An Idea Whose Time Has Come

This post may seem off subject but I have an idea. We are in one of the most contested legislative battles in American history over the future of health care/insurance. An idea came to me that I believe, would solve many of America's problems. Please allow me to explain.

Right now, we are experiencing a major crisis with the future of Social Security and Medicare. We are also seeing massive growth in government, period. When government grows, we build monstrous bureaucracies that consist of millions of government workers who unionize and are paid much more than the average private sector worker with similar skills and education. We can save America from going bankrupt if we act now, by making a couple simple changes.

1. Beginning immediately, every new piece of legislation passed by Congress must have a sunset clause, ten years from passage, that forces it to be brought back to Congress for reconsideration of its effectiveness and need. We waste billions of dollars on projects and departments that are no longer needed. We don't even review them. This is "term limitation" for the legislation they write.

2. All new legislation must put out bids to the private sector for the handling of the bureaucracy. The private sector is far more efficient and will always remember that they could be replaced by another company. Allow the rules of competition to work for us. This would only apply to activity that would not compromise national security.

3. Begin to dissolve the Departments of Energy, Education, Commerce and Labor. Allow this process to play out over the next five years, giving the government employees time to retire or move to the private sector.

4. Cut back on salaries and cancel retirement pensions with health insurance for members of Congress. Maybe they will serve sacrificially and not see incumbency as a lifetime appointment.

These simple steps would cure the greatest problem facing the world and state governments, runaway massive government. If we are going to save America, these steps would keep government in check. This is the kind of reform I can support. What do you think?