Our governance has undergone serious disdain & neglect
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Transcript of Our governance has undergone serious disdain & neglect
The issue is NOT just a poor Law or Program here
or there. It’s more fundamental. The processes are
broken - - so the solution must be pretty
fundamental as well.
OUR BROKEN PROCESSES NEED “REAL CHANGE”
A OVERVIEW - -
CONCERNS FOR
AMERICA
I. DRIFTING AWAY FROM THE CONSTITUTION
II. IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING & DEBT
III. INFLATED POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS
IV. DECLINING AMERICAN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
B SOME SPECIFIC
EXAMPLES
• IMMIGRATION
• HEALTHCARE
• TERRORISM AND AMERICA
• BACKING AMERICAN INNOVATION & GROWTH
C SOLUTION
PROPOSAL - -
A BETTER PATH:
PROCESS vs
ISSUE
ORIENTATION
• STATE VS FEDERAL ISSUES - DIFFERENT, BUT NOT SO
DIFFERENT
• PROCESS COMMONALITY IN THE ABOVE ISSUES
• A DURABLE SOLUTION - - MORE CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT:
A NEW BILL OF RIGHTS
D SOLUTION PLAN • A STATE-LEVEL PROTOTYPE - - LEADING TO A NATIONAL SCOPE
• INCLUDES EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN THE GOP
• A CORE TEAM + ALLIANCES: POLITICAL GROUPS / MEDIA /
FUNDING
SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT AMERICA'S PATH
In this discussion, I hope to use 4 specific National Problems to illustrate why I feel many of our governance processes have been allowed to drift off target. This drift has been occurring for several decades, but I believe is reaching a stage where further drift is dangerous to our Nation.
This presentation uses the 4 specific National problems to illustrate the danger. These are not selected because they are the most dangerous. Rather, they are different enough, that I hope to show that the overall rationale of the approach I've used is versatile. And accordingly, that actions taken, on what some may consider a "broad scale", will accordingly open up avenues that will help resolve many of today's problems.
I'm trying my thoughts out here, because I believe if I can convince Readers of the path proposed, you might offer suggestions to move the plan in a positive direction.
SECT.
A
OVERVIEW - - TOWARD BETTER GOVERNANCE
The item I wish to express is a deep concern over
our American Governance. I believe my concerns,
although mostly Federal, also can affect State level
governance. Three points:
1. As the chart -> shows, some governance is
shared between the Feds and the States.
2. State governance was intended by the Founders
as a "balance" to Federal power.
3. Many of my concerns relate to defects in our
governance PROCESSES . These processes
share commonality between Federal and State
levels.
I hope to convince you that, the Founders were
quite wise in mandating a balance of power,
but we've drifted from that. Today, more voice
by every American Citizen, is needed to
improve things at both the State and Federal
level.
100% of GDP and is
shortly, among
COSTS OF THE NATIONAL DEBT
WASTING so many $$ ON DEBT IS IRRESPONSIBLE
In 2011, the U.S. spent more on net interest than it spent on many Federal departments.
- - WISE USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY?
Billions of dollars (2011)
Source: Office of Management and Budget:
President Obama in a Sept 2014 address to the Nation, spoke of having confronted the Islamic State in the
Levant (ISIL), a group spreading terror and death in Syria and Iraq. In taking the action, however, he asserted
that Congressional approval —while desirable— is not required. But those who value our Constitution view
that as a breaking of his Oath of Office, to preserve, protect and defend that fundamental compact between
Citizens and their Government. Yes, the Chief Executive has authority as Commander in Chief to implement
war, AFTER authorization from Congress. But this authorization was not sought. The Administration claims
that the authority flows from a decade-earlier, 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF) passed by
Congress in the days immediately following the 9/11/2001 attack on NYC.
THE WAY IT WAS: THE CONSTITUTIONAL WAY: APRIL 3, 1917 re WW I :
SOME CONTEMPORARY GOVERNANCE ISSUES - EXAMPLE #2
The issue of a suspect resisting arrest is a critical ingredient in both the Brown and Garner arrest cases. In both cases, the relative size of the Officer and the suspect was a factor, in that both officers were confronting a very large (tall and heavy) suspect and encountered resistance in making the arrest. The case of Eric Garner is particularly interesting, given the video available of the resistance act itself.
Garner had been selling “loose”cigarettes on a main street. These transactions were intended as a technique to circumvent the lawful cigarette tax costs, and were a public nuisance for the local shopowners whose price needed to include such tax. Of course, the no-tax scam was not a capital offense, nor a felony, but rather, perhaps a misdemeanor at most.
As Garner backed away and brushed aside attempts to handcuff him, Officer Pantaleo grabbed him from behind by the head/neck to pull him down, as other cops swarmed in. Repeatedly, Garner cried, "I can't breathe!"
ARRESTING ERIC GARNER CONTEMPLATION
OF JUSTICE
On the ground, he again cried, "I can't breathe!". Much public press has been given to this circumstance. Yet Garner did not die by strangulation. According to the city medical examiner assessment, he died from the "compression of chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police."BETWEEN POLITICAL AX-GRINDING AND MEDIA BIAS, THE CITIZENS' VOICE HAS BEEN STIFLED.TWO NYPD COPS WERE LATER ASSASSINATED.
NATIONAL DIVISIVENESS: FERGUSON, MO and NYC - - The Police DID Their Job
IDEAL. SOME EXAMPLES AND RATIONALE FOLLOW.
SURELY, CITIZENS MUST DEMAND A BETTER PATH FOR AMERICA
A OVERVIEW - -
CONCERNS FOR
AMERICA
I. DRIFTING AWAY FROM THE CONSTITUTION
II. IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING & DEBT
III. INFLATED POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS
IV. DECLINING AMERICAN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
B SOME SPECIFIC
EXAMPLES
• IMMIGRATION
• HEALTHCARE
• TERRORISM AND AMERICA
• BACKING AMERICAN INNOVATION & GROWTH
C SOLUTION
PROPOSAL - -
A BETTER PATH:
PROCESS vs
ISSUE
ORIENTATION
• STATE VS FEDERAL ISSUES - DIFFERENT, BUT NOT SO
DIFFERENT
• PROCESS COMMONALITY IN THE ABOVE ISSUES
• A DURABLE SOLUTION - - MORE CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT:
A NEW BILL OF RIGHTS
D SOLUTION PLAN • A STATE-LEVEL PROTOTYPE - - LEADING TO A NATIONAL SCOPE
• INCLUDES EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN THE GOP
• A CORE TEAM + ALLIANCES: POLITICAL GROUPS / MEDIA /
FUNDING
SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT AMERICA'S PATH
In this portion, section B, I cover the 4 example National issues noted earlier. In each case, this is a fairly brief discussion and a great more material could be covered. But that will be saved for another time.
For today, the objective is more a "30,000 foot view" of the problem area, some root sources of each issue and ultimately a proposed, durable solution path (Constitutional Amendment) that addresses the "process" problem. Because the solution formulated is broad, I believe that each solution element will ultimately improve the function of not just the issue it stems from here, but will help fix other current problems and prevent many more from even materializing in the first place.
A tall order? Yes. Easy to implement? No. But it does follow the thoughts of the Founding Fathers for a Free Nation that follows the Rule of Law and allows its Citizens to choose their life pattern, participate usefully in their society, and work hard to realize their dreams and raise their families.
SECT.
B
IMMIGRATION ISSUE - - THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
• Nancy Pelosi wasn’t kidding when she said Congress would have to pass Obamacare “to see what’s in it.” That’s because the bill gave Federal agencies free rein to write Regulations that would become the real-world version of the law—and even though it passed in 2010, the Regulations are still being written today.• The immigration bill does the same thing—it gives over Congressional authority to Federal Agencies, allowing unelected bureaucrats to work out many details later.
History shows that big bills designed to solve everything wind up creating as many problems as they address. They become loaded with payoffs for special interests and often introduce measures that work at cross purposes. Moreover, the Citizenry are basically kept in the dark about laws and regulations that can significantly affect their liberty and pocketbook. Why “kept in the dark”?Let’s take a look at the 844 page Immigration bill, S.744 .
TITLE I—BORDER SECURITY Page 1
TITLE II—IMMIGRANT VISAS Page 32
TITLE III—INTERIOR ENFORCEMENT Page 59
TITLE IV—REFORMS TO NON-IMMIGRANT
VISA PROGRAMS
Page 658
THE END ( mercifully) Page 844
Yes … that’s 844 pages. That’s about 40 times the size of our U.S.
Constitution. And as a recipe for freedom, opportunity and prosperity, our
Constitution has acquitted itself superbly.
SENATE BILL S.744
‘‘Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and
Immigration Modernization Act’’
Here’s a top level look at the INNARDS OF S.744
comprising 844 pages:
THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE
SENATE BILL S.744
‘‘Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and
Immigration Modernization Act’’
THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE - - AMNESTY
A FEW FURTHER ISSUES REGARDING AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS (I.A.’s) :
• Granting amnesty inherently incentivizes others to come here to ignore our laws, since we make it very
desirable to thrive under our laws and government benefits.
• Some argue that the legislation already assures border security. But a careful reading by several noted
analysts, concludes that indeed, although the bill discusses border control, what is promised is that the
government (DHS) will develop a “strategy” for border control. But a “strategy” for protecting the border IS
NOT a binding implementation . So, in fact, the building of a solid consensus around this legislation, as would
be expected of good lawmaking process, has some notable flaws.
• Fraud is also a natural fallout of government ignoring the law. Below , 2 charts show that many I.A.’s (i) are
working at jobs while American citizens cannot find employment. (ii) about 25% of IA’s have been convicted of
crimes and the annual jail costs are not small.
THE COSTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
COST ELEMENTS A COST ILLUSTRATION
Government provides four types of benefits and services that
are relevant to unlawful immigration:
• DIRECT BENEFITS. (E.g., Social Security, Medicare, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation.)• MEANS-TESTED WELFARE BENEFITS. (E.g., Medicaid, food stamps, the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit, public housing, Assistance for Needy Families, etc.)• PUBLIC EDUCATION. (At a cost of $12,300 per pupil per year, these services are largely free or heavily subsidized for low-income parents.• POPULATION-BASED SERVICES. (E.g., Police, fire, highways, parks, and similar services, which generally have to expand as new immigrants enter a community)
A detailed cost analysis from the Heritage Foundation, helps illustrate the magnitude of financial impact associated with the Senate “Gang of 8” immigration proposal. The $24,721 bar shows the average government payout (from sources in left part of the figure) for an illegal, but amnestied family. The right figure shows also the taxes paid in by the family. When average total costs are projected through retirement of all those amnestied, the net addition (benefits paid out less taxes paid in) will be $6.3Trillion over the multiple average years to retirement.
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IGNORES ITS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES AND CITIZENS SUFFER COSTS, MAYHEM AND POSSIBLE DISEASE.
WHO IS DEFENDING THE CITIZENS' CONSTITUTION?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been a complex issue ever since it was just a gleam in the eye of President Obama. The healthcare law has now been with us for several years, and the complexity continues to grow.
As an example, Jennifer Moxley of Charlotte, NC,decided her family was complete and that she wished to get a tubal ligation. Under the Affordable Care Act, that sterilization surgery is one of the preventive services that’s supposed to be fully covered by insurance. But when her gynecologist checked with her insurance company, Moxley was told she’d end up paying $9,000 for anesthesia, medication and the hospital room. “It’s a ridiculous loophole,” Moxley said. She added: she has decided to hold off on the surgery. “I can’t justify that much money out of pocket just for the security of peace of mind.”
To help grasp the scope of some of the expenses
involved, the chart illustrates what the $2.8T
annual healthcare costs could purchase, if spent
differently.
THE OBAMACARE ISSUE
high estimate
low estimate
So how big are the so-called "hidden" or
indirect costs of Obamacare? The chart at
right indicates they could be a factor of 2.5
times the direct costs which are often those
mostly discussed. Here are a few insights.
In North Carolina and across the country,
hidden costs have popped up on multiple “fully
covered” preventive services ranging from
contraception to cancer screening to annual
checkups. One problem is the interface
between covered "prevention" and costly
"diagnosis" is a little nebulous. Thus ,
insurers, providers, advocates and officials are
still wrangling over the rules, which can affect
thousands of dollars out of patients' pocket.
THE OBAMACARE ISSUE
Another "hidden" cost relates to the accompanying bureaucratic apparatus necessitated by the
government taking on a major intrusive role in healthcare administration. On July 3, 2014, the
Obama administration reduced freedom by adding 1,296 pages of new regulations to ObamaCare.
Thus, all doctors and their office staff, business owners, local officials and virtually everyone else
subject to the law must now spend hours filling out paperwork with no pay for their labor. It’s a
colossal effort. Now four years old, ObamaCare has been estimated to impose 159 million hours of
paperwork a year on the public. That’s the administration’s own estimate. Among the July 3rd rules
is one that compels doctors who accept Medicare to report 18 different clinical measurements on
their patients, such as whether they are overweight and have been counseled about weight control.
The Regulators estimate that this single report could take as long as 108 minutes per patient and
consume 5.4 million hours a year nationwide. That’s time that could be spent treating patients or
calling them to remind them to take their meds.
The American Action Forum, a public-policy organization, notes that ObamaCare is in a class by
itself, in imposing paperwork. The Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, is the
biggest culprit, responsible for 90 million hours a year of ObamaCare paperwork chores.
THE OBAMACARE ISSUE
Moreover, ObamaCare gives the IRS 46 new functions, including collecting new taxes and
exchanging information about patients,their family and their income with HHS and state insurance
exchanges. “It’s unprecedented in recent history, the amount of responsibility the IRS is being
given in an area that most people don’t think of as an IRS function,” J. Russell George, a tax
official, told Congress last March.
“Burdensome and redundant regulations (from whichever source, see chart) are the most common barriers to the free conduct of entrepreneurial activity,” the Heritage Foundation cautions. And, warns Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett Packard: "Some Government bureaucracies like complexity because it keeps them busy and funded.”
But the costs of this paperwork, again, will surely be borne by the Taxpayer.
THE OBAMACARE ISSUE
THE OBAMACARE ISSUE
Historically, defense spending cuts have preceded increased international turmoil as America’s global enemies sense a failure of will. In 1932, FDR slashed defense spending from $752 million in 1932 to $531 million in 1934. By the time of World War II, America was thoroughly unprepared to make war, with an army, ranking 16th on the planet. That unwillingness to fund defense led both Hitler and the Japanese to believe they could make war on the United States with impunity.
After World War II, during which the United States spent 43.6% of its annual GDP on defense. In 1949, in a time of peace and prosperity, Harry Truman justified defense cuts to 14% of GDP by citing the end of World War II. But then, the Korean War broke out, as the Soviets and Chinese were encouraged by America’s weakened Military. President Truman later increased the defense budget by more than a factor of 5, from $9.1 billion in 1948 to $52.8 billion. If such devastating cuts had been avoided, might the Korean War have been prevented?
Overall, major defense cuts come with a serious price: the price of emboldened enemies. Could this be a factor in an emboldened China in the South China Sea? Or a resurgent Vladimir Putin-led Russia? Or an aggressively Islamist Middle East? The problem with large-scale military decreases is the message to the rest of the world that America is in retreat. In 2011, the defense budget represented 4.7% of total GDP; a 75 year trendline is shown in the figure. An omen of bad times to come?
TERRORISM AND AMERICA
As France reels from two bloody terrorist attacks in as many days, Pamela Geller warns this is just the beginning and unless Americans take action, “Such attacks are coming here.” In an exclusive interview with WND, the author of “Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance” painted a dire picture of the Western future. Even after the most devastating terrorist attacks in French history, Geller judged that “no European nations are doing anything against Islamization at this time, and I don’t see any indication that any will in the near future.”
Following the terrorist attacks on an American facility in Libya and the murder of the American ambassador on Sept. 11, 2012, President Obama intoned that the “U.S rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others.”
In the aftermath of the Paris attacks, American government officials told reporters that “eliminating the threat is impossible” and that the potential for Paris-style attacks in the United States “is the new normal.”
In contrast, Geller has recommendations about what needs to be done if the United States is to defend itself from the threat of Islamic terrorism. (1) “We should monitor the mosques and demand that Muslim groups renounce the aspects of Islam and Sharia that are violent and supremacist and in conflict with Western principles of freedom and human rights.” (2) “This has to be backed up by honest, transparent and inspectable programs teaching young Muslims to reject this understanding of Islam. The French government should do the same.” http://www.wnd.com/2015/01/can-america-stop-paris-style-terror-from-coming-here .
TERRORISM AND AMERICA
BACKING AMERICAN INNOVATION & GROWTH
AMERICAN BUSINESSES FACE THE HIGHEST TAX RATES IN THE WORLD. SMART?
NOT ACCORDING TO MOST CITIZENS. LET'S KEEP THE BUSINESS ACUMEN, THE
PROFITS AND THE JOBS HERE IN AMERICA. THEY HELPED MAKE AMERICA WHAT IT IS.
BACKING
AMERICAN
INNOVATION
& GROWTH
lAM
OVERALL BACKGROUND
The current federal tax system is so complex, most Americans (and most Elected officials) do not understand it. It has loopholes too often used to punish or reward politically selected population segments.
Moreover, within this overly complextax framework, Citizens can not perform well the role of overseeing government revenue raising . The Fair Tax (FT) is far SIMPLER to understand and comply with.
A brief summary of FT features is this:
• structured like a National sales tax, • inherently simple, and immune from political favoritism. • eradicates Income, Capital Gains, Gift and Estate taxes.
Citizens will no longer have to fill out any yearly tax forms, since taxes are collected only from those businesses that sell new goods directly to the Citizen/Consumer. Re-sales of used goods are not taxed.
PROBLEM: AMERICA’S ULTRA-COMPLEX TAX SYSTEM
U.S. TAX CODE GROWTH -Source: cchgroup.com
BACKING
AMERICAN
INNOVATION
& GROWTH
M
AN EXAMPLE PROBLEM:
The political abuse of IRS power harassing Conservatives has been much in the news . .
It is troubling that so many government employees could participate in anunlawful attack on Conservative organizations and not realize that they were doing something wrong.
PROBLEM: AMERICA’S ULTRA-COMPLEX TAX SYSTEM
Thus, the FAIR TAX equality and simplicity of enforcement should
appeal to many Americans, independent of political persuasion.
E.g., even if a Citizen were employed “off the books” and received all of
their income in cash, they could not avoid paying the FairTax when they
go shopping. More folks would have “skin in the game”.
BACKING
AMERICAN
INNOVATION
& GROWTH
BACKING
AMERICAN
INNOVATION
& GROWTH
So, the following Root Causes characterize this issue:
A. Tax complexity imposes significant waste of time for Elected Officials, Citizenry and Businesses. All groups could be far more productive by spending their time on true problems. Businesses would be less apt to "move their headquarters overseas".
B.Government complexity due to size and mass of regulations is a recipe for Government abuse of power and fundamental Citizen Rights. The Tax System opaqueness has enabled favoritism, waivers and loopholes that undermine Citizen confidence in basic fairness.
C.Additionally, Fair Tax transparency/simplicity, would enable better accountability of Government to Citizens.
TAX SYSTEM ROOT CAUSE ISSUES
BACKING AMERICAN INNOVATION & GROWTH
A OVERVIEW - -
CONCERNS FOR
AMERICA
I. DRIFTING AWAY FROM THE CONSTITUTION
II. IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING & DEBT
III. INFLATED POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS
IV. DECLINING AMERICAN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
B SOME SPECIFIC
EXAMPLES
• IMMIGRATION
• HEALTHCARE
• TERRORISM AND AMERICA
• BACKING AMERICAN INNOVATION & GROWTH
C SOLUTION
PROPOSAL - -
A BETTER PATH:
PROCESS vs
ISSUE
ORIENTATION
• STATE VS FEDERAL ISSUES - DIFFERENT, BUT NOT SO
DIFFERENT
• PROCESS COMMONALITY IN THE ABOVE ISSUES
• A DURABLE SOLUTION - - MORE CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT:
A NEW BILL OF RIGHTS
D SOLUTION PLAN • A STATE-LEVEL PROTOTYPE - - LEADING TO A NATIONAL SCOPE
• INCLUDES EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN THE GOP
• A CORE TEAM + ALLIANCES: POLITICAL GROUPS / MEDIA /
FUNDING
SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT AMERICA'S PATH
In this portion, Section C, two specific relationships are correlated as follows:1. The generalized governance process defects previously noted in Sec B, are related to
a preliminary, brief formulation of a Constitutional Amendment that is offered as a critical digest of "lessons learned" to remedy the governance defect at which it is directed.
2. The "lessons learned" are then combined into several, proposed Constitutional Amendments that logically connect some common threads found within the 4 examples analyzed earler.
In actual fact, I've examined some dozen or so governance defects that rank highly on my list of concerns for America. These have already been combined into a strategic grouping of 10 Amendments, which could be regarded as a reprise to the original Bill of Rights. Not that the original ones are defective - - but after 2+ centuries, is it surprising that some clarifications here and there could be generated (as wisely envisioned by the Founders) to help extend the Constitutional foundations of our American Governance to later living conditions?
SECT.
C
GENERALIZED PROCESS DEFECT GENERALIZED PROCESS REMEDY [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMT)I-1 EXECUTIVE BRANCH DISREGARDS
CONSTITUTIONAL LAWMAKING POWER OF
CONGRESS AND THEIR OWN LAW
ENFORCEMENT ROLE
• CONGRESS SHALL CREATE A MULTI-TASKED CITIZEN-POPULATED, OVERSIGHT PANEL (C.O.P.) COMPRISED OF 25 DULY-REGISTERED, SALARIED CITIZENS. THE PANEL, WITH A SUPPORT STAFF OF
100 PERSONS, SHALL ACT AS THE CITIZEN’S DIRECT ENVOY TO THE FEDERAL GOV’T AND SHALL HAVE
AUTHORITY TO ACT AS THE CITIZEN’S OMBUDSMAN IN DIRECT INTERACTION WITH THE FEDERAL
EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES. THE C.O.P. SHALL RESPOND TO ANY CITIZEN
REQUEST FOR ACTION SIGNED BY 2500 DULY REGISTERED U.S. CITIZENS.
• SEMI-ANNUAL, MANDATORY FEDERAL & STATE CITIZENS-WITH-THEIR-REPRESENTATIVES TELEVISED +
INTERACTIVE MEETINGS SHALL BE REQUIRED. THE APPROPRIATE C.O.P. PANEL SHALL BE IN
ATTENDANCE AT THE TELEVISION ORIGINATION SITE.
I-2 CONGRESS DOES NOT FOLLOW OATH OF
OFFICE TO PROTECT & DEFEND THE
CONSTITUTION
I-3 ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION UNDERCUTS JOBS OF
LEGAL CITIZENS
I-4 EXECUTIVE BRANCH CONSTITUTIONAL
POWER OF THE 50 STATES' LAW
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS
C.O.P. + GOVERNORS MUST ATTEST IN WRITING: " I HAVE READ THIS AND I BELIEVE THIS IS
CONSTITUTIONAL"
RESULTS MUST BE MADE PUBLIC PRIOR TO BILL APPTOVAL
I-5 NATION NOT PROTECTING CITIZENS FROM
CRIMINAL / TERRORIST AND DISEASE -
POTENTIAL OF ILLEGAL INFILTRATION INTO
THE USA
• EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN SHALL CARRY A DULY-AUTHORIZED FEDERAL CITIZEN IDENTITY CARD OR
SHALL BE DEPORTED FROM THE NATION WITHIN 60 DAYS OF ARREST FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE SUCH
IDENTITY. CONGRESS SHALL STIPULATE THE REQUIREMENTS TO EARN SUCH A CARD. REQUIREMENTS
MUST CONTAIN AN ACCEPTABLE COMMAND OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL
PRINCIPLES FOR AMERICAN GOVERNANCE FOR ALL APPLICANTS OVER THE AGE OF 21.
• CREATE BORDER STATE GOVERNORS AMERICAN INTEGRITY PANEL (BSGAIP) TO HAVE SEPARATE
JOINT CIVIL ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITY OF BORDER INTEGRITY FOR AMERICAN CITIZEN SAFETY.
I-6 CONGRESS AND AGENCIES PASS LAWS &
REGULATIONS TOO NUMEROUS AND COMPLEX
FOR CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND
LIMIT # OF BILLS PER LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND MAXIMUM WORD SIZE OF EACH BILL
1-7 EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAS BEEN INTERFERING
IN STATES RIGHTS TO PROTECT ITS OWN
CITIZENS
UP TO 5 BILLS PER SESSION MAY BE SUBMITTED BY EACH OF THE C.O.P. or the BGAIP, TO BOTH THE
LEADERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE BRANCHES OF CONGRESS. SUCH SUMITTALS MUST BE PUT TO A
FULL FLOOR VOTE OF EACH CONGRESSIONAL BODY IF RECEIVED PRIOR TO 120 DAYS OF CONCLUSION
OF THE CONGRESSIONAL SESSION.
THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE
GENERALIZED PROCESS DEFECT
GENERALIZED PROCESS REMEDY
I-1
CONGRESS AND AGENCIES PASS LAWS & REGULATIONS TOO NUMEROUS AND COMPLEX FOR CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND
• LEGISLATION IS LIMITED TO 100 BILLS PER SESSION AND 5000 WORDS PER BILL• EACH LEGISLATOR “AYE” VOTE MUST ATTEST CONSTITUTIONALITY• EVERY BILL MUST BE PUBLISHED 120 DAYS BEFORE FINAL APPROVAL OF EITHER HOUSE OF CONGRESS• from AMENDMT #8
I-2OVERSIGHT OF UNACCOUNTABLE FEDERAL AGENCIES IS TOO HAPHAZARD AND SPARSE
• ALL REGULATORY AGENCY RULES MUST BE AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESSIONAL VOTE, AS FOR ANY FEDERAL LEGISLATION.
• ALL EXISTING REGULATIONS, ON APPROVAL OF THIS AMENDMENT, MUST NOW BE FORMALLY AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESSIONAL VOTE WITHIN 4 YEARS OF THIS AMENDMENT APPROVAL, OR SHALL BE NULL AND VOID.
• CONGRESS MUST APPROVE, BY A 2/3 MAJORITY VOTE, THE TOP LEADER OF EVERY FEDERAL AGENCY CHARTERED BY ANY BRANCH OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
I-3
FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS IMPOSE TOO MUCH BURDENSOME AND UNPRODUCTIIVE EFFORT ON CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES
I-4
THERE IS NO INTEGRATED COST CONTROL OVER THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS IMPOSED BY CONGRESSIONAL LAWS
• MANDATE THE “FAIR TAX”; MANDATE FEDERAL BIENNIAL BUDGETING; IRS DOWNSCOPE TO 10% OF CURRENT MANPOWER; ALL MONIES RECV’D BY GOV’T MUST BE RECORDED AND TABULATED IN A SINGLE BIENNIAL FEDERAL BUDGET.
• MANDATE LIMITS ON: ANNUAL BUDGET (18%GDP ); TOTAL DEBT (30% GDP) EXCEPT IF ¾ CONG. MAJORITY VOTE; AND TOTAL FEDERAL GOV’T PAYROLL (XX % GDP).
• ALL CITIZENS, EXCEPT THOSE WITH HANDICAPS (PREVENTING ANY USEFUL WORK WITHIN SOCIETY) MUST WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO EARN ENTITLEMENT MONIES. THE GOV’T SHALL INCENTIZE BOTH THE “WORKER” AND PRIVATE BUSINESS TO ACHIEVE THIS.
I-5
THERE IS NO INTEGRATED COST CONTROL OVER FEES AND FINES LEVIED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ON CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES
• CONGRESS WILL INCORPORATE A SUBSTANTIVE COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR EVERY BILL AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. THE ANALYSIS SHALL BE DUE 45 DAYS PRIOR TO CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL; SEPARATE ANALYSES BY 2 INDEPENDENT AGENCIES SHALL BE REQUIRED AND A 3 PAGE SUMMARY FOR EACH ANALYSES SHALL BE INCORPORATED IN EVERY BILL.
• THE GOVERNMENT IS MANDATED TO INVESTIGATE AND PUBLISH A REPORT BACK TO CITIZENS WITHIN 3 MONTHS FOR ANY RELATED LEGISLATIVE MATTER THAT IS ARTICULATED TO THE LEADERSHIP OF EACH HOUSE OF CONGRESS BY A WRITTEN CITIZEN REQUEST SIGNED BY 10,000 or MORE CITIZENS.
I-6
ASPECTS OF OBAMACARE UNDULY RESTRICT PRIVATE ENTERPRISE OFFERINGS OF ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT AND PATIENT CARE CHOICES
• ALL CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION RELATING TO ALL GOV’T PROGRAMS, EXCEPT FOR MILITARY PROGRAMS, SHALL PROVIDE ALSO FOR CITIZEN CHOICE BY INCLUDING COMPETITIVE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE IMPLEMENTATION.
• ALL GOVERNMENT MONIES INTENDED TO SUBSIDIZE OR DEFRAY TAXPAYER COSTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS SHOULD GO DIRECTLY TO THE AUTHORIZED CITIZEN SPENDERS SO THAT COMPETITIVE OFFERINGS AND CITIZEN CHOICES ARE ALLOCATED AS LEGISLATED, VIA THE MECHANISMS OF THE FREE MARKET.
I-7
THE OBAMACARE ISSUE
GENERALIZED PROCESS DEFECT
GENERALIZED PROCESS REMEDY
I-1
VULNERABILITY OF
AMERICAN LIVES,
INFRASTRUCTURE AND
PROPERTY.
• ALL GOV’T NEWS RELEASES MUST INCLUDE VIEWS OF BOTH (1) THE PARTY IN POWER, AND (2) THE MAJOR OPPOSITION
PARTY (TO 40% SIZE OF THE TOTAL NEWS RELEASE).
• ALL MEDIA NEWS RELATED TO GOVERNANCE OR POLITICAL MATTERS SHALL BE CLEARLY DESIGNATED AND INTRODUCED
AS EITHER “NEWS” OR “NON-NEWS”. ANY MEDIA REPORTS DESIGNATED AS “NEWS” SHALL INCLUDE VIEWS REPORTED BY
EACH OF THE 2 MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND EACH COMPRISING ABOUT 25% OF THE TOTAL “NEWS” REPORT. THERE
SHALL BE NO RESTRICTIONS WHATEVER ON REPORTS LABELED AS “NON-NEWS”.
I-2
INEFFECTIVE PREPARATION
AND REINING IN OF
DOMESTIC TERRORISM.
INADEQUATE CITIZEN
INVOLVEMENT AND
INTERACTION WITH
GOVERNMENT.
• CONGRESS SHALL CREATE A MULTI-TASKED CITIZEN-POPULATED, OVERSIGHT PANEL (C.O.P.) COMPRISED OF 25 DULY-
REGISTERED, SALARIED CITIZENS. THE PANEL, WITH A SUPPORT STAFF OF 100 PERSONS, SHALL ACT AS THE CITIZEN’S
DIRECT ENVOY TO THE FEDERAL GOV’T AND SHALL HAVE AUTHORITY TO ACT AS THE CITIZEN’S OMBUDSMAN IN DIRECT
INTERACTION WITH THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES. THE C.O.P. SHALL RESPOND TO ANY
CITIZEN REQUEST FOR ACTION SIGNED BY 2500 DULY REGISTERED U.S. CITIZENS.
• SEMI-ANNUAL, MANDATORY FEDERAL & STATE CITIZENS-WITH-THEIR-REPRESENTATIVES TELEVISED + INTERACTIVE
MEETINGS SHALL BE REQUIRED. THE APPROPRIATE C.O.P. PANEL SHALL BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE TELEVISION
ORIGINATION SITE.
I-3
UNDERCUTTING OF
ADEQUATE U.S. MILITARY
FUNDING.
• CONGRESS SHALL PUBLISH A YEARLY BUDGET SUMMARY 120 DAYS BEFORE EACH VOTE AND CONTAINING BOTH 20 YEAR HISTORY AND 10 YEAR PROJECTIONS, NORMALIZED TO NATIONAL GDP. THE TOTAL LEGISLATIVE BUDGET IS TO BE LESS THAN 50 PAGES, AND SPLIT TO 535 APPROX EQUAL SEGMTS, EACH SEGMENT IS TO BE OVERSEEN BY 1 RESPONSIBLE CONGRESSMAN, EACH OF WHOM SHALL PUBLISH A QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE NATION ON THE STATUS OF BUDGET ACTUALS VS PROJECTED CUMULATIVE EXPEPENDITURES.
• PUBLICATION OF MANDATED PERFORMANCE AUDITS FOR ALL MAJOR GOV’T AGENCIES SHALL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE. SUCH AUDITS MAY BE REQUESTED BY TWO GOV’T INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES (GAO, CIGIE) OR A BY A SPECIALLY DESIGNATED CITIZEN PANEL.
I-4
EXECUTIVE OVER-REACH IN
DECLARATION OF WAR AND
FORMAL AGREEMENTS
WITH OTHER NATIONS. THE
CONSTITUTION ASSIGNS
THIS AS A CONGRESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY.
• FEDERAL COURTS MUST ATTEST THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF ANY LAW SO CHALLENGED. THE U.S. SUPREME COURT MUST
INTERPRET EACH CONSTITUTIONALITY RULING SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF CONSTITUTIONAL TEXT. PRIOR COURT RULINGS
SHALL NOT BE CITED AS A BASIS.
• NO COURT RULING SHALL BE OF AN EXTENT THAT IT INFRINGES ON THE SOLE RIGHT OF CONGRESS TO CREATE ALL LAWS.
• AN EXPRESSION OF A CONSTITUTIONALITY OPINION OF ALL FEDERAL LEGISLATION, AT LEAST 45 DAYS PRIOR TO FINAL
LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL BY EITHER HOUSE OF CONGRESS, SHALL BE REQUESTED OF EACH STATE GOVERNOR.
(SEE ALSO THE REMEDY FOR ITEM I-2, ABOVE)
THE WAR ON TERRORISM ISSUE
GENERALIZED PROCESS DEFECT
GENERALIZED PROCESS REMEDY
I-1
GOOD FULL-TIMEJOBS ARE
NOT AVAILABLE TO ALL
AMERICANS WHO WANT OR
NEED THEM
• ALL CITIZENS, EXCEPT THOSE WITH HANDICAPS (PREVENTING ANY USEFUL WORK WITHIN SOCIETY) MUST WORK IN
THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN ORDER TO EARN ENTITLEMENT MONIES. THE GOV’T SHALL INCENTIZE BOTH THE “WORKER”
AND PRIVATE BUSINESS TO ACHIEVE THIS.
• IMPLEMENT THE ITEMS XXX FROM THE IMMIGRATION REMEDIES
• ENSURE THIS AS AGENDA ITEM FOR C.O.P
I-2
OUR EDUCATION PROCESS
IS INBREASINGLY NON-
COMPETITIVE ON A GLOBAL
BASIS
• INCORPORATE A GENERAL REQUIREMENT FOR A NATIONAL TESTING AND GRADING SYSTEM, BUT THE SPECIFIC
EDUCATIONA SUBJECTS AND TEST REQUIREMENTS ARE TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL STATES. THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHALL REPORT LESSONS LEARNED BY EACH STATE AND MAKE THIS AVAILABLE TO ALL
APPROPRIATE STATE EDUCATIONAL BODIES.
I-3
AMERICA IS LOSING OUR
INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE
ENERGIES AND OUR GLOBAL
LEADERSHIP IS BEING
SUCCESSFULLY
CHALLENGED.
• ENSURE SWEEPING REDUCTION OF TAX & REGULATORY BURDENS ON AMERICAN BUSINESS
• INCORPORATE THE "FAIR TAX" AS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN WASTED CITIZEN AND BUSINESS TIME AND EFFORT
• GOVERNMENT DUPLICATION AND WASTE HURTS OUR CREDIT RATING AND DIVERTS FUNDS FROM PRODUTIVE USE.
MANDATED PERFORFORMANCE AUDITS FOR ALL MAJOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SHALL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE. SUCH AUDITS MAY BE REQUESTED BY TWO GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIVE
AGENCIES (GAO, CIGIE) OR BY THEA SPECIALLY-DESIGNATED CITIZENS’ PANEL.
I-4
AMERICA IS DEFAULTING
MULTIPLE MANUFACTURED
GOODS AND CAPABILITIES
TO OTHER NATIONS
• ALL CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION RELATING TO ALL GOV’T PROGRAMS, EXCEPT FOR MILITARY PROGRAMS, SHALL
PROVIDE ALSO FOR CITIZEN CHOICE BY INCLUDING COMPETITIVE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE IMPLEMENTATION. BY U.S.
COMPANIES.
• MORE CONGRESSIONAL FOCUS AND CITIZEN INTERACTION
I-5
POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS IN
AMERICA IS WASTING
VALUABLE NATIONAL
ENERGY AND PRODUCTIVE
DELIBERATION. SUCH
DIVISIVENESS HAS
CONTRIBUTED TO A LOSS OF
CONFIDENCE IN AMERICAN
GOVERNANCE.
• FOR ALL FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATION, THERE SHALL BE REQUIRED WITHIN THE TOTAL REQUIRED “AYES”, AT
LEAST 15% VOTING REPRESENTATION BY THE 2nd POLITICAL PARTY AS DETERMINED BY RESULTS OF THE MOST
RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
• INEPT USE OF TAXPAYER MONIES, SUCH AS FOR ENTITLEMENTS, MUST BE STOPPED. ALL CITIZEN PENSION MONIES
MUST BE FUNDED, INVESTED AND RETAINED IN ACCOUNTS DEDICATED SOLELY TO PURPOSE.
• ALL MEDIA NEWS RELATED TO GOVERNANCE OR POLITICAL MATTERS SHALL BE CLEARLY DESIGNATED AND
INTRODUCED AS EITHER “NEWS” OR “NON-NEWS”. ANY MEDIA REPORTS DESIGNATED AS “NEWS” SHALL INCLUDE
VIEWS REPORTED BY EACH OF THE 2 MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND EACH COMPRISING ABOUT 25% OF THE TOTAL
“NEWS” REPORT. THERE SHALL BE NO RESTRICTIONS WHATEVER ON REPORTS LABELED AS “NON-NEWS”.
BACKING AMERICAN INNOVATION & GROWTH
A OVERVIEW - -
CONCERNS FOR
AMERICA
I. DRIFTING AWAY FROM THE CONSTITUTION
II. IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING & DEBT
III. INFLATED POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS
IV. DECLINING AMERICAN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
B SOME SPECIFIC
EXAMPLES
• IMMIGRATION
• HEALTHCARE
• TERRORISM AND AMERICA
• BACKING AMERICAN INNOVATION & GROWTH
C SOLUTION
PROPOSAL - -
A BETTER PATH:
PROCESS vs
ISSUE
ORIENTATION
• STATE VS FEDERAL ISSUES - DIFFERENT, BUT NOT SO
DIFFERENT
• PROCESS COMMONALITY IN THE ABOVE ISSUES
• A DURABLE SOLUTION - - MORE CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT:
A NEW BILL OF RIGHTS
D SOLUTION PLAN • A STATE-LEVEL PROTOTYPE - - LEADING TO A NATIONAL SCOPE
• INCLUDES EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN THE GOP
• A CORE TEAM + ALLIANCES: POLITICAL GROUPS / MEDIA /
FUNDING
SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT AMERICA'S PATH
In this concluding portion, A summary of Lessons Learned so far plus a Plan of action is envisioned to implement the proposals noted in the prior section. The plan is offered as a draft that helps spell out who would have to do what to undertake the task of giving birth to the Constitutional Amendments draft as described in section C. As with the Founders, great knowledge is mostly crafted into a worthy bequeathal by thoughtful Citizens, who know that the product of many minds is highly to be preferred over the whim of a single soul - - no matter how much intelligence that soul might possess.
So the Plan here is certainly a draft and tries to include: (i) thoughts of other Citizens who could help bring to bear their wisdom and practical experience, (ii) Some of the critical chain of tasks that must be performed, and (iii) how funding could be attracted to support the effort.
Sounds overwhelming? I think one must keep in mind the consequences of not making the needed fixes: A National bankruptcy? A massive, murderous attack on Citizens in their homeland? A "fundamental transformation" of the very governance that has served us magnificently for 2+ centuries? I believe many Americans will work to avoid such calamities.
SECT.
D
SOME LESSONS LEARNED BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE ISSUES OF (1) IMMIGRATION (2)
HEALTHCARE (3) TERRORISM AND (4) SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM
Cht 9
SOME CONTEMPORARY GOVERNANCE ISSUES - EXAMPLE #3
Bob Schulz,Founder – We The People
Foundation
Institutionalizing Citizen Vigilance
Bob Schulz holds this inspiring vision: “In every state capitol, there is a building with a dome on top. When people see those buildings, they instinctively know that’s where the government is doing it for, or to, The People.” … Bob's vision:
“one day soon, there will be another building in every state capital, in the likeness of Jefferson’s “Monticello”. … I see those buildings as permanent “citizen vigilance centers”, manned with paid constitutional attorneys and staff relying on hundreds of “constitutional monitors”. ... These Citizen Vigilance Centers will serve the People of the State intent on holding their elected officials accountable … in utmost respect and defense of the greatest governing documents ever given to mankind.”
THE END
ACTUALLY, IT’S NOT THE END - - YOUR VOICE IS
IMPORTANT TO OUR NATION. CITIZEN INTEREST,
DIALOG AND DATA ARE CRITICAL TO GOOD CIVIC
OUTCOMES. AND THAT INCLUDES OUTCOMES WHICH
SIMPLY ASSURE PROPER CONDITIONS FOR THE FREE
MARKET TO WORK.