RHYS BOWEN: Happy New Year!
I hope it's a stellar one for you in every way.
New hopes. New dreams. It's lovely to start off with a clean slate, isn't it?
Yesterday I asked what we'd like from Society this year. Overnight I thought about it and decided what we wanted was a new form of government. No more left and right, hating each other, striving to destroy the other side. We'll have a new political party. I'll call it the SPP.
Short for Sensible People's Party. Those elected to office would be ordinary folk who were not given a million dollars to start them off. Women and men who had balanced a budget during tough times, paid their mortgage on time, put off buying a new car until they could afford it, taken camping vacations nearby when times were hard. They would be ethical, decent people who paid their taxes, supported their places of worship, brought up their children to tell the truth and respect their fellow men.
They would look through a Pentagon wish list and decide what was really necessary and what was frivolous or too expensive. They would not pass bills that added pork to sensible topics. They would help those in need but keep an eye on those who wanted an easy hand-out. Every bill would be weighed for its benefit to the good of the whole country.
We'd balance the federal budget in no time at all. There would be no more talk of war because it would be more women in office than men. We'd have a sane immigration policy that allowed a guest-worker program with temporary visas.
We'd combat climate change, encourage innovation in things like alternative energy and stop mega corporations from fleecing the US public. Everyone would be forced to pay their fare share of taxes, including corporations. There would be no more lobbyists. Election spending would be capped at a modest amount and no negative ads allowed.
Guns would be regulated and licensed like we do cars. Licenses renewed with a test every five years.
Oh, and any media spreading lies or hatred will be immediately removed. News channels would have to live up to a high standard of unbiased reporting.
So this is my dream for the New Year. If it came to pass we'd live in Paradise.
Do you think any of it is possible?
Your dream for the new year is a wonderful one, Rhys. It’s certainly something to strive for . . . .
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I think that's a great vision, and yes, I think it's possible. But first we have to figure out how to get the haters and graspers to give up their hatred and greed. What keeps them so attached to these? What factors of a normal, sensible life with reasonable wants frighten them so much? For those on power trips, why the need for so much power?
ReplyDeleteI'd join that party! Let's make it happen.
ReplyDeleteRhys, there is a saying, " From your mouth, to God's ears."
ReplyDeleteThen of course there is another saying, "Make it so."
Yes, I think it is possible.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year everyone! Rhys, I think most of us would like to live in your version of the world! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt seems so simple and yet… I’m not sure who I’d trust to define “sensible”
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Better leadership and (long-term) vision in governing many countries would be welcome.
ReplyDeleteFrom Celia:- a very Happy, healthy, humane New Year. Rhys I’m signing and stabs with you - Make it so.
ReplyDelete"Speaking words of wisdom, Let it Be"
ReplyDeleteThe Baha'i Faith has an election system similar to what you suggest. There is no campaigning, no deriding others, and no party politics. On the local level, a body of nine people is elected. Everyone of age may vote for anyone in the community who has characteristics such as honesty, sincerity, loyalty, ability, maturity, etc. – and along with these qualities, electors are also encouraged to consider that the elected body should also be diverse, representing minorities and all ages.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!
DeleteHave you seen the movie "Dave" starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver? Ordinary guy becomes president and tries exactly that. The hatred and power-hungry are seeded everywhere throughout the three branches of our government. I'd certainly be willing to join a party that was actively trying to weed them all out.
ReplyDeleteYes, that’s exactly what this reminds me of!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that Rhys ! Let’s change the governance of the world !
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy New Year everyone! Have a fabulous year full of health and happiness !
Danielle
Yay to the SPP with Rhys as its first President. And all the Reds in Cabinet positions !!
ReplyDeleteOh golly, as Georgie would say! I’ve been on enough local boards to know what politics is actually like ! Rhys
DeleteIf only it were possible! Happy new year, everyone!
ReplyDeleteLike Hallie said, who defines "sensible"? I would love to dissolve both parties, Democrat and Republican, and tell the politicians to form new parties with like minded peers. We could have Whigs and the Bull Moose party and other names from history.
ReplyDeleteRhys for President!
ReplyDeleteYes! Or Prime Minister of Britain ?
DeleteDiana
I'd join that party in a heartbeat. Yea Rhys!
ReplyDeleteTrying again
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, JRW and readers!
ReplyDeleteA relative in England and I had an interesting conversation about money in politics. While American politicians are ALWAYS asking for more money for their campaigns, the British politicians only pay a fee to "stand for Parliament" like 50 pence or 50 pounds? Even if it translates to $100 dollars, it is still much less costly than billions of dollars poured into American politics!
Perhaps Rhys or Deborah will know the answer?
Love all of the ideas in this morning's post! Just realized that the USA Still has Not elected a woman to become President of the USA although we came very close to getting a woman president in 2016! And now we have Kamala as our Vice President. Meanwhile, Britain has had at least THREE women who became the Prime Minister.
We only have two major political parties in the USA though there has been attempts on getting more political parties like the Green Party ? Britain has Tory, Conservative, Labour and ? Social Democrats parties. More than two political parties for sure. I was watching BORGEN a Danish tv series on Netflix when I had Netflix. It is about a woman in Danish politics and I remember there were more than two political parties.
And I would definitely join the Sensible Party.
Sorry this was so long...
Diana
Sign me up, Rhys! Everything about that idea sounds wonderful to me.
ReplyDeleteI'd vote for you, Rhys! Happy New Year everyone!!
ReplyDeleteRhys, I'm with Debs. I'd vote for you! I don't know if we can ever get control over greed. I would like to think so, but while there are still people who say nothing when the millionaires and billionaires are given tax breaks and shout out in anger when the poor receive benefits, I fear it's impossible.
ReplyDeleteSending everyone wishes for a healthy, happy 2023!! Ghandi wrote his version of sin, and I'd love to see them all eliminated. "There are seven sins in the world: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, and politics without principle." ~Lynda
ReplyDelete