There is no longer any doubt: the American political system is corrupt. We now know our country's government is corrupt at all levels, from local city governments all the way to the White House, and it has been corrupt for a very long time.
We are now learning that American business is also corrupt, with criminal activity occurring at the very highest levels. Our stock markets are being manipulated and people are losing their life's savings, top executives are stealing incredible fortunes from corporations, running many companies into the ground and putting hundred of thousands of people out of work, in the process.
And the businessmen and the politicians are in this together!
This is illegal. This is highly immoral. This is ruining America. And this is not the American Way.
What Can We Do?
There have been many times in the history of man when government officials were either so corrupt or inept that the people were prompted to rise up and throw the bums out of office. America now finds itself in that position. It is time to throw these greedy, self-serving, corrupt, criminals out of power and I don't just mean President Bush and his pack of backroom manipulators. I mean corrupt politicians at all levels.
The Throw the Bums Out political program offers Americans a simple, easy-to-understand but effective approach to return America to Americans. It employs the American Constitution as a vehicle for justice.
The right to vote gives citizens the ability to develop a government that is not only honest, but which serves the real needs of the people instead of special big-business interests. One that provides excellent education, job opportunities, health care for all of its citizens, and takes care of its elderly and unfortunate. This power exists with the people and they have only to learn to use it in an intelligent and effective manner.
The way the game of politics is currently played is deliberately confusing, but it is a relatively simple game. Early in a campaign political organizations will identify the push-button issues, the major causes that will receive the greatest support in the election, and then launch massive marketing programs showing their candidates supporting these issues.
This process has nothing to do with what the candidates are really like, what they really stand for or what they are likely to do once in office.... it is a mere matter of marketing.
Most people are misinformed and confused when it comes to voting. This makes them easy to manipulate with last-minute propaganda programs. They don't know the candidates, except for the formula political television commercials that we have all grown to abhor, and they are intelligent enough to not spend their time following the daily activities of politicians.
A Practical Approach
The Throw the Bums Out approach is the simplest and most practical political philosophy for reclaiming control of this government by the people. It exercises the citizen's right to vote and it will systematically eliminate incompetent and unworthy politicians from power.
The approach works even for the politically illiterate. People do not have to keep abreast of current events and they don't have to be confused by slick last-minute, choreographed political campaigns.
All voters have to remember is to VAIP, unless they really come across one of the few honest, hard-working politicians in this country that are actually doing a good job, working for the good of the people, and deserving of another chance at it.
If a voter isn't absolutely sure about the quality of a candidate, the VAIP principle should always be applied. Admittedly, a few promising politicians may be lost in this process, but the approach will always work to get rid of the sleaze bags.
How Does it Work?
1. Vote against all incumbent politicians (VAIP 'em)
As a general policy, vote all politicians out of office, with one major exception. This approach will automatically turn over the political pool until something more than scum rises to the top and we are able to identify people that are actually capable of doing a good job,
When there are no incumbents involved in an election, simply choose one of the candidates and give them a chance to prove themselves. They should view this as an opportunity to show the people what they are capable of doing. If they don't measure up, throw them out in the next election.
The exception? When you actually find an honest, hard-working politician, one that is working for the good of the people and really supports the important issues, instead of just giving them lip service, vote to give them a second term in office. These officials will know that we're watching them and unless they do an outstanding job, one that demands the attention and support of the electorate, we will be throwing them out of office in the next election.
2. Two term limits for all political offices
Two terms in any office is enough. Promising candidates should move on to more responsible positions. The others should consider other fields of endeavor.
The policy also keeps any single politician from establishing a large power base and should also prevent the rich and powerful, but unknown and unproven, from buying their way into public office with an expensive marketing campaign. Beware of the rich egomaniacs that are willing to spend millions to be elected to an office that pays under $200,000 a year.
3. Politicians who have served second terms should run for higher office
At the send of a successful second term in office good politicians, real representative of the people, should either run for a higher office or return proudly to private life after fulfilling their obligation of service to the community.
The politicians will work their way up the political ladder, gaining experience and improving their skills at each new level and distinguishing themselves by demonstrating their abilities to handle each office. If widely employed by American voters, this approach should result in a political system populated with capable, experienced and dedicated people at all levels of the hierarchy. From the local school board members to the President of the United States.
By the time politicians work their way up to the major offices in the land they will have distinguished themselves at the lower levels. They will be familiar faces in the media, active participants in the communities they serve, have solid, verifiable political records and be well-known to the voters.
At the very least, it's got to be a better than a system that put someone like GW Bush in the White House.
The Voter's Responsibility.
1. Vote in every election.
Not just the presidential elections. Make the effort to exercise your vote. It is a precious and hard-won right. Don't neglect it. And don't let any sleaze bags slip into office in an off-year election that most people weren't even aware of.
2. VAIP.
People should always vote against incumbents unless they actually prove themselves, without a doubt, to be competent in their current office. A second term should be a rarity, an exception to the rule.
3 Actively watch for good candidates.
Identify them and help pass the word to friends and neighbors that these people are worth voting for.
How do you know when a candidate is worthy of your vote?
It's easy. Good politicians, those worth electing for a second term, will be widely visible. They will be active in the community, supporting the issues that are best for America and the American way of life. They will be on TV and in the other media all year around, working for just causes and participating in community activities.
They will be honest, sincere and courageous enough to stand up against political pressures when supporting an issue that may be unpopular but one in which they believe. They will be intelligent enough to identify these issues and creative enough to come with innovative solutions to problems.
You will know about them. They will have a good reputation with the people. You will have heard their name, seen their face in the media. They won't just show up at election time in a series of expensive and choreographed television campaign commercials.
Let's take America back from the corrupt politicians and Throw the Bums Out!
This political policy will work if a majority of Americans adopt it. So help spread the word!
David Satre