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While the election of Barrack Obama isn’t going the bring any real change(no more than a McCain election at any rate), there was one birght spot. Racism in American was dealt a serious blow. Unfortunatly, the bigots have simply found a new target. For the past few years, anti-gay bigotry has been sweeping anti-gay marriage ammendments onto state constitutions accross the country, but last night decent, non-discriminatory Americans were dealt their biggest defeat when a state as liberal as Califorina banned gay marriage. It looks like this new wave of Jim Crow is simply replacing racism with homophobia.

What ever the outcome tonight, don’t blame me, I voted for Ron Paul.

New post at “Whole Mass of the People”: The US Military: The Biggest Threat to America’s Freedom, Not Its Defender

This follow up on yesterdays post mostly has to do with healthcare, one of the most difficult subjects to tackle, but before I get into that, I want to make few short follow ups. First of all, just to clarify my basic point, I pretty much want to push government down to the lowest feasible level where the people have more say and are generally better represented, rather than hundreds of thousands of people to one congressman. The Federal government will still be there as an arbitrator and coordination point between the state, but it wouldn’t be the one handing out the marching orders on seemingly every issue as is the case today. While I’m not going to go over the entire thing right now, there are two parts that I did omit pretty big items I meant to include. One is on drugs, I had intended to suggest taxes on drugs to support treatment, and actually this issue will be coming up again in the following part on healthcare. The second was an omission on direct democracy at the federal level. While I don’t think citizen legislation is as important at this level if the federal government is within a small constitutional size, but as Chaz pointed out in the comments, the people need to have some recourse in removing congressmen from office through some sort of recall. After some mulling, there are other parts I would like to clarify, but I’ll probably be putting out a revised version in the near future, probably with a lot more commentary.

Now on to health care, probably one of the toughest subjects today. It my post yesterday, it was one of the sections I was most dissatisfied with. It is also one of the parts of the Libertarian ideal logy I am most uneasy about, and this idea I’m laying out today would be one of the biggest reasons I wouldn’t have many friends in the LP if I decided to run as a Libertarian, even among the reform caucus (many of whom might be okay with the rest of it, even if the anarchist wing of the party wouldn’t).  First of all, people of nearly every political persuasion agree that our current system is, for lack of a better term, pretty fucked up. It’s a strange hybrid of Republican private corporatism (they like to call it free market, but the Republicans hate truly free markets, harder for them and their buddies to cheat) and Democratic regulation and government-corporatism (Medicare/Medicaid). This has had some unfortunate side effects. One is the mandatory of offering of HMO coverage by companies of any real size, which has had set off a race to the bottom on the range of services offered by HMOs in order to cut costs.  The rise of government-corporatists health care plans as well as HMOs has seen doctors and hospitals charging everyone the highest prices they can knowing that they’re generally going to get paid by the insurers. Ultimately this all ends up hurting those no insured, and destroying a big part of the doctor/patient relationship.

If you’ve ever talked to me on the subject or have seen any of me writings about it, you might recall that my biggest issue with most of the universal health care plans out there is that they would call for a huge government-corporatist bureaucracy modeled after the VA and military health care. As someone in the military, and who works in a military hospital (one that serves a lot or retirees, and most universal health care plans would look a lot like their health care), I feel sick to my stomach to think this type of bureaucratic corruption and incompetence would be placed on so many Americans. One of the big reasons I’m not planning to stay in the military is to get out of this hell hole of healthcare. Now I will admit it would be an improvement for some, but it could also lower the level of healthcare for some on the edge, and would be very costly, and if it’s like every other government enterprise in existence, far more costly than it needs to be. Until this point I had been advocating free market healthcare, which would be better than what we have now, but to do that you would have to destroy the entire corporate structure of healthcare system in order for a free market to take root. As I mentioned earlier, the Republicans have a pretty twisted definition of the free market, though it’s come to be the one’s Americans associate with the term the most, since anything close to a truly free market hasn’t existed in the lifetime of anyone alive today. As long as government exists (while anarchy is one of those things that works in a pure theoretical sense, I don’t see it as a realistic solution), a truly free market will never exist, so we can’t leave healthcare up to that realm.

What I’m about to propose will probably be considered nothing short of heresy among my old conservative and libertarian circles. My solution? Socialism. No you didn’t misread that, and no, it doesn’t contradict my decrying of most universal healthcare plans. By socialism, I don’t mean the government directed distribution of wealth or government directed programs. That type of government-corporatism, whether it be the government acting directly as a huge corporate entity or as often seen, the government acting through a corporate contractor is closer to the Mussolini definition of fascism. What I’m advocating is a slightly more pure version of socialism. While my plan would require government action to get started, the goal would be a healthcare system collectively owned by the people and one up and running, the government’s role would merely be oversight.

Here’s the basic run down of my vision once established. A series of local healthcare co-op clinics and hospitals, owned by all the people in the area they each serve, with the people choosing the board of directors. Each of these local co-ops are part of larger regions with a few regions in each state under a state wide board, with each state board coordinating with other states to ensure the portability of care. While state and regional boards would set certain minimum standards, the actual operation of the clinics would be managed by the local co-ops. The co-op membership dues would be on a progressive scale relating to income starting at just a few dollars and going up with free care for those with no or extremely low income. The local co-ops would be non-profit, and the money taken in would go towards four things. The actual operation of the clinics, towards regional or state funding for specialty clinics that aren’t needed in every local district, state or regional funds for medical research (this type could also be a point of coordination between the states), or a rainy day fund that would be capped at a certain size and would only be used in the event of an emergency where funding would be needed. The actual funding for the clinics wouldn’t would be spread out across a state (preferably regional at most) in order to insure that a poor community still has high quality health care, but each co-op being self sustaining would be the ideal goal where possible. Funding for things such as drug and alcohol treatment would come from taxes on substances being treated, of course they’ll have to be legalized and regulated before you can tax them. That’s the gist of it, now I’ll go ahead and explain further.

One of the only way’s I can even offer this idea is that once the system is fully in place, individuals must have the right to opt out.  Calm down, I know what you thinking, the rich are going to opt out and the poor are going to get stuck with a poorly funded and broken healthcare system. I don’t think that will happen, now let me explain why.  First of all, in the initial phase in, the program will be mandatory for all, right now I’ll peg the time frame at around 3-5 years. After the phase in, everyone is still automatically put into the program, and if would take some nominal amount of effort to fill out the forms and opt out, and when you did so, you would also be giving up any right to attend any of the co-op clinics, except in life threatening situations. So that’ll keep the majority of the people in the co-op system, now you’re probably wonder why the rich will say. First of all, I think with mandatory phase in and the automatic enrollment afterwards, many will simply stick with the default. I believe a member directed system can greatly lower the price of health care, even for the rich, and keep the quality high at the same time. I think the combination of low price and high quality care will keep most of them in the system. At the end of the day, the only people choosing to opt out will the guys who want to live up in the mountains with their guns and gold, and they should have every right to do that.

The thing I dislike about this entire idea is getting it started. While voluntary healthcare co-ops springing up organically all across the country would be a wonderful thing, it simply won’t happen with our entrenched healthcare system, so it would need some government force(which I generally oppose) to get started. The only consolation is that the current healthcare system is largely a government created mess, and this would be more of an interim step in handing healthcare back to the people. This is one of those all or none things, so the initial action will have to come from the federal level, but the actual ground work would be done at the local level. I would not even think of authorizing the government to seize hospitals and clinics, so each local jurisdiction would have to buy the local clinics or open up new ones. There will have to be some initial investment government in the beginning, but once set up, the co-ops would be self sustaining and not require government funds, only the dues of the members. Once the phase in is over, I can sleep a little more soundly since participation would be voluntary, but I think most people would stay in, even the rich.

Overall, I believe this is the best way to get well managed and funded healthcare for all while avoiding the pitfalls of a large corrupt government bureaucracy. I’ve been researching healthcare co-ops recently (for my own use), but this is basically the first I’ve thought about a incorporating it into a universal healthcare plan, so there could be things I left our or glaring errors. Obviously this is a very bare bones version and a lot of work would have to be done on the specifics. As always, I welcome any feedback.

Since I can’t seem to fit in with any of the political parties out there, I decided to write out my own platform for my imaginary(or is it?) political party. A lot of this was made by picking a choosing from the many party platforms out there and adding some of my own. It’s basically moderate libertarian leaning, with just more allowance for government at the lower levels instead of a road to anarchy. When I say we, I pretty much mean me, for now at least. Any comments or suggestions are welcome, and if you are really interested in something like this, email me.  Also if you know of a party with a similar platform, please let me know. I know some of this is probably worded poorly. Think of it as a rough draft.

1.       Individual Liberty – We support the right of individuals to make their own choices and accept the responsibility and consequences of such choices so long as they do not interfere with the rights and freedoms of others. We oppose any government action to restrict an individual’s civil liberties.

1.1   Personal Relationships – An individual’s rights should not be impacted due to their sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity. We call for the overturning of all laws that would deny individuals the right to marry, obtain custody or adopt children, or serve in the military based on these criteria.

1.2   Privacy – The fourth amendment gives us all the right to be secure from government in our private lives. Any laws that trample on this right should be found unlawful and repealed and any government action to the contrary of this principle should be considered unlawful and banned.

1.3   Freedom of Speech – We oppose any government action that would censor, regulate, or control any form of speech or expression.

1.4   Drugs – We support the rights of individuals to put choose what they put in their bodies and accept the consequences there of. The federal government should not be involved in the creation or enforcement of any drug laws. Any regulation of drugs should be at the state level and treated in the same manner as alcohol.

2.       Decentralization of Government – Far too much power has been concentrated in the federal government. We support the transfer of power to the lowest level of government possible so that the people may best participate in their government.

2.1   Direct Democracy – We support the use of direct democracy in whatever ways possible at the state level and below in order to give the people a real voice in the decision making process. If the federal government is reduced to its constitutional limits, we find no reason to introduce it there.

2.2   Reduction of Federal Government – The federal government has grown out of scope laid out in the Constitution. We support the removal of departments and agencies that have power not granted to the federal government in the constitution or whose mission could be accomplished effectively at a lower level. Some of these departments and agencies include: The Departments of Education, Agriculture, Energy, Homeland Security, and Housing and Urban Development, along with the Environmental Protection Agency to name a few.

2.3   Education – Schools should be funded and directed by the local communities they serve.  We support a parent’s right to educate their children in the way they see fit, to include homeschooling and private schools.

2.4   Infrastructure – Infrastructure should be funded, built and maintained at the lowest level possible with coordination among many jurisdictions to maintain certain standards such as road signage and regulations. We ever possible, the funding for infrastructure should come from taxes pertaining to that realm, such as communications taxes to pay for communication infrastructure, and taxes on fuel and vehicles to maintain and build roads.

2.5   Law Enforcement – Law enforcement should be the responsibility of local government and communities. These law enforcement agencies will be responsible for all crimes and criminals in their jurisdiction. There should be no law enforcement agencies at the state and national levels.

3.       Economy – We support the rights of all individuals to freely engage in economic activity without government interference and oppose any government subsidies to any economic activity.

3.1   Trade – We support free and fair trade with all nations, but oppose managed trade agreements and organizations that would stifle the economic rights of Americans such as NAFTA and the WTO.

3.2   Labor – We oppose any laws that would impede an individual’s ability to find work. We support the rights of a person to choose whether or not to associate with a labor union, and the rights of employers to acknowledge or not acknowledge such labor unions. We oppose and government interference in negotiations between employers and workers.

3.3   Corporate Personhood – We oppose the granting of rights of a person to corporations. We seek to end the use of corporations as shields for those running the corporations. The individuals behind corporations that commit fraud should be prosecuted for their crimes.

3.4   Subsidies – We oppose all subsidies by the government for any and all economic activity. The free market should set the prices of goods and services. The government should not bailout failing business sectors, not matter the cause for their failure.

3.5   Separation of Business and State – The government has gotten far too close the private businesses and corporations. This closeness breeds corruption and gives unfair advantages to certain corporations at the expense of the people. Instances of cronyism and bribery between business and government should be investigated and prosecuted.

4.       National Defense – Our current military and defense posture is situated towards the expansion and maintenance of a global empire. We seek to dismantle the military-industrial complex and return our military into one meant to protect our nation from foreign aggressors.

4.1   Military Structure – The national military should be greatly reduced with a focus on defending US territory from foreign aggressors with bases on foreign soil being closed. The bulk of our defensive forces should lay with the state militias and a well armed population.

4.2   Iraq War – We seek an immediate end to the war in Iraq and withdrawal of all US troops.

4.3   Afghan War – We support bringing those responsible for the attacks on September 11^th to justice, however the current war in Afghanistan is not meeting that mission. We seek an end to all military action and removal of troops in Afghanistan not directly related to this goal.

4.4   Foreign Intervention – We do not seek to isolate the United States from the rest of the world, but it is not our place to interfere in the affairs of other nations. We should seek friendship and trade with all, but entangling alliances with none.

5.       Fiscal Policy – Government spending should be cut. All money not spent by the government should be returned to the people. The government should not operate on a deficit of take on debt.

5.1   Taxes – Taxes should be minimal to only support the minimum services that cannot be provided outside of government. Income taxes are immoral and should be abolished at all levels. Taxation that is necessary should take place in the form of sales and similar taxes.

5.2   Monetary Policy – We seek to end the Federal Reserve. Money should be backed by more than the word or the government.

6.       Immigration – Those seeking to enter the country in search of a better life should be allowed to do so after screening for disease and criminal record. Tax payers should not subsidize immigrants through any type of welfare or services.

7.       Environment – The people have a right to live in an environment that is not overly polluted.  The people should have the right to sue those who would pollute their water or air. The government has a responsibility to protect the health and welfare of the people from those that would endanger them with pollution; however this should be handled at the lowest level of government possible, and not with broad and overreaching legislation.

8.       Energy – Solution to energy problems should be solved by the market.  The government should not subsidize any type of energy or energy research.  Government barriers to alternative forms of energy should be removed.

9.       Health Care and Social Services – In general, the government should not be involved in health care and social services, but when it is, it should be done at the most local level feasible.

9.1   Health Care – The free health care market should be restored. The government should not interfere in the relationship between a doctor and patient. If government does seek to provide health care, it should only be at the local level, with the people still having a choice.

9.2   Social Security – Those dependent on social security right now should not be abandoned; however it should be phased out for all others.

9.3   Help for the Poor – We do not wish to abandon the poor and disadvantaged, but private charity can help the most. Where government does help, it should be at the local level.

10.   Self Defense – All persons have the rights to defend themselves and their property, and should have access to the means to defend themselves.

 People of Iraq,

I want to take a moment to talk to you about the future relationship between the United States and Iraq, specifically the new security agreement being talked about. Five and a halfyears ago the United States invaded your country, killed your people, and have been occupying your land ever since. Turning down any security agreement and telling American forces to leave now may be your only chance to regain your country. If history is any indication, Americans don’t know when to leave. The cold war has been over for many years, and yet we still have troops stationed in Europe to stop a Soviet threat that has long since vanished.

You may be tempted to keep American troops in Iraq for security purposes, and ask them to leave when you’re own security forces are better trained and equipped. Don’t count on it. South Korea has long since been able to defend itself, and yet it is still home to around 30,000 US troops. In addition to the US troops, relations between North and South Korea have always have the US hanging around as a third wheel, preventing any peace or reunification as long as the US doesn’t want peace with the North. As long as you allow the US to control Iraq, a similar diplomatic yoke will be on you as well. The US government will make sure its interests are your interests. This will likely manifest itself in preventing you from having a peaceful relationship with Iran built on trade and friendship.

Don’t count on the coming US election to change the climate. No matter which side wins, both seek to continue American imperial ambitions. Iraq has a golden opportuntity to avoid being just anothe client state in the American Empire. With economic woes at home, dissatisfaction with the goverment, and another war and occupation in Afghanistan, the US can do very little to force you to stay. The US goverment doesn’t have the resources and the American people do not have the stomach for a further prolonged and bloody forced occupation, so a request to leave will likely be honored.

So I urge the people of Iraq to reject the security agreement and tell the Americans to go home.

In Freedom and Liberty,
Brandon Sharitt

I’ve left Blogger behind, mostly because of crude in Google’s internal DNS, I can’t point bsharitt.com to my blog, requiring people to go directly to www.bsharitt.com. To make matters worse, Google doesn’t have directly contactable support anymore, so you have to post in  public support forum, so a bunch of idiots who can’t help can throw useless information at you. I’m not using my own hosting, though that may be an option in the future, but for now I am back on a WordPress based blog, so at least it’s familiar. I haven’t been able to import my old post from Blogger yet, but luckily my new blog host has a neat feature where you can report problems to people who can actually help, so they’re looking into it. If you really want to see the old stuff, it’s all hosted at bsharitt.blogspot.com.