Today, I
write in the hope that the new majority (and remaining minority) in Congress will find ways
to embrace common ground based on a re-envisioning and enhancement of the
fundamental values of our Constitution.
In close partnership with local states and communities, a common Vision
would include fidelity to our Constitution and expansion of rights, freedoms
and responsibilities to the People of our nation, and to members of the global
community, including more direct citizen involvement in the challenges of governance.
Such a
common endeavor would include focus on values and purposes found in the
Preamble to our Constitution (see more at www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 1/10/2016 and 9/29/2018)):
· a more perfect union of our diverse
people unhampered by intended or unintended obstacles
· equal justice under properly
legislated and executed laws
· domestic peace and tranquility that
grows from respect for, and attention to, the rights and freedoms of all our
citizens and residents
· defense of our various communities and peoples
from both foreign and domestic violence, including the violent damage being done
to our environment
· the promotion and enhancement of the
general welfare of all our People, with primary attention given those with
special challenges and needs, both here and abroad
· the manifold requirements of securing
the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity, including the primary
responsibility of providing broad-based opportunities for advancement and
happiness in all possible aspects of life to those with the greatest needs and
challenges
In accord
with these values, and their resultant responsibilities and obligations, the
new House majority might want to consider at least some of the following
suggestions as possible goals for 2019-2020: (bi-partisan support and/or co-sponsorship
to be sought for legislative actions as appropriate).
In doing so,
there should be much greater emphasis placed on problem-solving techniques,
including training for all congresspersons in the techniques that are extant in
the world of leadership training:
Ø statements of problems that are
clear, concise and correct so that the real problem is addressed, not one that
is constructed from personal or Party opinion or belief
Ø gathering broad-based information and
opinions from experts and citizens
Ø exploration of alternative solutions
based on facts and information gathered
Ø choosing of options that will help to
solve the stated (or re-stated) problem rather than for ideological or
political ends
Ø testing of solution(s) if needed
Ø finalizing of legislation and
regulations to implement the solution(s) absent any ideological bias
See below at Goal #2 for process suggestions related to
finalizing legislation.
For further detail, also
see: www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 2/26/2017
A CONSIDERATION:
An important
consideration prior to goal-setting is to offer a third method for amending the
Constitution utilizing the initiative and vote of the nation’s citizenry (with
non-binding advice from state legislatures and the Congress) in accordance with
rights and powers retained by the People under Amendments IX and X. We cannot continue to pretend that the People
are not competent to initiate and manage their own process of constitutional amendment
(see more detail: www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 5/26/2014
A People’s
amendment process is necessary to enable and encourage greater participation by
citizens in the pursuit of many of the Goals we both seek and need to pursue. One of the first uses of the People’s
amendment process might be to seek to amend or over-turn the following SCOTUS
decisions:
· Citizens United (see www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 4/1/2012, 11/25/2012)
· Voting Rights Act, Section 4 (see www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com at 11/9/2018)
The
Democratic leadership has already expressed its commitment to pressing issues
that require timely resolution. Current Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has
indicated that the new Majority will make strengthening democratic institutions
the focus of its first bill (HR 1) in the new Congress of 2019. H.R. 1 will establish automatic voter
registration, bolster the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and take re-districting
power away from state legislatures.
What follows are
some of my briefly expressed thoughts on an initial Goal Plan, not necessarily
in order of priority and not intended to cover every detail of a longer-range
Plan (which would have to include education, jobs, poverty and taxes, at least!)
– see more at www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 5/24/2018, 7/29/2018
In addition
to the three items already mentioned, hopefully, HR 1 will clearly
define federal standards for election procedures and states’ role in implementing those procedures.
The proposed reforms need to protect the right of all citizens to have their
votes count equally with others; to have their registration automatically recorded
and to have voting policies and procedures that do not hinder their absolute
right to vote, but facilitate their freedom to vote
· Early voting and a voting period, not
just one Day
· Public financing of elections
· Restoring voting rights to felons who
have served their sentence
· Not allow anyone to run for any
office while serving concurrently in another public office whether elected or
appointed
· Call for an amendment that will
abolish, or greatly diminish, the role of the Electoral College in our
presidential elections (see: www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 1/27/2013, 3/16/2014)
· To emphasize the importance of
electronics and computer technology, have the appropriate House Committee appoint
a bi-partisan Task Force (or ad hoc sub-committee including experts in the
appropriate fields of technology and citizens involved in election reform) to:
o
research and test new methods of voting that
involve the most advanced technological methods, safeguards and re-count
capabilities.
o
review
all voting machine contracts and operations to determine current flaws and
capabilities.
o
present
recommendations for Congressional actions in a final report by September 1,
2019.
For further thoughts:
see www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 6/20/2010, 1/8/2012, 3/10/2012, 1/12/2015, 7/19/2015, mostly: 11/27/2018
GOAL #2: Improve,
Reform and Rejuvenate the Work of Congress
By
resolution and consultation, make known the Peoples’ concern for the work of the Congress, with the sole
purpose of acting with positive motivations and procedures in the future.
For more background and information: see 2/5/2012, 4/22/2016 2/26/2017, 5/24/2018
and 11/27/2018
The new majority Leadership in the House is
encouraged to:
· Train and mentor new leaders from
newly elected representatives; provide outside training in shared leadership
and problem-solving techniques (see more at 2/3/2013 on www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com),
and diversity/poverty simulation exercises to all members. Appoint a special committee to follow-up on
implementation
· Make greater use of bi-partisan
teamwork in special sub-committees, task forces and ad hoc committees and
involve ad hoc members from cohorts affected by the legislation to serve as
‘consultants’ (except for paid lobbyists, lawyers or employees of entities
that might profit from the legislation)
· Establish rules that allow decisions
to be made by other than majority vote when appropriate: such as consensus,
pros and cons, or trial and error
· Establish rules and procedures that enhance broad
participation of both parties and outside entities rather than hindering that
goal, such as:
o
Place
one or more members of the opposition Party on the Leadership Team;
o
Invite
ordinary citizens and groups to consult, testify, and/or give written opinions
and advice on every piece of legislation that impacts their lives. We must listen less to Special Interests and more to citizens affected
(see more at www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 11/14/2018)
o
All
major legislation, regulations or policies issued ought to contain an
explanation of exactly how persons most directly affected had access to the process of development, and
what consequences the proposals will have upon those affected
constituencies.
o
Restore
full committee hearings for all major pieces of legislation
o
Ban
paid special-interest lobbyists
from legislative or regulatory meetings, hearings, or presentations; instead,
depend primarily on expert witnesses from many sources
Establish restrictions and penalties
for members who violate ethical and conflict of interest standards, according
to severity of their actions:
o
Eliminate
conflicts of interest in broad spectrum of matters, e.g.
§ no one may sponsor legislation that
could benefit them in any manner (including agricultural subsidies);
§ no official may serve on a corporate
board while serving in government
§ make members subject to substantial fines,
expulsion or prison for using insider information;
o
eliminate
all waivers on legislation – no legislator allowed to be free from the
provisions of any act;
o
remove
special privileges from any congressperson who breaks the rules, e.g. restrict
them to basic healthcare plan; no access to free hospital procedures; no
exemption from any legislation; reduction or removal of pension
o
expand
anti-bribery Law
o
consider
elimination of (or strong restrictions on) all PACs
o
consider
offering legislation that contains strong and unpalatable punishments and
outcomes for any member who violates his or her congressional oath
· Require that all legislation be explained
in a Preamble section, spelling out how it will “protect and defend the
Constitution,” by elucidating the purposes, goals, and intended outcomes of
the legislation in relation to constitutional provisions
and values
· In addition, the sponsors should be
required to explain in the Preamble section:
o
exactly
how this legislation will be evaluated as to its effectiveness, and
o
when
a report on that effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) will be available to the
public
o
such
evaluation can most effectively and honestly be done by outside entities, and/or
ordinary citizens not by members or staff.
For further
thoughts and ideas: see www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 9/29/2018.
First Step
is to present legislation to amend, correct, and enhance the Affordable Care
Act, with attention to the following:
· Research at all levels of citizen
involvement to acquire new and cogent ideas for healthcare reform;
· Appoint a Task Force to explore, and
report on, the use of new technologies and Automated Information (AI) to reform
and expand the healthcare system, and to make delivery of care more efficient
and affordable, such as:
o
More
patient portals for consultation with doctors online
o
Computer
system available to all doctors so they can easily consult and conference
o
All
disciplines, hospitals, nurses, therapists, etc. able to communicate over one
or two adaptable programs
· Strengthen consumer input,
affordability, ease of access, and advocacy mechanisms
· Negotiate lowering of the costs of
medicines and adaptive equipment, as well as cost of premiums
· Expand the availability of both
Medicare and Medicaid to also serve as a demonstration for a basic affordable
public option Plan, that could be a prototype for a single payer Health Plan
· Make provision for sharing of costs
among insurance providers to help cover extraordinary costs of very sick people
For more
information: see www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 7/2/2012, 7/8/2012, 1/10/2017, 3/7/2017, 4/7/2017
GOAL #4:
Environment: expand alternative fuels
Expand the
funding of alternative fuels and power grids -- with federal funds as
‘incentives,’ for states, private and public utilities, private innovators, and
other resources to dedicate a portion of their own resources toward this
purpose.
· Have Congress pass resolution
supporting the Paris Accords and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Report;
· Urge President Trump to rejoin the
Accords; re-negotiate if necessary
· Pass legislation to:
o
Reduce
carbon emissions right away
o
Increase
fines for industrial pollution of water, air and earth
o
Remove
access for flagrant violators to all government contracts, grants, tax cuts or
any other governmental assistance
o
Require
additional tax burden for businesses that do not comply
o
Structure
grants, subsidies, tax breaks, etc. for implementation of this Goal
See more at www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 9/2/2017
GOAL #5: Racial Equality
· Resurrect the Koerner Report of 1965
to determine:
o
what
issues prevalent then, still exist;
o
what
recommendations were made then that may have relevance to the present;
o
rebut
and override SCOTUS reasoning and decision re: Section 4 (and 5) of the Civil
Rights Act
· Establish several broadly
representative Task Forces on Racial Divides to:
o
follow-up on individual aspects;
o
request
recommendations be made to Democrat majority for most important steps
that can and should be advanced in 2019-2020.
· Other suggestions include:
o
As
a joint venture of local, state and federal governments, and private sector, support
establishment of a Human Rights Commission in every community
§ the membership of which reflects the
local population cohorts accurately; (perhaps required for communities over
10,000 population).
§ Subpoena power a necessity; duties
must be defined by feds with local government input, but
§ Could well include justice system
review board duties
§ Require states to establish a
Department of Human Rights and Relations to work in concert with feds, local governments
and HR Boards
§ Joint funding also required, but feds
supply most of it
See more at www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 5/4/2015, 9/29/2017, 1/13/2018, 4/8/2018
· The Kerner Commission report recognized
that the black/white race divide was largely an economic divide and proposed
mainly economic policies to meet this social problem. Their policy prescription
included:
o
creating
two million jobs, in both the public and private sector;
o
fully
subsidizing on-the-job training for the chronically unemployed;
o
providing
federal assistance to all inner-city schools
o
offering
federal funding for year-round compensatory education programs serving
disadvantaged children;
o
developing
a uniform national welfare standard to bring everyone's income up to the
poverty line; and
o
building
six million new and renovated units of housing for low and moderate-income
families.
See more at www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 1/27/2014
· Michelle Alexander’s book, “The New Jim Crow” deserves similar
scrutiny for answers and recommendations.
Several unequal systems are involved: police tactics, prosecutors, courts,
legal representation, plea bargaining, sentencing, and treatment under and
after incarceration.
o
Strongly
Restrict “Stop & Frisk” technique
o
Prohibit
police from stopping motorists unless they have substantial reason to believe the
motorist was committing or had committed an actual crime.
o
Plea
bargains must be reviewed by a defense lawyer (assigned if not available) and a
judge before acceptance;
make both personages liable
for any bias or prejudice
o
Examine
concept of mandatory sentences and rescind its use wherever appropriate;
o
Re-open
concept of being able to sue for racial bias
o
Three
strikes and automatically out must be eliminated
o
Random
searches and sweeps of public schools and students must be eliminated
o
police
obtaining search warrants based on anonymous tips eliminated
o
the
use of paid unidentified informants by police and prosecutors restricted
o
disallow
use of plea bargaining as a means of obtaining a confession
See more at www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 5/21/2015, 1/16/2014
The
Leadership and others from the New House Majority have already expressed some
of their broad goals in hoping to substantially fund infrastructure repair:
· rebuilding and upgrading of roads,
bridges, schools, airports and transport systems as well as public services
such as sewers and water supply mechanisms
· using this same legislation as a jobs
bill that would strengthen a goal of providing jobs especially in areas of
greatest need
· target federal money to areas where
projects are already proposed or are about to be proposed; earlier this year
they also proposed:
o
maintain
and restore environmental protections and labor standards
o
improve
intercity passenger rail service
o
automatic
braking systems on rail trains
o
advance
severe weather-resistant and resilient structures
· major question is whether to raise
the federal fuel tax to help stabilize the Highway Trust Fund
· major questions to ask about school
buildings:
o
are
present style buildings appropriate for 21st century learning?
o
Are
there ways to use buildings that already exist, and to reduce the amount of
time spent in one building?
o
Is
our purpose for education clear in a technological AI revolution and can
buildings reflect such changes?
See more on
public education and its purposes: www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 9/26/2010, 10/6/2010, 10/22/2010, 5/18/2016
· Background checks required for all
gun purchases
· Guns declared as potentially lethal
products subject to FDA procedures and regulations (without jeopardizing 2nd
Amendment right to gun ownership)
o
Registration,
licensing and owner Title for all guns following examples for auto ownership
o
Consider
inspection of guns on a regular (5 year?) basis
o
Appoint
Task Force to research and to recommend specific actions to address domestic
violence, violence against women in armed forces and on college campuses, abuse
of children especially by government neglect and action
See much
more at: www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com at 7/22/2012, 12/30/2012, 1/20/2013,
3/3 and 3/14/2013, 4/14/2013, 10/10/2017, 3/14/2018, 10/28/2018
GOAL #8: IMMIGRATION REFORM
· Clarify mission and purposes of ICE
and restrict all actions that violate or threaten due process or legality
· Road to citizenship must be fair and
not over-burdened with obstacles of dubious value; shorten time required to
reach citizens status by offering incentives, e.g. subtract 2 years for
military service or community volunteer duties
· Restore the importance and access to
‘asylum’
· Establish Office of Citizen
Preparedness that will encourage citizenship preparation training and that will
counsel and refer citizenship seekers for help needed to become citizens
· Capture funds meant for the “Wall” to
be used to fund helpful and just immigrant training and assistance
· Utilize enhanced Automated Information
and technology to replace “the Wall” and to upgrade communication all along our
borders
· Explore the “child abuse” that
occurred at our southern border; eliminate or amend the procedures now in
place; seek indictment or suspension of all government-affiliated personnel who
issued orders or directives involving the forced separation of children from
parents
· Explore the status of court orders
regarding the re-uniting of these children and their parents; take action to
insure their fulfillment
See more: www.rubamboozled.blogspot.com
at 4/21/2013, 3/14/2018, 6/19/2018
In conclusion,
I submit this from a previous blog dated 9/4/2016 about the book: “PEOPLE
GET READY: The
Fight Against a Jobless Economy and a Citizenless Democracy” by
Robert W. McChesney and John Nichols:
“The one thing Americans are in overwhelming agreement
on, in poll after poll and election result after election result, is that
neither major party has a plan for the future.” …few political figures have
thought deeply enough about the issues to recognize, as the Pope did in his
2015 encyclical, that ‘our immense technological development has not been
accompanied by a development in human responsibility, values and conscience’.”
The book’s Introduction concludes: “We the people are the
only force that can make a future worthy of our hopes and our humanity. And our tool is the only tool that has ever
taken the power to define the future away from the elites and given it to the
whole of humanity: democracy.”
“The point
is to shape progress, not as customers
or consumers, not as clicks to be counted or employees struggling to synch
ourselves into automated workplaces, but as citizens engaged in a democratic
process of organizing a new economy that reflects our values and our needs. Our future destiny demands further
exploration of what can be done by government to advance not just industries,
but human values, responsibility and involvement.”
