Dear Friends,
It seems to me, the corruption in every molecule of our governments, simply cannot be denied any longer. Even where there is not corruption there is the taint of corruption, if by nothing else than, proximity. We see the result of corrupt leaders, the upward bound crime rates, drug epidemic, falling real wages, the war on savers, and all manner of economic and societal upheaval… that is corruption oozing down and into the people. Ooze, being heavier than air, will always seek a lower level. All factions, smothering in ooze, are forced to recognize the out of control corruption and are willing to entertain the thought of addressing it, making this time a nexus, a point in time when the dominant paradigm can be shifted.
When Obama was lying about Benghazi, fast and furious, the IRS scandal, etc… the progressives in the media cheered it. Now that there is a member of the Bourgeoisie in the White house, something the new class had thought it would never see again, they are in full panic, that he will wield the power Obama did, and now are willing to address government corruption. Corruption is all well and good when they are the ones wielding it, but once it slips from their hands… they panic, because they know what they did, and would do with it again. So we have even the new class progressives willing to at least curtail government’s ability to exploit it’s extra constitutional authorities… until they get back in power.
The state of Illinois and territory of Puerto Rico are effectively bankrupt. They will not be the last either. Many other states are in dire financial dilemmas due to a myriad of factors. Pensions are the one most mentioned but other more intractable economic issues lurk in the dark. The actual level of unfunded liabilities of the states is unknowable, which amounts to a potential sinkhole, directly under your economic bed. The soon to explode cost of medicare and social security, never mind the perpetually expanding welfare state can only bankrupt even the most well taxed state. The higher the demand of progressives for the hard earned money of producers, to burn at the alter of the Keynesian economic welfare state, the lower the availability of money to everyone, making the ooze that fuels that money burn… offensive.
Small businesses have been on the get the corruption out of government for a long time. Small businesses are the targets of regulations designed to benefit politically favored factions. Usually large corporations but often smaller factions due to their vote getting ability, or some other reason that makes them favored of the political class. Small businesses pay the majority of business taxes, employ the majority of workers and create the majority of innovations, all of which are much more difficult when regulations get in the way, taxes drain capital, and bureaucrats demand the entrepreneur’s valuable time. Any lessening of corruption can only benefit small businesses.
Even large corporations might consider some backing off the rampant corruption. Of course it is large corporations that largely drive much government corruption, by rent seeking and government granted monopolies through regulations, taxation and tariffs, but if they see even their own fortunes slipping, due to the threat of the corruption benefiting another, they will get on board with anti corruption measures. Today all is pretty hunky dory for corporate elites, they break the law, the shareholders are drained of some money, no one goes to jail and the elite can continue to enrich themselves and the government at the same time, at cost to everyone else. If that paradigm were upended, by a loud outcry from the people and swept up in an anti corruption drive, the corporate elite could face punishment. That in and of itself might lead them to go all in to protect themselves.
The only faction who’s interests don’t align with the anti corruption theme is the legal oligarchy. Nothing enriches lawyers more than litigation and nothing creates more need of litigation than corruption. Ooze not only oils the wheels of the legal system it fuels the fire that drives it as well. Every form of corruption benefits attorneys, especially corruption in their own ranks. Corrupt judges create more need for lawyers just as corrupt lawyers drive need for more judges. Every time a judge finds a legal contract is null and void… due to an absurd unwritten clause implied by Santa Clause, every time a judge awards someone who spilled coffee in her lap a million dollars, every time a judge sentences someone to jail for following their conscience they create the need for more lawyers. So… we don’t have the legal system on our side.
When you have so many factions that wield real power in most countries, having aligned interests to limit government corruption, you have a nexus. What is needed is a plan. The Convention of states have a point. Their innovations would, if applied, drive down much of the corruption by limiting the incentive to it. Sadly, like all innovations in government, even constitutions themselves, is that the elite have to hold themselves to it. No group of human beings is capable of such a feat. To expect the elite to is the height of absurdity. I would argue, the convention of states should include a NUMA. Police the elite, force them to follow the Constitution, and the elite will follow the Constitution. Only an outside force, Constitutionally empowered, can limit the power of the all powerful.
Sincerely,
John Pepin
