Tag: fixing government

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government repairs: part 5 of 5

If the government is not irreparably broken, then how can we fix it? 

 

Through the course of our repair posts, I’ve actually become even more convinced that the government is not irreparably broken.  In fact, perhaps what’s swayed me most is the significant feedback I’ve received both publicly and privately — from those of you on the far left, far right, solidly in between — and those who are too disgusted or disillusioned to lay stake to any such position.  It’s fascinating to see the agreement among you.

 

Term limits.  Money limits.  Basic respect.  Several of you wholeheartedly ‘amen-ed’ those 3 suggestions.  That’s a great start.

 

Included today, no less, are other suggestions I’ve received.  Some I agree with; some I do not.  But in our efforts to fix government, I think we need to give ample, outside-the-box consideration; we need to consider ways that are different than our engrained thinking.  We need to listen to one another well.

 

In no particular order, here are other suggestions to fixing the government:

 

  • Draw congressional districts by non-partisan commissions.  Gerrymandering is the routine practice (utilized by Democrats and Republicans) of drawing voting districts in such a way as to give an unfair advantage to one party.
  • Make all members of the federal government — including all members of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches — abide by the laws they promote, pass, and interpret.
  • Outlaw lobbyist organizations — the organized attempt by members of the public to influence politicians or public officials.
  • Don’t allow former congressmen to become lobbyists.  See former Majority Leader, Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-MO), who has substantially profited since leaving the House, lobbying on behalf, for example, of the healthcare industry, Boeing, and even the Republic of Turkey.
  • Refrain from collective bargaining with government employees, ensuring tax dollars are not part of the process.
  • Reduce the percentage necessary to break a Senate filibuster.  Also, add rules that allow the minority in the Senate and House to bring legislation to a vote on the floor.
  • Reinforce and embrace the family as the primary, basic unit of society.  We’ve lost sight of the significance and worth of family.  Policy should reflect that.
  • Have Senators be appointed by the Governor of each state as they used to be.
  • Put term limits, also, on the Supreme Court, so that ideology doesn’t become the primary driver of a judge’s decision.
  • Get the government out of our food choices.  There’s no need to legislate farms nor individual food choices.
  • Don’t allow (as Benjamin Franklin forewarned) a permanent, salaried ruling class.  We may have reached the tipping point on this.  Our bureaucrats have become bloated and permanent.
  • Follow the Ten Commandments.  They are basic rules that everyone can abide by.  Throwing them out of our courtrooms and classrooms has led to a country that is challenged in giving God basic respect.
  • Adopt a balanced budget amendment.  We differ on how to spend our money — fine.  But we cannot sustain spending more than we have.
  • Encourage and allow states’ rights.  If states desire a different set of laws, allow even for succession.
  • Eliminate political parties. Senators and Representatives should serve and represent those who elected them — not be bound to party politics.
  • Eliminate the Electoral College.  Let the popular vote decide the presidential election.
  • Eliminate tax exemptions for corporations that contribute to politicians, wherein the politicians offer favors in return.
  • Limit immigration, so as not to build a majority of people dependent on government assistance.
  • Care for “the least of these,” but don’t simply adopt policy that increases “the least.”
  • Legislate according to the Constitution.
  • Embrace the Constitution.
  • And if all else fails, revolt.  Not with might nor militia — more a peaceful but strong revolution.  We the people need to stand up and say, “We’re not going to take this anymore.  We refuse to be governed in such an unethical, irresponsible way.”

 

Good ideas.  Now what to do…

 

Respectfully,

AR

Posted on

government repairs: part 3 of 5

If the government is not irreparably broken, then how can we fix it? 

 

Priority #2:  Restrict the money from external influence.

 

This priority is not intended to be vague.  I have worded the priority as such because the money seems to be infused from 2 angles:  during the election — and upon the elect.

 

Many will opine the need for restrictions during the election, as corporations, associations, and labor unions spend millions annually attempting to influence political campaigns.  The money spent is designed to secure their desired outcome.

 

The money also generously flows once the elections are complete, as lobbyists and special interest groups are eroding the ethics of the elect.  According to the Center for Responsive Politics, over $3 billion was spent by lobbyists last year.  Follow my somewhat playful example, creatively sharing why this is priority #2…

 

Let’s say I’m a peanut farmer.  I love peanuts.  I love peanuts so much, I grow them in my backyard.  (I’ve got a big backyard.)  I start my own business and it takes off — so much so, it’s hard to keep up; it becomes a massive business, and we are providing ample nutrition to many across the country.  It’s a good thing, but nuts are all I think about!

 

But in order to advance my cause, I need specific legislation to be enacted — or refrained from.  Remember:  all I’m focused on is nuts.  I need to thus ensure the Food & Drug Administration doesn’t become too sensitive regarding nut nutrition.  I need to ensure my state doesn’t limit the land I till.  I need to also ensure that no new taxes are tacked on to our cultivating equipment, so I can keep my costs low.  In fact, I’m hoping they raise the speed limit so I can deliver more peanuts more quickly.

 

So many decisions affect my ability to produce peanuts — economically and socially.  I’m concerned.  Hence, I form N.U.T.S. — the “National Union for Tilling Soil” — in order to mobilize more people who share my singular focus; this way we can affect political change.  We don’t care about almonds or pecans or even those high-calorie cashews.  Our special interest is peanuts.  Nuts it is.

 

Since the lobbyist laws were eased in the late ’70’s, we have more access to lawmakers.  I don’t mean to be mean, but I will let them know we will only contribute to their individual campaigns if they support our nuts.  We will speak out against their legislation regarding pickles and potatoes unless they support nuts.  We will be wholeheartedly supportive of them, however, as long as they advance economic and social policy favorable to our cause.  Our focus is on one thing and one thing only.  Our money will back that up… millions… yes, millions… oh, nuts.

 

It’s important to remember that the lobbyist and special interest groups are only focused on their one thing.  They are using their money to advance their one thing.  Hence, their money is distorting not just elections, but also the decision-making of the elect.

Hence, priority #2 is to restrict the money from external influence, by limiting lobbyists’ access to the President, Congress, and aides.  Former congressmen should also not be allowed to become lobbyists for several years after their term’s end, so they cannot ask for favors from former colleagues.

 

Lobbyists and special interest groups attempt to persuade decision-making based on their singular focus.  They do not have the totality of government in mind.  They want their issue advanced.  From the Arab lobby to the Israel lobby… from GLAAD to MADD… from the pro-lifers to the pro-choicers… even the American Peanut Council.

 

It’s not that the passion of any of the above is right or wrong; the problem is that they are not concerned about the totality of effective, responsible government.  They are concerned about their one issue, and they utilize their money to advance that issue.  Thus, we must somehow restrict the access of lobbyists.  We must limit the flow of money.

 

If we can limit the money in both the election and upon the elect, we can begin to restore the ethics that should never be questioned in either.

 

Respectfully,

AR