Change is needed and has been for a while. Even with a great national economy, many are struggling. Even with both parties having a turn at power, little has been done to solve our problems. Even with 24/7 information, many are misinformed. Fortunately, there is a fix. We have a plan that will bring us together and help our next leadership team have a productive term. This plan can help those struggling find prosperity and purpose in small business ownership—and encourage our news providers to be more honest.
First, Citizenship Requires Participation.
The pulse of America no longer needs to be based on 2,000 likely voters. We have the technology to put 300 million minds to work on solutions today. National, state, and local topics personalized by zip code, county, even neighborhood—it’s all possible. Review issues, make suggestions, encourage others, and vote on the topic of the day. Daily polling of our members will surface proposals with merit. Our staff will then format, polish, and present them. Our government employees can debate the winners and put them to work. Fixed in weeks, not decades. Neglected issues can be added to citizen-driven amendments and voted on monthly, quarterly, whenever needed.
Second, Capitalism Requires Competition.
Monopolies and large high-profit corporations are created by the absence of competition. We have failed to teach the free enterprise system in our schools. We need to support those willing and able to make their dream happen. We need to activate a program already designed—Earntheamericandream.com—where entrepreneurs can go for help with financing, marketing, budgeting, and mentoring. Amazon is ripe for competition on a local basis.
While encouraging higher wages through ownership, we also need to cut costs. Affordable housing needs to be required from home builders, just as we regulated auto manufacturers to provide high-MPG cars. Rental homes should be required to convert to rent-to-own after a year to discourage investors from buying up affordable housing. Buying club programs like Sam’s, Costco, and BJ’s need to be offered everywhere. Responsible scan-and-go programs can cut loss and overhead. Educational programs can encourage budgeting and wise shopping while discouraging predatory lending.
Third, Comprehension Requires Truth.
It’s possible to have news organizations monitor themselves to discourage alternate facts, conspiracy theories, and misleading information. Pick the top 10–20 producers and allow them to offer up their stories on our site as a revenue source. In return, they rate the validity of other stories—with facts if inaccurate. Stories and theories would be tracked to determine fact or fiction. The record would identify those stirring the pot of BS, and they’d be rejected as entertainment, not news. Debates between conflicting viewpoints on the same program need to be the norm rather than “us vs. them.”
Finally, Change Requires Action. Success Requires Monitoring.
Money needs to be removed from politics, and future employment should be based on qualifications. We need term limits. We need to abolish the Electoral College and gerrymandering. We need to regulate lobbyists. Corruption and disruption need to be reduced. We need to address all of these issues—and we need to stay involved.
We must produce a report card for our government employees. Initiatives of quality need to be followed to completion.
Being born in America is a lucky break. The number of people wanting to come here proves it. Together, we need to use the tools at our disposal to recondition—and in some cases, rebuild—our broken system. We can fix it, together.
Join me in the effort. We need leadership in every zip code—almost 42,000 of them. We need a great spokesperson. We need technical folks to build the system and keep it running accurately. We need donations to fund the operation. We need a coalition of business professionals to guide our growth. Most important, for us to be relevant, we need everyone to sign up and participate. Start today. Help us make the next 50 years even better.