Saturday, February 06, 2010

How to fix just about everything

(at least politically & economically)


by Paul Dube


Some believe our political system is broken because our supposed representatives no longer represent us. Instead, they introduce Bills or Amendments and vote on those Bills not with our best interest in mind but their own - fueled by what they can receive by way of lobbyists and special interest groups. So how do you use a broken system to fix itself?


To start with, we will need a new Bill. One that allows us to enact other bills on our own, much like California's Proposition system. Once that is in place, you can use it to pass other reform measures. Here's a start:

  1. Congress shall attach no amendment that does not amend the original bill.
  2. All ‘earmarked’ funds shall be funneled into job creation / reeducation programs.
  3. With the exception of those that involve National Security, all Bills made by a member of Congress shall be made publicly (in a central place on the internet for example).
  4. With the exception of those that involve National Security, all amendments made by a member of Congress shall be made publicly (in a central place on the internet for example).
  5. With the exception of those that involve National Security, all votes by all members of Congress shall be made publicly (in a central place on the internet for example).
  6. All members of Congress, and all government agencies, and employees thereof shall be subject to all laws passed by Congress.
  7. All members of congress shall participate in the same health care system their constituents have available to them and at the same cost.

What other Bills can you think of?