Let’s conquer America’s problems

To the editor:

Public attention to the federal government has been increasingly limited to merely complaining about the incompetence and irrationality of its parts.

Ominously, lack of effective response to these complaints has literally undermined American confidence that representative government even works. At the bottom of this is rampant oath breaking by public officials. You see, the state of our country and its foreign relations constitute self-evident proof of the greatest scandal in American political history. That is, rather than having government of, by, and for the people, what we have now is an elected aristocracy (government by an elite). Like all aristocracies, they naturally govern “for the people’s good” (hah!) using untruthful propaganda, bribery, blackmail, bullying or armed attack — domestically and internationally. Apologists for such government corruption are everywhere. So, consider these ideas for returning America to being a constitutional republic.

1. Make public officials more accountable to citizens by controlling the influence of lobbyists and “experts.” Harvesting constituent will and ideas requires developing real representation infrastructure, not permitting the outright fraudulence of lobbying. Unless all lobbying interaction is made easily accessible as public record within a week, make it illegal for public officials to accommodate any lobbying.

2. Control rampant corruption in federal lawmaking. Legally mandate that each bill considered by Congress have only one subject and restrict budget-related bills to only spending. See the Alaska Constitution for tested language.

3. To combat repeated and expensive U.S. foreign relations errors — aggravated by CIA lawlessness — implement Harry S. Truman’s December 1963 Washington Post article on reforming the CIA. He suggested restricting the CIA to being just the intelligence-gathering instrument of the president (and thus Congress) and shifting all of its para-military/assassination/foreign political manipulation operations to the U.S. military and the State Department, respectively.

4. Phase in a commodity-backed currency (gold and precious metals) and phase out the Federal Reserve — a proven vehicle that supports American economic instability. Use a debit card system to facilitate public access to increments of this real money — necessary due to a hundred years of Federal Reserve-driven inflation.

5. Create a legal wall between investment banking and consumer banking (public loans and savings/checking accounts). Banking special interests have a historic reputation for complicated corruption. Modern events prove it yet again.

6. Raise the Social Security eligibility age to 69. Minimize harm by re-popularizing the foundation of true social security — the extended family unit. For Christians, one fully observes God’s Commandment “Honor thy parents.” There is no honor in abandoning parents to fend for themselves.

7. Human aspirations for a better life are, like water, forces that can’t be stopped and so must be channeled. Restructure immigration policy by providing uncomplicated work visas to foreigners of documented good character. However, make a successful visa applicant post a bond covering the costs of roundup and deportation for cause. Such foreign workers must pay all taxes/fees, report whereabouts to applicable authorities, obey our laws and buy emergency medical insurance upon becoming employed — or be deported.

8. End the war on terror. Do this by cultivating the one public attitude that makes terrorist acts wholly ineffective and ends public lust for government protection. Founding Father Patrick Henry stated it eloquently: “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” If our government cultivated this kind of courage, instead of cultivating public fear and cowardice as it does, terrorism would be conquered.

9. Corporations don’t vote in our republic. Only individual citizens do. This is inherent from the U.S. Constitution’s Preamble.

Thus, Supreme Court decisions granting corporations anti-constitutional rights and privileges — that enables excessive influence over U.S. representation/election processes — need overturning.

It’s ultimate corruption for corporations to virtually steal our government’s powers for their profit (examples: our wars — see two-time Medal of Honor winner Gen. Smedley Butler’s “War is a Racket;” bank bailouts; legally enforced public support of corporate monopolies; etc.).

10. Recall our military as fast as logistically possible from all foreign bases and wars — except what’s plainly legitimized constitutionally. Funding such extravagant international freebies is bankrupting — not defending — America. Make allies that actually benefit help pay for any remaining foreign military activity.

11. As nearly all U.S. congressional districts are more or less economically dependent on defense spending, we need a substitute use for this economic engine. I say dedicate the bulk of U.S. military resources to renovating our country’s physical infrastructure (highways, bridges, dams, border security installations, etc). Far from undermining civilian employment, this massive public works program will generate numerous support jobs and business opportunities for civilians.

12. America needs to occupy itself with making things that people everywhere want to buy and exchanging for cooperation and resources to supply a manufacturing economy. The consumer-based economy like America has is the greatest threat to sustainable prosperity and national security that can ever be.

Stuart Thompson

Meadow Lakes