If I were king...

If I were king,…you’d probably move. Nevertheless, I shall share with you a few of my actions as supreme sole (or soul) ruler of the U.S. of A.


Dismiss Congress.
Establish new elections for 6 months later and ban any House member with more than 8 years service and any Senator with more than 12 years in office from running ever again.

Require that all budget bills include a 5% surplus and be zero based.

Demand that Members live under every law that impacts the general populace.

Eliminate 75% of the Committee and Congressional staffs (I choose who goes, who stays).

Raise the price of bean soup and haircuts. Charge fees for other perks such as gym.

Cancel every Department, program, bureau and agency. Require new authorization for each Constitutional one that is radically pared down with super majority of 75% to implement any new line item.

Every new law or expenditure must have a sunset provision—not to exceed 3 years. Re-authorization to require 75% and a maximum 10 year sunset proviso.

Elimination of mandates to state and local governments. If the proposal is Constitutional and merits federal action, then the federal government should fund it and enforce.

Restructure the tax code by creating 3 classifications @ 0%, 7% and 13%. This would be a modified flat tax with NO deductions. Reduce corporate income tax to 20%.

Eliminate capital gains (you’ve already paid income tax on invested capital). Eliminate inheritance tax and gift tax. Eliminate payroll and Medicare taxes, but grandfather everyone over age 50 for contributions and means-tested benefits.

Re-evaluate all fees and licenses levied by government. If fee is for use of citizen-owned property or privilege, then adjust it for equitable purposes and reasonableness. If the fee or license is generated from activity that is private in nature, then eliminate it.

If other nations want to trade with the United States, then insist on absolute open and free markets without subsidies. If a country violates this provision or refuses to engage in absolute open trade, then tariffs and taxes will be placed upon their products upon entry.

Eliminate funding of all non-essential (non-Constitutional) programs, grants and awards. For example, public broadcasting is not required in a digital age. Eliminate the subsidy. While the arts are a vital component of the culture, the government should not assume the role of judging whether or not particular art is worthy of support. That is the duty of critics, galleries, collectors and consumers.

For grants and awards in the realms of theoretical and applied science, the general principle should be that the free market will generate necessary support based upon perceived needs. There may be instances when there is a compelling national interest for underwriting scientific research. The criteria for such actions should be concisely written with minimal opportunity for abuse.

In essence, the Constitution, interpreted as literally as is practicable in the 21st Century shall be the immovable guiding document for governmental involvement in the affairs of the nation and its citizens. All so-called “gray areas” shall be decided in favor of freedom for citizens and restricting government. Clearly, this little column addresses but a few of the issues between a free citizenry and a legitimate governing structure. But, hey, I’ ve only been King for one day.

As always, your comments are coveted or email: cnpearl@woh.rr.com