Our Government

The Articles of Confederation

From a Wikipedia search—

Even though the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution were established by many of the same people, the two documents were very different. The original five-paged Articles contained thirteen articles, a conclusion, and a signatory section. The following list contains short summaries of each of the thirteen articles.

1. Establishes the name of the confederation as “The United States of America.”
2. Asserts the precedence of the separate states over the confederation government, i.e. “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated.”
3. Establishes the United States as a league of states united “. . . for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them . . . .”
4. Establishes freedom of movement–anyone can pass freely between states, excluding “paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice.” All people are entitled to the rights established by the state into which he travels. If a crime is committed in one state and the perpetrator flees to another state, he will be extradited to and tried in the state in which the crime was committed.
5. Allocates one vote in the Congress of the Confederation (United States in Congress Assembled) to each state, which was entitled to a delegation of between two and seven members. Members of Congress were appointed by state legislatures; individuals could not serve more than three out of any six years.
6. Only the central government is allowed to conduct foreign relations and to declare war. No states may have navies or standing armies, or engage in war, without permission of Congress (although the state militias are encouraged).
7. When an army is raised for common defense, colonels and military ranks below colonel will be named by the state legislatures.
8. Expenditures by the United States will be paid by funds raised by state legislatures, and apportioned to the states based on the real property values of each.
9. Defines the powers of the central government: to declare war, to set weights and measures (including coins), and for Congress to serve as a final court for disputes between states.
10. Defines a Committee of the States to be a government when Congress is not in session.
11. Requires nine states to approve the admission of a new state into the confederacy; pre-approves Canada, if it applies for membership.
12. Reaffirms that the Confederation accepts war debt incurred by Congress before the Articles.
13. Declares that the Articles are perpetual, and can only be altered by approval of Congress with ratification by all the state legislatures.

I like #8—Requires state legilatures to pay for the government. No direct tax of the people. Maybe with that system we could refuse to pay, as states are refusing to participate in the Real ID Act. Voters would legislators who voted to fund the federal government. If a states refuses to pay, either the rest fund the cost or it is killed.

The real teeth is #2– Asserts the precedence of the separate states over the confederation government, i.e. “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated.”

Let’s give power back to the states. Starting in 2008, we could not have a congress for two years. Have new election for all seats 2010. Term limits six years for any elected office in federal government. Six years for any appointed office. Six years for any governmental job.

As before States elect the president, one state one vote for president. We should amend the constitution to elect two additional senators from the state areas excluding everyone with 100 miles of a metro area. That gives grass roots politics a chance to come back against the current Urban blight. States would elect representatives to vote for president. Same ratio, 2 at large representatives and 2 ex-urban go to D.C. to elect president.

Outlaw political advertising of any kind, including yard signs. Since the states elect the president, candidates for that job would have to get out and meet the people. Candidates for any national office would be required to be employed full time and performing their duties prior to and during the election process. The people would vote every two years in a national election as they do now for congressional seats.

After we elect a new congress say in 2010, we could fire the president. Go two years without a president, therefore no new laws could be passed. Pass an amendment that any person holding the office must have had at least eight years in a managerial position of very large institution or company. During his management the company/institution must have been profitable and successful.

Beginning in 2009 we will fire one third of the government employees. Beginning in 2010 we will fire another one third, and means test every position that is to be filled. Employees must pass qualification tests or have held a comparable position for at least four years before being employed. A person may work as a federal employee for six years in total. Two years later we will fire the last third. We should be able to run a sized down federal government with less than 1/3 of what we have now. Think of the savings.

Just a few tweaks to the Articles and system to put us back on track.