o Change the Constitution

The constitution was signed and agreed upon in 1787. Because of the change in global economics and the advent of the internet, its outdated in key areas.

Here are a few suggestions to make things better and more competitive.

1) Stop gerrymandering and redistrict states in a fair way. Create an independent commission whose priority is to create competitive districts. Limit the number of Congressmen in the House of Representatives by half by increasing the district sizes. Voters should have access to polling websites to indicate how they would vote on certain issues and laws.

2) Create a fourth branch of government called the Commerce Branch. Within the Commerce Branch, have separate departments for the major industrial and farming sectors. For example, Agriculture, Banking, Energy, Manufacturing, Shipping, Retailers. The head of each department is an elected official serving a 5 year term. The departments responsibilities are to draft laws, taxes, rules, and regulations regarding their sector. Any changes to the regulatory code will then be put forth in front of the Senate.

3) Introduce a third viable party, the Independent Party. A two party system does not allow for "tie breakers". It also doesn't give voters much of a choice. A two party system is too dogmatic and doesn't foster the freedom and expression of independent thoughts. People vote along "Party Lines" meaning voters' opinions are given to them by their political party.

4) Require the Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to field at least two candidates to run for each primary. Keep each primary closed meaning only registered members of a particular political party can vote for their primary candidates. Fund both candidates equally. Most incumbent Congressman face no challenges in the primary elections. In fact, party leaders discourage others from running against an incumbent. Primary elections should be heavily advertised and open for any eligible candidate to participate. Competition among candidates will ensure the government will have the best possible people in office.

5) Address the need for campaign finance reform. Utilize the internet as an inexpensive way to disseminate information about each candidate. Have each person running for public office fill out a standardized questionnaire and have the answers readily available online.

6) Pass a balanced budget amendment.

7) In lieu of the House of Representatives, let citizens become involved with the law making process. Have 2 people for each county sign a sworn affidavit that they have read and understand a bill before their Senators are allowed to vote on the bill.

8) Give states more power to decide social issues. The federal government should worry about larger issues such as war, treaties, and border protection.

9) Require military enlistment for sons and daughters of elected officials. The decision to use the military should be given to people with some skin in the game.

10) Level the playing field for all citizens until the age of 21. This means investing heavily in schools, educational resources, food and health care for those under the age of 21. After you turn 21, you're on your own baby. The Government ain't your mommy, the sooner you realize that the better off you'll be.

11) Impose a three term limit to Congressman. Politicians should not be entitled to a seat in Congress, nor should they be lauded for holding a seat for 40+ years.

12) Don't allow lobbyist to have offices within the borders of Washington DC. Have congressman report all meetings with lobbyists.

13) No business taxes on new businesses for the first 2 years. The government needs to encourage job growth.

14) Institute a flat income tax combined with a federal sales tax.

15) States and regions should encourage local currencies to keep jobs and money circulating in their area.

Websites:
Please visit http://www.publicampaign.org, http://www.govtrack.us and http://smallisbeautiful.org for more information.

o CFTC Looking for Excessive Speculation

The CFTC has woken up to the fact that speculation may have behind the commodity bubble of the last few years. The easiest place to look for speculation in with Exchange Trade Funds (ETF's) and Commodity Index Funds. These "investment" vehicles allow retail traders, mom and pop Smith, access to the commodity markets. Billions of dollars worth of investment money pour through these funds and that are used to buy (long only) front month futures contracts. One of the biggest sources of speculation are the "investors" in these types of funds, driving prices higher by buying futures contracts each month. Its retail money, aided by the ease of electronic trading, that leads to the speculative bubbles. The government is misdirected when it focuses on institutional players. Large financial institutions provide liquidity that enables end users and producers to hedge their risk in the financial markets.

Recommendations:

I see the problem as retail "investors" being involved in an institutional market.

1) Keep all futures contracts in "big" volume sizes. E-mini's cut the size of a contract in half or a quarter allowing smaller speculators to trade.

2) Disallow the aggregation of funds to purchase a futures contract. This will effectively eliminate ETFs and Commodity Index Funds. The market should be left to large, professional traders. Then prices are determined by supply and demand and not retail money flow.

3) Force all futures exchanges, whether on shore or offshore, to publish volume data.

o Federal Government Intervention of Social Issues

It’s impossible to keep 200 million people happy while focusing on bigger issues of national security. Let states handle social issues on a state-by-state basis. If the temperance movement lives on in Utah, that’s their own business. Abortion can be legal in Maine but illegal in New Hampshire, it’s not a winner take all issue so it shouldn’t be dictated from the top down. The Federal Government does not have time to waste debating Roe v Wade. If people are so opposed to their state laws, they can move states.