a good read for me. Keep them coming. Feel free to muse and suppose “Out loud”.

Sounds like you’re talking about a corporate rebranding.

Yes, based on the histories of all past democracies that only lasted about 200 years before changing to something else.

Who would be in charge of the make-over? That’s what worries me.

Guns, cheese & obese people, stay as you are, it’s funnier that way.

Very much a valid concern, @janbb. If people can vote electronically for American ldol, it would seem we could vote between a variety of choices. Suppose a panel of successful composers be asked to write a new anthem. They would be expected to have their piece completed and ready to perform by a certain date. All could then be presented to the American public, and voting opened for say, 72 hours. Perhaps then, after that, it could be opened worldwide for vote, just to see.
A flag could be selected that way also, designed by various known costume artists, poets, and historians. They could work as a team to present say, half a dozen possibilities.
Personally, I would want a process in place for sprucing up the government.
First a group of appointed historians and attorneys would be required to pour over job descriptions, changes already made in laws, representation, and groupings. They could see where there are needs for new appointments, slashes, merges, etc. That would give a sort of tech manual to go by. Then, people from each state would need to get involved. Say, a legislator or two, a little governor input, and a variety of laypersons such as; housewives, merchants, college students, and naturalized citizens to represent a variety of thoughts. The idea pool would use the info gathered, make known some wishes, and sent back to the original panel who put together the information to assess what could be done to streamline government with a variety of ideas on how to best serve public needs.
None of it would be easy tasks.
These ideas are rough, and off the top of my head, so Jellies, please don’t call me stupid. I put them out there as a what if. Feel free to point out (dis)advantages, but be kind enough to understand I am not pushing an idea, but rather, seeking to draw your thoughts.
I am giving GAs according to what I find well thought, and/or well researched responses, and thought provoking ideas, whether they agree with the concept or not.

Just for shits and giggles, that last comment of mine is a historical fact.

@kritiper So noted. Please, could you provide links to some fascinating reading on the subject?

Well, if you want idle daydreams without a snowball’s chance in Bakersfield in the summer:

Let’s take back the power that politicians have been usurping for decades by fixing these:

tax code reform
voting rights
campaign finance
district gerrymandering
lobbying aka legalized bribery
over-sight committees that do everything but oversee

There’s one thing that your daydream and mine have in common: politicians will do everything in their power to keep them from becoming reality.

You’re not thinking comb-over, are you?

OMG NO! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Good to know.