Your Government

Hello everyone,

Time and time again, we hear people complain about their government. No matter how much they love their country, no matter who the leader is, no matter what country it is (aside from those that don't allow "dissent") people complain about their government. Whether we like to admit it or not, there are things we want to change. So here is my question to you, me fellow ATS members: If you were the leader of a completely new..blank slate country, how would you run it? What would be YOUR ideal state? Republic...Monarchy...Theocracy...Dictatorship...Empire..etc. What different programs would you implement? Universal Healthcare...Free education...State religion..No religion..etc. If you desire to do so, describe YOUR country and how you would run it. I am eager to read some responses.

Joe

reply to post by FBI 33

Good thread, OP.

I know lots of people won't share similar views, but I don't blame them. For me, my optimum form of Government would be a Socialist Democracy with heavy economic involvement. In fact, I would prefer if all major industries were either Government owned as a monopoly or crown corporation which would include rail transport, major transport manufacturing companies, telecommunications, pharmacy, utilities, mining, etc. I would also like the Government to be transparent and open. I would appreciate it if politicians would be able to associate with the public in a non-formal ways, which I think would create more public participation in politics.

I think the leading parties shouldn't be afraid of people participating in politics, even if it isn't for the benefit of their own party. I would also appreciate a nanny state which would ban digital pornography and administer the public in line with morally right principals.

I say these things assuming the Government has only the best of intentions in the interest of the public. I believe that an anti-Corporate Government with monopolies on many large consumer services would take generating mass profits out of the equation, lowering rates for many of these every day services.

I could go into heavy detail on my ideal government, but instead I would like to ask you, OP, what is your ideal government?

reply to post by For(Home)Country


Interesting. Although I try to shy away from the word "socialist", I like a lot of what you are saying.

My ideal government...I often think about this. Let me try to put it all into words. I dislike big corporations taking advantage of the average citizen. So while I wouldn’t have the government own all the major industries, they would be watched very carefully by the government in order to protect the citizens from greedy companies with no emotions/feelings about what they are truly doing-harming the people they are meant to take care of. I would try my best to keep my nation’s taxes as low as possible. I would also encourage entrepreneurial spirit but on a small scale...such as mom and pop stores. No big companies bullying small town shops/markets/etc. A bunch of small companies competing would be good. Competition creates economic growth and stability. It is when big companies buy out the small companies, that this competition is pretty much destroyed and the economy tanks.

I would try my damndest to make the country the highest priority for the citizens. I believe they should love the country more than anything. Being patriotic would basically be law in my country. Religion would be optional but discouraged. I believe in a strict separation of church and state. Religious organizations would have to pay taxes just like any ordinary group/person. In my opinion, religion does more harm than good. Be close to whatever God you choose, but do so in your home and do not try to convert people.

Drugs would illegal. Immigration would be strictly scrutinized and enforced. No illegal aliens would be given rights/privileges or anything. They would be deported immediately. Sound harsh but I feel it would help.

The constitution of my state would be strictly followed. No deviation from it. In my nation, the constitution would be a sacred (not in the religious sense) document. Also, the more people in politics the better…I would encourage the public to be involved in the government. I would also encourage more than two major parties to be involved.

For foreign policy, I would mostly try to keep my country to itself. I would only intervene if it benefits my nation as a whole. If not, it isn’t worth my time. I believe a large, strong military is also good to have.

Hmmm I think that is it. If you think of anything else you want to know, just ask!

I would establish a Constitutional Monarchy mixed with Direct Democracy. I would establish myself as King within Constitutional bounds, although I would extend my power into enforcing certain political ideals without overriding the democratic system, i.e. I would only give my opinion and occasionally veto legislation, but would not be allowed to pick any seats or appoint the Prime Minister.

I would streamline all laws, cutting out the fat and leaving only the bare minimum of laws for the country. People would be free to do as they wish so long as they do not harm others or own dangerous material (guns, bad drugs). I would not abolish religion, but all religion is public life would become forbidden. The only places you can even talk about religion is in private places (homes, churches). And no law shall ever be permitted to be influenced by religious beliefs. I would make it strictly illegal to spy on citizens for any reason except in the case of a warrant.

On the economic front I would develop a system similar to Socialism, but not Socialism. It would recognize the shared cooperation of business and government. All corporations would be immediately turned over to the workers, but not made public. They would become democracies with the workers and share holders having equal say and equal right to the capital produced by the corporation and by themselves. All people working for government would be required to join a Union to protect their interest from the change of power, thus not permitting the following administration from breaking contracts.

Small business and entrepreneurship will be pushed as the ideology of the society, with very minimal government involvement in the affairs of small business. The government would seize all banks and would begin a system of social credit, where the banks will lend to people that would otherwise not be able to obtain a loan.

Government would seize all apartment housing and make it subsidized (very cheap). Government would also direct building projects, environmental projects, construction projects and the energy projects (without private say in the matter). All citizens would be required to work, if you are unemployed you will either go to college (for free) or you will volunteer for the government until you or the government finds you a job. All schooling will become public and free, from pre-k to college including daycare. The government will force all doctors into private practice while nationalizing all hospitals. Government will create a refund system for health expenditures covering 75% of costs, while you are free to either pay the other 25% or purchase private non-profit insurance.

The country will only join the United Nations. We shall be officially neutral and act as a mediator for world peace, we can speak out in favor of certain things (like Palestinian state, or anti-Iraq war) but would not be allowed to join anyone militarily. A standing military will be abolished, but all high school students would be required to take and pass military training (instead of physical education).

Government will also nationalize all mass transit. Agriculture will be strongly encouraged and there would be incentives for people to leave the cities and move to rural areas and purchase farming land. Individuals will only be permitted to a certain maximum amount of land so as to not create a monopoly over the land.

Without getting into the details, it would be something I would call Libertarian Republic. While I don't identify with any political party, I think overall, what the Libertarians espouse is the most inline with the intent of the founding fathers.

I am working on a thread idea now, that will detail a modified US Constitution to return to the principles of the founders and prohibit some of the problems we have uncounted. It might take a couple of months to get it done though.

reply to post by Wolf321


That could be a very interesting thread! Although I do not believe true Libertarianism, the ideals are none the less very interesting, honest, and genuine.

I would raid the vatican, parliament and DC and seize all their library books etc and then make them public and then declare anarchy.

reply to post by For(Home)Country


I have been reviewing the Constitution, Articles of Confederation, the Federalist Papers, the Anti-Federalist papers, as well as the big government/corruption discussions on sites such as this in my project. I am having a hard time determining the best way to present it here, but it will likely include a detailed outline of the 'new constitution' with a link to a completed drafts. I will probably have one draft that will be regular, and one annotated to explain reasons for certain changes, additions or removals.

[edit on 3-6-2010 by Wolf321]

My ideal, brand spanking new country, would be a Representative Republic, because, like the Founding Fathers, I too fear a straight democracy.

The country would espouse the strongest Libertarian leanings as could be implemented without giving anarchy an open invitation.

All "victimless crimes" would not be crimes: Legalize drugs, prostitution, gambling. My big 3 beefs with the "morality police".

Unions, as a monopoly, would be strictly outlawed. If employees wished to join a union - fine - but it would not be allowed to be a requirement of employment or compulsory.

The "Fair Tax" would be the taxation.

My imaginary "perfect country" will welcome all the private industry fleeing the more restrictive and/or downright hostile countries described above in this thread. No unions + no corporate tax = a national prosperity hardly imaginable to current generations.

[edit on 3/6/10 by Geeky_Bubbe]

reply to post by Geeky_Bubbe


Don't forget inequality, small business forclosure and rampant worker rights rights violation.

Ohh and rampant environmental degredation.

[edit on 6/3/10 by Misoir]

reply to post by Misoir


Are you saying this as a result of no unions?

I think unions cause more harm than good at this point in time. They were necessary in the early days for the reasons you mentioned, but now with the oversight organizations such as OSHA and EPA, unions only serve to strong arm companies into paying out more than they can/should in benefits, pensions etc leading to economic disaster and increased product costs.

[edit on 3-6-2010 by Wolf321]

reply to post by Geeky_Bubbe

The country would espouse the strongest Libertarian leanings as could be implemented without giving anarchy an open invitation.

Well in my case I was just stating that if I could do whatever I wanted thats would I would probably do.

In a more realistic scenario I would restore the republic by legalizing marijuana and succeeding as a state (preferably somewhere like Texas) meanwhile paying off the debt, seizing the land and implementing a state run militia to protect the interests of the state, other states would folllow and the revolution would be afoot, america would have it's economy back and utilize its numero uno cash crop.

reply to post by Wolf321


Unions only make sure that the workers get the best quality treatment possible. They demand benefits and all that other stuff that is necessary for workers protections. The only reason it is costing them so much and supposedly dragging down their company is because they are spending millions lobbying in Washington and on mansions.

If they wanted to keep their corporation in tact and going strong they wouldn't have a problem if they weren't so greedy. Greed is what labor unions are fighting against.

reply to post by Misoir


Such union 'benefits' I have seen include starting overtime after an 8 hour day instead of 40 hour week, encouraging employees to take sick days and make up the wages through overtime on another day to and still making the same money for less work. They devalue merit of the employee and force lower productivity on companies. They also ruin competitiveness for businesses. Not to mention their political campaign actions and side-deals, and door to door protests of private citizens.

All the good they have done, can and is being done via federal departments.

reply to post by Wolf321


Okay that does make a good argument.

Maybe replace it with a Labor advocacy group. That could work.

But corporations are stingy and cheap, they do rip people off and force them into poor working conditions. On the other hand, labor unions harm competetiveness and innovation.

Originally posted by Misoir
Maybe replace it with a Labor advocacy group. That could work.

But corporations are stingy and cheap, they do rip people off and force them into poor working conditions. On the other hand, labor unions harm competetiveness and innovation.

For the most part, OSHA covers all the safety aspect, to include work hours on some things, and poor working conditions. I would rather see their role expanded slightly, but issues of pay and benefits should be a company matter. Unions are bad for the economy and for the people sure to their political influence (SEIU.)

The idea of someone retiring at 20 years with 90% of their pay plus medical etc is corporate suicide, yet it is just such things unions will strike for. Unions just equate to corporate thugs, demanding their cut (dues) or they will ruff you up, all so they can run their schemes (corporate strong arming and political actions.)

Originally posted by Wolf321
Without getting into the details, it would be something I would call Libertarian Republic. While I don't identify with any political party, I think overall, what the Libertarians espouse is the most inline with the intent of the founding fathers.

I am working on a thread idea now, that will detail a modified US Constitution to return to the principles of the founders and prohibit some of the problems we have uncounted. It might take a couple of months to get it done though.

I would be quite interested to read your thread. I look through the Cnstitution almost daily.

reply to post by FBI 33


I would like to see a socially libertarian (no gun control, gay marriage, drug legalization, absolute freedom of religion) state with a heavily regulated market economy with caps on the size of businesses and an $8-10 million personal wealth cap to close class gaps and effectively spread wealth around. Smaller business sizes, caused by the limitations on businesses, would cause more businesses and thus ensuring more competition, driving prices down.

Large swath of the banking, education, healthcare and oil industries would be nationalized, allowing the government to actively participate in market competition and to further fund social projects in this hypothetical welfare state. Extensive laws would be in place to protect workers who wish, in a democratic system, to change their place of work into a worker cooperative. In fact, the pros of the worker co-op system will be promoted with zeal by the government.

The nation will be a willing participant in the United Nations, and push for a more active global community - with a little luck and determination, alphabet agencies stripped down and consumed in a a global intelligence force, as could the military itself.

Transparency will be the name of the game in the governing body of the nation, which will be based on a deliberative democracy. Essentially, the government keeps tabs on the economy, the people keep tabs on the government through the establishment of numerous NGO watchdog organizations and oversight from the international community.

Planet wide Green Anarcho-Communism with a self-sufficient infrastructure.

Long way to go.

ETA: *planet wide



[edit on 11/6/10 by ghostsoldier]

reply to post by ghostsoldier


I gave you a star because that is so true. Without the communist part. The difference between Anarchism and communism is that with Anarchy there is no government and with communism and socialism it is a government fabrication or attempt at anarchy which is fake anarchy or socialism, which is also fascism because if there is no capitalism but there is government and the government becomes a monopoly and that becomes slavery ad the death of a free market which is also the death of capitalism.


So yeah.
Long way to go.
Anarchy is just a wet dream, like hitting the reset button.