An Appeal For Honest Government (Singles Mix)

I obviously give a lot of thought to the state of politics, and the state of liberty in this great country and our world at large. So it should come as no surprise that I've been considering what goes into honest government. There are a ton of people that would love to make millions off of this subject. Count me in that group. If I could make millions legitimately off of peddling this subject I would. However, I don't think that there's time enough for me to build up my business in that field because we've suffered enough bad dishonest government as it is.

So while I will probably spin this into a larger article, I want to present my tenents for honest government. First, I should explain what I mean by that. I mean a government that is truly constrained by law and contract. A government that is open and fair, a government that understands its power to rule is solely derived from the will of the governed, and recognizes that at any time if the govern so desire, they can tear down and remake government as they see fit. A government with transparency. A government that does not needlessly deceive the the governed.

I'm putting these out to call for this type of government no matter where we live. I would personally like to see a world of minimal government and maximal freedoms, but even if you live in a state or country which practices socialism, you too can demand these things. They are your right as one who gives power to your government.

1. An end to two-party politics. - I know this applies mostly in the United States and within each of the 50 States, but it's important, and I'm going to explain why. Large parties, of the type Democrat or Republican, do not give the voters the full ability to vote their conscience. By opening the rolls to all political parties, no matter how extreme or strange or small you potentially allow all people to have a say.
2. An end to ear-marking and pork. - We're all paying for the price of our lawmaker's abuses. Ear-marking, the process by which money for a pet project is tacked onto another bill as a rider needs to stop. As long as politicians can funnel money to whatever they want without full and open disclosure AND complete public oversight, we're not ruled by an honest government.
3. Make legislators read the bills they vote on first. - Downsize DC already has a campaign for this. It should be a no-brainer that politicians read the bills they're asked to vote on. Politicians should not be allowed to just vote on something because someone told them it was a good idea or they didn't have time to get to it. That's how bad laws like the PATRIOT Act come to be. Make them read the laws they're trying to pass.
4. Lobbying Reform - You can expect or demand that there are no more lobbyists. It just can't happen, and shouldn't. It's important that all people affected by a bill get a chance to speak on a subject with their politician. Politicians should be required to reveal every meeting with a lobbyist, ever dollar received, if we allow it all, which I don't think we should, and reveal every perk, gift, high-five, backslap, and pinch on the ass a politician receives from a lobbyist. Period. The peddling of influence should have the bright light of day shone on it.
5. An End To Gerrymandering - When politicians redraw district lines they do so with such lewd glee it makes even the most darkest of hearts at the sex offenders jail quake. The laws originally designed to ensure that changes in population were accurately reflected in representation have been used to make it possible for a politician or party to pick and choose their voters. It's shouldn't work that way. We choose our leaders. We give them mandate and authority. They should not get the ability to pick us the voters to ensure their career forever.
6. Expanded Freedom of Information Access - The governed should have the ability to seek information from their government with little pain. There is a place for state secrets, but information about the government should be available freely, and preferably online so it's easy to access.
7. A Strong, Exuberant, and Free Press - The people have the right to be informed of what's going on at all levels of government and how it's affecting people. Only a free press (including bloggers ;) ) can really perform this action.
8. The Right to Bear Arms - I know that not all of you will agree with this final right but it is essential for the continued safeguarding of liberty. While citizens remain armed it's much harder for the government to strip rights from people or to try to quash them. An armed citizenry is a free citizenry.

That's it for now. I'm very tired and worn out from the day and I'd love to write more but I'll circle back around later and get to doing that.