3 Steps Towards Revitalizing the USA

DISCLAIMER:The opinions expressed here provide a general outline on how to reshape the faltering structure of the United States of America and restructure the powers that be. Further information on specific topics will be provided as needed and as requested in order to engage in a proper debate of the American political system.

Despite what some may say, these ideas all work under the restraints of capitalism, and while they will radically change the face of America, they can come about peacefully and without civil violence or propaganda techniques we have all become too used to. If these three major “umbrella” topics become the top priorities of our day, we can create the best incarnation of the United States in our nearly 250 years of existence. Do NOT accept the status quo! Change America, protect our future, save the world!



1. End Gerrymandering With a Constitutional Amendment!
Gerrymandering is the redrawing of congressional district boundaries for political gain. It is because of this that legislative bodies ends up so divided at the local, state, and national level. By redrawing district lines, the elected politicians are much more radical to either the right or left because they can retrace their electorate into demographics that will support their policies despite the politician’s refusal to work with the opposing side, no matter the cost.
Look, for example, at the massive budget crisis in California. This year hundreds of thousands of students will attend schools that have no official budget and be taught by teachers that are unsure of whether or not their jobs will still exist by the end of the semester. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a relatively moderate Republican governor, is in a political stalemate with the California State Legislature. The Democrats refuse to cut funding for programs in the state, and Republicans refuse to raise taxes. Neither side will sign the budget should their particular issue be batted down by a majority rule, and so, California is stuck in an awful political stalemate. The recent “bailout” only passed because the American people finally demanded a bipartisan change, not legislatures mindless bickering over who is right and who is wrong while they await the next election.
By ending gerrymandering with a Constitutional amendment, we can redraw political lines according to geography and location, not party affiliation or demographics. In this way, politicians who do not completely agree with either side will be elected, and will work together as moderates to get things done! It will not be easy to get things passed, which is why we must:
A. Elect a president who can propose such an amendment
B. Create a nonpartisan coalition in each state to redraw district boundaries
C. Write to your representative and tell them you support the end of gerrymandering, by doing so, you show you may still support them if they propose/pass such a bill despite what how it could affect their electorate.
D. Fight for change! Gerrymandering is one of the least talked about issues in the United States today right along with our collapsing infrastructure and horrifically faltering education system. Change the law and elect politicians who aren’t guided solely by reelection and witness the greatest peaceful revolutions in American History.

2. Let The Economy Die!
Yes, I said it, and let me explain why. The great “Emergency Economic Passage” has made it from the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, Congress, and President Bush, with the urgency an ambulance because we were told if it did not pass quickly, the economy would immediately fell. Well, look what happened. The DOW tanked. It fell below 10,000 points for the first time since 2004 and now the President has the nerve to come on TV and say the bill’s effects may, “take some time”. People in our great capitalist country fear for their savings, retirements, homes, and health, yet we were promised this great “package” would put us on the right track.
Economics is about 80% mental and the rest is actual monetary problems, and this large drop in the stock market just shows that the world and the United States did not have faith in the “bailout”. They panicked, sold shares, and now the mess that has been tipping over the brim of the garbage can is now about to overflow onto the masses of anxious people waiting at the bottom.
The unemployment rate is 6.1%, which is high, but not historically tragic. The poverty line for a four person household or less is under $22,000 a year, a very conservative number to set the bar at, sadly lowering the standard of living in this country. Currently, about 17% of the US is under this line. Should either of these percentages increase substantially any time soon, more panic will spread about the downfall of the world economy and American prosperity, perhaps setting off a major recession or even depression.
Good. It took horrendously high numbers (from a Western standpoint) of poverty during the Great Depression to pass some of the best political reforms ever written. The “invention” of Social Security for the elderly and the 100 Days acts by FDR, helping banks and farms out of bankruptcy and debt. The National Recovery Administration who helped employ thousands, built public projects, and aided in sustaining worker well being. The adoption of Keynesian economics that helped the mid 20th century US become a global superpower and maintain a smart debt until the Reaganomics years and beyond. While the country suffered and struggled to pick itself up again, these socializing and nationalizing reforms bettered the men and women of 1930s America.
We will NOT have another Great Depression. There are too many significant oversight and regulation systems to allow for a total collapse and utter failure of the banking system like in 1929, but I admit, it can get close. However, this could be a golden opportunity to finally get some things done around the United States that desperately need to be changed. Bring back the New Deal in all its glory. Truman tried to continue it, but became caught in a tangled web of political follies that FDR had basically circumvented. We can make a better state than any in the developed world if only we allow ourselves a few years of pain. What does not kill you makes you stronger, and at the end of this crisis will emerge a better United States of America!


3. Revamp Education!
The most important piece of any society is education. From the Romans to the Polynesians to the Incas to the Chinese, education is a stalwart way of benefiting society. Civilizations absolutely depend on it to progress and people need it to survive in their ever-changing world.
Schools should be held to new national standards not based on silly tests and failed programs (e.g. No Child Left Behind). Teachers should give personal evaluations of their students’ abilities and commands on differing subjects. This means that class sizes must be smaller, certain subjects must be combined, the school year must be longer, and universities must have acceptance staff that can take the time to read these evaluations and learn about their new undergraduates personally, not just through grades and test scores.
Education should be a four-way relationship between government, teacher, parent, and student. Education should include logical deduction, kinetic learning, philosophical discussion, Socratic seminars, environmental awareness, current event discussion, visual and auditory training, the classic “three R’s”, historical lessons in government, law, and society, scientific analysis, athletic activity and teams, and a highly social atmosphere. Psychological research should be incorporated into education and teacher sponsored contests should be discouraged. This means that the students should be encouraged to be creative as they wish and be provided with the materials with which to do so, not forced competition to create the “best” of one particular item.

Be aware that this system will take time to come into being and needs obvious elaboration beyond this outline, but even the smallest steps in the right direction are miles ahead of steps in the wrong direction.

The four-way relationship mentioned before would require this of each party involved:
A. Government: Send representatives to study other countries and study what those children are being taught and then use the Department of Education to implement the best ideas into schools, after consulting with representatives of the other three parties. Most importantly, fund education programs as the number one national priority, don’t just lower the standards and call it improvement!
B. Teachers: Accept that some parents will not agree with subject matter, but teach it anyway. Remain nonpartisan to material unless asked. Encourage questioning, encourage activism, encourage group discussion, and do not abandon a student lagging behind. Work with lawmakers and parents to explain how where pupils are improving, and where they need further instruction.
C. Parents: Talk to your student and their teacher. If an issue comes up, discuss the problem with them, don’t just run off to the PTA and complain. Get involved with the school your child goes to but do not be over protective of your child. Finally, encourage creativity at home too, and don’t just let children rot in front of the TV.
D. Students: Show up to school! Learning will be more enjoyable if you are involved at your place of education. Be social, be creative, and be present. You are the future, so learn about the past. With your knowledge of more “ancient” times, you will be better prepared to confront the problems of tomorrow!