Our position is the original separation of powers and intent by America's Founding Fathers to restrict and control government that were created in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, to be retained by the states and the people have long since been lost as special interests have taken control of our representatives, the bureaucracies, the courts and most aspects of representative government at the federal, state and local levels.
All governments are by their very nature and design usually controlled by elites and this is not always bad as elites sometimes act in the best interests of the citizens as a whole. We believe the only ultimate controls on elite control is the addition of direct democracy controls on government and politicians by the people in addition to a return to decentralized limited government.
Both existing political parties play to their voting constituents at election time but the other 364 days of the year, everything they do from the top down to the bottom of the political process is now 100% controlled by special interests rather than the citizens our representatives should represent. The people and voters of America still participate in the voting charade but it is often little more than smoke and mirrors sort of a modern-day Roman circus that exists for the 24 hour news networks and those interested in politics. For the people to again control their representatives and an often out of control government, American needs to incorporate direct democracy within our political system while returning to a decentralized confederation style of government as existed in our original Republic.
Listing below are how some of the important issues of the day could be handled with direct democracy and a return to limited government.
An Out of Control Federal Government - The American voters have failed in their attempt to control government growth since the 1940's and Roosevelt's New Deal. Both major political parties have contributed to the problem with conservative rhetoric on limiting government programs, taxes or services at election time never followed up with action. Special interests in the United States have taken over control of our political process from the people and our elected representatives. The the right of referendum and initiative at all levels of local, country, state and federal government could help to control government.
Bureaucracy (Federal, State & Local) - "A bureaucrat is the most despicable of men, though he is needed as vultures are needed, but one hardly admires vultures whom bureaucrats so strangely resemble. I have yet to meet a bureaucrat who was not petty, dull, almost witless, crafty or stupid, an oppressor or a thief, a holder of little authority in which he delights, as a boy delights in possessing a vicious dog. Who can trust such creatures?" – Cicero While no form of government limited or otherwise can improve the inefficiency of bureaucracy, I'm sure you will agree with me that local government "employees" are usually far more helpful and service oriented than distant federal or state bureaucrats hiding and protected by distance and an anonymous location. Local bureaucrats are helpful because they understand the needs and issues of the local community and since they and their families and children are likely to run into real working productive citizens in their daily lives, they have a measure of accountability. It is nice to be able to walk up to your neighbor who is a government functionary and say "thank you" for a job well done or better "explain the situation" when they have failed in the job. Confederation government brings government programs, services, controls and power down to the most local level possible thus making government more efficient and beneficial to the local community and state.
Closed Two-Party Political System in the US - Since the loss of the Articles of Confederation and the CSA confederation government, the American political system has been transformed into a closed two-party system where new or existing third parties have no power and little chance at making it into the political playing field. Since America is not under a parliamentary form of government with multiple parties this situation is unlikely to change unless ballot access laws are made fair and open instead of closed and restrictive as they are now. The right of referendum or initiative (the right of voters in a referendum to force representatives in a legislative body to enact legislation even when they are owned by entrenched special interests) as exists in Switzerland could force the party hacks of both parties to open up the political process and ballot access and retention laws on a state-by-state basis. This is the only solution to the closed two-party system where only the Republican and Democrat Parties hold power. This not to say that America or other nations would necessarily benefit from more political parties but an open system of ballot access would provide for increased competition outside the two party system thus forcing both major parties to be more responsible to their constituents.
Environmental Issues - There is no question that government has had some real success in protecting our environment through the national park and national forest systems. The states and local governments have also been successful in protecting the environment with state and local parks and protected areas. We do not oppose federal protected status of lands and recreational areas but would like to see more local and state input and direction on the use of these lands as well as an expansion and more tax incentives for private efforts..
Equal Rights For All - For too long representative democracy or what Thomas Jefferson described as "Mob Rule" has been presented as a panacea that solves all of the problems of a country. While this is sold as a quick fix for citizen control when special interests usually have bought off the so called representative of the voters at whatever level of government we are talking about, in practice it simply doesn't work. It is like three wolves and a sheep sitting down to vote for what they'll have for dinner. Decentralized government can serve to protect rights, culture and moral views of minority elements in a society as these groups often live in close proximity to each other.
For example, a Black or Hispanic inner city community should not have to follow the lifestyle or political structure, programs or services of an affluent White suburb. Confederation government at the local level takes into account the strengths, needs and uniqueness of each community.
Foreign Conflicts - Limited confederation government of a decentralized nature could serve as a solution to the Israel/Palestinian Conflict, the three religious factions making up Iraq and the remaining problems in South Africa. Direct democracy and decentralized confederation style governments do a far better job or representing and protecting minority interests than does representative democracy.
Gay Marriage - Gay marriage or the Sanctity of Marriage like the very powerful abortion issue would again become much more of a state issue and the interests on both sides would concentrate their political and legal activities in the specific states where their majorities have a chance of electoral power. There might well be an attempt at the state level to devolve this issue down to the county or municipal level. For example, gay marriage in Nashville, Tennessee or Provo, Utah certainly would be prohibited but in municipal areas like San Francisco, New Orleans, Asheville, NC and Provincetown, MA it probably would be permitted and even promoted as a source of tourism and city development.
Illegal Immigration - While immigration controls have historically been a function of the federal government, it has totally failed to secure our borders from either terrorists or illegal aliens and workers coming into the United States. Since the poor and underpaid sections of our society suffer most from the loss of jobs, housing and benefits to illegal workers and others living here for the dole and benefits, it is time for the individual states and communities to take a larger share of the burden for protecting our borders both external and internal. Again, like on other issues, the Hispanic majority cities and rural areas in the American Southwest might well welcome more
Income Tax - Under the current system of representative democracy where the accountants, lawyers, banks and investment industry special interests control the situation, there will never be a flat tax, simple income tax forms or sales tax. These corporate interests must have a confusing and complicated tax structure in order to promote and push their services and products. The only way to really kill the hated and inefficient federal income tax system is by referendum or initiative where the voters take the income tax question away from bought and paid for representatives and solve the problem through a national vote.
For example in Switzerland, the individual cantons, like our states have far higher taxes than the federal taxes as most services and government functions are handled more efficiently at the local or canton level. This creates an interesting situation where overall tax levels can vary up to 20% or more depending on the canton so each canton or state with low taxes markets themselves as home to new businesses and citizens of other cantons. Imagine a situation here where the state taxes might range from 10% to 30% while the federal tax rate was a very low rate. The low tax states would attract new business and relocating citizens thus creating real tax rate competition and services between the states. Here the citizens would benefit and the only losers would be inefficient government and the bureaucrats.
Iraq War & Our Middle East Involvement - In case you haven't noticed, Congress never declares war anymore and hasn't since World War Two. Declaring war and committing troops to war was and should still be a direct function of Congress. Under a confederation government with direct democracy, the people's will would be done and once again Congress would be forced to get directly involved with important foreign policy decisions. Would a declaration of war have made a difference in our invasion of Iraq? No, but our politicians and elected representatives would be far more involved in foreign policy and in following the will of the people if we had the right of referendum and initiative where the voters could curtail legislation or existing laws or force Congress to enact same.
Israel/Palestinian Conflict - While we can see both sides of this very difficult issue, the economic future of the Palestinians is tied to the economy of Israel for the foreseeable future. While both sides may well hate the other for past wrongs and injustices, a very decentralized confederation between the two independent states with fair and equitable borders might well solve the conflict.
Lawsuit Mania - Trial lawyers have one of the strongest lobbying groups in the United States next to the insurance industry. Both industries are making billions by playing good cop and bad cop and the losers are the general public that are forced to pay high costs for services with prices many times lower in nations without the lawsuit problems.
Local Religious, Moral and Cultural Values - When our nation was founded we were predominately Christian and the political process was controlled by white men. Times have changes and today we are indeed a very diverse country. The divide isn't as much regional, North vs South as during the 1800's but rather between liberal and minority controlled cities verses white conservative suburbs. Even our minorities which will soon become an overall majority in the United States are divided up between African Americans, Hispanic and other growing ethnic groups. The biggest problem facing our poor minority citizens is the tidal wave of illegal aliens coming across our borders and taking their lower paid jobs. We are all different and each group and area should have its religious, moral and cultural values protected. In addition, smaller groups within these areas should have their minority status protected and respected. There is nothing wrong with a street running through a town starting with Robert E. Lee in the suburbs, changing to Martin Luther King in the inner city and then to Hugo Chavez in another part of town. We need to celebrate diversity while respecting and loving our differences. The federal government tries to force all of us into a melting part where we lose the best of each group as we blend into a Washington inspired nothingness and sameness. We must fight to protect all of our history, religious institutions, morals and culture. If you look at Switzerland, with four languages and cultural differences, their political model which celebrates differences and protects minority interests is far superior to the top down US model out of Washington..
Loss of Personal & Financial Privacy - Basically the loss of personal and financial privacy in the United States were blamed first on the War on Drugs and after 9/11 on the War on Terror. Actually, the government, the trial lawyers lobby and most importantly the American financial services industry have waged a war on financial privacy first in the United States and later around the world targeting foreign money centers like Switzerland, the Channel Islands and British dependencies because they didn't want the financial competition (lost revenue) and asset protection benefits available offshore to US investors.
Pornography - Again, describing what is pornography depends very much on local standards, religious views and lifestyle. Considerations of porno in San Francisco or New York City is certainly more liberal than in Greenville, SC home of Bob Jones University or in Provo, Utah where Brigham Young University is located. Again, pornography needs to be decided locally based on the standards and views of the local community. There is no place for the federal government in this equation.
Postal Monopoly & Amtrak - These are the two most inefficient federal bureaucracies in America today. Amtrak should be disbanded or turned over to the individual states. For example the need for commuter trains in the Northeastern corridor from Washington to Boston is real but why should taxpayers in Montana, Alaska or North Carolina subsidize commuters in and out of New York City. This should be a state or city function.
The postal service was once a vital part of American life and our communications revolved around mail and the US postal service. Today with TV, cable, the internet, online bill paying etc. it is time American taxpayers stopped subsidizing the junk mail industry. In a confederation government where the voters have the power instead of the special interests, the postal service would become a profit-making entity or it would be closed down. There are plenty of other inefficient federal bureaucracies where we could park the incompetent postal service employees until they reach retirement age. Heaven forbid, they might even have to go out into the private sector and actually get a job.
Public Schools - Public education has a long history in the United States and until the federal takeover of the public schools our educational system was the envy of the world. We advocate that all public schools be open to whoever wants to attend thus creating education competition in our failing public school system. In addition the Feds should be force to give up their mandates and controls (outside of equal access and civil rights issues) and school systems be returned to local control.
Loss of Jobs Overseas - The loss of jobs overseas is a direct response to American and global corporations trying to get costs down and profits up. Cutting the tax and regulatory costs here in the United States as a whole would slow and help thwart the loss of jobs. A better solution is the Swiss solution of each canton, here each state, dramatically lowering taxes and regulatory barriers in order to keep jobs here in their specific state. Until we can bring some competition to government as would direct democracy and limited confederation government there is little chance any of our politicians will do anything to stop the flow of jobs overseas.
National or Local Emergencies - One only has to look at the plight of New Orleans to see the incompetence of the federal government in handling local emergencies. Contrast this to New York City after 9/11 when the mayor took control of a difficult situation. Our recommendation is the understanding that state and local government jurisdictions have a better chance of handling an emergency situation. Although incompetence is present at all levels of government, at least politicians at the state and local level as well as corrupt and inefficient bureaucracies can pay the price for their failures. This is in direct contrast to the feds who always find a scapegoat and then go on with business as usual. Again, all government is inefficient but you can always get your hands on an incompetent local bureaucrat and this helps them know they must do their job to the best of their abilities.
Political Corruption - There will always be political corruption and influence buying in every government and political system. Our representative system at the Washington level makes this problem catastrophic to the body politic here in the United States. All of our Washington representatives in the House and Senate in Washington have to sell their honor and influence in order to gain re-election. We have the worst of both worlds where honest politicians generally must become slaves to special interests in order to raise the money for election and re-election knowing full well if they don't perform according to plan, the special interests will back and run another candidate. Again, giving the voters the final say in all matters through the political rights of referendum or initiative will dramatically curtail the power of lobbyists and special interests over our elected representatives.
Prayer in Schools - We all know that almost every student prays in school before every difficult test. Public schools should mirror the religious make-up of their individual districts and local school boards and parents should set standards, curriculums and courses that most reflect the overall needs of their community and geographic area. Minority views and interests should be protected and parents should decide where their children go to school not some distant Washington bureaucrat or local functionary. The teachers unions in conjunction with the Department of Education have totally taken control of our public schools away from local school boards, teachers and the community. We must take our schools back, close down the Department of Education and banish the teachers union from our communities and states.
Protection of Minority Interests, Views, Religion & Culture - The tyranny of the majority often brings out the worst in politicians and government. Remember, Hitler and the Nazi Party were freely elected to power and the majority certainly supported the Nazi attacks on Jews and other minorities. Look at the history of Switzerland to see the benefits of direct democracy and confederation government in protecting minority interests.
Reproductive Rights/Abortion - Under a decentralized confederation central government with most of the powers, taxes, programs and regulations at the state and local level, the Right-To-Life and Pro-Choice movements would battle it out in the different states where this important decision belongs. Conservative states with Fundamentalist Christian, Catholic or LDS majorities probably would choose to end abortion on demand. Liberal states like California, Massachusetts, Vermont and others would probably continue their pro-choice stand and abortions would continue and maybe even expand. Individuals and families with strong Right-To-Life or Pro-Choice opinions might choose to relocate to states and towns where their views were in the majority. Abortion would become a state issue and fought at the state level. Remember, decentralized confederation government with direct democracy doesn't solve issues or problems at the national level but it rather solves the issue at the local and state levels based on the voting power of a majority on issues voted on in referendum in that particular political jurisdiction. Seat Belt & Helmut Laws - Let those who ride decide if they are adults. This is a state issue not a federal one and Washington should not be involved.
Sexual Predators - We all see how some judges and courts are letting these people off with a "slap on the wrist" in exchange for children's lives ruined. In a confederation system, judges would be elected and approved by their local jurisdictions and this would solve the problem with the judicial system. They could no longer hide under and behind their protected status of federal or state court protection.
Special Interest Control Over American Political System - Right now, most politicians must serve the corporate and elite interests who will provide the campaign funding necessary for them to win re-election. Although your representatives will work for you on individual needs both the poor and middle classes are often unable to get support for even their majority views on many issues because Washington lobbyists control funding and access to the politicians. A return to limited powers for the federal government and the opportunity for citizens to organize to end bad legislation and create new legislation through direct democracy means the power of the special interests in Washington to totally control the process will end.
Speed Limits - Only an idiot or Washington bureaucrat would believe that national speed limits should be set by the federal government. There is a lot of difference between driving in Wyoming, Colorado and Texas than DC, CT or Mass. Speed limited on state and the federal interstate highway system should be established by the states and their legislature and the feds should stay out of the matter.The War on Drugs - We believe the War on Drugs is just a cover for federal control and funding over local and state police jurisdictions and as an excuse to kill financial privacy in the US. The drug laws are some of the most racist laws on the books which unfairly target the poor and minorities unable to afford the expensive kind of legal help necessary to avoid jail and these crimes help to make America the nation with the highest per-capita prison population in the entire world. The war has been a total failure in holding down drug use and there is no place for the federal government in this process. We hope most states and local jurisdictions will decide to legalize soft drugs, tax the market and contribute a percentage of the revenue back to drug prevention programs.
War On Terror - Again, here we have an unrestrained federal government violating all kinds of civil rights, civil liberties, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights all the while totally failing to protect this nation. We have open borders for illegals while gray-haired grandmothers and others are harassed by incompetent out of control airport security guards and border patrol agents. The states should take over border control and immigration control from the feds as they have totally failed this nation.
Welfare - This should only be a state or local issue and the Federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare should be shut-down, padlocked and all the employees forced to do productive work in the private sector. States and local communities can best decide what type of welfare services are best for their jurisdictions and tailor the programs where they can do the most good at the lowest cost.
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