I apologize that today's post is not gaming related. Once upon a time the Crazy Gamer studied a lot of history and occasionally my love of history overwhelms my better judgment and so I post something like this.
Don't worry though game lovers, I have three Warhammer articles and three video game articles in the works (you'll never guess my take on the Xbox 1) but those are for a later day.
Today is about history!
I live in the United States of America. Like all countries the world over the US has its share of problems and I am going to type about two. The first problem is this countries crumbling infrastructure. We have unsafe bridges, bad roads, dams that are at their structural limits, to say nothing of the fact that their are many buildings both public and private that are way below modern code. Why isn't anything done about it? It's easy, there isn't any money, and sadly that isn't going to change anytime soon.
Another problem the US has, and we aren't the only country that has this problem, are banks that are too large to fail. This, of course, isn't what our government says about banks, but it certainly is what our government's actions are making clear.
About now you may be asking, "What do these two things have to do with each other, and why are you bringing them up?"
Let me explain. While reading, think about how our country could be very different today if but for one thing.
If you asked the average American they would not be aware that once we had a national bank (well we had two actually but this blog is about the second bank) called the Bank of the United States. It was the repository of all government funds and it was responsible for collecting money and paying debts for and to the United States. Could you imagine how much easier to figure out where tax payer money went to if there was only one place that was responsible for paying the governments debts?
Still, this isn't what I wanted to talk about. A guy by the name of Henry Clay (a member of the House of Representatives when he proposed this, but at other times he was a Senator, and the Secretary of State) who was a Democratic Republican (nope, I didn't make a mistake that was a party. I'm going to giggle at right and left wing nuts trying to decide if they should hate Clay or like him based on his party).
Anyway, he proposed that a special fund be created from the interest earned on the money kept in the bank (billions of dollars in todays money) be used solely for the purpose of internal national improvements. Pretty cool huh? Imagine every year hundreds of millions of dollars for internal improvements on the items listed above and none of it would need to come from the national or state budget! Alas it was not to be. James Monroe vetoed that plan even though he did agree to the Bank of the United States. Jackson would kill the bank in the 1830's, and here we are today, we have private banks that are a law unto themselves and we have no money to fix the infrastructure of our country. If only things could have been different...
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Are you a Democrat or Republican? Are you sure?
Once again I digress from the field of gaming to delve into the world of politics. I admit that I feel strange today, I've a desire to give a perspective that might shock you.
Ask any semi- knowledgeable adult today and they will be able to correctly identify that there are two major political parties, Democrats and Republicans.
But where did these parties come from? Have their ever been other parties? And most importantly how, if at all, have these parties changed over the years?
First some brief history:
The Democrats claim their heritage from Thomas Jefferson and his Democratic- Republicans who first took power in the election of 1800. They were known for preferring isolation over trade, France over Great Britain, and agriculture over business. In the 1830's the republican was dropped officially from their name.
The Republicans came into being in the 1850's. Some Republicans claim heritage with the Whigs or the Federalists but they really cannot fairly be compared. The Republicans are the only third party in our country's history to become a national power. Most Republicans today consider Abraham Lincoln to be the father of their party because he was the first Republican president.
You may be wondering why neither party can claim George Washington as their founder. It's because Washington hated the idea of political parties and is the only president in our history that had no party. Some, wrongly, list him as a Federalist. He wasn't.
Now, to our next point. Have these parties changed over time?
Here is the map of the 2008 election. Remember blue is Democrat (Obama) and red is Republican (McCain).
Now let's look at the map of the 1860 election
Notice anything? Many of the red states in the first map our blue (Democrat) on this map, and many of the blue states on the first map are red (Republican) in this one.
If you were a Republican in 1860 you favored: Civil rights, humanitarian efforts, you wanted society to change, and you were typically middle class.
If you were a Democrat in 1860 you favored a small Federal government, you were concerned with your business interests, and you wanted society to stay just the way they were.
My point?
The political parties have switched. If you are a Republican today, in 1860 you would likely be a Democrat and if you are a Democrat today you would likely be a Republican in 1860.
So give someone who has opposite political beliefs from you a hug or a high five, they were part of your party one.
Ask any semi- knowledgeable adult today and they will be able to correctly identify that there are two major political parties, Democrats and Republicans.
But where did these parties come from? Have their ever been other parties? And most importantly how, if at all, have these parties changed over the years?
First some brief history:
The Democrats claim their heritage from Thomas Jefferson and his Democratic- Republicans who first took power in the election of 1800. They were known for preferring isolation over trade, France over Great Britain, and agriculture over business. In the 1830's the republican was dropped officially from their name.
The Republicans came into being in the 1850's. Some Republicans claim heritage with the Whigs or the Federalists but they really cannot fairly be compared. The Republicans are the only third party in our country's history to become a national power. Most Republicans today consider Abraham Lincoln to be the father of their party because he was the first Republican president.
You may be wondering why neither party can claim George Washington as their founder. It's because Washington hated the idea of political parties and is the only president in our history that had no party. Some, wrongly, list him as a Federalist. He wasn't.
Now, to our next point. Have these parties changed over time?
Here is the map of the 2008 election. Remember blue is Democrat (Obama) and red is Republican (McCain).
Now let's look at the map of the 1860 election
If you were a Republican in 1860 you favored: Civil rights, humanitarian efforts, you wanted society to change, and you were typically middle class.
If you were a Democrat in 1860 you favored a small Federal government, you were concerned with your business interests, and you wanted society to stay just the way they were.
My point?
The political parties have switched. If you are a Republican today, in 1860 you would likely be a Democrat and if you are a Democrat today you would likely be a Republican in 1860.
So give someone who has opposite political beliefs from you a hug or a high five, they were part of your party one.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Crazy Gamer fixes the government
Well well, what a mess were in! I guess I need to stop playing games and get this mess sorted out! Without further ado I will solve the nations ills so I can get ready for Assassin's Creed 3.
We all know that the national government has three branches. All three need some fixes and I will deal with each in turn. Today, the legislative branch will face my withering gaze.
First let us talk about pay. Some people are proponents of paying congress people a low salary figuring it's an honor to serve and those elected likely already have substantial income. The other side is in order to get the best people, the job needs to be high paying. I have a middle ground, I will pay representatives 1,000,000 and senators 1,250,000 dollars a year. Those of you who are in the know should realize that this is a huge pay increase. What's the deal Crazy Guy? This new pay comes with three caveats:
1. All government pensions for elected/ appointed officials and their staffs would be gone, forever.
2. Term limits will be introduced.
3. Balanced budget provision.
I'll go into my balanced budget provision right away because it is important.
First, a story.
One day a magic fairy comes along and gives you a credit card. This card can be used to buy whatever you want. A bunch of people have contributed money to this card, but you don't really know who they are since there are so many of them putting money in the account. Guess what is even cooler? If you buy a bunch of stupid things that you don't need or you spend all the money you won't be held accountable. Do you think that you would use the card wisely?
Guess what? The government doesn't either.
Each time a new congress is elected they tell us, "Oh we proooooomise this time we won't spend the money stupidly."
Are we really surprised when they break their promise?
In order to fix this each numbered congress must be fiscally responsible for any debt they accrue. If the government ends its session in the red then each member of the congress (and the executive branch, and the judiciary, see later) is legally responsible for making up the shortfall. No exceptions. Anyone who cannot pay is removed from office and all of their paychecks for the rest of their lives will be garnished.
Harsh? Maybe, but you know what they say, "if you can't handle the heat, get out of the fire."
I imagine the congress will be much more cooperative with each other if it will hurt their pocket books.
Some may argue that this policy would make lobbyists and donors more powerful but to that I have two things:
1. Complete election reform (see later)
2. All congress people upon being elected must have only one bank account that will be checked every month. By being elected the politician agrees that their congressional salary will be the only salary and if at any time they have more money than would be possible that congress person will be dismissed forever from government office and arrested for treason. Having hidden accounts, taking cash, off shore accounts, etc would also be grounds for the above as well.
Again harsh, but guess what? We've done it your way for 230 some years, it's time we tried something else.
Spousal salaries will also be monitored.
Next we need term limits.
No person may stay in the legislative branch for more than three terms. After that they must retire. You can be a mentor for one term at quarter salary if you have been elected three times in a row. You would have NO vote, and NO power beyond mentoring new representatives.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. If you do not have a valid reason and you miss more than one vote of which you must be a part of you will be removed.
Congress runs all year. Hours are Mon- Fri 8:00 A.M- 5:00 P.M. You get two weeks off in the summer and one week off between Christmas and New Years.
You are expected to be in Washington 6 out of every 8 weeks. The other you should be back in your district or home state. Travel is at your expense.
The next big sticking point is raising revenue.
Tea Party members would have it that no new taxes should be levied.
Another short story: If I owed my parents 10 dollars and I wanted to pay off my debt while spending two dollars every week could I pay the debt off if I only spend one dollar? I've cut my expenses by 50% but will I ever owe my parents nothing?
I think for most Americans we don't have a problem with taxes, we have a problem with what our tax money is being spent on.
I'll get to new taxes later. For this section we will focus on legislative reforms I'll deal with taxes in my tax section.
All expenses the government makes must be made public. This must be in a simple form. It will include: Item, cost, what it's used for, and where you bought it.
No exceptions! I don't want to hear, "Oh were the CIA and we need to have secret stuff." Nope too bad, no exceptions is no exceptions. Army? Nope sorry. Guess what? I don't know what makes up your tank armor, list everything as single items and we won't know what magic creations you concoct with them.
Fear me executive branch, you're next.
We all know that the national government has three branches. All three need some fixes and I will deal with each in turn. Today, the legislative branch will face my withering gaze.
First let us talk about pay. Some people are proponents of paying congress people a low salary figuring it's an honor to serve and those elected likely already have substantial income. The other side is in order to get the best people, the job needs to be high paying. I have a middle ground, I will pay representatives 1,000,000 and senators 1,250,000 dollars a year. Those of you who are in the know should realize that this is a huge pay increase. What's the deal Crazy Guy? This new pay comes with three caveats:
1. All government pensions for elected/ appointed officials and their staffs would be gone, forever.
2. Term limits will be introduced.
3. Balanced budget provision.
I'll go into my balanced budget provision right away because it is important.
First, a story.
One day a magic fairy comes along and gives you a credit card. This card can be used to buy whatever you want. A bunch of people have contributed money to this card, but you don't really know who they are since there are so many of them putting money in the account. Guess what is even cooler? If you buy a bunch of stupid things that you don't need or you spend all the money you won't be held accountable. Do you think that you would use the card wisely?
Guess what? The government doesn't either.
Each time a new congress is elected they tell us, "Oh we proooooomise this time we won't spend the money stupidly."
Are we really surprised when they break their promise?
In order to fix this each numbered congress must be fiscally responsible for any debt they accrue. If the government ends its session in the red then each member of the congress (and the executive branch, and the judiciary, see later) is legally responsible for making up the shortfall. No exceptions. Anyone who cannot pay is removed from office and all of their paychecks for the rest of their lives will be garnished.
Harsh? Maybe, but you know what they say, "if you can't handle the heat, get out of the fire."
I imagine the congress will be much more cooperative with each other if it will hurt their pocket books.
Some may argue that this policy would make lobbyists and donors more powerful but to that I have two things:
1. Complete election reform (see later)
2. All congress people upon being elected must have only one bank account that will be checked every month. By being elected the politician agrees that their congressional salary will be the only salary and if at any time they have more money than would be possible that congress person will be dismissed forever from government office and arrested for treason. Having hidden accounts, taking cash, off shore accounts, etc would also be grounds for the above as well.
Again harsh, but guess what? We've done it your way for 230 some years, it's time we tried something else.
Spousal salaries will also be monitored.
Next we need term limits.
No person may stay in the legislative branch for more than three terms. After that they must retire. You can be a mentor for one term at quarter salary if you have been elected three times in a row. You would have NO vote, and NO power beyond mentoring new representatives.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. If you do not have a valid reason and you miss more than one vote of which you must be a part of you will be removed.
Congress runs all year. Hours are Mon- Fri 8:00 A.M- 5:00 P.M. You get two weeks off in the summer and one week off between Christmas and New Years.
You are expected to be in Washington 6 out of every 8 weeks. The other you should be back in your district or home state. Travel is at your expense.
The next big sticking point is raising revenue.
Tea Party members would have it that no new taxes should be levied.
Another short story: If I owed my parents 10 dollars and I wanted to pay off my debt while spending two dollars every week could I pay the debt off if I only spend one dollar? I've cut my expenses by 50% but will I ever owe my parents nothing?
I think for most Americans we don't have a problem with taxes, we have a problem with what our tax money is being spent on.
I'll get to new taxes later. For this section we will focus on legislative reforms I'll deal with taxes in my tax section.
All expenses the government makes must be made public. This must be in a simple form. It will include: Item, cost, what it's used for, and where you bought it.
No exceptions! I don't want to hear, "Oh were the CIA and we need to have secret stuff." Nope too bad, no exceptions is no exceptions. Army? Nope sorry. Guess what? I don't know what makes up your tank armor, list everything as single items and we won't know what magic creations you concoct with them.
Fear me executive branch, you're next.
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