I went to a meeting a couple of weeks back where tea baggers and progressives sat down to debate, without weapons, whether it would be wise, given the nation's serious issues, to call for a convention under article V of the constitution. The idea being floated, in the face of today's entrenched partisanship and the stalemate in Washington, was for the States (aka "the people") to call for a constitutional convention that would "change the rules", and thereby fix the problem (with the devil in the details of all this to be wrestled with later).
A thought provoking idea. But, you know, the constitution isn't to blame here. The constitution, conceived by giants who tower over the present crop of lightweights, is a fine and time-tested framework for running a democracy. No, the problem lies elsewhere - and the Occupy Wall Street people have their finger pointed squarely at it; our government is no longer of, for, and by the people. Our beautiful democratic framework has been hijacked by big money.
So here's an idea that might attack a root cause of the problem:
1. Fund all political campaigns exclusively with public money
2. Make any form of private political contribution, either by an individual or by an organization (including corporations, non-profits, unions) a felony, with serious jail time penalties
3. Form a new division of the FBI, charged with vigorous pursuit of offenders.
4. Pay legislators an attractive wage
The current way we fund our political processes is RIDICULOUS. It invites abuse, and not surprisingly human nature and natural selection happily deliver us exactly what we ask for, bought by special interests - a corrupt, noisy, know- and do-nothing band of clowns in Washington. Public funding of campaigns will shift the focus of our politics towards ideas and the public good, and away from greenbacks, and the attractive salary will draw the best and the brightest into public service. Sounds good to me, sound good to you?
