This government here is the United States is beginning to create a society that is unsustainable. The times we live in right now are trying not to ourselves, but our parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren. For the first time in my life, I am actually concerned about the world that my children will grow up in. Below I will list my concerns and possible fixes for these concerns. I know I usually try to give both sides of the story, but this issue requires thought and solutions.
Government
The Problem
The United States is a constitutional republic. We elect representatives at local, state and national levels to voice our opinions and govern with our consent. As many would say we are a democracy, by pure definition we are not. What has happened over the evolution of our republic is that the elected has slowly eroded the voice of the people and created a "ruling" class. A group of people who govern without having to live by the laws that they create. Many of them create a career out of governing others. I believe our founding fathers never envisioned this as a possibility, but they left the constitution to be corrected to stop such abuses and correct misdeeds. The results of this power grab from the citizens, and the states are record debts, gridlock on legislation and elected officials whose sole purpose in life is re-election and the continuance of their way of life at the expense of the governed.Possible Solutions
- Return of the government to the governed. Term limits for all elected officials, local, state and federal. Elimination of all retirement benefits and a perks. Those that "serve" should consider themselves servants. Pay should be set by the state legislature for all federal elected officials. Senators should be appointed by the State Legislature like the used to be, the gives the state government a say in our federal government. The people get representation by the House.
- Decentralize Washington DC. Technology allows us to telecommute to work, why not telecommute to congress. The President can release a nuclear holocaust via an electronic device, but our house and sensate cannot vote on a measure without physical presence in DC. The results would be cost savings, loss of the huger bureaucracy that is in place to serve these guys and a group of people who are in tune with those they serve. If they need to get together in person for a few months a year, they can do so, but staying in "Dorms" or local hotels and keeping staff to a minimum.
- Reduction of Federal "Nanny" programs. Return the power of social help back to the states. Let each state determine welfare, food stamps, unemployment, and other helps for the downtrodden. These steps would eliminate a level of bureaucracy and let that money flow more fully to the projects that they are supposed to address.
- Full reduction of all Federal Government programs. Start by taking a 5% cut in all programs, followed by another 5 the next year and another 5 the third. Pass a balanced budget amendment that would take effect after the third year. Only loop hole in the amendment would in a time of war.
- Convene a Constitutional convention to address all the above issues.
Economy
The Problem
Our problems with the economy are fundamental and deeper seeded than just ways to stimulate. They go to our moral fiber, our selfishness and our lack of concern for one another in the chase for the dollar. We have replaced our moral compass with one the points to the bank instead of to God. Once people learned that they were not responsible for their own actions and that they could profit by exploiting the less fortunate, the economy has been a race to see who can take the most. There has been no real "expansion" of the pie, only movement of existing money. One side wants to be able to take all they want by using guile and deceit, the other side thinks that only the ruling government class can determine what is good for us so therefore what ton control all the money and power. I however want to believe in the goodness of man and our ability to work, create a profit and expand our businesses without screwing over others or without worshipping at the alter of government for favors. At one time America was a beacon of opportunity and those that prospered were grateful and gave back to their community unselfishly. Now it has become a battle of the have's and the have not's. It should never be about that, it should be about each person working and earning to their potential.
Possible Solutions
- Elimination of special tax rates and all economic engineering by all levels of government. A flat tax for each of the forms of government. Elimination of inheritance tax, and corporate tax. Inheritance is money that was already taxed when those who gathered it earned it. And corporate profits are taxed when that money is distributed as dividends. If you leave all of that taxed at the same rate it is proportional and equitable. Everyone's tax form would be one page and about 6 lines. The IRS would be reduced by 2/3's. All monies earned by foreign corporations transferred outside of the US, would be taxed at the same rate before leaving the shores of the US. That would encourage foreign corporations to play on the same playing field as US corporations.
- Reduction of litigation in business. All companies would have a liability cap on their business. A mistake, (we all make them), should not close a business, but cause them to look at their model and how to improve. Those effected by the mistake should been entitled to reimbursement for their loss, but not benefit from it.
- Schools should be returned to their communities and states, Take the federal government out of it. The "equality" of education had reduced it to the lowest common denominator, not elevated it to the levels of the best. Competition creates a need to excel.
- Eliminate all patent costs and extend patent protection. The intellectual property of a person, should allow him to reap the rewards Many great ideas are squashed by the bureaucracy that is created to govern it.
- EPA should be returned to the states, only those within the states should have a say on how the resources should be handled. The National EPA should be made up of a representative of each state and any federal directives should be done so by a 90% agreement.
Moral Center
The Problem
America was once a county based on Judeo-Christian beliefs. We were a county founded on religious freedom, not freedom of religion Our constitution was written so that congress could not make us all Jews, Lutherans, Mormon, Catholic or any other organized religion. It has been construed to mean that we should not have any views of belief in God anywhere publically. In return our schools were directed to teach the 3R's and stay away for basic moral tenants and our businesses stopped worshipping God and freedom and started worshiping money. The Bible is very clear on this, a man can not have too masters. America has chosen the wrong one. We claim the moral high ground on the world stage but do so by sacrificing those morals that we got from God. No wonder the world sees us as hypocrites.
Possible Solutions
- Get government out of religion. Let schools determine for themselves the moral compass that will be taught. Educating our youth on moral truths will create of next generation of ethical businessmen.
- Create a national day of rest.. To begin with once a month, then twice a month, then once a week, close all business activities with the exception of parks and restaurants. Give our families the ability to reconnect. If you are religious, then attend church, if not take the time to rest and reflect. No pro sports, no amateur sports, no building, no sales, just a 24 respite from the world and all the pressures.
- Honor those who selflessly give, but using that day to honor those who go above and beyond to help their neighbors. Each community can do this. Create competition to do good. Everyone benefits. Ask the media to give 20% of their coverage to good news and report bad news with compassion and without judgment. I know that this is asking a lot, but if the public refused to patronize those who exploit the suffering of others for profit, then there will be no incentive to do it.
This is not a be all end all solution, but the thoughts of one rational man, who believes in the inherent goodness of man and the unerring greatness of God. Together, man and God had created a great place to live, and when we forgot God, we succumbed to the temptations of the flesh and began to worship money. Only when we turn our lives and our existence back to him, will the turbulence end. I am not asking for religious zealously, but a basic moral compass that is focused on God and not on ourselves. I think the world can back off the brink of self destruction we find ourselves in, but only by turning to God.
For those of you who have taken the time to read this, I thank you. I just hope it causes you to think.. even if you disagree, at least give thought, serious thought to what our lives are like and what they could be like.
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