A Modest Proposal to reform our government.

A Modest Proposal to reform our government.

“In Federalist 52, James Madison of Virginia wrote that, ‘Under these reasonable limitations, the door of this part of the federal government is open to merit of every description, whether native or adoptive, whether young or old, and without regard to poverty or wealth, or to any particular profession of religious faith.’”

I would make no corresponding changes to the U.S. Senate, the Presidency or the Judiciary, as I think those branches are fine the way they are (mostly).

This is just a quick write up and is intended to be a straw-man to generate discussion.  It is by no means my final proposal and I am aware that some elements would need further tweaking.

1.       Who is eligible

a.       See the U.S. Constitution: Article I, section 2, clause 2

b.      Additionally:

                                                               i.      Must be a member of a recognized political party in the state of residence

                                                             ii.      Must not have ran for office the prior three consecutive election cycles

                                                            iii.      Any candidate must secure 5,000 signatures of eligible voters

2.       Term

a.       A Representative can be elected for no more than three consecutive 2 year terms

3.       Campaign

a.       The Campaign for House of Representatives will consist of one general primary and one general election

                                                               i.      A general primary will be held 3 months prior to the general election with the top two vote getters moving on to the general election

b.      Funding

                                                               i.      All campaigns will be funded by the Federal Elections Commission with each candidate receiving a separate stipend to cover all campaign expenses during the primary and the general election

                                                             ii.      No private funds will be permitted

4.       Committee and Leadership Positions

a.       Committee positions will be awarded to candidates based on vacancy and at the discretion of sitting committee members

b.      The leader of the Committee is a simple majority of any member with at least 1 full term served on the committee

c.       The Speaker of the House is determined by seniority with a vote by the full House for all eligible candidates – simple majority

5.       Compensation and Benefits

a.       Base Pay + Bonus for committee and leadership positions

b.      Lodging (Apartment in Washington DC)

c.       Office Space

d.      Health Benefits

e.      Travel between home office and Washington DC

f.        All Federal Holidays

g.       All other Time off dictated by House Sessions

h.      3 Paid Staff Members (Hired by the Representative)

"Give me your tired, your poor..."

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…”

The answers to illegal immigration and border security in the United State are not fences, paths to legal status, or shoot to kill.  It is full legalization for all current and potential immigrants who want to enter the United States and work legally.  No quotas.  No waiting lists.  No restrictions.  If you want to work, you can come.  If you want to start a company, you can come – no investment minimums.  As long as you comply with U.S. laws and customs, you can stay.

So how does this increase boarder security?  I would create entry points along all four coasts where all potential immigrants would need to enter, much in the same way that Ellis Island functioned in the 1800’s and early 1900’s.  In fact, I would name this system after Ellis Island.  As an example, you would probably have Ellis Island Immigration centers in San Francisco, San Diego, Laredo, Miami, New York, Buffalo, and Detroit.  All legal immigration to the United States would be funneled through those cities. 

If you want to enter the U.S. to make a better life for yourself, why would you enter through any other port?  Also, it is generally accepted that the vast majority of current illegal immigrants are entering the U.S. to obtain work, not for drugs, terrorism, arms, or other illicit activities.  If you remove all the former, then the majority of those entering illegally are engaging in the latter, making it much easier for our boarder security forces to focus on those wanting to do harm.

So what effect will this sudden wave of immigration have on the United States?  Won’t it make it harder for Americans to find jobs?  In some cases, it may, but I am confident it will generally have a more significant positive effect.  Another commonly accepted paradigm is that a higher proportion of immigrants tend to be entrepreneurs as compared to native born Americans.  Increases in our population will also increase the need for services across all sectors.  This creates employment opportunities.   Additionally, many of these immigrants will likely be willing to take on jobs that native born Americans are less likely to be interest in, filling vital gaps.  Finally, tying in to entrepreneurship, immigration brings new ideas.

This is a simple proposal meant to start a dialogue, and not a serious analysis of the issue of immigration.   

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Now the Second Amendment is open to interpretation, but regardless, I think there are plenty of steps that can be taken without infringing on your ‘so called’ right to bear arms.

The below proposals would need to be set at a federal level; however states are permitted to make more stringent requirements if they deem it necessary.

I personally don’t think the list goes far enough; however being realistic; I understand that more stringent controls would be unrealistic at this time.  I believe the list would not place an undue burden on owners of firearms.  I do believe that the list would result in gains in firearms safety and reduction in incidents involving legally obtained firearms. 

• Comprehensive Education:  Institute a licensing system that requires comprehensive education that varies based on the type of permit being sought.  Hunting Rifles and Shotguns requiring the least amount of education, while assault rifles/automatic firearms requiring more comprehensive training.
• Mental Health:  As part of the testing process, as simple mental health screening is mandated.  If someone fails that mental health screening, they need to consult with a mental health professional and receive a full evaluation before they can receive a permit to carry specific classes of firearms.
• Background Check:  Nationwide Criminal Background Check – Felony and you are eliminated from certain classes.  Depending on the type of Felony, you can be restricted from lower classes as well.
• Storage:  Prior to taking firearm home, an inspection of the storage location of the firearm, to make sure it is secure and appropriate for the type of firearm and household situation (most secure level for assault or automatic weapons – i.e. fingerprint scanner or similar).  If you have children, something more than a single key lock system, for any firearm.
• Responsibility:  If you own a firearm, and someone legally in your home uses said firearm in a criminal act, you are responsible as an accessory in that crime. (This is the same as if your teen throws a party and there are underage drinkers, even if that party is without your consent.)
• Revocation:  Committing crimes with or without firearm will result in revocation of permit.  Permit will also be set to expire after a set amount of time, and require renewal.  Failure to renew, or by not passing the renewal process, will result in revocation of permit.  In case of revocation, firearm will not be confiscated, however the owner will be required to certify and prove that they have disposed of firearm at a licensed dealer, where they can seek fair market value.  Failure to do so would result in further punishment.
• Management:  The existing Motor Vehicle registration process would be used to manage the new firearms licensing process, so no new bureaucracy would be required. 

What would Firearms Advocates receive?

• I would not place any restrictions on type or how many firearms and ammo an individual may own.
• I would look to the NRA to spearhead the education system for Firearms ownership.  
• Once you have a permit, no background checks, no waiting periods (beyond the registration process)
• You can handle any firearm permitted, even those not directly owned by you.
• Private transfer of firearms will be handled similar to the private transfer of a car.

Among others

Oh Woe Is Mitt!

You have to feel for Mitt Romney (ok, well maybe not, but go with me here for a minute). 

The Republican Party doesn’t like Mitt.  During the primary season, he gets no respect, with the Republican establishment always trying to get behind the next guy (or girl).  He wants to talk about the economy but the majority of the party seems to want to talk about social issues.  In the end, he’s the one who gets the nod.  He is the only candidate who doesn’t get a case of hoof in mouth and eliminate himself.  So he becomes the presumptive nominee.

Mitt has a plan to win the election.  He has an economic vision, and it’s one that resonates with a decent portion of the United States population.  He then goes out and picks a Vice Presidential running mate who has also placed a lot of emphasis on the economy with his own economic vision.  Two candidates with economic bonafides and little social baggage – yeah, when pressed, they have towed the party line on abortion, marriage, and the like, but the social issues do not define either candidate.

So Mitt successfully turns the presidential campaign to focus predominately on the economy, with foreign policy creeping in as well as other legitimate national issues.  The social issues seem like they are going to take a back door.

Then along comes the Republican Party Platform.

Meditations on Moving Scouting Forward

Is it time we move past the Girl and Boy Scouts?  For scouting to remain relevant, it needs to adapt to the 21^st Century.  This means one organization, inclusive regardless of Gender, Race, Sexuality, or Disability.  By nature, Scouting is a spiritual organization; therefore one is required to be a person of faith.

Levels and Paths to Advance through Scouting

Within Scouting, there would be three levels, Pre-Scouts, Junior Scouts, and Senior Scouts.  Pre- and Junior Scouts would be all inclusive of any interest, and Senior Scouts would be divided into different three (or more) paths.  These paths would be based generally on interest; however there would be no restriction on someone from one path pursuing activities in another path (this might even be encouraged).

The paths would be Mariner Scouts, Venture Scouts, and Civic Scouts.  Ranks and most requirements would generally be unique to that path; however badges and honors would be common across all paths.  Some requirements would apply to all paths (specific badges and service projects), and the ultimate rank of Eagle Scout would remain as the highest honor in all of scouting.

The path you follow is dependent upon your interests as well as the availability of troops within that chosen path (sorry, no Mariner Scouts in Kansas).  Transferring Paths would also be permitted, with the only downside that upon transferring, the Scout would begin at the bottom of that path.

The Importance of Camping in Scouting Life

Camp is an important part of Scouting.  It provides an opportunity for the scout to be among other scouts and form relationships beyond their own troop. 

The week long summer camps are especially important in Scouting as this is where much of the fellowship and learning occurs.  Every four years would be the National Scouting Jamboree, the hallmark of scouting activities.  High Adventure Camps would also be inclusive of all paths. 

Each path would also retain their unique and special activities.  These activities occur at the Council, Regional, State, and National Level and are also unique across different geographies. 

Honor Societies – Above and Beyond

Another key to scouting is the use of Honor Societies.  Separate from Paths, these societies have their own requirements to join and offer opportunities for the scout to challenge themselves and reach their fullest potential.  Election to the honor society could be by merit, one’s peers, or members of the society, among others possibilities.

Ground control to Major Tom

With the outcome of the Mars Curiosity Rover coming soon (here's hoping for a resounding success), I have been thinking about the important role government has played in science, technology, and innovation.  I think it is especially important, given strength of the ‘Small Government’ libertarian movement and its influence on the Republican Party. 

By and large, this movement is fueled not by the works of Adam Smith, but by Ayn Rand, and is based on her idea that whatever the government does, private companies can do better.  In response to that, I will only ask one question.  Are our lives better today because of NASA and the space program?

Why all the adjectives?

Why all the adjectives?

Thanks in part to his acclaimed HBO series, George R.R. Martin is all the rage.  I will admit that while I had HBO, I did watch the series, although I wasn’t completely enthused, partly because I have also read (or listened to) all the books.  I will also admit that I have enjoyed the books, mostly.

Why mostly?  As we have seen with a number of authors, Martin, Dan Brown, and Charlaine Harris (True Blood), plot twists and digressions abound.  That is fine.  What I really find troubling is the detail authors go into, in order to describe their worlds.  I would bet that if you read a novel from 30 (or even 20) years ago and counted all the adjectives and adverbs, they would be significantly smaller. 

Just my imagination

At a guess, I think you could shrink a typical Martin book by 1/3^rd without seriously affecting content.  Decreasing the blow-by-blow sexual encounters better suited for Penthouse would also be a positive, but I digress.  So why do they bombard us with all these modifiers?  One effect, is it reduces the effort of reading (if it is all there in vivid words, you don’t need to think, or imagine as much).  

You don't need to close your eyes and imagine what Circe Lannister looks like, as Martin has been incredibly clear on the matter.  You can probably even infer her breast and cup size (32B). How many times do we get great description to Tyrion's every disfigurement?  Now can anyone tell me what Frodo looks like, besides being short(er than humans) with hairy feet, and minus a finger?

Quantity = Quality

Reading is no longer cheap.  As with a lot of things, I think there is this false notion that quantity equals quality.  That in order for a book to be worth the $10 (Paperback / Kindle) or $25-30 (Hardcover), it needs to weight equal that in weight.  I am not sure if there could be a more incorrect notion.  Read any novel by Robert A. Heinlein, Ian Fleming, Ursula K. Le Guinn, or even early Stephen King.  Compare it to any similar novel written today.

Let’s take Le Guinn’s Earth Sea novels vs. Patrick Rothfuss’ King Killer Chronicles.  There are some heavy similarities, both in the character, as well as story elements.  In less than 200 pages (first earth sea novel), Le Guinn covers as much territory as Rothfuss covers in 2,000 pages (2 books).  Now let me ask you which was the more rewarding read?

Oh, and did I mention that all three books of J.R.R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings series are about 1,000 pages?

As Dennis Miller used to be fond of saying at the end of his old HBO series, "...of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong."