PoliticalChic
Diamond Member
First, we should recall the story of Solon, of Athens.
1. Under Athenian law at that time, if a loan went into default, the creditor could seize the debtor and his family and sell them as slaves to get money to pay off the debt. The cruelty and arrogance of the rich caused the poor to form into gangs to save themselves and rescue those who had been made slaves through usury. The best men of the city saw Solon as someone who was partial to neither the rich nor the poor, and they asked him to lead. The rich consented because Solon was wealthy, and the poor consented because he was honest.
2. Both rich and poor believed for a while that Solon was on their side. But soon the poor people became disgusted that Solon would not use his power to seize the property of the rich. Solon's friends advised him that he would be a fool if he did not take advantage of the opportunity that fate had presented.
3. Neither the rich nor the poor got all they wanted from Solon's reforms. There was no complete redistribution of wealth as the poor had demanded, and the rich were angry about the loss of the money they were owed. Both the rich and the poor now hated Solon for not obeying their desires. Even those who had been friendly to him before now looked at him with grim faces, as an enemy. But with time and success came forgiveness. When the Athenians saw the good result of the release of debts, they appointed Solon general reformer of their law. Solon - The Lawmaker of Athens
Now, we must find our own Solon, and Congress can create him as follows:
a. 10 appointees who are members of the military, from different levels, with no more than five flag officers.
b. 10 retired military
c. 10 partners from top accounting firms, as they are expert in areas such as purchases, accounts payable, and structuring reports that can be audited regularly.
d. 10 partners from top management-consulting firms to streamline the Pentagon along the lines of the corporate environment.
e. 10 who are smart, innovators in various fields, whose job it will be to question everything to be annoying to the status quo.
Like Solon, the reforms of this committee must be obeyed with the caveat that only a two-thirds vote of Congress can overrule. (The above suggestions from Beck and Balfe, Broke, p.325-327.)
1. Under Athenian law at that time, if a loan went into default, the creditor could seize the debtor and his family and sell them as slaves to get money to pay off the debt. The cruelty and arrogance of the rich caused the poor to form into gangs to save themselves and rescue those who had been made slaves through usury. The best men of the city saw Solon as someone who was partial to neither the rich nor the poor, and they asked him to lead. The rich consented because Solon was wealthy, and the poor consented because he was honest.
2. Both rich and poor believed for a while that Solon was on their side. But soon the poor people became disgusted that Solon would not use his power to seize the property of the rich. Solon's friends advised him that he would be a fool if he did not take advantage of the opportunity that fate had presented.
3. Neither the rich nor the poor got all they wanted from Solon's reforms. There was no complete redistribution of wealth as the poor had demanded, and the rich were angry about the loss of the money they were owed. Both the rich and the poor now hated Solon for not obeying their desires. Even those who had been friendly to him before now looked at him with grim faces, as an enemy. But with time and success came forgiveness. When the Athenians saw the good result of the release of debts, they appointed Solon general reformer of their law. Solon - The Lawmaker of Athens
Now, we must find our own Solon, and Congress can create him as follows:
a. 10 appointees who are members of the military, from different levels, with no more than five flag officers.
b. 10 retired military
c. 10 partners from top accounting firms, as they are expert in areas such as purchases, accounts payable, and structuring reports that can be audited regularly.
d. 10 partners from top management-consulting firms to streamline the Pentagon along the lines of the corporate environment.
e. 10 who are smart, innovators in various fields, whose job it will be to question everything to be annoying to the status quo.
Like Solon, the reforms of this committee must be obeyed with the caveat that only a two-thirds vote of Congress can overrule. (The above suggestions from Beck and Balfe, Broke, p.325-327.)