15 points of effective Federal Government.

A proposal for running an effective Federal Government.

1.Tax only the sales of goods and services. Taxes tend to discourage the behavior being taxed. Taxing labor investments and even living would discourage people from those activities. While goods and services are needed of the options available they are the least important in particular because many can be sold in other countries. Also consider the tax imbalance of goods and services provided to those in the US by those outside. The taxation of labor here, but not there means the goods or services outside the US will be cheaper. While labor markets and transportation cost vary the taxation of labor means that no business with those taxes can provide over the long term the same quality of product or service at the same price of one that dos not have them. Thus a simple tax say 5% (maybe 10 until we are out of debt)of all purchases goes to the Feds. In order to not harm those who are barley getting by food, shelter and utilities would be excluded. Thus the bare necessitates would be exempt for those who truly can not afford to pay. All other items (at final point of sale) and services would be taxed. This would provide the Federal Government all the money it needs to do its thing.

2.The Feds stop meddling in things that are not their business. Federal funding for education, welfare, infrastructure (except maybe the Intestate system), other nation’s income, etc. would be terminated. The Feds can and should defend the nation and keep the various states from going to war with each other. Coordination of law enforcement for cross state criminal prosecution is also needed. They may also regulate cross state issues like air traffic and broadcast signals, but such regulations should be the least needed to prevent conflicts an promote safety. I also favor a simple FDA and OSHA program that works as follows. If there is a danger to life limb or significant health precautions must be taken. The average citizen can not check every can of food for bacteria so there must be a regulation to insure caned foods are safe. This does not mean that they prevent the sale of foods that are high in fat or other things that may promote a health condition. Informing the public (IE X grams of fat per serving) is sufficient. OSHA needs to insure that employees have basic safety equipment in dangerous jobs and that no one is likely to lose life or limb on the clock. This does not including interfering into every back ache, paper cut or carpel tunnel syndrome case. People can make choices in these areas for themselves. Only in cases where a person likely can not make an informed decision should a regulation be made.

3.Stop playing world police. We should have a few fuel and supply stops around the world (I think 6-10) that will enable our armed forces to get from point A to B. We should not devote troops unless asked to by an ally in need of defense or as part of a UN operation where everyone pulls their own weight. We can and will bomb any facility we believe to be making weapons of mass destruction and call it good.

4.Stop playing bank for the world. We are currently in a whole lot of debt and can not loan or give any money to anyone.

5.Business regulations and controls work as follows:
A. no company shall have more than 33% of a given market.
B No business shall deceive, misrepresent or mislead in their advertisements contracts or actions.
C. Businesses shall accurately record all sales etc. relating to taxes.
D. No business shall make a product that through normal or likely use shall cause harm to the user or bystanders without providing clear information as to these dangers and precautions needed to insure safety.
E. No business shall be held liable in any way for harm caused by the misuse of their valid product by another.

6.Get out of the parks business. I’m all for having a nice place to go camping, but it is not the feds job to provide it. All federal parks should be sold or donated. This can solve several problems. For example many of the Native Americans are unhappy over the miss treatment of their ancestors by our federal government. So as a final lets get over it dohicky we donate to the various tribes a few national parks. A few could come with little or no strings attached others like Yellowstone could have a few prevision like no casinos must remain open to public use etc. If they violate this agreement they lose the land. This has been done to create city parks in the past if the city tries to make the park into anything else they lose their dead. This could provide a viable place for any Natives who want to live as their ancestors a place to do it. Park fees etc. could provide the tribes with some income that is not directly related to gambling and we could once and for all have all native tribes sign away their right and their descendents to whine about compensation for past wrongs committed by the US government. This is a bit sticky and I’m sure would annoy just about everyone in the country so I think I might be onto something here. I do think however that it could provide a way for the Native Americans who want to join main stream American society a way to do it and also provide viable options for those wanting to live in their more traditional ways (sort of like the Amish). A side note the sale of several parks could really help on the national debt issue and there are many of the tree hugger verity in Hollywood that I am sure many such areas would be bought and keep their natural beauty, promote harmony with nature and all that other jazz.

7.No discrimination policy. Consistent with the 14th amendment there is no racial or other discrimination permitted. This means no quotas imposed or special actions taken to promote someone’s contrived version of equity.

8.Persons with a disability issues. Persons with disabilities have a wide variety of issues. In short the Feds should and need to provide laws that enable these citizens access to the world around them. They do not need special set asides, but as a group some funding may be needed to enable them the basic mobility and access that nature or accident has taken from them. Providing this can and should enable more persons with disabilities to be engage in productive gainful employment and be fully involved in society. Like the FDA and OSHA these rules and regulation should be minimal to accomplish this goal. Side note additions to drugs and a desire to be lazy are not valid disabilities.

9.Federal law is superior to state law. A long standing and simple policy that is often ignored. Though it was clearly established in some early Supreme Court cases. If the federal laws grant a person a right the states can not take it away.

10.Offense, disliked, unkind and other objectionable behavior. As a rule you have the right to offend anyone you like. Some restriction on “adult” content when a minor is likely to be present is valid. However outside of this restriction you do not have the right to not be insulted offended or annoyed by others. Harassment is a separate issue. Citizens of the US can and often do engage in activities that annoy others. These are not criminal offensives. These are not valid civil offensives in most cases. Its life.

11.English as the national official language. Some attempt to portray this as a hateful. It is anything but. In order for every persons in this country to have equal access and protection under the law as well as equal opportunities to work and wealth they need to be able to communicate. If immigration was only from Spanish speaking countries to this nation a 2 language policy might work (like Canada has). People come from many places it is absurd to expect them to learn several languages in order to get by. Having a common language enables peace and prosperity not possible if people can no understand each other.

12.Public education should consist of State funding only with which the parent(s) of child(ren) may select educational services. There should be simple straight forward criteria set forth by each state for the educational needs of the children. IE minimum math and reading proficiency. The rest is at the discretion of the various schools. The feds however should stay out of it. Each state can determine the needs of their citizens. Or best yet have the parents figure it out.

13.Provide emergency help when needed. This does not mean multi year long rebuilding projects or the funneling of money into the pockets of people who seem to have trouble remembering what they did with it. This means sending the military to drop off food and water, fighting fires and the like. If lives are not at significant risk and beyond the ability of the local and state resources. The Feds stay out of it.

14.Sciences arts and other pet projects. There is no pet project funding even if it is really cool or really important. Only issues of national security and the like are funded. While it will be a loss to our society if no one play the violin anymore it is not a matter for the Government to decide.

15. All choices that are not essential for the freedoms of the people and the security of the nation and not prohibited to the States are left to be sorted out by the States and the people. I hope this looks familiar though I think most of the elected officials have forgotten it. P.S Neither health care nor retirement qualify to be matters for the federal government.