Wiston Papers

Fixing Congress

        Congress is not working.  Most Americans agree.  Polls show that nearly  80 percent of those questioned in recent surveys say they are dissatisfied with the performance of Capitol Hill.

What’s wrong?  And how do we fix it?  The answer to the first question is simple.  Our representatives are no longer that--representative.  They are out of touch.  Instead of looking out for the interests of  voters--we who elected them--our delegates to Congress are more concerned with self-aggrandizement, power and the spoils that come with membership in high society.

    As I’ve written here before, our Iowa delegation in both chambers is too old, bankrupt of ideas, too removed from the reality of Iowans, and too entrenched with the Washington elite.

    The answer to my second question--how do we fix Congres--is a little more complicated.

    First, we need terms limits.  No member of Congress should serve more than six years.  That’s a single term for  Senators; and Representatives should be limited to four years--just two terms in office..

    Our Founding Fathers wanted citizen legislators--men who would go to the Congress for a few years, do their jobs, then come home.  Unfortunately, too many men and women on Capitol Hill today believe they are entitled to what in most cases for incumbents resembles a life-time appointment.  They’re wrong.  Six years is long enough.

    Second, There are 535 members of Congress--each with a separate office, staff and budget. That’s unnecessary duplication and a waste of money.  Reduce the size of each member’s Washington office budget and staff by outsourcing most work back home so they are in closer contact with us and spend staff salaries and other budget monies in congressional home districts.

     All other Congressional  administrative tasks can be done from a centralized office in Washington that pools resources for all members. 

    Third, no Representative or Senator should receive a pension for congressional service.  Congressional service was never intended to be a permanent, lifetime job.  Our delegations should invest a portion of their salary for retirement like every other citizen--either through Social Security contributions, an individual IRA, or in investments recommended by a private-sector financial adviser. Just like the rest of us. Nothing more.

    Four, end the generous health care plans that are far superior to what many American receive.  President Obama campaigned on a promise to pass health care reform that would give every American the equivalent coverage and care now enjoyed by Congress.  That didn’t happen and it’s wrong.

    Our Senators and Representatives should never approve any legislation to which they are exempt.  Congress and we should share the same benefits and sacrifice equally.

    Five, travel between home and Washington should be at the lowest possible fares available whether by plane, train or any other method.   First class would be prohibited.

    Six, Congress should have no franking privileges.  Members should pay the same postage and shipping rates as other Americans.  

    Seven, our Senators and Representatives should spend more time at home and less in Washington.  In this era of all forms of digital communication ranging from teleconferencing and  videoconferencing to texting and electronic faxing, there is less need to be enclosed within the Beltway (the interstate that encircles Washington) except for critical votes.  And they could be scheduled for just a few days each month.  All committee work can be done by telecommunicating.

    If our Senators and Representatives spent more time in their home districts, they would be closer to their voters, more subject to local influence, and less likely to be seduced by  heavily-funded, professional lobbyists prowling the halls of Congress.

    Finally, we should start afresh.  In November let's vote against every incumbent.  Whatever the result, the new Congress can’t be any worse than what we have today.

Steve Coon

May 07, 2012

Wiston Papers

What's the truth?

The latest jobs creation report this month--coupled with the unemployment  statistics--will add fuel to the already heated presidential debate over unemployment and the economy.

Governor Mitt Romney will cite the declining numbers of monthly job creation as proof that President Obama's economic policies have failed. Mr. Obama will point to the drop in the overall unemployment percentage as evidence that his program is working.

Both will have numbers to support their contention--numbers that are both right but incomplete.

The indisputable fact, however, is that 12.5 million Americans are without jobs according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

And that truth is simply unacceptable no matter how you look at it.

Steve Coon

May 06, 2012

Wiston Papers

Diplomacy vs Human Rights

As a former U.S. Foreign Service officer, the outcome of the Chen Guangcheng case was predictable given the breadth and sensitivity of US-Sino relations.

Secretary of State Clinton and the U.S. Embassy had no other path to take in what is essentially a Chinese domestic issue.

Is Mr. Chen the victim of human rights violations?  Of course.

Has Mr. Chen been subjected to physical abuse during his incarceration?  Probably.

Once he returns to his family and home village will he be at risk despite Chinese government assurances that he can apply for a passport to leave the country “through normal channels ... like any other Chinese citizen?”  Quite likely.

Mr. Chen is a prominent political activist whose activities and subsequent Chinese government retaliation are an irritation to the nation’s Communist leaders.  But he is not central to US-Chinese relations.

At the end of the day (literally), Mrs. Clinton had no other alternative but to keep the focus of her trip on those diplomatic discussions most central to the often-prickly relations between Washington and Beijing.  Mr. Chen had emerged as a distraction during this trip.  And his plight—no matter how compelling—could not be permitted to derail the goals of the current mission.

This is not to say that I agree with the decision.  But I understand the diplomatic reasoning behind it.

Steve Coon

May 05, 2012

Wiston Papers

National Service Program

On January 20, 2005, President George W. Bush revealed his view of America"s future and committed the nation to "the guiding ideal of liberty for all" at home and abroad.  In portraying his vision of a more democratic world, Mr. Bush  challenged all Americans—especially  today"s youth.

"Make the choice to serve in a cause larger than your wants, larger than yourself – and in your days you will add not just to the wealth of our country, but to its character."

Such a call is laudable.  Hoping for a massive voluntary response by the country"s citizens to march to Mr. Bush"s summons is naive.  Instead, now is the time to reinstitute an obligatory National Service Program for every man and woman over the age of 18.

The nation"s leaders are afraid to restore the draft to force compulsory military service.  However, the Congress should pass and the President should sign into law legislation requiring all American citizens to complete two years of national service.

This would not be a return to military conscription.  Service in the nation"s Armed Forces, of course, would be an option.  But it would be only one of several alternatives.  Americans would be able to fulfill this two-year obligation in a variety of ways.  The nation"s residents meet their obligation by "volunteering" for one of several acceptable organizations.

    The Peace Corps continues to attract hundreds of Americans of all ages who want to make a difference by working abroad with citizens of other nations to improve daily life for the worldπs poor.   AmeriCorps and the Senior Corps perform the same function at home.  Such organizations benefit from the skills that millions of Americans possess that should be used to help less fortunate residents.  There is, however, so much more that could be accomplished through a significant increase of enlistees under a National Service Program.

The National Service Program should contain provisions that forgive a significant percentage of college loans for graduates of the nations professional schools.  Young doctors, dentists, veterinarians, nurses and other health professionals would donate their skill and talent by working and living in the poorest regions of the United States.  For every month of service in a hardship location, outstanding student loans would be reduced—up to 50 percent by the end of the two year service.  Similar provisions would apply to other professionals such as  teachers, engineers and lawyers who meet their obligation by working in poor schools, helping repair badly antiquated infrastructures or representing residents in need of legal aid.

No one would be exempt.  A generation ago celebrities of all stripes routinely—and often gladly—served in the military.  Movie Stars, professional athletes and  singers often temporarily abandoned lucrative careers at the height of their popularity to answer the call to service.   The sense of national commitment seemed more important than a multi-million dollar contract

Perhaps the most significant result of such a National Service obligation would be the rebirth of a badly needed spirit of patriotism and sense of community.   Millions of Americans, of course, devote thousands of hours selfishly helping friends, neighbors and fellow citizens.  Too frequently, however, the voices and deeds of such volunteers are obscured by what ABC News Correspondent, John Stossel, has called "The Whining of America"--the self-centered obsession with personal indulgence.

A National Service Program would require not only America's most qualified citizens to donote their talent but would also offer an opportunity for the nation's poor to contribute to the country's well being also.  Impoverished Americans would also be required to complete two years of service.  One result would be to expose some of the nation's poor to different lifestyles and the possibilities for change—just as the military did for tens of thousands of poor Americans of generations past.

America needs a new spirit of  community commitment and pride.  A National Service Obligation is one step toward restoring that lost sense of national purpose.

Steve Coon

May 04, 2012

Wiston Papers

I Love Sports, Really.

    A friend suggested the other day that I should “really be a more opened minded about sports journalism.”  OK.  I can do that.  At least about sports.  Here goes.

I love sports.  Football is my favorite.  I played in high school, not well, but I enjoyed the physical contact and the occasional success I had as a fullback and linebacker.  Those were good years.  Even today I try to see as many college and professional games as possible.

I also ran track.  I was a sprinter and hurdler.  Back then you had both high hurdles and low.  I was too short for the high.  My friend Gene and I competed with almost equal success.  He had excellent form over the hurdles; I had better speed between.   Each of us crossed the finish line first often enough to claim that we were equally good.  

There is nothing that can compare with the beauty, grace and all-around athletic skill as gymnastics.  It is an absolute joy to watch the mastery displayed by men and women across a variety of events that place a premium on strength and flexibility.  Figure skating is equally beautiful.

I’m glued to the TV every four years for the World Cup.  I sit through hours of soccer waiting for that rare goal and the excitement that erupts as a result.  The endurance of the players is remarkable.

Basketball is another game I enjoy...especially during March Madness.  The game combines strength, skill and stamina.  

Over the years I have either watched or tried my hand at contests ranging from billiards and bowling to golf and tennis.  If I had both space and spousal permission, I would have a pool table in our house.  That’s not going to happen anytime soon, however.  And any discussion of a bowling alley in the basement...let’s not go there.

    I’m marking off the days on my calendar until the Olympic Games 2012 in London.  For me track and field competition is the highlight.  But I’ll try to catch a little of every one of the 26 sports in more than 30 categories.  I always wanted to learn Judo (an Olympic event), but never did.  I can’t explain my fascination with this sport, but I really like it.

    There are many other sports worth mentioning but space precludes that.  So I can’t comment on baseball.  But then it’s just a bunch of guys standing around on grass for six months waiting for something happen.  And poker on ESPN?  What's with that?

    Sorry.  I promised to be nice so I better stop here. 

Steve Coon

May 03, 2012

Wiston Papers

And We Think This is Negative.

“Yes, the campaign is pretty distasteful.  Neither candidate is appealing.”

My American friend who lives in Paris was talking about the French campaign for president.  A particularly ugly contest that pits the incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy against his Socialist rival François Hollande.  

These two men  really, really don’t like each other if their rhetoric is any indication--and their supporters haven’t helped matters.  

With adjectives like Fascist, Communist, bat (the flying mamal), Rorrweiler (the non-flying dog), and “half-demented” being tossed like verbal grenades, the run-off election this Sunday can’t come soon enough.  A vote that Mr. Hollande is expected to win because President Sarkozy is so widely despised.

I’m encouraged because I was worried about how nasty our own American presidential campaign might be as we move closer to November.  But the French verbal assaults make the U.S. political exchanges seem like conversation at a church ice cream social.  

To our credit most American candidates generally refrain from casting personal aspersions.  Criticism usually is limited to the opponent’s policies or proposals.  Yes, some of those characterizations can make you wince.  But at least denigrating remarks about the other’s physical appearance, moral lapses or religious beliefs are considered out of bounds.

Despite the belief that U.S. political campaigns have become uglier over the years.  Contemporary exchanges are pretty tame compared with political words and actions of the past.  Two of America’s giant historical political figures, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, had a long relationship that deteriorated over the years along with their words for each other.

Jefferson and his supporters branded Adams as a “hideous hermaphroditical character” as well as a criminal and fool.  Jefferson even was imprisoned briefly for his vitriole; convicted of slander.

Adams and his followers, for their part, claimed that Jefferson was a mixed breed of Indian and African blood.

The notorious election of 1884 was marked by accusations against Democrat Grover Cleveland--a bachelor--had fathered an illegitimate child.  His Republican opponent James Blaine, in turn, was criticized as being a liar and corrupt.

If language wasn’t bad enough, America’s early politicians were not averse to actual physical confrontations. In 1804 Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton shot and killed Vice President Aaron Burr.  And South Carolina Senator Preston Brooks got into a fist fight with Charles Sumner of Massachusetts in 1902. One of several among Congressman of the era.

The current U.S. presidential campaign certainly will heat up in the remaining 188 days, However, exchanges between Governor Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama most likely will be quite tame compared with the Sarkozy-Holland contest in France and our American political antagonists of the past.   For that we can all be grateful.

Steve Coon

May 02, 2012

Wiston Papers

My Two Cents Worth

In today’s Washington Post, columnist Walter Pincus argues that it is almost impossible for U.S. voters to sort through what he describes as false and misleading foreign policy and defense issues tossed around by presidential candidates.

There is an assumption in this article that we Americans are passive consumers of news and information.  That we are spoon fed analysis of such policy proposals and initiatives.   And that we are easily bamboozled.

    Whatever happened to the maxim  "Do it yourself?"

    In this day of ubiquitous digital sources of information,  websites for any number of government agencies, NGOs, and think tanks,  Americans have no excuse for befuddlement and confusion.

Is Mr. Pincus privy to information unavailable to the rest of us?   As a columnist he certainly knows some key individuals who could steer him in a certain direction.     

But I can—with a little more effort—do the same thing by asking a few key questions on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.  The information is out there...and someone will get back to me with it.  I just have to evaluate it for myself.

We who are interested can just do some hard work to find what we need.    The rest of us  can just accept what Mr. Pincus labels “distortion.”  But isn’t that our choice?

POTPOURRI:

1--A headline from today’s New York Times:  “Tasers Pose Risks to Heart, a Study Warns.”

You think?

2--A headline from the Washington Post:  “Romney: I would have ordered Osama Bin Laden raid”

Any president would have. That's obvious. The only debate would have been when and how.   This really is a non-issue. Please, let's move on.  

Steve Coon 

May 01, 2012