April 9th 2016
The mainstream news cycle often focuses on problems and negativity facing our nation, although, this often occurs without that negative news actually becoming a catalyst for REAL CHANGE. To the point that I personally find this cycle of meaningless new coverage regarding issues such as; greed, transparency, un-employment, retirement planning, age discrimination, housing reforms and environmentalism... to be almost doing more harm than good, socially.
Nevertheless, here at Civilians News we pride ourselves on going out into the field and making a difference. Where, to be clear, Civilians News is not simply rabble rousing or pointing the finger with the intention of earning a profit. No Sir, instead, we here at CN are reporting on topics that impact ALL of our futures without partisan bias in our reporting... WHILE SEEKING REAL SOLUTIONS AND ACTUAL CHANGE in the real world.
So, today, I’d like to offer 6 suggestions to the federal government in order to address the most crucial issues facing our nation, today.
So, here are 6 government reforms to consider;
1. Government transparency.
In 2014, America paid a combined total of 4.7 trillion dollars in taxes (for an average of $38,317 dollars per household). Yet, where exactly did all of this tax money go? The fact of the matter is, it’s not all accounted for.
PLUS: This reform is free. Whereby, I believe that this reform would go a long ways towards setting a positive example for the private sector, as well as re-branding America, moving into the next century.
2) Government work programs focused primarily on cleaning pollution.
Anyone willing to work in America should be able to pick up a trash bag and go to work. Whereby, I believe that this is a truly vital reform which could greatly improve American, "job creation." Furthermore, to accomplish this goal the US government could possibly bring back government subsidized ABC programs. Nevertheless, America has done this before during the course of past economic recessions and we could do it again!
Whereby, this reform is long overdue and could essentially strip lower class Americans of the excuse, “I don’t have anywhere to work."
3) ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS.
Buffalo, NY, claimed that they havge successfully eradicated homelessness, in 2015.
Although, not entirely eradicating the problem, Buffalo cut their cities homeless population to less than 100 homeless citizens and statistically, Buffalo lowered it’s homeless population by almost 90% by using localized housing programs and co-opting local religious institutions.
So, is it time for the rest of America to follow suit!?
Whereby, 4 years ago this same city had an estimated 400 homeless civilians... which pales in comparison to the only 25 people who are chronically homeless in Buffalo, NY, today.
4) We need housing reforms AND no more, “too big to fail.”
In the United States today, at this very moment... there are 6; vacant, rotting, decaying homes, for every 1 homeless American…
In fact, 3.5 million Americans are homeless right now vs 18.5 million vacant US homes.
And think about what that means. That means that somewhere in America, right now… is a man who owns millions of homes, under any one of America’s banking institutions… and that man is choosing to pay property taxes, on all of that unused property, as opposed to selling those homes for a proper supply and demand value… in some ways dictating the housing market.
Pause. Homes for 1$? Ya know… because what’s the value of a rotting home? Nobody knows.
5) Modernized high school education. Creating high school courses on taxes and finance.
People in America often go their entire lives without learning to file taxes or save for a retirement. So... let’s take the initiative at the public school level and change modern curriculum's to address these issues!
6) Changing America’s tax code.
This moment in history… is a time when Americans need tax reform(s).
And personally, I would like to see a federal tax levied on all purchases that cost over $100,000 U.S. dollars buut perhaps that is not a very popular belief? However, I believe that is the right thing to do. Whereby, luxury cars over $100,000 dollars in cost I think deserve a 15% sales tax moving forward.
-William Larsen, Civilians News founder.
News for ALL views.