SOLUTIONS: THE POLITICS OF REASON

Opposed by forces of ignorance and greed

It would be negligent not to mention some of the obvious solutions to the political morass that prevents our cities, states and nation from being truly democratic. Some have already been implemented in more enlightened times with several subsequently watered down or eliminated. Others have never been allowed to see daylight.

The greatest solution is the elimination of the corruption inherent in our system; to actually eradicate the flagrant conflict of interest that rules our government. Politics has always been a competitive game with self interest dominant. This does not bode well for democracy nor public well being. But there are always those who persist, at times able to move in a positive direction. Despite the chaos, there is hope.

With a population being constantly diverted from the truth and set upon each other, the first problem is how to build a large enough majority to actually grasp relevant concepts. Once a voting majority is achieved, here are a few of the items that must be addressed to allow America to move forward as a democracy in the 21^st century and beyond.

Bring back and expand the Fairness Doctrine

It is vital if we are to survive as a nation to bring back and enhance the Fairness Doctrine. It is absolutely necessary to separate opinion from fact with strict definitions. Varying opinions must have equal time and fact proven and distinct.

Truth must be clearly distinguished from the fiction that generates the divisiveness we suffer today.

The Electoral College must go

The Constitution was written in the 18^th century with the foresight to amend it as needed.

Written into the Constitution to pacify smaller states, the greatest lesson learned from the Electoral College is that it is destructive to democracy!

The 21^st century has seen two Presidents elected with catastrophic results; both receiving a minority of the electorate. The first created global political and economic disaster; the other, extreme divisiveness and total chaos. Isn’t this a signal to rid ourselves of the Electoral College? Making sense with 18^th century thought, it’s undermining our system of democratic decision making.

The Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution allowed for the direct election of senators in 1913 altering the Constitution that had delegated appointment by state governments; a step in furthering our democratic principles.

Isn’t it time to continue moving in that direction?

We’re far beyond muskets

Another amendment that requires redefining is the second that allows for the possession of arms. It made a lot of sense when much of the country was frontier and many had to protect themselves and their neighbors with one shot muskets.

But now?

Congress is capable of placing limitations but many have been cut back or stifled. Isn’t it obvious why Americans have the highest murder rate in the industrial world?

Equality of representation

Gerrymandering, the creation of voting districts for political gain, was always a power play disenfranchising large numbers of voters. Yet it still prevails. Recognized widely as undemocratic, attempts at correction have been simply tokenism and often ignored.

Political patronage

Criminal behavior inherent within our political system corrupts in just about every political venue. A throwback to our primitive roots allows for despotic control by those who can claw their way up to the top levels of the power structure.

Once there, they have great control over elections, jobs and budgets. Their power and influence permeate every level and agency of government. Conflict of interest; illegal yet dominant.  In effect, this is the most dangerous threat to democracy.

Investigations can follow the relatively transparent trail of favors provided and debts paid, controlling decisions that work for the few against the many; a system that defies the rule of law! If people are aware and stand together, this can be eliminated. The laws exist; they require enforcement.

As in primitive societies however, power is only overtaken by greater power. If voters have the foresight to see that we have more in common than divides and work together, the power can shift. The rule of law can prevail.

We’ve created a structure for democracy governed by the rule of law. The reality is far removed!

Financial control

The fact that major corporations control issues is certainly the root of all evil. Controlling prices and influencing legislation that harm the public, they have historically had the greatest influence on policy.

During that brief period of enlightenment from Franklin D Roosevelt in 1933, tapering off in the 1970’s after the election of Richard Nixon, legislation was passed regulating businesses, making things more equitable for the public. Determined that this was hurting revenues, many regulations were eliminated with others diminished, creating a free for all for profits with costs up and safety compromised.

Allowing corporations the freedom to regulate themselves, we’ve seen planes fall out of the sky, people poisoned by tainted foods, climate out of control, the highest murder rate in the industrial world; as the ultra rich become progressively richer and quality of life plummets for the rest.

Control by money is ultimately the destructive force against a true democracy. It is what motivates the political bosses. It is what buys the power to manipulate the public by side tracking, altering and denying the truth. It dominates our political system.

Attempts to pass realistic laws reining in campaign donations have been thwarted. If government truly serves its citizens, government cannot be purchased by interest groups. Strict campaign regulation is vital!

Superficial Attempts

Many frustrated citizens vote against their interests, choosing a friendly image  manipulating them to focus on issues irrelevant or destructive to their well being.

Rather than provide complete information to the public, attempts at solutions tend to be compromised and often superficial; bandages covering wounds that continue to fester and grow beneath.

Ultimate solution

First, money must be eliminated from the equation!

Knowledge is vital. For our votes to have meaning we must know the issues and candidates.

In the end, the solution; the ultimate cure all; is that rather than allow ourselves to be divided by idols and lies, we must all be armed with the truth and work together for common good.

We must be able to communicate with each other! Rather than use the internet to divide, we must establish standards for presentation of reality vs. fiction. People of all ethnic and socio-economic groups must work together in independent groups to discuss their concerns, their fears, their aspirations with each other without interference from self serving businesses or politicians.

We must understand each other for, in essence, our needs are the same. We all want to raise our families in comfort and safety. We want our government to respond to our needs rather than compromise us placing profits above our quality of life.

The ultimate solution is a universal politics of reason; taking responsibility for assuring the needs of people and planet, applied throughout one global society, inclusive of all individuals.

With a world divided, our nation in chaos and forces within each individual working against it, this is truly the most difficult concept to achieve.

Until we are capable of understanding that serving society is serving the individual, this is the impossible dream.

But we are capable of restoring past progress and turning back in the right direction!