What I daydream about is creating a paradigm that does not encourage corruption as much as ours in Illinois does, and I'd argue based on a biblical notion of fallen human nature that the people in the Green Party are equally subject to sinful human nature as any Republican, Democrat or Libertarian. I think this is what Christians need to recognize.
Since we're all subject to our fallen natures, the only lasting solution is redemption through the Gospel. However, since we know that full redemption is yet future, the next best thing is a "best case scenario" paradigm - one which may not be able to eliminate corruption (only the Cross can do that), but at least does not openly promote it like the current paradigm does.
My simple suggestion is this: Remove the massive incentive of the current system to concentration of power and consequently corruption. Do this by 1) Term Limits: Limiting political careers to 8 years in any given office and 16 years total public service. Then they have to go back to the private sector. Then 2) Take away pensions.
If "public servants" actually have to make a sacrifice to serve the public, it might just be less attractive to those who lust after the power of office. It might actually attract those who want to make a difference.
Meanwhile, though certain aspects of various party platforms resonate with me, I am increasingly unwilling to give my loyalty to any one Party. I am a citizen of another Kingdom, so there will always be some level of incongruence.
I am appalled by politicians in general - most of them are egomaniacs in the first place, including third party - and I am appalled by the Republicans' lack of social conscience and consciousness, the Democrats pathetic belief that government is the answer for everything, the Libertarians idea that individual liberty trumps everything else, and the Greens utopianism and paranoia.
But back to my first complaint, though... the electorate for the most part can only parrot what it is fed by the media. It does not care much beyond who has the most enticing image and who can promise the most goodies for the lowest price. Is there really a political solution for that? We have undone the American Revolution and gone back to selling our bodies and souls to the king.
Labels: Chicago Politics, political illiteracy, Politics
