Month: April 2018

How Should the Constitutional Amendment Read?

What do We want Our government to look like? Who should Our government represent? When the choices that appear on the ballot look and act nothing like me or my family, why should I expect they will make choices with my family in mind?

Our election system currently forces a candidate to acquire money to have their voices heard. Therefore, the more money, the LOUDER your voice becomes. THIS has led to the upside-down view of “government is not the solution to our problems- government is the problem.”

I believe this should change.

When We elect a President born OF this country, A President who is FROM The People, we can see the change We need. Our government is seen by special interest groups and MASSIVE corporations as an obstacle to overcome. But this is NOT the case.

It IS the FRAMEWORK that holds us ALL together. A ‘referee’ in the daily battles of life, for the economic world AND the consumers. BOTH are dependent on the other for survival. And Our government ensures the playing field is fair for everyone. It protects the field’s VERY EXISTANCE.

Money should NOT DECIDE who can become President.

ideas should.

The government (We) should create the “venue”, the “vehicle” for the debate on ideas. A “Coliseum” for a “Battle Royale of the Minds”. To decide the President of THIS Country?!! We deserve No Less!

We need a Constitutional Convention to create a ONE CITIZEN=ONE VOTE, OPEN, SECURE, Election system to change the way the candidates are selected. In an open and honest debate, the BEST ideas ALWAYS rise to the top. We can do better than the system we have now. End the Electoral College.

Considering that an amendment requires 2/3 Congressional approval and 3/4 of the States’ Legislatures for ratification, this is a process that requires everyone to speak up and participate. EVERYONE benefits from this. This change will also require us ALL to take full personal RESPONSIBILITY for the HONOR and POWER of the Office of the Presidency. It is, after all, an embodiment of the unified spirit of all who participate in this system. Whomever holds the Office, holds it for us all. So my following text is an idea.

Proposal for Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America

Article II, Sec I.2 shall be undone.

Article II, Sec I.3 shall be amended to read as follows-

I.3 Each of the Several States shall select, by ballot of eligible voters, in the respective States, an eligible candidate for President. The Chief Executive of each State, the elected Legislatures of those States, as well as the Secretary of State of the respective States, shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate, the name of the selected candidate. The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and the House of Representatives, open and announce the name and State of each candidate.

At the end of the announcement, discussion/ decent shall be voiced and heard by the President of the Senate. At such point, either by determination of ineligibility or by majority vote by both Houses in separate votes, dismiss any candidate. If the votes of the House and the Senate stand in opposition, deference  falls to the original Vote of the State that had certified the candidate.

Article II, Sec. I.4 shall be undone and Amended to read as follows-

I.4 The Congress may determine the timing of a series of primary debates and discussion designed with the goal of narrowing down the list of eligible candidates, by ballot of eligible voters, to a choice of two eligible candidates. The two remaining candidates will be announced by the president of the Senate no later than July 4 of the election year to give the electorate sufficient time to become familiar with the candidates, to be voted upon for President in November.

The integrity and security of Our Intellectual Debates for Our Elections shall be overseen by the Secret Service, with full Congressional oversight and direction.

-END

Keep your head up.

JC

 

 

“The Hastert Rule”, Full Transcript of the YouTube Video

“The Hastert Rule: Deception and Division via our House of Representatives”

A YouTube Commentary, by Jack Charbonneau

US Presidential Candidate, 2020

 

The rules that govern the Congress of the United States fall into two categories. One, written and established order that is followed in the legislative process and enforced by an over-seeing body. And two, respect for tradition and customs within the governing body, established by leadership within the Legislature itself.

This second concept is not widely known by many, and once you know what it means, it becomes clear what is going on-

Our Legislative process has been Hijacked by a “serial rapist”

Why is a popular idea NOT acted upon by Congress? And, when Congress DOES act you can guarantee, whatever bill is passed, it will be in the political interest of the party in control at that time. That is the “end goal” of the system, right?

Fundraise, Politic, Grab-hand, back-slap, ‘wink-wink! say no more!’, and BOOM. Ribbon-cut, Photo op, signing ceremony, Fundraise, Politic, Grab-hand, back-slap…

The idea is, the “Majority of the Majority” MUST support the bill BEFORE it can get a vote in the full House. There is no benefit for the Speaker of the House to bring to the floor a bill that, if passed, would damage their own political party during the next election. The interest of the political party, and the over-arching ideology of that party, are superior to will of the Majority of Representatives in the House.

The idea is called “The Hastert Rule”

It was the doctrine of former Speaker Dennis Hastert, who served as Speaker from 1999 to 2007. Speaker Hastert is the highest ranking US lawmaker ever sent to prison. He attempted to pay off his victims. Before he became “Speaker Hastert”, he was “Coach Hastert”, and he admitted to sexually abusing boys whom he coached.

During a pivotal moment in Our Country, a heavy-handed abuser held the political opposition HOSTAGE to ensure the George W. Bush administration’s mass surveillance programs, war funding, and rendition sites all went through the House, and ALL of the credit went to George W. Bush and the Republican Party. If the Majority was not in favor, regardless of the overall support, a bill would not even be brought up for debate.

Birds of a Feather

Paul Ryan is a full-throated supporter of “The Hastert Rule”, and it is the method of choice for the current Speaker, when deciding what bills the House should consider. To be clear, America is NOT divided about the issues. The Majority is still loud and clear on issues like background checks, “Dreamers”, and personal Liberty.

We ALL need to understand that the ideals and ideology of a “serial child molester”, as Speaker Hastert’s judge put it, are holding Our Country hostage once again. A clear disregard for the actual will of the American People cannot be permitted.

We must consider the intent of the mastermind of such a strategy. Was this strategy created with the idea of “Making the voice of the American People Stronger” in mind? When a plan turns south, benefit of the doubt can be given if a person’s motives can be perceived as pure.

Can the intent of Dennis Hastert be perceived as “pure”?

Paul Ryan’s continuance of “The Hastert Rule” is now putting children everywhere at risk. A large majority of Americans support background checks for all gun sales, stopping gun sales to persons on the “no fly” list and the ‘Terrorist Watch List”, and preventing sales to the mentally unsound… which brings up Mental Health Care, but…

With ANOTHER school shooting taking 17 lives from us, we must state, LOUD AND CLEAR-

-Paul Ryan’s support for the legislative agenda of a “Serial Child Molester” is killing children.

-Paul Ryan and the Republican Party are claiming to be fighting for the American People, yet their opinion is overwhelmingly opposed by EVERYONE.

MURDER and PEDOPHILIA are the Legislative tools used by leaders in OUR House of Representatives. How many more “rules” exist in our Congress, like “The Hastert Rule”, that We are unaware of?

…now that you have this information, what are YOU going to do with it?

-end

17 February, 2018

Keep your head up.

JC

“The Electoral College”, Full transcript of the YouTube Video

The Electoral College: Is it Time to End the Experiment?

A YouTube Commentary, by Jack Charbonneau

US Presidential Candidate, 2020

 

In 1789, practice of citizens directly electing the leader of a country was… limited. Not unknown in the world at that time, a genuine Republic, where power came directly from the People, was not the universal standard throughout the world. The majority of the world was ruled by hereditary monarchs with a “concession” given to the People, in the form of an elected body of SOME sort… to keep the rabble at bay.

Even as our Constitution was being considered, the thought of giving the People the vote for the Executive Officer was terrifying to many. This concern is spoken of in “The Federalist Papers”. How easy it would be for a silver-tongued charlatan to woo the 13 States, especially if the person was fully funded by a foreign adversary.

Anything less than a Republic would be unacceptable after fighting the Revolution. Anything short would dishonor those who died for the cause, and surely lead us back into tyrannical rule. The fear is eloquently expressed in “Federalist 39”-

“It is essential that a Republican government spring from the great body of society, NOT from a small proportion or a favored class. Otherwise, a few tyrannical nobles, exercising their oppressions by a delegation of their powers, might call THEMSELVES ‘republicans’ and claim, for their government, the honorable title of Republic.”

It goes on to rationalize the concept of an “Electoral College”-

“It is sufficient that the persons administering such a government are appointed, either directly or indirectly, by the People and that they hold their appointments… at the People’s pleasure, for a limited period, or during good behavior.”

…either DIRECTLY or IN-DIRECTLY by the People… It is “sufficient“? Wait…

This “experiment” in democracy has been in motion now for over 200 years. Imagine, looking at what has become, now… THEN.

As one reads “Federalist 39” it is easy to forget that the entire article was written in SPECULATION and HYPOTHESIS. No concrete conclusion could be drawn as to how it would go! As I read it, I take for granted that these words, written in argument for a theoretical form of government are now, over 200 years later, FACT.

ALL of it. Every bit of it. It is astonishing how clear these minds were when considering the possible outcomes and pitfalls. The historical precedents drawn upon by these scholars, some now lost to the dungeon of time, seem to have served well as guideposts for forging a new body.

A body not seen before, but envisioned by a few, and longed for by all that hope to see humanity live free, ruled by themselves. Could people rule themselves? Would the People see through the duplicitous nature of a candidate backed by an enemy?

After 200 years of experimentation, we can conclude the answer is- YES!

…but what about Donald Trump?

The PEOPLE of the United States have now, TWICE in twenty years, NOT been fooled and voted the correct way. Seeing through the bitter and divisive 2000 Election cycle, seeing that the term “Compassionate Conservative” was just a feel-good throw-blanket for people on the fence. And knowing the family that George W. Bush came from, the voters said “No!” to the Bush Dynasty and voted for Al Gore. Like myself, most people felt that having someone who was IN The White House for the last 8 years become president, would be beneficial for Our National Security.

And now, with Donald Trump’s blatant disregard for even the smallest of political norms, and his disgusting inability to feel even the slightest compassion for those he perceives as less than himself… EVEN THOUGH it would mean electing ANOTHER CLINTON…. The American people picked the winner. We saw through the Bullshit!

Unfortunately, the “security system” devised 200 years ago could not have imagined the massive amounts of wealth and power held by corporations today. Couple that with unlimited technological advancement, and here we are.

The fear that a majority of the electorate could be fooled into voting for a President that could harm Our nation is what led to the Electoral College. Little did the Framers know, they ensured tyranny’s victory in the end. Now, you don’t need to fool a majority to get what you want. Evil can win even if the majority votes against it.

Evil wins with 46%

The Popular Culture winds turn fast, even faster than the winds in 1789… climate change, I suppose… We must NOT act in terms of popular opinion in the moment. I believe this is NOT a passing fad. In fact, after 18 years of contemplation, a clear conclusion can be made regarding the “American Experiment”–

It IS a success! Mankind CAN govern itself!

“I strongly believe in the response of our citizens, when they are fully informed.” -JFK

In Conclusion-

IF We still believe the betterment of ALL humanity comes from a highly educated electorate, if we commit to steadfastly adhering to the protection of Freedom of Speech, and Freedom of the Press, and we once again, pledge our fates and fortunes, UNITED, I believe the Electoral College can be amended. The strength and beauty of this theoretical form of government, envisioned by god-fearing Men (who were at heart, Humanists) can now be unbridled.

So long as we ALL still hold that fear, that the Framers feared, as ‘gospel’. Our government is only as “good” as its people. Our government is strong only when we are strong TOGETHER. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Male, Female, Humanity, MANKIND… WE ARE ALL, BUT MEN… we are NOT gods.

But unified, in SPIRIT and in ACTION, Mankind can strive to achieve greatness that would HONOR the Gods of ALL Men.

… not too shabby!

-end

Posted to YouTube on 4 March, 2018. Keep your head UP!!

JC

The Breaking of a Moral Compass

During WWII, Americans were called upon to aid in the war effort. By sacrificing here, “The boys in Europe won’t go without!” When asked “What are YOU doing to fight the enemy?”, average Americans could point to their ‘Victory Garden’. That helps keep our boys fed ‘over there’! It made the war’s end seem achievable with a point of unity. Together, we can see this through. No doubt that helped win the war.

After September 11, 2001, the public ached from the sudden loss, just as at the beginning of WWII. As our anger and grief turned to concern and support for our troops in a new war, average Americans again asked what they could do to contribute to the effort, to bring closure to such a deep wound.

George W. Bush told us that we should continue our lives like before. Go buy a car. Spend money. The goal of the enemy is to disrupt your daily life. In essence… Go shopping or the Terrorists win.

THAT has improperly closed a MASSIVE wound in the Nation’s collective mindset. By the account of most observers, GWB had cute ‘mannerisms’, and that the go shopping statement was a kinda joke…. ha ha. But average Americans did as told. Having faith in the system of justice and our moral high ground seeming to be on secure footing, we did just as he asked, hoping that THIS might sooner bring an end to the pain we felt from that day’s loss.

A seemingly unending war on an idea. An idea being fought with ignorance. In order to secure ourselves, we must push away those who would only seek to help and strengthen your position. In order to fight this anger and hate, we must unite in anger and hate toward our enemy- An idea that fear and anger are the winners in a discussion of ideas.

… are you confused yet?

The enemies of Our Country are fighting this battle RIGHT NOW. The Russian attempt to influence US Elections was successful. They INFLUENCED Americans, motivated people to ACTION here in the USA, to go to demonstrations, and executed it all from OUTSIDE the US.

This was Round #1. They are ONLY getting started.

Most of us aren’t even AWARE there is a war going on.

To be Blunt for a moment…. All Americans consume a steady diet of news from an obviously deeply interested corporate media titan of one type or another. It is a fact, even if you were not fully aware of it. And no matter who you are, or what color your favorite Kool-Aid is, we ALL recognize ONE THING:

ALL of them are full of it.

Weather you consume yours with ‘red sauce’, or you prefer ‘blue sauce’, in the middle, under all that ‘sauce’… is still a big pile of it. But we are still not fully aware of the magnitude of the battle.

The problem is our bullshit is being compromised.

PROPOGANDA designed to invoke a feeling. Our enemy knows what makes us ‘tick’, and can be sneaky. There is a BATTLE going on on your smart phone, in your email box, and even on your Facebook page. You are in the crossfire everyday you participate in the virtual world. Every American, and every citizen on this planet who values free speech, is in a war.

“What can Americans do to help win the war? We Want to Help!”

This Battle will require us all to secure our individual identities. To make ourselves digitally secure. It also requires EVERYONE of us to become computer literate. To become masters of our own identities. Just as one would with a social security number and driver’s license, etc. Your virtual digital identity is even more important. So, the “Call to Arms” for the citizens of THIS moment is a simple one. The MOST EFFECTIVE WEAPON against the bad actor with bad intentions is still the same-

“Arm yourselves with KNOWLEDGE.”

Keep your head UP!!

JC

 

Addiction is a Treatable Disease.

“Good Person, Bad disease.”

That’s how it was explained to me when I sought treatment for alcoholism over ten years ago. The human mind, each as varied and unique as stars in the sky, have the same ability to succumb to disease. When we live in a world that the human mind has created, and imagine now what will be manifest tomorrow, we can forget sometimes, the incredible ability of the human mind to deceive itself.

The treatment of underlying mental problems with a doctor can help bring to an end the problems surrounding the addiction, but as part of successful on going recovery from addiction, knowledge is the strongest medicine anyone can receive. Knowing why one continues to engage in reckless behavior, arms that person with the ability to keep the mind in check.

Treatment of Disease vs. Criminal Offense

By treating a disease as a violation of law, we ask our police and first responders to assume a task, they were NOT interested in pursuing- psychologist. Instead of treating diseases of the mind as they should be, with trained medical professionals and support from others, we arrest people who repeatedly go back to their addictions after “time served” or “sentence fulfilled”. More cops to ‘treat’ more ‘victims’ of an epidemic.

“This Man needs Emergency surgery! I’ll call the Police…”

No! And that’s not who should be taking care of people who are dealing with the disease of substance abuse. Support, education, opportunities, and regular contact with a professional who can advise and prescribe whatever is needed to treat this disease of the mind.

IF we turned our attention to this topic, it would relieve a HUGE amount of stress from the back of law enforcement. It would save lives. BUT we must give those who seek it, the ability to succeed. Addiction cannot be solved in prison, yet criminals can be addicts as well. Let us find the Wisdom to know the difference.

Keep your head UP!!

JC