rotten boroughs

After 230 years, the Constitution needs fixing

Summary: September 17 was the 230th Anniversary of the Constitution’s signing. By now many Americans realize that it no longer works well. Here are some of the reasons why it broke, and paths — fake and real — to fix it. “Every country has the government it deserves” — Joseph-Marie, Comte de Maistre. From Lettres et Opuscules (1811). …

After 230 years, the Constitution needs fixing Read More »

Unequal representation caused problems for Britain in 1776, & will for us soon

Summary: Conservatives belittle concerns about America’s increasingly unrepresentative government. Citizens in these big states have 29% the voting weight of small states in the Federal government (even slaves were weighted at 60%). Citizens in cities have less representation than those in rural areas (just as in Britain’s 18th century rotten boroughs). Unequal political representation has caused serious …

Unequal representation caused problems for Britain in 1776, & will for us soon Read More »

A third American regime will arise from the ashes of the present one

Summary:  The dysfunctional nature of our political apparatus shows that the second American regime has begun its death throes.  History shows that the transitional period can take decades — and that America can emerge renewed and stronger. We face many challenges.  Increasing political polarization.  Social mobility and income inequality at previous highs and increasing.  Government finances at …

A third American regime will arise from the ashes of the present one Read More »

Updates about hot issues discussed on the FM website

Some articles about themes discussed on the FM website. Demographics, shaping our world India  Japan American’s greatest enemy America’s rotten boroughs — States with 2 Senators, but few people (1)  About Demographics Excerpt from “Falling fertility“, The Economist, 29 October 2009 — “Astonishing falls in the fertility rate are bringing with them big benefits”

What comes after the Constitution? Can we see the outline of a “Mark 3” version of the United States?

Let’s have a moment of silence in memory of the US Constitution.  Its place in our hearts fades away, generation by generation, leaving nothing but an empty space.  As the controlling instructions for our government, it has become a “living document” whose primary role is to die, so that our ruling elites have more freedom to arrange our affairs …

What comes after the Constitution? Can we see the outline of a “Mark 3” version of the United States? Read More »

Scroll to Top