City of the Future: Government & Law

Image @ thebestcolleges.org

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am a political news junkie currently in recovery for my own sanity and peace of mind. Watching the world in such an utter state of disarray while the talking heads analyze, argue, and lie is beyond frustrating! Mostly I see a million ways in which "we", i.e. the human race, get it WRONG and I diligently search for signs of where and how we get things right. It is often extremely difficult to find. But what are the solutions? The answer to this question matters a great deal to me because I whole-heartedly believe if we're not part of the solution, then we're part of the problem. It is with these things in mind that I ponder the government and laws for my "ideal city" and incorporate my own ideas about things I'd like to see change. My city of the future would begin on as firm a foundation as possible, with room to grow and adapt as needed, which is not unlike the United States Constitution, a beautiful and fluid document.

City government would involve everyone having a voice in the decisions made, but final decisions would be based solely on the good of the community as a whole (I am not a fan of a "mob rule" mentality but I do think that everyone should have a voice, some just need to be "bigger" than others)! All people of a certain age would be required to work and contribute towards the betterment of the "whole", but this could be in small ways as well as large, i.e. providing child care for those who needed it, creating art projects that offer an aesthetically pleasing environment, or tending to a vegetable garden. Note: Arts, Music, Entertainment, Creativity, etc...these are all also positive contributions to a society. Issues for the government would be handled by groups of experts in the applicable fields, with the "people" allowed to weigh in with valid points (not ALL opinions are valid) and logical arguments before a final decision was made. Also, issues would not be pigeonholed into categories such as gay rights or women's rights, etc. These distinctions would give way to HUMAN rights! The rights to live, love, marry, worship (or not), attend schools, apply for jobs, etc., those are human rights and should be a "given"! These building blocks go hand in hand with laws set in place to guide and protect the people.

I could write a list of laws as thick as War and Peace, but for the sake of brevity I'll stick to the ones I think are the most important.

Laws of the Future City
1. All citizens have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Life is defined as all basic needs being met (food, water, clean air, clothing, shelter and access to good medical treatment/care as needed). Liberty is defined as the ability to live free without infringement on another human being's freedoms. That in no way negates or excuses the citizens of their personal responsibility to the whole. The pursuit of happiness is defined as the freedom to love, marry (upon reaching the appropriate age of consent), and worship (or not) as they wish, as long as their rights do not infringe upon the rights of others. *Note: No marriage rights will be denied, so long as the parties are of age, consensual and non-coerced. Citizens also have the right to pursue higher education that is of interest and to fairly compete for various jobs and positions within the society.

2. All citizens of he city must work and make positive contributions to the whole unless they are deemed by an appropriate medical diagnosis to be unable to contribute anything in any way towards the greater good. Note: Older citizens of retirement age will be asked to serve on various Boards of Elders to contribute their advice and wisdom according to their interests and ability.

3. All citizens are required to have and be proficient in basic education concepts and then trained towards a job or trade of their aptitude, desire and ability. Note: Parents, students, school administration and educators will be held accountable for all parts of this process.

4. A portion of all revenue generated by all persons and businesses in the city will be taken as taxes for the function, upkeep and growth of the city and those funds disseminated in an open way that can be followed by the people. Persons responsible for the government funds who cannot show use of said funds in a productive manner will be terminated immediately.

5. Citizens who harm or infringe upon the rights of others will serve an appropriate punishment and then be banned from the city.

I don't have all the answers about how to make our world better, or even if a city like the one I've been describing could thrive. Mostly, I have a head full of questions, a desire to make a positive mark, and a hope that we can get it right before we destroy ourselves completely. And I do know that if we don't ALL try, that's exactly what will happen to us! What positive contributions do you make to the world?

---