Time to Pack the Tent

President Obama was re-elected for another term in office. Fortunately, there are term limits for presidents; too bad there are none for those in Congress, which I plan to rectify, but that is for another day.

The result of this presidential election does not surprise me. While I think the American populace is frustrated with our Federal government and the President’s leadership, obviously a clear majority could not bring themselves to vote for a person arguably without any convictions (beyond their own religious beliefs) and who represents a political party (i.e. The Republican Party) that has arguably lost touch with the majority of people due to policy positions resulting from extremists pushing the moderates/pragmatics from the  Republican ‘tent’ to the detriment of the party and our country.  Not saying I am moderate and or pragmatic, I left the party a little less than two years ago.

Unless things change within its leadership, I believe the Republican Party will go the way of the dodo bird. While the party could change to attract more women and minorities, I believe it will be excruciatingly painful and in the process allow the Democratic Party to grow the government even more. Personally, I do not want to wait nor see a larger federal government; therefore, I seek to hasten the process of packing the Republican ‘tent’, which is why I voted for Gary Johnson and encouraged others to do the same - I probably had the only Gary Johnson yard sign in my county.

While that tent is being pack another party will fill its void.  The Tea Party started to feel the void, but the same extremists that pushed out the moderates/pragmatics out of the Republican tent usurped the Tea Party movement.  While personally I would like to see the rise of the Freedom and Responsibility Party (my idea because you cannot have one without the other) it will most likely be the Libertarian Party that has the best chance.

Sooner the  Republican ‘tent’ is packed and another party (based on a few sound principles) fills the void sooner we can rectify the challenges we encounter.  I ask that you help me pack the tent by supporting a candidate that best suits your beliefs regardless of party affiliation. If you cannot find a candidate then I encourage you to become the candidate.

Human Nature Necessitates Term Limits

A friend of mine recently brought to my attention a news article that highlights Citizen's Alliance for Pennsylvania (CAP) reasons, efforts and challenges as it seeks to instate term limits in Pennsylvania. The names, dates and places mentioned in the article could easily be changed to describe our Federal government.

While I find the article very informative, it fails to mention what I consider the raison d’être, which I believe is human nature. As I have previously pointed out, all humans (me, you, everyone) are inherently greedy, impatient and lazy.  These traits have led to marvelous technological advancements that have improved our standard living; however, these traits have led to the outcomes as highlighted in the above-mentioned article. 

More specifically, most of us (me included) are to blame for the current state of affairs in Washington, D.C.  Most of us have been lazy and typically voted (if we voted at all) the party line that seems the most appealing. Instead of participating in our government, we sought to improve our standard of living whether through possessions and/or activities (stemming from our own specific greed).  I suspect our blind trust (knowingly or unknowingly) of others attributed to some of this behavior.

While I encourage trust, we have to be careful because politicians are human, too. Most politicians seek reelection (greedy – even if for altruistic reasons). However, as I previously pointed out from my walks in Florida Congressional District 5 (formerly 3) it is difficult to build a grassroots base from which to seek public office; it is much easier (lazy and impatient) to seek donations from those that are well heeled.

As P.J. O’Rourke once stated, “when buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.” We need not look far; looking at Corrine Brown’s financial supporters, one will notice bipartisan support from those well-heeled individuals in the transportation and rail industries. To be fair to Ms. Brown, she is not alone.  All of our elected officials are guilty, more so for those longer in office.  This support comes with a quid quo pro as exemplified most recently by the Farm Bill that passed in the Senate.

To rectify this situation, we must first take responsibility (to ensure our freedom) by first acknowledging our own shortcomings, which we can use to motivate ourselves and others to act.  I believe (& it seems that I am not alone per the article) that term limits is the main solution.  Surely, there are other solutions, but I believe term-limits will have the most impact because:

·      Subjecting members of Congress to term limits will lead to more qualified people seeking office;

·      Special interest will see their influence diluted because they will not know whom to back; and

·      As result, candidates will need to reach out to you the voter allowing you more influence.

I suspect the framers of our Constitution did not consider term limits due to:

·      Serving one’s country was just that, a service, not a career (due in part to our ancestors’ reliance on agriculture at the time) and

·      The life expectancy rates 200 years ago were near half the rates today.

As a final note (or nail in the coffin), if what is good for the goose should be good for the gander then Congress should pass an amendment to the Constitution limiting their terms since Congress deemed it necessary to pass an amendment limiting the President to two terms.  Sadly, Congress currently controls the process, but if we act together then we can control the process. 

I envision one day a several million (maybe tens of million) American march on Washington, D.C. to force through Congress a bill that will eventually lead to such an amendment. This day would be preceded by: 

·      The overwhelming (as in table pounding) support of all Presidential candidates, which is all she or he can do for a bill passed by Congress that seeks to amend our Constitution and

·      The wide spread acknowledgement of our efforts in the media, such as our ‘Bill Drafting’ parties/events where we (the people) create the bill that will be submitted and passed by the necessary majority with which to send to the States for ratification.

New District, But Same Representative

Obviously, I have not been walking and talking in now what is officially known as District 5, formerly District 3.  The district numbering recently changed following the realignment that occurs every decade after the national census. Florida received two additional seats based on the census, which necessitated among others reasons the realignment.

Fortunately or unfortunately depending upon one’s view, I still have Corrine Brown as my representative.  It seems she has a lock on another two years.  One day I hope to change that, but making ends meet in a tough economic climate is….well, tough and has led me to focus my efforts and priorities on keeping my head afloat.

I know one way to remove her from office, which would be if we had term limits. I have faith and confidence that day is fast approaching.

End of Radio Silence

It has been almost a year since I made my last post. Why, you ask? Elementary, my dear Watson, my perceptions of my situation led me to go silent.

As a large number of people can attest to, the last three years have been tough financially.  In 2008 I left behind a steady income to pursue public office. I took on contract work, but I did not foresee nor anticipate the depth of the recent recession.  I also believed (& still do) that I could have beaten my Congresswoman, Corrine Brown, in an election – even as a first timer; however, as we know that was not to be.  Therefore, I reentered the job market two years ago seeking a longer-term, full-time engagement just as the economy bottomed out.  Needless to say, pickings were slim

I eventually found work in an ‘eat what you kill’ or an ‘on the come’ type of business model in an industry that works off a broken business model (people willingly give away their intellectual property for free in hopes that others will eventually give them money).  I nearly starved leading me to start the process a little over a year ago of seeking a more fulfilling engagement. To make myself more appealing to a wider audience I decided that it would be best that I kept my political thoughts to myself.  However, doing so bothered me.

I think we need to encourage and tolerate more political discussion (which also involves education) among each other.  If we were to more widely accept political discourse then I think it is more likely that the silent majority (which I perceive to be - us - the citizens of the US) will take back control of our government from what seems to be an ever increasing influence from well funded special interest groups. I believe the unfunded majority can have their voices heard in Washington if we were to end our collective silence and start listening and talking to each other about what we want from 'OUR' government. Does that not seem reasonable?