Following is a recently rediscovered January, 2012 “Letter to the Editor”:
“Take Back America Trilogy”
“American politics have been corrupted by huge amounts of secret “campaign contributions,” where donors literally buy the legislation they want. Convicted felon Jack Abramoff admitted it on TV, successful lobbyist Gerald Cassidy admitted it in “So Damn Much Money” [Robert Kaiser]. Here are three proposed Constitutional Amendments to consider. The American people are going to have to force “our” Congress Critters to be honest.”
Amendment 27: Money in Politics: Money spent influencing government of any kind is not “free speech,” not protected by Amendment One. Free TV time for all candidates; identical candidate campaign money; three month election campaigns. Candidates are permitted ONLY to offer their program, no opponent criticism. No outside groups permitted to “campaign” or finance in any manner. Efforts to bribe any government official in any manner is treason. There are no loopholes. The intent is clear.
Amendment 28: Corruption in Government: Acceptance of any form of gift intended to influence any government employee is treason. Such person convicted forfeits all pension and health benefits. Government employees are prohibited from jobs after government work for any business they might have remotely dealt with; prohibited from seeking to influence government in any manner. All staff members of government personnel are similarly prohibited. Government employees are prohibited profiteering from privilege3d information acquired; prohibited from offering laws, rules, etc. benefitting relatives and associates. Violators forfeit any government pensions, benefits. “Government employees” includes Congress members, Senators, Presidents, political appointees, civil service people, “contractors,” and all others employed or not. There are no loopholes.
Amendment 29: Division of Wealth: The United States tax code is null and void, replaced with a 10 page maximum table. ALL income in ANY form is taxed at identical rates; estates over $5 million taxed. Corporations are not people; have no Constitutional rights; cannot use “fiduciary responsibility” as an excuse for conduct; their charters subject to five year renewal. The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 is restored. Bankers, etc. are criminally liable for actions/omissions; all wealth and property anywhere forfeited covering damages. Stock exchanges are prohibited from high speed trading [stock held less than 24 hours]; a .5% tax on all forms of “trading.” There are no loopholes.
These need to be tightened up! Look what has happened in just 12 years. BUT – the intent of proposed Amendments 27, 28, 29, remains to be accomplished. The massive corruption of 1980 – 2024 alone proves this. Much of what is wrong of 2024 America can be traced to CORRUPT. INFLUENCE. BUYING. And, surprise of surprises!!!!!!! – guess WHO is doing almost all this corruption????????????
The perps of THE. FAR. RIGHT, in the persons of the Rich and Corporations. – the same ones who. DELIBERATELY. SABOTAGED to middle class golden [STATISTICAL] age of 1947-1975. The same ones Adam Smith discussed. The same ones our Founders feared. [James Madison’s incomplete notes for the May-September, 1787, Constitutional Convention had the word “corruption” written 54 times. Corruption was most likely their NUMBER ONE fear].
America will NOT “be great again” until corruption of American government by all forms of “political contributions” are banned. To rule bribing government people is “free speech” is an insult to our Founders. It is also a colossal fraud to say spending money is “speech.” “Speech” is supposed to be an equal activity for ANY American. It can’t be when one of America’s 1,400 billionaires can buy more “speech” than other citizens.
America will also not “be great again” until we again have the more equitable division of wealth we achieved in the middle class golden age of 1947-1975. This means voiding ALL the tax cuts for the Rich and Corporations enacted since 1980. It means returning to a marginal high tax rate of 81% that was in place, 1947-75. It means a return to ordinary workers being fairly paid for their productivity; it means a return of “defined benefit” pensions. It means that the wealth of America – THE richest nation on earth. – will be SHARED. That wealth will NOT go to only the top 1%. It will be SHARED.
With Justice For All 