The Future of the US?
| 12 November 2010
The world will never be your Eden because my heaven is always someone's nightmare. So often we lament that if only..... If only they could understand, if only they could see it my way, if only.... I tell you Socialism, Communism, Fascism-they don't work, haven't worked and will never work. Not because bad people were in power before. I remember a Star Trek where Kirk gives the "speech" about Fascism and the error the historian made. "It wasn't just that they were bad people, (cue the famous inflection), THEY WERE, it's that he forgot that power corrupts". This is paraphrased, but the point is the same. POWER always corrupts, a little corrupts a little and sometimes even more, and a lot corrupts a lot. It is in our DNA. I believe the most successful political system is democracy, not because it is so brilliant in how it takes care of a country, but because it gives most of the the power to its citizens. Whenever that transfers to individual leaders we get corruption.
It is not news that the power holders in Washington are corrupt, that's old news, but I put it to you that the reason is precisely because they have power. Don't delude yourself that if only "the right people" are elected that will all change. Power corrupts, always.
So are we just out of luck? The Founding Fathers thought that the key was to believe in the citizens and trust them. I think that is the only way to go. Yes people can be amazingly average, ignorant or whatever, but they are less likely to be corrupted than the individuals they elect because of their sheer number. The government cannot "fix" things, the most they can do is regulate them.
I think my utopia would be this; take the "power" enticement out of government, maybe set it up like the jury system. Wait, hear me out. I am afraid but not sure if we need to tweek some of the constitution, but if we did, we would do it in that direction.
How about this:
1. Repeal the latest entitlement "Health Care Reform". Wait, Wait it know many of you see it as the only way, well I say the only way a government run plan will go is to pull everyone down and make it fair that way (look at England and Canada). Instead my proposal is to really let loose on the free market system and get basic medical care dirt cheap and the more advanced stuff well funded so that it too gets to that basic level that much faster. I know that sounds naive, but think about what capitalism has given us and reserve judgment on this.
2. Repeal the 16th Amendment, get rid of the IRS. I believe this is the greatest burden we have and by that I mean on our freedom. I realize the government has to have money, but I don't believe it needs to know so much about us. How about a consumption tax with an upper limit. Yes I know the debate on taxes and stimulating the economy, but I believe that all should have (as our president was fond of saying) "some skin in the the game". So that all feel a need to partake, or at least a nudge. If all goes right (and don't tell me the other ideas have not had a run) then the economy will heat up, the coffers will fill.
3. Have laws written in more or completely in a technical writing format not legalese. Everyone or most (say at a level like a newspaper but set the bar a bit higher, say 10th grade level) must understand what the laws are, simple language and very few pages. Make the laws simple and as easy to execute as possible in this complex world. This will maximize freedom of action and laws that apply only when they interfere with another person's freedom. It is not a good idea to legislate morality, legislate action that results from immorality.
4. Wean us off Social Security to a system where citizens invest their own money. Have it be required at first (we are addicted) and then (when we are ready) let the citizenry reinforce that wisdom by incorporating into our culture.
5. Understand that some portion (a small portion like genetic diseases) will never care for themselves. Accept that and care for them but realize most are able.
6. Have government ALWAYS more monitored than citizens. Government should have the responsibility to keep us safe and keep the wheels turning under citizen scrutiny. Transparency is not an option but built into the system. NO choice.
7. Make government as part time as possible. Share jobs or whatever to keep from amassing power.
8. Make the separation of power more solid. No "legislating from the bench" or congress telling the President how to run his office or the President running congress. They are meant "not to be pals". It is designed that way. Oh and congress should not be able to raise its own salary. How inane is that?
In the end, I propose that government become a "duty" not a career, something we don't "lust" after. With that in place, capitalism can take off. I know many of you worry about that, what about the evil of corporate giants, the greedy Wall Street, etc., etc., etc. Well I say Pooh, that should be regulated properly. No more of congress telling lenders what to do and then blaming them when they do it. Or Wall Street taking money and then paying them out as salaries instead of paying off bad loans etc., etc., etc. Simple laws adapted to the complex world, enforcement without kickback. Well as close as we can get. It can't get worse than the wholesale feeding at the trough we have just seen.
There is a place for mega corporations- huge research projects, scientific breakthroughs, etc. There is a place for the small business which amounts to most of the business in this country. Put it all together and we can run off in our own direction, self confident and on our own. The best way to be, after all. Forget trying to convince everyone that your way is best. Do your own thing and stay out of my thing, in the end that is the best way for a diverse population to live together. We don't need clones, we would die out quickly, but we will have to accept diversity. Just don't step into my garden and I won't step into yours, we can talk across the fence and enjoy what we can. What do you think?
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