The true failure of the US Republic...and how it won't be fixed...or could it?

“…government of the people, by the people, for the people” - Lincoln

Do any of you, whether Republican, Democrat, or Thinking, believe that we have this today?

The Problem:

Congress. A group of people with almost unlimited power who control our laws, and a party system that controls our access and ensures that once they are in place, it is almost impossible for them to be removed. They join, they receive money, and then they transition to lobbyists for the interest groups that supported them. Money and power begets money and power.

The Solution:

1. Citizen Control of Districting. Political parties cannot control redistricting, it must be in the hands of an independent citizen group with constantly rotating members (even randomly chosen, like Jurors…if you trust your peers to sentence you to life in prison, why not districting?). Or else randomized computer-based districting…or grid-based districting…or anyting except for “gerrymandering” which is the current accepted practice!

2. Top two Elections. In each district, any number of candidates can run in a primary. The top two candidates then run off against each other. This is Egypt’s new system, as well as the Mayoral system in many cities across the nation (because cities need to work, or else people can’t get to work). It neutralizes the extreme wings of the parties who currently own the vote, diminishes the power of the party elites, and puts the power in the popular vote.

3. Term Limits. Two Terms each (4 years for Representatives, 12 years for Senators).

The blocker: Congress

Each of these three elements removes the stranglehold that congress has on our country, and diminishes the influence of the lobbyists, parties, and PACS that fund them. It moves the power to the people and takes it away from the traditional power groups.

I am just an uneducated Marine. But these simple steps would help our country immensely. This is not partisan, I can’t see how anything here could be seen as partisan (since I hate both parties and am sick and tired of the Fabian politariate ruining our country with the Republican/Democrat partnership).

But could it be done without the same folks who benefit from the current structure giving up their golden goose? Did our founders screw up and not put in a system for either the Executive, the Judicial, the States, or the People to implement such a change onto the Congressional? Or are we doomed by the failures of the Founders to forsee a future where an elite group of party members will be happy to put their personal and party fortune ahead of the wealth, liberty, freedom, and welfare of the country and it’s citizens in order to keep the status quo and enhance their personal fortunes?

This is probably wishful thinking, but I hope for a future America that does not follow down the route of other Republics that have been poisoned by their branches. Can anyone stop congress? The Tea Party, the Occupy Movement, the Libertarians…anyone?

-A simple Marine, Christian Allen – USMC, USAFNG, USANG 95-04g to you