We NEED separation of MORE than just Church and State
Posted by Oren Pardes | Posted in News & Politics | Posted on 09-11-2007
Tags: church, government, politics, religion, state
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Americans sometimes complain about our political process. The ability to complain and protest is an essential part of our system – that is all too often taken for granted. “Debate”, however, is only “helpful” when something (positive) comes from it.
What amazes me is how few people seem to recognize, let alone get worked up about, two MAJOR inherent flaws in almost EVERY level of government in this country:
1. Issues are bundled together. How can anyone be expected to make a decision on more than one thing at a time – especially when they are all artificially attached to something unrelated? The obvious solution is to REQUIRE that ONLY one issue be addressed at a time (on its own merit, and not as a result of mutual political back-scratching).
Often one issue effects another and it is not unreasonable to consider more than one idea and consequence to arrive at a decision, but I still content that each decision must be made singly and independent of unrelated/competing issues. Sadly, even the “lesser” idea of a “line item veto” is almost always vigorously opposed, so clear thinking is unlikely in the immediate future.
2. Those making decisions (for the rest of us) are usually exempt from (abiding by) their own decisions – except for when they vote to raise their salaries. If those “in charge” actually had to live by their decisions (for others) and things affected them (and their families) personally, whatever they came up with would probably make more sense and work a lot better for others as well. Many, if not all, of the major problems with education, health care, transportation, national resources, national debt, national security, military involvement overseas, etc., etc. would be addressed much more responsibly – and effectively – if those deciding (and/or their immediate family members) were REQUIRED to be directly effected by their decisions.
If those with the power to change things HAD to eat the same food, live in similar housing, shop the same stores, commute to and from work by similar means, pay retail prices for everything they used, attend the same quality schools, personally serve in the military (during wartime), receive the same medical access, treatment, payment and insurance coverage options, receive the same punishment and representation in legal proceedings, participate in the same retirement system, and NOT get paid AT ALL unless they actually produced/contributed something of VALUE, a LOT more positive and workable “solutions” to “problems” (effecting everyone) would be offered and implemented.
