http://enlightenedrepublic.blogspot.com/
An Enlightened Republic
A proposal for a new American political party.
This brief document is intended to begin a discussion on ideas that,
if adopted by a core committed group, could lead to a new United
States political party. The ideas below are unlikely to be accepted by
a plurality of the U.S. voting population, and this party will
probably never come to power. However, like other minor parties past
and present, it may be able to shape the agendas of those who do come
to power.
This single document is not enough to establish a party, and in fact
this document should not be considered complete. This is simply a
first attempt at developing some ideas; anyone who finds these notions
of interest is welcome to suggests additions and revisions, which may
in time lead to a more active force. You may comment here or via e-
mail at enlightenedrepublic@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
An advanced democratic society owes its to its people and to future
generations to nurture its best attributes and provide the room for
healthy growth. As such, the government should keep intervention in
commerce and trade to a minimum, and promote the free exchange of
products and ideas between individuals and states.
2. An economically free republic will thrive, but such a republic
risks becoming cold toward those in want. While the flow of capital
must be free, an enlightened republic will provide health care for its
citizens, as well as access to basic, vocational, and advanced
education for all desiring citizens. While the government may provide
these services, government will not hinder private and non-
governmental cooperative providers.
3. An enlightened republic must also make the arts and sciences a top
priority. Funding for scientific research of all kinds, including pure
research and theoretical reseach, should be markedly increased.
Funding for the arts and humanities should also be increased. Rather
than leave decisions on these matters to government bureaucrats, the
government should encourage the creation of private foundations to
sup****t the arts and sciences, and direct funding toward them.
4. The enlightened republic aspires to embrace the whole of humanity
and sees little relevance to arbitrary borders whose meaning has
dissolved in the face of globalization. This government should work to
break down barriers through active participation in international
organizations and trade regimes. This may include the adoption of
common currency and the entry into interstate economic communities and
political unions, provided the partner nations share the general ideas
of the enlightened republic.
5. Our goal of a common world republic will take time to achieve, and
in the meantime, we must deal with the realities of the imbalance
between states. We affirm the right of the nation to set reasonable
controls on migration. The emphasis should be on those with skills
that can help to grow the economy and arts and sciences of the
nation.
6. We seek a nation that lives in concert with its neighbors, just as
individuals seek the same with their own neighbors. However, we
understand that violent conflict may arise between individuals as well
as nations. We believe in maintaining a strong defense as a nation,
and in maintaining the individual's right to self-defense. The
government reserves the right to go to war if diplomacy should fail.
7. It is essential that free expression be unhindered. The government
shall play no role in any sort of censor****p or hindrance of the free
expression of ideas. The government shall also not inhibit individuals
from entering into non-governmental associations that do require the
adherence to particular beliefs. Political parties are
extragovernmental and should have no formal or statutory role within
the legislature or in terms of law on matters such as ballot access.
8. The government has no role in sup****ting or opposing the private
faith, creed, philosophy, or ideology of any of its citizens.
Therefore, the government shall make no judgments on, or play any role
in, the establishment or dissolution of marriage bonds, or on personal
medical decisions that may involve matters of life and death. An
individual has the absolute right to decision about her or his own
body, including decisions that society may see as harmful. However,
members of the society do have a role in deciding to what extent the
society must care for an individual who has come to harm due to self-
destructive actions.
9. The government should favor taxation based on consumption, rather
than on production, income, or wealth. Cor****ations shall not be given
special prerogatives to avoid taxation, nor shall any voluntary
member****p organization that is not acting in a charitable capacity.
10. Barring emergencies, all government budgets should be balanced.
Zero-based budgeting is worthy of further study.
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