Hilbert Morales

Today, March 1, 2013 is the beginning of Sequestration if Congress has not acted. In thinking about how this involved the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives since all three have had their role, I came up with the following thoughts:

1.) There needs to be a new law which makes it illegal to interfere with or impede the U.S. Congressional legislative process. Laws already exist which deal with the obstruction of justice and resisting arrest. Why not have legislation which informs lobbyists and other special interests that any interference with the congressional legislative process is illegal and improper conduct. The reason for this proposal is that many members of congress, in exchange for support, signed the Grover Nordquist agreement to never vote for raising taxes. From any perspective, this Nordquist agreement interferes with the Congressional legislative process which crafts the laws needed to conduct “The business of the People”. This sort of interference needs to be eliminated as soon as possible because government is established with the consent and support of THE PEOPLE. The Nordquist agreement undercuts this basic support of governance established with the ‘consent of the people.’

2.)‘The people’ agree to pay taxes to provide revenues to support those activities specifically assigned by the U.S. Constitution to the federal government. National security, commerce, and transportation are  best performed for ‘the greater good’ for all. Taxes, fees, licenses, and permits all have costs which rise and fall. It is not proper for a member of congress to agree never raise taxes when assuming seat, voice, and vote in the Senate or House of Representatives.

3.)Members of Congress would do well to study organizations which have operated for hundreds of years. One such group is an order of Benedictine monks each of whom agrees to: a) work to provide stability; b) agrees to be obedient to the mission of the Benedictine Order; and c) achieve convergence in their order’s objectives.

What the nation’s people crave is reliable stability in its economic and civic affairs. Today that stability is thwarted by the intransigent attitude of certain members of Congress who are not wiling to become participants in the traditional process which crafts legislation that becomes the law of the land. The best legislation is written after dialogue based on facts and the use of applicable paradigms.  Negotiations and compromise are always involved in development of legislation.

Congress must achieve economic stability which permits the civic tranquility required for the conduct of profitable commerce. Commerce must be conducted in a fair and equitable manner wherein decision-makers experience the consequences of their stewardship. Currently, too many in financial institutions seem to be immune to the consequences of misrepresentation of value. ‘Derivative’ now being marketed must become the sole responsibility of the financial firm presenting these investments. The U.S. Treasury no longer must back any and all ‘derivatives’.
OBEDIENCE to the principals of  ‘law and order governance’ established by the U.S. Constitution is a requirement. All elected public officials are sworn into office by pledging to support and defend the U.S. Constitution. It must become a requirement of OBEDIENCE to support the U.S. Constitution and the laws of this land. Members of Congress must not conduct their business affairs in a manner that supports the objectives of special interests which benefit only the few.

Their first priority must be national interests. This nation’s natural resources must be developed ‘for the greater good’. This is not being done today since 400 families have wealth equal to that of 158,000,000 Americans. These families earn too much by renting their money without payment of taxes. The rent is the interest paid by others to underwrite the productive work which creates wealth. Taxes paid in by all are the most effective way for government to acquire the resources to underwrite education; job training; create and maintain the infrastructure along with assisting the unemployed, poor, needy, handicapped and sick.

CONVERGENCE on their role as legislators is possible if members of Congress focus solely upon the needs of this nation and its people. The wealthy must understand that when our nation’s economy and its communities do well, so do they along with the rest of us. The influential wealthy must become engaged stewards by paying their fair share of taxes and not thwarting the congressional legislative process. These are the steps towards economic and civic stability which permit future economic growth and progress.