Foundation for Better Government

The goal of this non-partisan Foundation is to present and invite ideas for improving the structure and the quality of government performance on a continuous basis. Every government must be responsive, responsible, efficient, economical, and free of corruption.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

2. POLITICALLY INCORRECT: IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF ELECTED OFFICIALS. By T.S.Khanna,September 20,2017

FOUNDATION FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT,

2.  POLITICALLY INCORRECT:  IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
                                BY T.S.Khanna, September 20, 2017

NOTE:   Political correctness consists in ignoring or hiding or fabricating facts by the contesting candidates or parties to mislead voters to gain votes at the cost of doing what is right for the society.
 It hurts the society.
 Another thing  that is hurting the US is the axiomatic belief that "ours is the best form of government", implying that there is no room for improvement.  Going counter to this belief is also politically incorrect.  
 Our progress in political institutions has not kept pace with the progress in technology.  From technical perspective, we have a solution to every problem; from political perspective, we have a problem to every solution.  To keep standing on the shoulders of the Founders is to avoid the responsibility of building our own shoulders.
 In the Politically Incorrect series of short articles on various aspects of the US government, we have set aside the political correctness.  Here, the purpose is to invite attention of the learned people to identify and shore up the shortcomings in the government.

At intense moments in history, memorable statements are made by great men creating a significant impact on public psychology.  Taken out of the context, literal meaning of such statements can  be misleading.

The axiomatic belief that everyone is equally qualified to hold any elected office is rooted in the Declaration: "........All men are created equal."  Apparently, all men and women are not created equal as we note from the difference in their physique, looks, and intelligence.

However, the enduring interpretation and the purpose of the statement is still valid:  all men and women must have an equal treatment under the law and equal opportunity to compete.  This interpretation allows us to adopt adequate requisites to install the best talent of the society in elected positions by allowing citizens an equal opportunity to meet the adopted requisites and compete for an elected position.

The quality of elected officials also depends on the quality of voters.  We believe it is equally important to adopt adequate requisites for voters as well.

To initiate discussion on the subject, some requisites for candidates and voters are suggested:

Candidates;
  1. Must be US citizen by birth (for all elected positions, to avoid silent invasion on American culture),
  2. Fluency in English language (Reading, writing, speaking)
  3. Minimum age 30 years, maximum age 65 years,
  4. Must have paid income tax for at least five years,
  5. Only one term for any one position (to restrict career politicians),
  6. Free of any felony conviction or drug addiction,
  7. Good credit rating,
  8. Knowledge of the US history, government philosophy, its structure and operations,
  9. Familiarity with the various sociopolitical groups of the constituents,
  10. Completion  of prescribed voluntary public service or under study specific to the elected position.
Voters;
  1. Must be US citizen,
  2. Fluency in English language (reading, writing, speaking),
  3. Minimum age 25 years,
  4. Must have paid income taxes for at least two years,
  5. Free of any felony conviction or drug addiction,
  6. Knowledge of the US history, government philosophy, its structure and operations.
  7. Develop and adopt a merit system for voters to give greater voting weight to the voters who contribute more to the society. 
  8. Non-voters may not be allowed to participate in politics.
For an equal opportunity for the prospective candidates and voters to qualify, courses/training facilities may be provided at the existing schools and colleges.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

1. POLITICALLY INCORRECT: RESTRUCTURE THE TOP LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT By T.S.Khanna, September 13,2017


Politically Incorrect: 1. Restructure The Top Level of Government
                                         By T.S.Khanna, September 13, 2017.

NOTE:   Political correctness consists in ignoring or hiding or fabricating facts by the contesting candidates or parties to mislead voters to gain votes at the cost of doing what is right for the society.
 It hurts the society.
 Another thing  that is hurting the US is the axiomatic belief that "ours is the best form of government", implying that there is no room for improvement.  Going counter to this belief is also politically incorrect.  
 Our progress in political institutions has not kept pace with the progress in technology.  From technical perspective, we have a solution to every problem; from political perspective, we have a problem to every solution.  To keep standing on the shoulders of the Founders is to avoid the responsibility of building our own shoulders.
 In the Politically Incorrect series of short articles on various aspects of the US government, we have set aside the political correctness.  Here, the purpose is to invite attention of the learned people to identify and shore up the shortcomings in the government.

  A quick glance at  the government performance during the last several decades indicates that the present system of the government: The President, The Senate, and The House of Reps, is not functioning as originally intended.  Even if it did function as intended, its performance cannot be equal to the challenges of the current times or of the future.

  Representative democracy generates centrifugal forces which keep splitting the society with increasing momentum. HATE AMONG VARIOUS SOCIOPOLITICAL GROUPS KEEPS INCREASING IN CONTENT AND INTENSITY.  AT EACH ELECTION, HATE IS FURTHER NURTURED AND FOMENTED. To keep the nation unified, there must be a counteracting centripetal force in place.  Absence of this force is weakening the nation.

Top level of the government may be restructured:
  • Abolish the outdated senate and replace it with a 15-member, non-partisan, Supreme Council elected by the House of Reps on a 6-year term, one third retiring every two years.
  • The Supreme Council members may elect the Council's President and Vice-President on a 2-year term.
  • The House of Rep may act only as advisory body to the Supreme Council.
  • House of Rep members may be elected on a 6-year term, one third retiring every two years.
  • All decision making responsibilities of the Senate and the House of Rep may be transferred to the Supreme Council.
  • The present positions of the President and the Vice-President may be abolished and their responsibilities and powers be transferred to the President and Vice-President of the Supreme Council.
Such restructuring should modernize the US Government.  Discussion is invited.


Thursday, September 07, 2017

Elections Promote Hate In The USA By T.S. Khanna, September 7,2017

Foundation For Better Government

Elections Promote Hate In The USA   By T.S. Khanna, September 7, 2017.

The content and intensity of hate has been increasing in America; more so during the last few decades.  Now the level of hate among various segments of the population, political parties, and within the parties is nearing the flash point.

Elections seem to be the cause of increasing hate that bears a direct relationship with the increasing amount of money spent  in  elections.

Love, hate, fear, distrust, blaming others for one's weaknesses, and desire to dominate others are innate sentiments in every human being.  Under the current system, every election is an open season to fan/foment the negative sentiments of the voters.  Moreover, representative democracy generates centrifugal forces in the society and continues to cause sociopolitical splits which gain legitimacy during elections.   Since winning is  everything, candidates struggle for 51% of the votes at any cost.

Divisiveness and hate-mongering is the DNA of our elections that often place persons in power unfit for the job.

To reverse the process of increasing hate, it is recommended:
     1.  Eliminate elections at local levels and at select state and federal levels.  Fill in the public positions  by inviting applications from the qualified, interested persons and select them by luck of the draw, like selection of the Grand Jury members.
    2.  Establish non-partisan election commissions with adequate powers to adopt and enforce rules/regulations for fair civilized elections free of fabricated facts and personal attacks.
    3.  To assure wider base for the winner, require 67% votes instead of 51%.