The New World Order

In my second novel, Alien Log II, the New World Order, the alien Quellin described what the new world order would be. Many people cringe at the words New World Order because they imagine a world government run by despots from the financial world who rules for their own benefit. Not so, with the alien’s version. The new world order as envisioned by Quellin is one I would welcome. Perhaps we could start with a change in our dysfunctional government in Washington. Here is how it would work.

In the new government, all elected officials would serve a SINGLE four year term with NO chance for re-election. They would spend 100 percent of their time doing what they were elected to do and not spend a single minute building a war chest for re-election. Elections would be publically financed. These two changes alone would greatly reduce the influence of special interest groups and lobbyists.

In the new government, all elected officials except the President and Vice President would spend most of their time in their districts or states in office buildings providing office space and conference / meeting theaters. This would keep them close to their constituents and not lobbyists. Only on special occasions such as voting on a bill, would they venture to Washington to meet. Most of their work would be conducted using technology such as videoconferencing or telepresence. It continues to amaze me why we continue to “put all of our eggs in one basket” (Washington) where they are an easy target for terrorists.

The way the new system would work in electing Congress people is that everyone is placed in a draft pool for their district on their twenty-fifth birthday. To be eligible for Congress one be at least twenty-five and must have been a citizen for at least seven years. Two months before the end of the present Congress person’s term, twelve names are drawn by lottery and are notified that they have been selected to run for Congress. They have thirty days to appeal. Four names from those who survive the appeal process are selected at random to run. Anyone who qualifies may also choose to run even though they were not drafted, provided they can get at least 1,000 signatures from members of their district. The publicly financed election is tightly controlled as to how much and where election funds can be spent. There will be at least one televised debate. After the election, the winner is sent to Washington for an intensive indoctrination in the functioning of Congress. Following that, they return to their district where an office building houses their staff and provides space for “town meetings” that are televised on monthly bases. During these meetings, constituents can air their concerns and the Congress person can bring the people up to date on bills and issues being discussed in Congress. All assets and obligations of the Congress person are frozen and their pay is equal to the average income for their district. Five percent of their salary is matched and placed in a 401K. A portion of their wages would be taxed for FICA and they would contribute a portion of their salary to a group health insurance policy. If the elected person cannot fulfill their four year term, the person who placed second would finish out their term.

The election for Senate is somewhat different than for Congress. People run for Senate by choice but must be a resident of their state, have served in Congress, and be at least thirty-five. Each state will have two Senators whose terms are staggered by two years. Two months before the term of a Senator is about to expire, an eligible person can apply to be a candidate. One month before the election, six names from the pool are randomly selected to run. The election process is run the same as for Congress persons but includes two televised debates. At the end of the election, the winner is sent to Washington for indoctrination. Following that, they return to their state where an office building in their state capital houses their staff and provides space for “town meetings” that are televised on monthly bases. During these meetings, constituents can air their concerns and the Senator can bring the people up to date on bills and issues being discussed in the Senate. Living quarters for both Senators and their families are provided in the state capital. All assets and obligations of the Senator are frozen and their pay is equal to twice the average income for their state. Five percent of their salary is matched and placed in a 401K. A portion of their wages would be taxed for FICA and they would contribute a portion of their salary to a group health insurance policy. If the elected person cannot fulfill their four year term, the person who placed second would finish out their term.

The election for President is similar to that for Senate but to be eligible, they must be at least thirty-five, a naturally born citizen, and have served in the Senate. Four months before the President’s term is to end, eligible people apply to run. Three months before the election, four candidates are selected at random and a publically funded election begins and includes four televised public debates. The election process is completed in November and the winner (President) and runner up (Vice President) have until the following January to put in place a transition government. The inauguration occurs in January and the President occupies the White House and the Vice President is given a residence in Washington. Their salary is equal to four times that of the national average. Their benefits are similar to those of the Congress and Senate.

Nine Supreme Court Justices are selected for a single fixed term of six years that are staggered by three years. They are nominated by the President and are confirmed by the Senate. Their salary and benefits are the same as for the President. They reside and work in Washington.

With this new government we would finally be close to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, as envisioned by Abraham Lincoln. We can begin this transition today by NEVER voting for an incumbent. Following that, we would need to make an amendment to our constitution. In addition to the above changes, other changes would place severe penalties for bribery and for signing on to deficit budgets or budgets that exceed a certain percent of GDP.