I ran across a newly announced, unfortunately under publicized, candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States of America. He clearly represents a danger to progressives for his ability to clearly digest and communicate the not so subtle messages of the Right. What follows is one of his caimpaign pieces.
SLOWING THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT AND REDUCING THE NATIONAL DEBT
I ,like all my opponent’s for the Republican Nomination for President in the 2012 Presidential election, think government and the national debt are too big.
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY GENERATED GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC DEBT IS BAD
I also agree with my fellow candidates that the size of government and the size of the deficit are Democratic problems. Although when Republicans are in power the growth of government and the bloating of the debt are generally far larger than that under Democratic administrations, this is not a problem. The reason for this is that under the Democrats this growth is unnecessary, while under the Republicans it is growth of neither government nor debt, but necessary investments to preserve our essential liberties from those within or without of the country threatening to take them away.
THE PROBLEM LIES WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS
Where I disagree with the other contenders is what to do about this Democrat Inspired glut of governmental drones and debt.
You see, almost all my opponents themselves have worked for government for most of their careers and/or desperately want to work for it by getting themselves elected. Many of them may be running simply because they suspect that they could not pass the civil service exams and thereby enjoy the health care and retirement benefits available to governmental employees. Some of the more perceptive realize that the salaries and benefits afforded to elected officials exceed even that of those crocheted bureaucrats in government.
And what happens when they get elected? You do not see them doing their job then leaving public service. No, almost always, they run for office again.
And how do they get themselves re-elected? Well, often by pandering to those elements of the government most supportive of their re-election (e.g., For Republicans, the defense industry, and for Democrats, teachers of our children).
MY SOLUTIONS
It is my policy to go to the heart of the matter. It is not that we have too many bureaucrats but that we have too many elected officials who, despite their denials, actually are the ones responsible for governmental growth and escalating costs.
Immediate 50% Reduction in Elected Officials
I call for a nation wide 50% across the board reduction in the number of elected officials.
Although this will go far toward solving the problem, for those remaining aspirants for public office the benefits are still too attractive, especially since it is obvious that most of them are ill-equipped to obtain equivalent private market jobs. Just look at the current field of candidates for the highest elective office in the land. In almost all cases they have never really held an equivalent private (and if truth be known public) sector job, or are running on family money or in the case of the sainted Newt Gingrich (and a few others) have made a personal financial killing on their public careers.
Restrict Salaries of All Elected Officials
So, in order the make sure that the attractiveness of the financial incentives of the job do not outweigh the public purpose of elected office, I propose that the salaries of all publicly elected officials be limited to that of the minimum wage of the jurisdiction from which they are elected. Also any elected official should be prohibited from accepting any financial remuneration from any source during their time of service.
Restrict Public Benefits of Elected Officials
In addition, in order to prevent them from feathering their own nests by voting themselves other benefits, like gilt-edged health or retirement benefits. Therefor I propose that, elected officials shall not be entitled any public benefit not also available to every citizen residing in the district from which he or she was elected.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
Also, I believe, the problem in politics today is not campaign contributions and the wealthy individuals and corporations that give them. After all it is their money, they should be able to spend it as they wish.
Prohibition on Accepting Campaign Contributions
The problem is that the politicians are free to accept these gifts. Obviously if they do so, common courtesy tells us that they will feel indebted to the generous donors of this largess. Therefore, I propose:
Anyone running for public office should be prohibited from accepting campaign contributions of any kind from anyone.
OVERSIGHT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
Finally, we cannot forget, these are still politicians, even those who have never run for office before are politicians, even more so once they are elected. They simply cannot be trusted and therefore I propose:
That for every politician elected to public office there be a citizen from that jurisdiction selected by lot like a juror for a trial who shall serve alongside that elected official and keep an eye on him or her.
At the next campaign stop of one of my opponents for the nomination, I ask you to inquire of them if they will pledge to abide by these policies to clean up the election process. I bet they wont.
REMEMBER DON’T SIMPLY THROW AWAY YOUR VOTE, THROW IT AWAY ON POOKIE FOR PRESIDENT.