One Feasible Solution

I'm over here in Luxembourg writing this. I know I've stated how fed up I am with the politics and bad government over there, and how it's all a lost cause. At some point I came to the realization that only desperate, radical measures could save the country from its money/power-fueled politicians, and that Americans were too distracted by things like entertainment and gadget overload, celebrity worship, financial struggles, sexual licentiousness and career competitiveness to pay much attention to the doings in Washington. And the media, almost no help at all, reports mostly on partisan conflicts, D.C. power struggles and various ongoing scandals.

But since the Katrina events, compounded by continuing losses in Iraq, Republican leader indictments and ethics violations, as well as rising gasoline, heating oil, insurance and utilities costs, a sense of outrage and disillusionment has been building. Although, for the reasons mentioned above regarding the dis-focus of the populace, I'm not terribly optimistic that this will lead to any kind of governmental sea change, I will at least put this concept forth. What this represents is a possible solution to the downward spiral that you in the States find yourselves in, with your cognizance that it would take something this drastically remedial to turn that big ship of yours away from the looming icebergs.

Part and parcel of the following proposal is that full-scale campaign-finance reform has eliminated all contributions except individual donations (say, $5,000 per person) and no more "soft money," dinners, trips or other gifts are allowed. And no pollution of the airwaves with attack ads from 527's. Also, and this is an ever so important component, there has to be a strict ban on the sleazy practice of corporations and lobbying firms giving jobs to politicians' family, staffers, friends and the politicians themselves after they retire. (This proscription needs to be extended to include all government agencies, especially the FDA and FCC, which are suffused with this form of corruption.)

Since this reform, along with lobbying reform, is absolutely essential if the citizens are going to gain back control of their government, something compensatory has to be given back to the most influential economic power centers, those who will no longer be allowed to rent politicians, or it will never have a chance at actualization. I've read and heard endless caterwauling about getting rid of money-peddling in D.C., yet no one seems to realize the stark reality that the vested interests, and those in so-called public service who benefit from their patronage, will not just submit to eradication. They need to be compensated with another form of legislative influence, or else it's a non-starter.

Labor and Capital (banks, Wall Street firms, large corporations, etc.) would each appoint 10 people to represent their interests in an undiluted manner, serving on a board (The Economic Board) which would operate out of Washington as a kind of adjunct to Congress.

The president, the House and Senate all place a representative on this board as well, making it total 23. This group proposes three pieces of legislation per year to be sent to Congress, and is granted a kind of veto over all economic-based bills passed by Congress. If two-thirds of The Economic Board vote no on one of these bills, it goes back to Congress to be reworked. But if a piece of legislation is thus voted down twice, a seven-member panel from the board is empowered: the president's and congressional representatives, along with two designated members from labor, and two from capital (called The Settlement Panel). They meet in closed session, discuss and debate the issues involved, then vote it up or down. If passed, it proceeds to the president's desk as would a normal bill. If it’s defeated, it’s dead for that term.

A possible aspect of The Economic Board’s voting might be that their votes are by secret ballot. This would allow members the freedom to agree with the other side on compromise measures without inviting the wrath of those who appointed them. Either that or give them 10-12 year terms.

If such a new semi-legislative body were implemented, it would remedy much of what currently ails governance over there, vastly improving the fairness and quality of legislation without hurting any segment of society or depriving any interest group of a voice in our government. (There are those who, somewhat fallaciously, equate campaign contributions with free speech; this plan would quell that quarter's murmurings.)

As things now stand, the need for massive funding of campaigns makes politicians the clients of the monied interests. Proof of this is everywhere evident: the bankruptcy bill, the energy bill, the transportation bill, huge corporate tax cuts, the seniors’ drug bill, various environmental bills, etc.

Add to this list the absence of healthcare reform because the powerful (i.e., campaign-money cash cows) medical interests – the AMA, the insurance companies, hospital corporations, pharmaceutical companies -- don’t want anything that might impede their hand-over-fist looting of the public. It’s clearly time for an overhaul of how we the people manage our national legislation.

One question that may appear unanswered from the above outline is what to do about the non-economic interest groups, like the NRA, NAACP, the Christian Right, NOW, AARP, etc. What these groups all have in common is that they are highly motivated and well organized. They would be barred from making block donations under this new system, but they can all have election-time websites, a la MoveOn.org, and get out the vote among their members in November. They would still be forces to be reckoned with; they just couldn't target candidates for destruction with negative ad campaigns. (And wouldn't we all welcome a respite from those nasty things?)

Almost as bad as the fact that most elected politicians are somewhere between co-opted and outright corrupt is their duplicitous speechifying and practiced sophistry regarding their reasons for voting the way they do. This leads, at least among the more intelligent types, to a disillusionment regarding government, to less participation by the citizenry, which leads, in turn, to less awareness in the electorate – an atmosphere in which the politicians can do their dirty deeds in relative seclusion from public scrutiny.

Something needs to be done, and soon. This country is about two-thirds sold down the river right now, and given another five years the corporate hijackers and their legislator minions will undoubtedly sell us out the rest of the way.