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OpEdNews Op Eds    H1'ed 9/14/18

A vision of an America after its entry into a new, Age of Enlightenment

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Message Michael Payne

For those who would say that anyone in America should have the opportunity to become president, they should think about this: Which of the following jobs or professions does not require specific qualifications, experience, and or, high-level training?

A scientist, a teacher, corporate CEO or CFO, doctor, registered nurse, or a hospital technician? It's a must because these jobs or professions have very important responsibilities. Well, who in this country has a more responsible job than a U.S. president?

How could such a vetting process be adopted in the U.S. political system? We have to remember that this was the Age of Enlightenment in which reason and logic prevailed. Political parties were a part of this Enlightenment and their old, obsolete ways underwent radical change. Each party made absolutely certain that it was only going to approve a presidential candidate who would meet the vetting standards and would govern this country in an honest, ethical, and moral manner.

An Enlightened government took an important step and decided that a reconstitution of The U.S. Senate was needed and here's why: the Founding Fathers, when creating the Constitution, mandated that there should be two senators from each state, regardless of the size of their populations. And that, over time, proved to be very problematic. But let's not blame them for they had no way of knowing how these individual states would grow.

Their decision was based on the belief that if the larger states would be granted more senators than the smallest, that the former would use that power to control all legislation. But the reality now is that these smaller states in the South and the Northwest have, in many cases, used that power to prevent the will of the majority of the people in this country from being done.

Here's just how bad this situation is. The combined population of this country's three most populous states, California, Texas, and New York is nearing 90 million and they have a combined total of 6 senators. The three least populous states, North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming, have about 2 million people and they also have 6 senators. So the three most populous states, collectively, are 45 times larger than the 3 smallest but the representation of the people is the same. Ludicrous!

Let's also take a look at this condition from a slightly different view that makes the continued existence of this imbalance almost incomprehensible: The least populous states have 50 senators and the most populous also have 50. The smallest possess the same power as the largest. Is this an example of how a democracy should function in the most effective manner? The answer is, absolutely not.

It was long coming, but America finally implemented a universal healthcare system that covered every American. It was one that rivaled or exceeded the healthcare systems that all the other developed nations had. It gave Americans the best of medical care and did it at about half the cost of the previous, outdated, extremely costly system that was in place.

The new America adopted compulsory, or mandatory, voting such as Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Argentina, and 7 other nations had done. America's record of voting was so pitiful, so pathetic, that it threatened the continuation of our democracy and that could not be tolerated.

The vast military empire located across the world was significantly scaled back. It is still the most powerful military in the world but it will no longer be used to intimidate and control other nations. It is largely defensive in nature but one that can act with a great deal of power very quickly.

All lobbyists, including those of the NRA, are now banned from the Congress and can have no contact with any of its members. They are free to use various forms of communications to try to advance their interests but nothing else. Members of Congress are to be guided by what is right for our country and its people.

Corporate campaign contributions are also banned and the Citizens United decision that allowed a massive flood of money to flow into our election system has been reversed. Only contributions from individuals will be allowed. There will be no need for large sums of money to fuel campaigns because the time period involved with all elections is a great deal shorter, as has been the case in other nations for a very long time.

Congress created stringent gun controls; all assault, military-style weapons are now banned. Various commissions were appointed to look into this tragic situation involving mass shootings and they came up with logical, reasonable measures to stop the carnage. The incidence of mass shootings is way down. We no longer see civilians and helpless children being gunned down. This society is now much more civilized.

Congressional term limits are in effect. Senators are limited to 2 terms and House members to 4 terms; something that should have been done years ago.

Climate change and the development of solar power are now top priorities. We now have leaders and members of Congress who no longer ignore the threat of climate change to the planet.

Yes, America, in this year of 2050, is in the midst of a modern-day Age of Enlightenment, one based on the use of reason that has resulted in a dramatic reversal of this country's former precipitous decline. This is a new America, one that once was destined for greatness and found the ways to achieve it.

Michael Payne

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