I became a political observer when Anita Hill was being interrogated by the Senate Judiciary Committee. I watched GHWB's war of national interest hold our outpost of Kuwait. Our news media was breathlessly awaiting on the beach, with their Krieg lights, for the arrival of our troops on a foreign shore to prove our dominance.
We need some long term planning! We have none.
I was roughly 23 at the time.
As a newcomer (from Canada) to America at that time, I was befuddled & bemused. Holy crap! They are discussing pubic hairs and coke cans on NPR!
Later, I discovered that the civil war was not over in America (racism was alive and well).
Holy crap! the American media are waiting on the beaches and Oceans for the next war.
Later, I discovered that the media (and the Military industrial Complex) had the American voter by the short hairs.
I watched as Bill Clinton was elected, followed by the Shrubbery (Cheney puppet), then Al Gore was defeated by the Supreme Court. John Kerry's mandate was stolen by voting machines in Ohio (you can sue me for the 'CT' but I still believe that today). At the end of this cycle, Bush Jr. had destroyed the country and we are hoping for a recovery that may not come. The new normal is here and now.
The Citizens United ruling by the Supremes made things worse.
Our Democracy has no long term planning. It's based on 4 and 6 year cycles. Our politicians are largely backed by special interests. When my son was born (in America), I now had a vested interest (it seems nobody thinks my 20 years of living in the US is valid since I never became a citizen and cannot vote). It no longer was a mere curiosity.
How can I help make his world better? Here's an idea. I'd like to hear your thoughts.
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I propose that we establish a new government entity.
The supreme long term planning council.
It will be a little like the Supreme Court, however, it will not be composed of political appointees. The council will be composed of Business leaders, Scientists, Futurists........deep THINKERS.
The National Academy of Scientists will nominate members of the council (60%), the chamber of commerce will appoint the remainder (40%).
The Senate must approve any appointee.
Lets assume there are 40-50 members (an odd number is required) of this council and that the council is granted 10% of the government budget per year by law. The council serves an advisory role to the current government at all times, on all matters. They get 10% to spend on their plans regardless of total budget.
They might decide to spend it all on the military. They might decide to spend it all on education. It's just 10%. They will have a mandate to advise and assist on all issues and as part of their budget. They can hire consultants as they see fit within their budget.
Bottom line is that we need to start thinking in longer cycles than 4 years or we will become the rice farmers of the future.
This idea is not fully baked. I'd be interested to hear your variations on the theme. Or any wildly different ideas on how to get long term planning into our political structure.