If I had to define my political position, it would be Equalitarian, all people treated the same, period. Since this is not an accepted party line, I am a total independent.
The way that our Politicians put Party values and agendas before their constituents (a person who authorizes another to act in his or her behalf, as a voter in a district represented by an elected official) should be considered treason. We do not elect Leaders in this country, we elect Representatives. They are there to represent the people that are in their district, all of them, not just the ones that voted for them. They cannot arbitrarily choose to uphold their "party line" or put forth their own personal agendas, they simply must vote as the majority of their district dictates. If the only effect of belonging to a political party is to disregard the Will of the People, how can this not be treason?
A politicians personal interest carries no more weight than any other individual in their district, their idea is one among many and must be treated as such. Their express purpose is to do what they are told, when they are told, by their masters, the People. They don't have either option or choice in any Constitutional, Legal, implied, or assumed capacity, they must do the Will of the People.
Politicians are not hired they are elected, they swear an oath to fulfill the duties that they accepted by taking that position. We should never hear, "I can't" from an elected official unless the item is unconstitutional. If a politician says that they are unable to do these duties, then they must resign and a competent replacement must be found, and we seriously need to implement a system for accomplishing this goal.
Politicians are not above the Law, in fact, they should be subject to every Law binding the People as well as additional laws to insure no corruption, secrecy, or special compensations. They should never have the authority to set their salaries, to give themselves insurance, bonuses, or fund personal projects. Federal-level Politicians should be carrying the national and international needs of their constituents on their shoulders not state-level projects. And all Politicians should be under the watchful eye of a Civilian Review Board, or a similar public organization or group that has right to demand full disclosure. Remember that the phrase "National Security" is used to hide information from American citizens more than from our enemies.
I am not a total fool, I realize that a party does organize like minded people together to work for a common goal. But how many problems in life have only two answers and both of those direct opposites? Am I to believe that the Republican way will solve the world's problems, then if I'm wrong, the Democrat way will? So far, that has never been true! So, if we must have parties, then let the People create them for the concerns they have, don't tell us that we have to accept what you offer, ask us what we want from you.
Lobbying should also be illegal, it's just another name for legalized bribery. If a politician is already doing their duty, how is it that we even need a lobbyist? A lobbyist purpose is to influence a politician to do what is not normally the order for the day, in other words, meeting the people's needs. They exist to forward the agenda of a business, organization, or people that want something that is denied everyone else, or simply doesn't serve in the best interest of the people. Many times it is illegal or unjust, most often it is simply giving precedent to a special group over the needs of the community.
My Father once told me the problem with voting is that we don't have a compulsory "None of the Above" choice. If "None of the Above" was the majority vote, then all the candidates for that position would be scraped and completely different group of candidates would be found. In truth, I don't know why our Forefathers didn't think of that, because, until we have such an option, We the People will never be truly free or truly in charge.
