The following is a draft project of 21st Century Restoration. It will be on-going. Your suggestions are not only welcome, they are solicited. REMEMBER, comments and subscription here are FREE and welcomed from all readers.
Some of you have asked about the title of the blog. The “restoration” referred to is a restoration of the revolutionary ideals of 1776 and, with sincere respect to our French brothers and sisters, 1789. In other words, the restoration of democratic republicanism: a representative system in which sovereignty resides in the collective citizenry.
For those who just fell off the American cabbage truck, this is the moment to bear in mind that you live in a plutocracy, not a republic.
The short version of the “restoration” alluded to here would be "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" in the French language or in English “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.” The American version is “Liberty and Justice for All,” the phrase at the end of the never-realized indoctrination … errrr … Pledge of Allegiance drilled into every child and citizen (perhaps more on this at another time).
Everyone seems aware that the country needs a new political party and a new political movement. Yet few seem to know what that might be. So here are some proposals for your consideration. Again, this is a draft platform. Readers are welcome to offer criticisms or suggestions.
DRAFT POLITICAL PLATFORM OF 21ST CENTURY RESTORATION:
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.
Universal, compulsory, secular public education: grades 1-12.
Public banking.
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.
No overseas wars whatsoever - defensive militarism only. Rescind all NSC orders to the contrary including the Monroe and Carter Doctrines.
Bill of Rights. Adherence to the existing 10 and subsequent amendments.
No executive orders without legislative review. At most a SHORT time-leash.
Adherence to the Geneva Conventions.
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.
Restore nuclear disarmament and missile treaties.
Permanently rescind AUMF.
Absolute demilitarization of space as a prelude to demilitarization on earth. “On earth as it is in heaven.”
Sharply weaken the unitary executive.
Single payer health system.
100% free public education through grade 12 and through graduate level for all who qualify.
Recission of “corporate personhood,” 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.
In "Agrarian Justice," Paine indicated his general acceptance of the Physiocratic call for the public capture of the rent of land. Turgot, a leading Physiocrat, argued that rent, being societally-created, was an "impot unique" and, if captured, would eliminate the need for actual taxation. This became the message of Henry George in the late 19th century. For the last forty plus years, I have worked alongside others in the U.S. and elsewhere to educate the public on the wisdom of this systemic reform. In practical terms, this battle has been fought at the local level to convince governments and school districts to adopt a two-rate form of real estate taxation that can eventually collect public revenue from the value of land only.
The prospect of eliminating all taxation but that on the potential rental value of land and other natural assets is, sadly, quite low. Therefore, I support a progressive tax on incomes, based on the fact that most income at the highest levels is DERIVED from rent-seeking privileges under law rather than EARNED producing goods or needed services. The structure I propose combines simplification with the capture of rent-derived income. All income from whatever source is reported. Individual incomes up to the national median to be exempt. No other exemptions or deductions permitted. Above the exempt level, an increasing rate of taxation to be applied to higher ranges of income.
A few more items:
1) I think you wrote about dual citizenship and I agree. People need to choose...either be an American or be something else but not both.
2) Put an end to or require rigorous prerequisites on large mergers and acquisitions. Most of the large ones (e.g. Albertson's trying to acquire Kroger) do not make good on their promises of lower costs. They eliminate competition and profiteer. Same goes with banks. We don't even have a community bank option in our area any longer.
3) Reestablish usury laws. The interest rates charged on credit cards or payday loans are horribly high. Obviously the industry cannot regulate itself.
4)Privacy: Too much data is collected and sold without our specific agreement. This includes social media, ordinary things like email, clicks, etc. California's privacy law is a good start (modeled from the EU's GDPR. Case in point: One of my Banks (AAA Bank) sent me a notice that a 3rd party supplier to them (MoveIT) had been breached and that both my wife's and my personal information was compromised (the whole motherload) and then offered credit monitoring services free for 1-2 years (the perps know how to sell and preserve this ID information after the "monitoring period" ends at which time I will get the offer to purchase the service. I get several of these each year. Companies need to pay the full cost of their malfeasance whether or not a 3rd party can be blamed.
5) Term limits. When I saw the young gymnasts testifying at Senate hearings a few years ago I was disturbed by the number of octogenarians questioning them. I felt bad for the girls having to sit through the questions of these geezers (many of them unable to form compete sentences without reading them.
Some are against term limits because of the intricacies of house and senate rules and norms. It's a decent point but these guys seem to be ensconced in their positions and incapable of change. e.g. I wrote my US Senator pleading for an end to the senate rules on filibuster. I had done my homework and argued that it is likely unconstitutional. I received a history lesson in return together with no commitment to propose changes
6) Privacy. Too manyy breaches with no opt out option. A key element is "the right to be forgotten". Companies should not be able to retain your personal information once you are no longer a customer. With banks, there may be some retention requirement but these laws need to be changed. GLB failed miserably on this score. We need something similar to Europe's GDPR (CA has sucha law)