I will soon be delivering a series of 11 lectures on the evolving struggle by those on the left, the right, and the middle to control interpretation of the constitution. There will be ample time for discussion each week. So, consider registering. The lectures begin Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. September 9 on Zoom, hosted by the Henry George School of Social Science. The lecture series is free of charge but you do need to register to get the Zoom link. All are welcome. I hope for vigorous discussion on many important issues.
Public education has proven to be the most effective means of assimilating the children of immigrants into the American culture. Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. back in the early 1990s expressed deep concerns about the increasing multiculturalism that was supplanting pluralism in the U.S. Most but certainly not all immigrants to the U.S. embrace a degree of assimilation. Becoming fluent in the English language is an important part of the process.
My own family history was one of rather quick assimilation. My father's family came to the U.S. early in the 1800s from somewhere in the British Isles. We don't know if it was from England or Scotland. His mother was a Scot whose family came to North America while Pennsylvania was still a British colony. My mother's father came to the U.S. from France prior to WWI. Her mother was a first generation American from Belgium. Although my mother's parents both spoke French, my mother never learned to speak her parents' language. Both of my parents were products of public schools, as was I.
I insert my comments below for each of your proposed systemic reforms:
(1) Universal compulsory public service with non-military and military options; three years to be served after graduation from secondary education. Full room, board, and nominal salary provided. ED: Three years seems like much to long to delay a young person's entry into college or other training or the workforce. What about a part-time option?
Universal, compulsory, secular public education: grades 1-12. ED: Are you saying that parents should not have the option to send their children to a private or parochial school? I would rather provide an income-determined voucher system so parents could have choices of where their children are schooled.
Public banking. ED: Yes. There should be a public bank system in every state and in large cities as well.
Progressive taxation at a scale much higher than at present on the upper end, elimination of shelters, loopholes, and a ban on evasion by offshore holding. ED: Progressive, yes, but progressive in that income DERIVED from privilege under law is publicly captured and income EARNED producing things and providing services is largely untaxed. My design: Exempt all individual incomes up to the national median. Eliminate all other exemptions and deductions. Above the exempt level, impose an increasing rate of taxation on higher ranges of income.
No overseas wars whatsoever - defensive militarism only. Rescind all NSC orders to the contrary including the Monroe and Carter Doctrines. ED: To be sure U.S. military interventions have often been to protect regimes that deserved to fall, but scaling back on our overseas presence needs to be done carefully, with agreements on the reduction in arms production and the size of each country's military.
Bill of Rights. Adherence to the existing 10 and subsequent amendments. ED: There is a need for additional amendments to the Constitution, such as elimination of the electoral college and proportional representation.
No executive orders without legislative review. At most a SHORT time-leash. ED: Sounds good.
Adherence to the Geneva Conventions. ED: Of course.
Term limits and rotation to the Supreme Court and abolition of judicial review on constitutional issues. No such power is enumerated in the Constitution of the United States. This power was appropriated by the SCOTUS. ED: Agreed.
Restore nuclear disarmament and missile treaties. ED: Agreed.
Permanently rescind AUMF. ED: Explain.
Absolute demilitarization of space as a prelude to demilitarization on earth. “On earth as it is in heaven.” ED: Yes.
Sharply weaken the unitary executive. ED: Explain.
Single payer health system. ED: Yes
100% free public education through grade 12 and through graduate level for all who qualify. ED: With tax reform, this idea is fine. There is today the argument that young persons who do not qualify academically and enter the work force as blue collar workers, etc. are subsidizing the formal education of those who do qualify.
Recission of “corporate personhood,” ED: Agreed.
reinstatement of the inheritance tax at a confiscatory level (95%?) over a million dollars adjusted annually for inflation, and a minimum 15% tax on all corporate profits above $500,000.00 US per annum. ED: With the median price of a residential property now well over $300,000, a million dollar inheritance is not life-changing. I would prefer a graduated tax with an initial exemption of, say, $3 million. The corporate profits tax should be replaced by a graduated tax on gross revenue (which several states now impose).
Regarding universal, compulsory, public, and secular education let me also provide a link to one of the finest minds -- in my view -- regarding the Enlightenment and subserquesnt revolutionary periods. In particular, 18:00 minutes into the video ... but it's ALL worth a listen. I will probably blog again (as I have previously) on this fellow, Dr. Jonathan Israel.
If I missed anything of importance, Ed, let me know. I'm happy to add, subtract, or modify anything. But in the words of Gilbert Vale: ""We do not say we will not be converted, but we do say, we must first be convinced." :)
One last brief comment. The top marginal tax rate amount is negotiable certainly, but should be bordering on draconian. Thomas Paine, for example, advocated a 100% confiscatory tax on anything over what would be about $3M per year today. Taking your "defend the rich" argument regarding the median residential home price of $300,000.00, I would respond that if we took Paine's advice, I suspect that the <s> poor disadvantaged person </s> with with the $3M/year income could scrimp and save for five years and SOMEHOW afford a home. All sarcasm aside, in my view EVERYONE in a democratic republic owes a tax for their protection and public services. I would exempt literally no one with an income; but to repeat and clarify: "Progressive taxation at a scale much higher than at present on the top marginal rate (something close to that in place during the Eisenhower administration), elimination of shelters, loopholes, and a ban on evasion by offshore holding."
Continuing at long last with some apologies for the delay. You wrote:
"Permanently rescind AUMF. ED: Explain."
War-making powers are constitutionally allotted to the Congress. The transfer of its constutitutionally designated war-making powers to the Executive by Congress without a Constitutional Amendment is ... (drum roll) ... unconstitutional.
Here is Lincoln on this topic as quoted in a more recent post:
"The provision of the Constitution giving the war-making power to Congress, was dictated, as I understand it, by the following reasons—Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending generally, if not always, that the good of the people was the object– This, our convention understood to be the most oppressive of all Kingly oppressions; and they resolved to so frame the Constitution that no one man should hold the power of bringing this oppression upon us.”
Thanks for a FULL reply, Ed !! First, in my view people are free to send their children to private or religious schools IN ADDITION to the required grades 1-12 compulsory, public, secular education. But society as a whole has an interest that outweighs that of the individual for the education of ALL CITIZENS to the rights, duties, and information requisite for the exercise of citizenship. NO private system or religious school can be counted on to do that. Quite the opposite in practice. I am unalterably opposed to all voucher systems. I strongly object to having my taxes used for private or parochial schools. Public taxes should be used to educate for public purposes in a uniform system EQUAL to all children. If one wants to do something addition, fine; no argument. But "we the people" get your child for the foundational education.
You've caught me on a busy social day -- my parents' 95th birthday party and my neighbor and best friend's 30th wedding anniversary. I'll get back to you for a fuller reply to the rest of your generous response.
How would one actually implement something like what you're proposing? Are there effective strategies to defeat the entrenched power structures of US corporations, the corporate media that manufacture consent, and the two political parties that fully support the status quo? Power corrupts and the powerful always do whatever they can to maintain power. Eventually the corruption becomes unsustainable, though, so powerful empires go into decline. But nature abhors a power vacuum, so other powerful structures arise to take the place of declining empires. But they're no better than what they replace, because their power also makes them corrupt. It seems like a never-ending cycle of doom. Is there a way to break the cycle?
Thanks as always for your comment, John. My answer: grass roots organizing, infiltrating the mechanisms of power especially political parties, electoral movements (aka the vote), and the use of social media. The truth has power of its own.
"...such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, — and all it wants, — is the liberty of appearing. The sun needs no inscription to distinguish him from darkness."
In what ways, if any, should the structure of our political system be changed? Are the problems we have as a nation mostly due to the structure or to the specific people who inhabit the structure? Does any structure exist that could work significantly better than ours, or does human nature doom us to having serious dysfunctionality, no matter what the political structure is?
It's just that I don't believe in utopias. I don't think human nature allows for that. But, of course, we should still work to improve society as much as we can. Not sure how to do that, though. But I agree that truth is important. The first step is to make as accurate (i.e., as truthful) an assessment as possible of our history and current situation.
Agree 100%. I'm not a purist or utopian. I plan to write a bit on that in relation to the elections soon. I think of myself as a realist with high ideals or goals. My life-long motto ... "work for the best and prepare for the worst."
Just got home from a LONG day of family celebrations. Promise to respond more fully after a bit of rest. Always appreciate your thoughts.
I will soon be delivering a series of 11 lectures on the evolving struggle by those on the left, the right, and the middle to control interpretation of the constitution. There will be ample time for discussion each week. So, consider registering. The lectures begin Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. September 9 on Zoom, hosted by the Henry George School of Social Science. The lecture series is free of charge but you do need to register to get the Zoom link. All are welcome. I hope for vigorous discussion on many important issues.
Public education has proven to be the most effective means of assimilating the children of immigrants into the American culture. Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. back in the early 1990s expressed deep concerns about the increasing multiculturalism that was supplanting pluralism in the U.S. Most but certainly not all immigrants to the U.S. embrace a degree of assimilation. Becoming fluent in the English language is an important part of the process.
My own family history was one of rather quick assimilation. My father's family came to the U.S. early in the 1800s from somewhere in the British Isles. We don't know if it was from England or Scotland. His mother was a Scot whose family came to North America while Pennsylvania was still a British colony. My mother's father came to the U.S. from France prior to WWI. Her mother was a first generation American from Belgium. Although my mother's parents both spoke French, my mother never learned to speak her parents' language. Both of my parents were products of public schools, as was I.
Good morning Ken,
I insert my comments below for each of your proposed systemic reforms:
(1) Universal compulsory public service with non-military and military options; three years to be served after graduation from secondary education. Full room, board, and nominal salary provided. ED: Three years seems like much to long to delay a young person's entry into college or other training or the workforce. What about a part-time option?
Universal, compulsory, secular public education: grades 1-12. ED: Are you saying that parents should not have the option to send their children to a private or parochial school? I would rather provide an income-determined voucher system so parents could have choices of where their children are schooled.
Public banking. ED: Yes. There should be a public bank system in every state and in large cities as well.
Progressive taxation at a scale much higher than at present on the upper end, elimination of shelters, loopholes, and a ban on evasion by offshore holding. ED: Progressive, yes, but progressive in that income DERIVED from privilege under law is publicly captured and income EARNED producing things and providing services is largely untaxed. My design: Exempt all individual incomes up to the national median. Eliminate all other exemptions and deductions. Above the exempt level, impose an increasing rate of taxation on higher ranges of income.
No overseas wars whatsoever - defensive militarism only. Rescind all NSC orders to the contrary including the Monroe and Carter Doctrines. ED: To be sure U.S. military interventions have often been to protect regimes that deserved to fall, but scaling back on our overseas presence needs to be done carefully, with agreements on the reduction in arms production and the size of each country's military.
Bill of Rights. Adherence to the existing 10 and subsequent amendments. ED: There is a need for additional amendments to the Constitution, such as elimination of the electoral college and proportional representation.
No executive orders without legislative review. At most a SHORT time-leash. ED: Sounds good.
Adherence to the Geneva Conventions. ED: Of course.
Term limits and rotation to the Supreme Court and abolition of judicial review on constitutional issues. No such power is enumerated in the Constitution of the United States. This power was appropriated by the SCOTUS. ED: Agreed.
Restore nuclear disarmament and missile treaties. ED: Agreed.
Permanently rescind AUMF. ED: Explain.
Absolute demilitarization of space as a prelude to demilitarization on earth. “On earth as it is in heaven.” ED: Yes.
Sharply weaken the unitary executive. ED: Explain.
Single payer health system. ED: Yes
100% free public education through grade 12 and through graduate level for all who qualify. ED: With tax reform, this idea is fine. There is today the argument that young persons who do not qualify academically and enter the work force as blue collar workers, etc. are subsidizing the formal education of those who do qualify.
Recission of “corporate personhood,” ED: Agreed.
reinstatement of the inheritance tax at a confiscatory level (95%?) over a million dollars adjusted annually for inflation, and a minimum 15% tax on all corporate profits above $500,000.00 US per annum. ED: With the median price of a residential property now well over $300,000, a million dollar inheritance is not life-changing. I would prefer a graduated tax with an initial exemption of, say, $3 million. The corporate profits tax should be replaced by a graduated tax on gross revenue (which several states now impose).
Regarding universal, compulsory, public, and secular education let me also provide a link to one of the finest minds -- in my view -- regarding the Enlightenment and subserquesnt revolutionary periods. In particular, 18:00 minutes into the video ... but it's ALL worth a listen. I will probably blog again (as I have previously) on this fellow, Dr. Jonathan Israel.
https://youtu.be/1KjS6el04mY?si=8e3XWTomGqKAJtQ_
If I missed anything of importance, Ed, let me know. I'm happy to add, subtract, or modify anything. But in the words of Gilbert Vale: ""We do not say we will not be converted, but we do say, we must first be convinced." :)
One last brief comment. The top marginal tax rate amount is negotiable certainly, but should be bordering on draconian. Thomas Paine, for example, advocated a 100% confiscatory tax on anything over what would be about $3M per year today. Taking your "defend the rich" argument regarding the median residential home price of $300,000.00, I would respond that if we took Paine's advice, I suspect that the <s> poor disadvantaged person </s> with with the $3M/year income could scrimp and save for five years and SOMEHOW afford a home. All sarcasm aside, in my view EVERYONE in a democratic republic owes a tax for their protection and public services. I would exempt literally no one with an income; but to repeat and clarify: "Progressive taxation at a scale much higher than at present on the top marginal rate (something close to that in place during the Eisenhower administration), elimination of shelters, loopholes, and a ban on evasion by offshore holding."
Continuing at long last with some apologies for the delay. You wrote:
"Permanently rescind AUMF. ED: Explain."
War-making powers are constitutionally allotted to the Congress. The transfer of its constutitutionally designated war-making powers to the Executive by Congress without a Constitutional Amendment is ... (drum roll) ... unconstitutional.
Here is Lincoln on this topic as quoted in a more recent post:
"The provision of the Constitution giving the war-making power to Congress, was dictated, as I understand it, by the following reasons—Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending generally, if not always, that the good of the people was the object– This, our convention understood to be the most oppressive of all Kingly oppressions; and they resolved to so frame the Constitution that no one man should hold the power of bringing this oppression upon us.”
I'm with Honest Abe.
Thanks for a FULL reply, Ed !! First, in my view people are free to send their children to private or religious schools IN ADDITION to the required grades 1-12 compulsory, public, secular education. But society as a whole has an interest that outweighs that of the individual for the education of ALL CITIZENS to the rights, duties, and information requisite for the exercise of citizenship. NO private system or religious school can be counted on to do that. Quite the opposite in practice. I am unalterably opposed to all voucher systems. I strongly object to having my taxes used for private or parochial schools. Public taxes should be used to educate for public purposes in a uniform system EQUAL to all children. If one wants to do something addition, fine; no argument. But "we the people" get your child for the foundational education.
You've caught me on a busy social day -- my parents' 95th birthday party and my neighbor and best friend's 30th wedding anniversary. I'll get back to you for a fuller reply to the rest of your generous response.
How would one actually implement something like what you're proposing? Are there effective strategies to defeat the entrenched power structures of US corporations, the corporate media that manufacture consent, and the two political parties that fully support the status quo? Power corrupts and the powerful always do whatever they can to maintain power. Eventually the corruption becomes unsustainable, though, so powerful empires go into decline. But nature abhors a power vacuum, so other powerful structures arise to take the place of declining empires. But they're no better than what they replace, because their power also makes them corrupt. It seems like a never-ending cycle of doom. Is there a way to break the cycle?
Thanks as always for your comment, John. My answer: grass roots organizing, infiltrating the mechanisms of power especially political parties, electoral movements (aka the vote), and the use of social media. The truth has power of its own.
"...such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, — and all it wants, — is the liberty of appearing. The sun needs no inscription to distinguish him from darkness."
Thomas Paine
Rights of Man, pt. 2
In what ways, if any, should the structure of our political system be changed? Are the problems we have as a nation mostly due to the structure or to the specific people who inhabit the structure? Does any structure exist that could work significantly better than ours, or does human nature doom us to having serious dysfunctionality, no matter what the political structure is?
It's just that I don't believe in utopias. I don't think human nature allows for that. But, of course, we should still work to improve society as much as we can. Not sure how to do that, though. But I agree that truth is important. The first step is to make as accurate (i.e., as truthful) an assessment as possible of our history and current situation.
Agree 100%. I'm not a purist or utopian. I plan to write a bit on that in relation to the elections soon. I think of myself as a realist with high ideals or goals. My life-long motto ... "work for the best and prepare for the worst."
Just got home from a LONG day of family celebrations. Promise to respond more fully after a bit of rest. Always appreciate your thoughts.