To his credit, President Bill Clinton took steps to lower the deficit in 1993. His budget consisted of tax increases and spending cuts. While the authors have differing opinions about the use of an income tax increase to reduce the deficit, both authors
agree with the concept of reducing the growth rate of the federal government. And to their credit, under the leadership of Senator Domenici and Representative Kasich, the Republicans in Congress introduced a 7-year plan to balance the budget.
The difficulty with the legislative approach to balancing the budget is that it has been tried before and does some good for about two years, but then it is abandoned. If the legislative approach were fortified by a constitutional amendment, the
chances of actually achieving a balanced budget would be much greater.
Source: The Dollar Crisis, p. 74-75
Jul 2, 1996
Long-terms solutions instead of polls
The US needs to look for solid, long-term answers, not quick solutions. Unfortunately, our society is geared to look for the latter, both in political life and in business. “How will this play in the next election?” and, “What will this do to next
quarter’s earnings?” seem to be the most important questions in politics and business, respectively. We are less inclined to ask, “If we follow this policy, where will we be in ten years?”
The correct, long-term answers will not come from polling or
from focus groups, but from leadership that has carefully studied the experience of the US and other nations through the centuries. Political leaders can become as addicted to polls as junkies become addicted to illegal drugs. The results can be almost
as ruinous.
To solve the dollar problem and get the US back to its position of economic and political leadership, we need well-reasoned solutions that will serve not only the immediate audience but also future generations.
Source: The Dollar Crisis, p.125
Jul 2, 1996
Term Limits linked to Congressional performance
In a poll conducted in March 1993, citizens across the country were asked about government reform. Their responses are shown in the proposals listed below. Before we, the people, will agree to a tax increase-we demand the following reforms:
Give the American people the detailed financial plan for tax increases, spending increases, and spending cuts.
Publish an accurate, audited quarterly financial report that will allow the taxpayers to see the actual results of taxing & spending.
Pass the Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution.
Give the President the Line Item Veto.
Pass a term limitation law as part of the tax increase package. If the financial forecasts do not produce results on schedule, a term limit law would
automatically take effect.
Change federal election laws to eliminate the influence of the special interests.
Shorten the time for political campaigns.
Source: Not For Sale at Any Price, by Ross Perot, p.145-52
Jul 2, 1993
United We Stand America: create government from the people
The purpose of United We Stand America is to give the people a voice. You own United We Stand America. UWSA’s goals include:
To re-create a government that comes from the people-not at the people.
To reform the federal government at all levels
to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse.
To have a government where the elected, appointed, and career officials come to serve and not to cash in.
To get rid of foreign lobbyists.
To get rid of political action committees.
Source: Save Your Job, Save Our Country, by Ross Perot, p. 0
Jan 1, 1993
Electronic Town Hall to replace representative government
Perot suggests what he calls “electronic town halls” [as] the catalyst for structural change that he is obviously looking for. Apparently, a select group of national leaders-including elected magistrates and appointed “experts” and industrial delegates-
would present various policy options to the electorate. By means of an at-home computerized referendum mechanism, the people would voice their concerns directly to Washington. The results would be tallied, and the policy implemented.
At first glance, the electronic town halls appear to be nothing more than a high-tech fireside chat-with a response mechanism. But it is actually a usurpation of one of the basic tenets of American checks and balances: representative government.
Source: Strong-Man Politics, by George Grant, p.110
Nov 7, 1992
End pork; end loopholes; end exit polling
Perot has stated that he favors:
A presidential line item veto in an effort to rid the government of pork barrel spending;
elimination of political action;
legislation that would replace Gramm-Rudman with a tougher balanced-budget;
elimination of exit polling during elections;
enacting strict regulations on all lobbying activities.
Source: Strong-Man Politics, by George Grant, p. 87
Nov 7, 1992
Reduce government perks and staffers
Perot has stated in a rather straightforward fashion that he favors:
Reduction of the size of the legislative and executive branch staffs;
elimination of the government’s air fleet and other perks.
Source: Strong-Man Politics, by George Grant, p. 88
Nov 7, 1992
The system is corrupt, not the people in it
Perot believes that the chief problem in America is not corrupt people in a good system, but good people in a corrupt system. “Our system of government is the problem. We’ve got to change the system. I’m critical of the system and not individuals.
I have said that you could replace everybody in Congress, find the best people in the country, put them in that system, and in months they’d look just like the people you’re replacing.”
Source: Strong-Man Politics, by George Grant, p.108-9
Nov 7, 1992
Election reform: shorten elections, free air time
Change the way we hold elections.
First, shorten the campaign season. Five months is long enough.
Hold elections on both Saturday and Sunday so working people can go to the polls.
Release no information until all polls are closed.
Since the airwaves belong to the public, require equal free time for candidates for federal office.
Joined with easier voter registration, these measures will improve our elections and stimulate more voters to go to the polls.
Source: United We Stand, by Ross Perot, p. 25
Jul 2, 1992
Curb PACs, ban soft money, ban electoral college
We need to insist on a sweeping package of reforms for our political system:
Restrict campaign contributions to $1,000-period. No more “soft money”contributions of up to $100,000 from corporate interests, labor unions, and rich people.
Curb political action committees. In 1974 PACs contributed nearly $13 million to congressional candidates. In 1990, PACs contributed $150 million, an eleven-fold jump. Who are we trying to kid here? We know what they’re out to buy.
Give the Federal
Election Commission real teeth. Right now, the President appoints six members, 3 Democrats and 3 Republicans. Guess how many ties there are? You can also guess at the amount of winking and nodding. It must be revamped. Let’s have five members appointed
at staggering terms. Give it criminal prosecution powers to enforce our election laws.
Eliminate the electoral college. There’s no reason to filter the people’s vote. Whoever gets the most votes of the entire country should be the President.
Source: United We Stand, by Ross Perot, p. 24-25
Jul 2, 1992
Click here for definitions & background information on Government Reform.
Click here for policy papers on Government Reform.
