“Where there is no vision, the people perish… “ Proverbs 29:18, Bible, King James Version
Imagine a nation of free, healthy, happy people living in a democracy and working in a vigorous market economy.
Nobody worries about lacking the money for rent or food. People are emboldened to be entrepreneurial because they know they will not starve or become homeless or lack health insurance if they fail in their business ventures. The private sector thrives because the public sector guarantees basic, universal protections for the people.
This social “safety net” is funded by taxes, and its services are provided efficiently by both public and private agencies. Wherever possible and practical, market-based incentives are used to maximize the quality and cost of the programs. Everyone has health insurance paid for through their taxes: public insurance pays for services provided by private doctors and hospitals. Free K-12 education is excellent and accessible to all. Higher education is excellent and adapts to new technology like web-based teaching: tuition is heavily subsidized for students. Research universities,well-funded from public and private sources, are the engines that drive the nation’s global leadership in technological and cultural development. Workers displaced by economic changes are offered generous retraining opportunities.
Taxes are substantial but not so high that they stifle the economy. People are willing to pay them because they get so much in return.
A huge federal budget deficit is brought to balance by a combination of careful cuts to military spending and entitlements and measured increases in revenues from closing tax loopholes and raising taxes on higher-income people.
Straightforward, efficient regulations govern the economy to protect the natural environment and the interests of consumers, while maintaining the health of industry and commerce. Regulation is carefully crafted to avoid bad unintended consequences and excessive red tape.
Incomes of citizens vary widely, but low income people do not suffer severe deprivation, and the total wealth is not overly concentrated in the upper income class. Executive compensation is moderated by regulations that require transparency in corporate governance.
The liberty of individuals is honored unless it adversely affects other people directly. Laws are based on the principle of harm reduction. If a ban on a self-destructive personal behavior will not prevent it, or will make the problem worse, then the behavior is not criminalized. Public health services and mass media campaigns are employed instead, to reduce the personal and social harm of substance abuse, alcoholism, gun ownership, etc. The number of people incarcerated goes down annually as a result of rehabilitation and educational services inside and outside of jails.
Abortion is legal and safe but there are fewer abortions performed each year as a result of universally accessible family planning services and excellent public education about sexual health.
Religion thrives in the country because the rhetoric of politicians and the laws of the government do not officially endorse any one particular faith or religious institution over others. A free market of faith keeps religious organizations responsive to the spiritual needs of the people.
The system of democracy is reformed to encourage maximum citizen participation through greater representation of all political perspectives and lessened influence of big-money interests. Constitutional changes are made so that a wider range of public opinion can be represented, and also to encourage the formation of broad consensus.
It’s a vision that builds on America’s historic strengths, and makes it once again a beacon of hope for all humanity.
What’s your vision for America?
Jim Burklo is the Associate Dean of Religious Life, University of Southern California and author of Birdlike and Barnless: Meditations, Prayers and Songs for Progressive Christians. Visit his website at www.jimburklo.com.
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