If you are like me, you’re tired of the political turmoil that promises to persist for another three years. Both sides are trading nothing but insults, and those who know what they are doing (none of whom were elected) are sidelined or ignored.
As one of the unwashed rabble, I’ve had it. In the words of my grandparents: “I say it’s spinach and I say the hell with it.” If our leaders thought they had a populist uprising last year, wait until next year, is what I say. We can show them how it’s done by example.
With that in mind, I have compiled 10 guidelines for ensuring good government. These are based upon the idea that there is no place for ideology or politics in government if we judge success by how well the system works.
1. Serve all citizens
Our society is multicultural, multiracial and multinational. In order to fairly serve all citizens, our government can have no role in matters that fall into the realms of faith or personal belief, or be seen as siding with one group over another. Cultural differences between citizens should never impact the functioning of our government.
2. Shelter all citizens
In our multicultural, multiracial and multinational society, all people deserve to be treated fairly and equally. Everyone is equal under the law. The government cannot show preference to one person over another and similarly, the government has a role in ensuring that no one is discriminated against for any reason.
3. Advance public health, safety and welfare
The primary mission of government is to provide a structure upon which society can prosper and prepare for coming generations. As such, it is necessary to set policies that protect the public welfare and ensure true sustainability. Thus, the government has a role in providing affordable health care and caring for those who cannot care for themselves. This same responsibility extends to providing for law enforcement, building codes, etc.
4. Uphold excellence in public education
In order for a democracy to function, an educated electorate is essential. Government thus has a responsibility to ensure high-quality primary and secondary education for all citizens. Higher education should be affordable for all and available to all. Providing for public education includes support for libraries, museums, parks and the arts.
5. Ensure representation is reflective of a true democracy
One person gets only one vote; the age of the Electoral College has passed. Similarly, corporations are not people.
6. Be transparent to guarantee public confidence
A government only has legitimacy if it has no secrets. For a nation as strong as the United States, there is no reason for covert actions, secret prisons or withheld tax returns. Secrecy breeds corruption, and corruption undermines democracy.
7. Recognize the importance of an independent press
Legitimate governments have an interest in maintaining a free and independent press that presents facts rather than ideological statements or distortions aimed at influencing public opinion. The truth is important; in the absence of truth, democracy cannot survive.
8. Use knowledge and wisdom to guide our republic
Given that our elected officials are representatives of their constituents, the personal opinions of elected officials do not matter as much as public opinion. Elected officials should look to experts for data and for options, and let the public decide.
9. Support business development
Government support for new business is essential provided it is equitable and sustainable, but it is not the government’s role to create jobs. Rather, it is the government’s role to craft a structure on which new businesses can grow, by building infrastructure for the 21st century, promoting scientific research and creating a clean-energy economy.
10. Work together to solve multinational problems
We live on a planet with many other nations and peoples. International relations is not a zero-sum game. In order to ensure our own security and lessen insecurity elsewhere, we have a responsibility to help less fortunate people in ways that respect their cultures and national interests. It is to our benefit to work with others to craft a better future for the generations to come. For us to abandon a leadership role is a loss for everyone, but mostly for us.
The United States has been a model to which others can look to as an example of how democracy should work. If you want to keep it that way, ignore those dinosaurs in DC, grab your work shirt and stuff a copy of these guidelines in your pocket. Then go out and set things right.
— Greg Wessel is an island geologist, who said he would give a fossil to the first person who guessed the largest city closest to his hometown.
