My Plan for Ending US Political Corruption
“Don’t worry we’re from the government and we’re here to help!” What a sad political irony in today’s world. I remember growing up thinking that people in political power were chosen by the people because of their awe inspiring love for their nation and genuine desire to help the American people. Now I think they are chosen because we really didn’t have any other choice. Even though politician’s ad campaigns and clever slogans would imply their honest interest in the good of the people, I have yet to get that warm fuzzy feeling that they are making any attempt to fulfill that. The truth is, I question the real intent or reason that politicians do anything anymore. I feel like a conspiracy theorist, but all I want is to have the blind faith that politicians/government entities really exist for the common good. There is no way to smoothly resolve this problem. Sometimes the system just needs a reboot. A new rulebook. As a pious ;-) American citizen, having no desire for political power, here are my recommendations for a quick fix. Good luck convincing the active congress or the senate to pass these measures.
1. Eliminate the bipartisan system. There will be NO parties at all. You can call him conservative or her liberal but it will mean nothing more than that. Politicians will stand up for what they think is right not because their party is pressuring them in one direction or the other.
2. Lobbying to politicians will be illegal in any form. Every politician’s decision will be motivated by his/her personal knowledge of a matter or his/her own ideals of justice, morality, right/wrong, etc. Be careful who you vote for. If you don’t like it, write a letter. Write a twitter if you are that annoying. No more lunches provided by lobbyists from GM or trips to Cancun on IBM’s lobbying dollar. This will be enforced by item #6.
3. Enforce term limits for any government position. The total number of years at any position is applied to a total number. For example, let’s say you were the mayor of Corruptville for 5 years then the president of the US for 4 years. Your total number of years counting against you would be 9 years. I like the number 13…..so that would be the total number of years for any political positions. After that, go get a real job and put something back into the system you just leached for 13 years. Politicians need to have real world skills just like everyone else.
4. Apply a flat tax rate. The primary branches of the government will assess the US’s flat tax rate every 4 years. They will come to an agreement and that’s it. No deductibles. No loopholes. No off-shoring funds. No hiding profits under a Swedish rock. No exemptions. Everyone pays. Every business pays. 15.9848% tax on every dollar you made, that’s it. The system is entirely too complex to incorporate adjustments applicable to every taxpayer, every family, and every business. Since everyone’s tax situations are too complex, just make it flat for everyone. This is the only way to remove the tax evasive corruption. That is the best degree of fairness without making things more complicated than they already are. Everyone will whine and complain, but once they have put their selfishness aside and learned to take responsibility for themselves they will respect the equality. (I would also like to apply a flat sales tax (with the exemption of food products) on everything purchased but that may be unnecessary.)
5. Pay people in political positions very well. Make it worth their time to work hard and perform to the best of their ability.
6. Change the IRS job description. Since we now have a flat tax rate, we only need a minimum amount of IRS agents to ensure everyone is legitimately in compliance with the flat tax rate. What in the world will we do with the thousands of excess IRS agents?? They will not be fired; they will now scrutinizingly audit every political position in existence. No more lunches provided by GM or trips to Cancun on IBM’s dollar. As a politician, if your salary did not buy that hamburger or condo in Palm Springs then you don’t get it. The IRS will know about every dollar earned, every chunk of inheritance, and every piece of accrued wealth this person and relatives will EVER acquire, even after retirement. If you are mysteriously able to purchase a brand new Escalade for $20, we will know about it. Prosecution will be extreme and quick for any noncompliance (guaranteed jail time, minimum 13 years, no probation or early release).
It’s not perfect. But it’s a start. Today it seems people want to be in politics for self serving purposes. If you eliminate the option for self-serving purposes, then, in principle, you motivate the pure in heart. You motivate good people towards political positions because the only thing they are allowed to work towards is the good of the people and not their own billfold.
If my president said I should go to war, I should want to go because I really believe he is a good person making a correct decision, not because of my loyalty to his position. I am tired of being loyal to a government that does not represent my ideals. I will NEVER 100% agree with the decisions of those in power placed over me, but I will willingly follow them if I truly felt that they are in power because they have a genuine interest in the good of the people. I want my blind faith back. P.S. I am not a nazi or hoping for a political upheaval. I really believe the US is number 1, but we need some tweaks to keep that.
Next up, social reform, immigration, the audacity of hope, welfare, healthcare, and baseball.
6 comments:
Just got an official government fax, you are now on our "unhappy with our corrupt governing system" list, you will now be watched and monitored for any "anti-stupidity" remarks which will go in your "file." If you make anymore non-politically correct statements you will be labeled as an extremist. You are a threat to "Free Speech" just like Miss California. If you are not speaking on the "talking points" don't speak. Now, be blindly loyal, unquestioning, and happy with our current glorious system. That's an order or else. -vance
When Summer told me that you had written a political blog, I told her, “Oh, ok. I’ll be sure to read that after I watch my favorite Jonas Brothers movie – again and again.” Needless to say, I couldn’t believe her. But I see that you have published some thoughts, and I think you have a lot of great ideas! I want to touch on each point, but I want to stand on my libertarian soapbox before I do (which is the internet equivalent of being a dazed lunatic who stands outside subway tunnels with a cardboard sign that reads: Will work for anti-food-stamps).
At any rate, it’s my unrealistic, yet defendable belief that government should only perform three relatively simple functions (however, I will list them in order of their breadth and complexity) : 1. Create, maintain, and (above all) honor a form of currency or trade notes that people (including non-citizens) can exchange in their dealings. 2. Define, maintain, and defend borders. Unfortunately, this one gives rise to more convoluted topics like immigration, sovereignty, and imperialism – which are highly debatable. 3. Officiate a sort of tribunal system, which must include elected officials (in accordance with our Constitution), that oversees the enforcement of contracts. These courts should be able to handle our criminal system (seeing as law-breaking is a violation of an informal contract made with our nation – which also leads me to believe that people should be allowed to opt out of that contract when they see the law as a violation of decency [much like Henry David Thorough, as an abolitionist – not that he was able to withdraw his US citizenship]), civil disputes (which ought to be reviewed more selectively by courts), an appeals court (and whatever other amenities are required by our Constitution), and serve as an interpretive committee of sorts (perhaps our Supreme Court is a good example of this, even if our methods of appointment are awful). Contracts become extremely complex when the citizenry makes deals with its government – like agreeing to be taxed if the government will use that taxation to provide widely appreciated services like roads and schools. I’d like to hear more free market solutions to those sorts of problems though. That’s it!
At any rate, let’s touch on your points!
1. Yes! At the least, America needs a third major party.
2. Lobbying stinks. I think individuals could speak loudly, in concert, to be heard in the way lobbyists are heard now. It’s unrealistic to think that organizations and unions really emulate the interests of ALL their members. It’s misleading to our representatives, which should be reason enough to change it - corruption or no corruption. I think if we could rid ourselves of special interest group lobbying, and actually give people the chance to be meaningfully involved in politics, then people might be more inclined to be politically active, politically aware. Also, this might incite other positive side effects, like citizens demanding government transparency and financial accountability after they REALIZE what a mess has been made under their collective nose.
3. I love the idea of enforced general service limits. 13 is a fine number. But why not 12?
4. I would vote for a flat tax. I particularly like your ideas on corporations, etc. The tax code really is a Gordian Knot – this would fix it. It would also eliminate a substantial amount of corruption/abuse.
5. Your fifth proposal seemed counter to the rest of your proposals. I can see why you say it, but I don’t like the idea of people making more money in similar government positions than they would if they worked in the free market – which is the case with many military positions (as I have recently learned).
6. Ron Paul promised he would discontinue the IRS if he were president. Somehow, not everyone liked this idea (which bodes poorly for America). The last bit of your proposal here sort of chafed against me. I’m not particularly into the idea of anally probing every person who takes it upon themselves to perform a public service. You see, I have been anally probed by the government – so consider me a subject expert.
I was talking some of these ideas up with a good friend here in Monterey, he’s very smart and politically active, and his response really broke my heart. Essentially, he said, “I used to be Libertarian, but I stopped because I realized what would happen to America if we cut a lot of the government fat. The families of our society are too dependent on redistribution of money – society would go through a time of dysfunction.” What’s worse is that, to an extent, he is right. American society is nigh hopelessly dependent on the way the government spreads money. If the government stopped taking money from your wallet (or just, ya know, printing it) look at who would stop getting paid: Teachers? Gone. The ENTIRE medical community? Gone. Armed Forces? Gone – well, sorta. The list goes on and on and on and on. Essentially, our society is dependent on its largest cancer: government.
I hate to sound too apocalyptic, but I am curious to see how it all pans out. You mention that America is number 1, and in some ways that is true. But are we a number 1 that is in decline?
Looks like we have a future politician on our hand :) you and dredge can get together!
MaSoV
When did you stop being my kid brother? I've often wondered what you think about while riding around on your mountain bike or what you discuss with your wife over the dinner table. Yes, everyone wants the system to change but very few are willing or capable to work within the current system to affect change, myself included. With your evident passion, you really should consider rallying support for your points and/or run for public office, and not because you desire political power but because I agree with you. When I was a (ahem)...political science major in college, my classmates all did internships for local campaigns but I just couldn't move myself past thinking globally to acting locally. One of my classmates, that became friends with my wife in England, worked under former Salt Lake mayor Rocky Anderson and then went on to run for city councilwoman and she's probably your age. At the very least I'm just grateful that may perhaps be interested in that "Empire" book I gave you for Christmas.
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