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"How to Save the United States of America" by OzzyWilliams

Small article I want to put on my web site in hopes it will help some people.

Category: Article / Essay

Tags: political, patriotic

You can do an inline review of this work in the review tab.

How to Save the United States of America


By John Ozzy Williams


Prior to enlisting in the Army I took an oath.  Here is the text of that oath:  “I, John Williams, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”  I recently was reminded that my enlistment was expired, however, my oath was not.  So, I guess it’s time for me to get back to work at defending the Constitution.


Our Constitution is being threatened by enemies both foreign and domestic.  We all know about the foreign ones, however, this is more about the domestic ones.  Our domestic threats have lulled us to sleep with bureaucracy.  They claim our Constitution is a living breathing document so the meaning changes by what they deem politically correct.  Today our country has many problems that we are all arguing about.  Nobody seems to be addressing what I think is the biggest problem we have.  Civic ignorance and voter apathy combined with bureaucratic partisanship is the biggest problem we have.  We simply can’t have a logical discussion about any of our problems because all of our citizens are either to ignorant, to partisan, or to frustrated to participate.


Our government is becoming more than a “Big Brother.”  It’s becoming a “God.”  Today we have to many bureaucrats and not enough patriots.  Almost everyone would agree that today it is almost impossible for a common man to become active in government.  Thus we need to take action fast or this nation that was founded on limited government and individual liberty will cease to exist.


This is going to be a hard struggle because no government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size.  Here are some bullets of the plan in short:

1.      Term Limits

2.      No more government money for political parties

3.      More people should run for office

4.      Fair, partisan eliminating, election reform

5.      Citizens should voluntarily take the two oaths at the end of this document.


Now to go into more detail on each point above:


Term Limits


            Evan Bayh recently announced that he is not running for re-election for the Senate.  He claims that the Senate is dysfunctional.  Rarely do I agree with Senator Bayh, however, he is right on this.  I just received an email from him that list his opinion why:  “strident partisanship, unyielding ideology, a corrosive system of campaign financing, gerrymandering of House districts, endless filibusters, holds on executive appointees in the Senate, dwindling social interaction between senators of opposing parties and a caucus system that promotes party unity at the expense of bipartisan consensus.”

In short congress has just lost touch with regular Americans.  They are more concerned about being “professional politicians” than they are “citizen legislators.  This is not what our founding fathers had in mind.  We fought the Revolutionary War to rid ourselves of oppressive government.

Almost every point Evan Bayh listed would be improved on by implementing a system of term limits.  With a system of term limits parties would be forced to pick leaders on more than seniority.  They would have to pick them based on charisma, skills, and above all else ideals. 

Because of quicker turn over and less entrenchment of incumbents, more people would consider government service.  We really need term limits to give ordinary people a fighting chance. 

When I was at Oakland City University I made a presentation that we need a system based on candidates being limited to 12 years in either respective house of congress.  That is basically 6 terms in the House and 2 terms in the Senate.  That would give them a total of 24 years that is more than enough time in congress for any one person to serve.  Ironically Evan Bayh is leaving the Senate after 12 years.

I have to believe that Even Bayhs complaint on dwindling social interaction between members of opposing parties could be helped by having term limits.  It is a natural reaction for politicians to be more ideal driven early in their careers and as time goes on they become more partisan.  With more new blood and fewer old cronies social interaction has to improve.

Term limits are vital to limiting government.  We are at a point where we are limiting people expanding government.  Limited government means the government is limited.  Our politicians have forgotten that idea.


No more government money for political parties


This is very simple idea… outlaw tax payer money going to fund partisan events.  Parties should have to pay for primary elections, meeting places, and any other expense that is limited to partisan business.  Why should a Republican have to pay taxes for the Democrats to pick a candidate?  Why should Democrats have to pay for the Republicans to caucus?  And finally, why should that guy who like don’t either of them have to pay for them?

Everyone agrees that government is strapped for cash.  Everyone agrees that partisan politics is hurting our country.  This idea presents a small step in fixing these problems.  In fact, I’m willing to bet political parties will find ways to conduct business more efficiently when they have to do it on their own money.


More people should run for office


We all complain about someone in government from time to time.   However, do we really know what it’s like?  Most of us have no idea what our leaders actually do.  This is especially true of our local leaders.

It’s my belief that if more people run for office many positive things will happen.  Some will lose.  In fact almost all new candidates lose the first race they enter.  The big benefit here is they will learn a great deal about civic leadership and become better citizens.  We definitely need better citizens.

The people that do win can give us an influx of new energy and ideas.  I don’t support change just for the sake of change.  However, the idea of a new crop of leaders sounds refreshing.


Fair, partisan eliminating, election reform


            Just like the section on money for political parties, this section is about limiting political parties.  Please note, I am not trying to reach a bi-partisan consensus!  These ideas are partisan eliminating.  I’ll agree these are kind of small ideas.  However, citizens need something to help shift power back to them and away from the political machines.


Increase the distance from election polling centers for signs and campaigning. Remove the straight party ticket option from ballots. Remove party affiliation from ballots.  (just have names) Develop a system for voters to see how ballots are counted after the election.  For example on a web camera. Include politicians to no call laws.

Oaths

            “I hereby promise to be a good citizen of the United States.  I will respect persons of differing opinions, and I expect them to respect me.  Not only will I vote in elections, I will strive to be an informed voter.  My loyalty shall always be superseded by my love of the United States of America and not my support of a political party.”


"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."


Conclusion


            Thank you for reading my article.  It is my most sincere hope that this document helps our nation in this time of distress and troubles.  I would be delighted to hear any comments or opinions on this piece.  The easiest way to reach me is at ozzywilliams.com.


            Thanks again,


            John Ozzy Williams


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Category Name: Mechanics

The story contained so many mechanical errors that it was hard to follow the piece or understand certain sentences or paragraphs. Occasional mechanical errors were distracting, but these errors did not inhibit me from being able to understand the piece or understand what the author intended to convey. I rarely if ever noticed mechanical errors. As far as I could tell, the writing was clear and correct.

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Category Name: Structure

The organization needs to be improved. This piece was cluttered and unconvincing. The organization was okay. The ideas were generally organized and mostly convincing. The organization of this piece was outstanding. The ideas were organized very well and presented in a convincing manner.

Category Name: Voice

The voice was not strong, consistent, or appropriate in this piece. This piece’s style and grasp of language need serious improvement. The voice was generally strong, consistent and appropriate. This style was good and the grasp of language adequate. The voice was delivered in a strong, consistent, and appropriate manner. This piece was skillfully styled and demonstrated a strong grasp of language.

Category Name: Subject Matter

My terminal insomnia has been cured. The subject matter was presented in a very dull and cursory manner. The examples did not illustrate the points well. I found this piece fairly interesting and the examples somewhat effective in illustrating the points. It could have been a bit more thorough. The subject matter very interesting, thoroughly presented, and the examples helped illustrate the points perfectly.

Category Name: Logic

The sentences did not flow and transition naturally. The ideas were presented out of order and hard to follow which discredited the argument(s). Overall the sentences flowed and transitioned naturally. The ideas were generally presented in orderwell ordered and easy to follow which strengthened the argument(s). The sentences flowed and transitioned naturally. The ideas were presented in orderwell ordered and easy to follow which solidified the argument(s).

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1. How to Save the United States of America

2.

3. By John Ozzy Williams

4.

5. Prior to enlisting in the Army I took an oath.  Here is the text of that oath:  “I, John Williams, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”  I recently was reminded that my enlistment was expired, however, my oath was not.  So, I guess it’s time for me to get back to work at defending the Constitution.

6.

7. Our Constitution is being threatened by enemies both foreign and domestic.  We all know about the foreign ones, however, this is more about the domestic ones.  Our domestic threats have lulled us to sleep with bureaucracy.  They claim our Constitution is a living breathing document so the meaning changes by what they deem politically correct.  Today our country has many problems that we are all arguing about.  Nobody seems to be addressing what I think is the biggest problem we have.  Civic ignorance and voter apathy combined with bureaucratic partisanship is the biggest problem we have.  We simply can’t have a logical discussion about any of our problems because all of our citizens are either to ignorant, to partisan, or to frustrated to participate.

8.

9. Our government is becoming more than a “Big Brother.”  It’s becoming a “God.”  Today we have to many bureaucrats and not enough patriots.  Almost everyone would agree that today it is almost impossible for a common man to become active in government.  Thus we need to take action fast or this nation that was founded on limited government and individual liberty will cease to exist.

10.

11. This is going to be a hard struggle because no government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size.  Here are some bullets of the plan in short:

12. 1.      Term Limits

13. 2.      No more government money for political parties

14. 3.      More people should run for office

15. 4.      Fair, partisan eliminating, election reform

16. 5.      Citizens should voluntarily take the two oaths at the end of this document.

17.

18. Now to go into more detail on each point above:

19.

20. Term Limits

21.

22.             Evan Bayh recently announced that he is not running for re-election for the Senate.  He claims that the Senate is dysfunctional.  Rarely do I agree with Senator Bayh, however, he is right on this.  I just received an email from him that list his opinion why:  “strident partisanship, unyielding ideology, a corrosive system of campaign financing, gerrymandering of House districts, endless filibusters, holds on executive appointees in the Senate, dwindling social interaction between senators of opposing parties and a caucus system that promotes party unity at the expense of bipartisan consensus.”

23. In short congress has just lost touch with regular Americans.  They are more concerned about being “professional politicians” than they are “citizen legislators.  This is not what our founding fathers had in mind.  We fought the Revolutionary War to rid ourselves of oppressive government.

24. Almost every point Evan Bayh listed would be improved on by implementing a system of term limits.  With a system of term limits parties would be forced to pick leaders on more than seniority.  They would have to pick them based on charisma, skills, and above all else ideals. 

25. Because of quicker turn over and less entrenchment of incumbents, more people would consider government service.  We really need term limits to give ordinary people a fighting chance. 

26. When I was at Oakland City University I made a presentation that we need a system based on candidates being limited to 12 years in either respective house of congress.  That is basically 6 terms in the House and 2 terms in the Senate.  That would give them a total of 24 years that is more than enough time in congress for any one person to serve.  Ironically Evan Bayh is leaving the Senate after 12 years.

27. I have to believe that Even Bayhs complaint on dwindling social interaction between members of opposing parties could be helped by having term limits.  It is a natural reaction for politicians to be more ideal driven early in their careers and as time goes on they become more partisan.  With more new blood and fewer old cronies social interaction has to improve.

28. Term limits are vital to limiting government.  We are at a point where we are limiting people expanding government.  Limited government means the government is limited.  Our politicians have forgotten that idea.

29.

30. No more government money for political parties

31.

32. This is very simple idea… outlaw tax payer money going to fund partisan events.  Parties should have to pay for primary elections, meeting places, and any other expense that is limited to partisan business.  Why should a Republican have to pay taxes for the Democrats to pick a candidate?  Why should Democrats have to pay for the Republicans to caucus?  And finally, why should that guy who like don’t either of them have to pay for them?

33. Everyone agrees that government is strapped for cash.  Everyone agrees that partisan politics is hurting our country.  This idea presents a small step in fixing these problems.  In fact, I’m willing to bet political parties will find ways to conduct business more efficiently when they have to do it on their own money.

34.

35. More people should run for office

36.

37. We all complain about someone in government from time to time.   However, do we really know what it’s like?  Most of us have no idea what our leaders actually do.  This is especially true of our local leaders.

38. It’s my belief that if more people run for office many positive things will happen.  Some will lose.  In fact almost all new candidates lose the first race they enter.  The big benefit here is they will learn a great deal about civic leadership and become better citizens.  We definitely need better citizens.

39. The people that do win can give us an influx of new energy and ideas.  I don’t support change just for the sake of change.  However, the idea of a new crop of leaders sounds refreshing.

40.

41. Fair, partisan eliminating, election reform

42.

43.             Just like the section on money for political parties, this section is about limiting political parties.  Please note, I am not trying to reach a bi-partisan consensus!  These ideas are partisan eliminating.  I’ll agree these are kind of small ideas.  However, citizens need something to help shift power back to them and away from the political machines.

44.

45. Increase the distance from election polling centers for signs and campaigning. Remove the straight party ticket option from ballots. Remove party affiliation from ballots.  (just have names) Develop a system for voters to see how ballots are counted after the election.  For example on a web camera. Include politicians to no call laws.

46. Oaths

47.

48.             “I hereby promise to be a good citizen of the United States.  I will respect persons of differing opinions, and I expect them to respect me.  Not only will I vote in elections, I will strive to be an informed voter.  My loyalty shall always be superseded by my love of the United States of America and not my support of a political party.”

49.

50. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

51.

52. Conclusion

53.

54.             Thank you for reading my article.  It is my most sincere hope that this document helps our nation in this time of distress and troubles.  I would be delighted to hear any comments or opinions on this piece.  The easiest way to reach me is at ozzywilliams.com.

55.

56.             Thanks again,

57.

58.             John Ozzy Williams

59.

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