I’ve always been a bit of an armchair political scientist. Many a dull, dreary youthful afternoon was passed in silent contemplation of our institutions, sketching out different forms of government, idly considering which American president would win in an all-against-all competition to see who could seize sole control of a greased watermelon thrown into an average-sized swimming pool. It sounds pretty ivory tower, I know, but I find this kind of stuff fascinating.
Recently, though, I’ve been stuck on an idea that, if implemented, could perhaps improve the functioning of our nation. Presumptuous? Sure. But our country is built on this sort of presumptuousness, ever since ol’ Gouverneur “The Governator” Morris penned those immortal words, “To form a more perfect union…” that began the preamble to our Constitution. Often, Morris would drunkenly corner people in taverns with a slack-jawed grin on his face and say, “Hey, you know how our union is perfect?”
“What,” they would invariably reply.
“Well guess what? It’s about to get even more perfect.” That was just the kind of guy he was.
It’s hard to question the wisdom of the founding generation. Who can forget Thomas Paine’s immortal words: “It is common sense that our King should be called a ‘President’—otherwise, great system!” But recently, I’ve been thinking that perhaps our government could use some modest tweaks.
In that spirit of pursing perfection, I offer up this proposal: what if our country had another branch of government, co-equal with the executive, that performed some of the functions that the President is now responsible for?
For example, what if we had a whole separate branch that decided how the public’s money was spent? Currently, of course, this is the President’s job—if he doesn’t want to spend money on something, it’s his right to unilaterally decide that. We could call this “the Power of the Purse” (I came up with that).
Or, what if instead of vesting all powers to declare and make war in the office of the President, we separated that out too? I’m not saying that the President would ever make a mistake, of course, but can’t hurt to have a second set of eyes on this kind of thing.
Heck, this extra branch could even—and I know this will sound far-fetched—investigate the executive branch if it ever overstepped its legal authorities. It’s all pretty hazy in my mind, but I’m envisioning a parallel seat of power whose holders would zealously protect their prerogatives, ensuring that even their self-interested pursuit of power might shake out to benefit the public. I don’t know, it sounds kind of stupid now that I type it out.
I drafted up a couple notes on what this could look like. I’m even thinking we could put this part first in the Constitution to show how important this branch is. If you have any tweaks or suggestions, throw them in the comments! Be gentle—it’s my first time trying to found a democratic republic. Here goes!
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;–And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Notes:
Why did I write this? I guess I get why Congress is happy to not guard its powers and let them get sopped by up the executive (my understanding is: if you don’t make decisions, no one can get mad at you for those decisions). Still, pretty bad. “Dropping 14 bombs so big that we’re the only country on Earth that has the tools to make and deliver them” is the kind of thing that strikes me, an unsophisticated layperson, as “war.” But I’ll have to defer to the people in charge on that one.
What I’m reading: Explicit Instruction by Anita Archer and Charles Hughes. Another teaching book—good so far, but I’m just getting started.