VISIONS OF CONCEPTS:
A Better Way Towards Best
-Citizens Internet Portal-
Envisioning A Connected Citizenry - Offered To All, Yet Forced Upon None
(7-31-2021, last updated 7-2023) - Do you think the current systems are operating in the best way possible, considering modern technology, wisdom, and abilities? If not, improvement is The Way.
In any society, radical change may become necessary after say- a successful revolution- or a proverbial fall-from-heights. To avoid chaotic anarchy post revolt/fall, it's likely beneficial to first devise a better way, and if agreed upon by a strong majority- yet still met with authoritative resistance, the preparation enhances both the future, and the transition.
For many, it seems high time to discuss more effective and efficient ways of organizing and managing our societies, economies, and governance- on micro, mid, and macro levels.
An Improvement Movement
How would you improve or reset human systems to align affairs forward in a positive and productive way? What would your checklist have in each category:
(Need) (Desire) (Don't want, but tolerate) (Aim to prevent)
How would your checklist stack up statistically to the collectives? We as concerned Citizens should know what We all agree upon, via a Citizens Internet Portal.
Setting the official agenda via simple agree / disagree (yea / nay) questions could be a collective activity, with potential to become the most democratic form of governance possible- via the internet- and it's within our reach. If citizens can securely pay taxes online, they should also be able to securely vote online.
If a Connected Citizenry could enhance the legislature, and in due time, even replace the Representative systems, then who should build and maintain the platform?
-Citizen-self-assembled with open source code?
-A new, non-partisan agency- similar to how the Secret Service protects the currency, a "Judicial Guard" protects the platform?
-The Public University system?
-A blend of all of the above?
There are arguments against eVoting, even when using blockchain, to where the technology isn’t secure enough, yet. Considering citizens can securely bank and pay taxes online, a valid argument is that the vote choices aren’t supposed to be tracked to individual voters, to protect the identities and thus voter security from those who would be willing to compromise voter’s safety. Which is fair and appropriate, but who’s to say paper ballots are counted accurately each audit, even if the protocols are sound? Considering most agree that corruption currently runs rampant in law making, results might be improperly reported, sometimes deliberately, maybe “accidentally.”
A Citizens Internet Portal can be an option to connect electronically, to where citizen voters still have the ability to vote officially in-person. The same paper ballot protocols can be used to, say, provide paper print-outs at: public libraries, schools when classes aren’t in session, and/or other government buildings to where voters review and sign within ~21 days prior to election day, or on a rolling basis for an open-democracy.
Also, maybe election day should be changed to the second Tuesday of November, to put a bit more separation between both Halloween and all souls day/dia del muerto, and the voting day deadline. Would you be opposed to changing voting day to a different month entirely, maybe the second Tuesday or Thursday in October? And why is October the tenth month when the root word octa translates to eight in Latin?
Meme for the Kids to Ponder:
How shall the future be decided? What’s appropriate?
Regardless, aiming for an incorruptible collective system could be the most important inheritance the Transformation Generation could provide our future selves, and future generations.
Considering the costs are negligible to gain and maintain the benefits of a potentially priceless system when compared to say, taxpayer expense for each election cycle, alone makes the endeavor a worthy cause. Additionally, eliminating massive amounts of campaign expenditures, lifetime salaries for future politicians, other staff salaries, administrative liabilities, and countless other bloated waste, the efforts seem worth every cent, and are likely to pay dividends in perpetuity for the life of the democracy.
So why not unite online to see what We agree upon? Why not collectively set the agenda? Why not interact democratically in a new, technological way?
Compared to the current way, what’s the risk?
Visualizing a flourishing, harmonized economy where poverty becomes obsolete through Universal Basic Income and Creative Currency Octaves.
-Creative Currency Octaves-
Imagine any currency both supplemented by a Basic Unit, and complemented by a Creative Octave Scale. The opt-in basic unit, pegged to the primary currency at a 1:1 ratio, would be distributed universally via basic income. Primary currency would still be both earned and spent the same as now, however the poverty-eliminating basic currency could only be spent on foundational goods and services until expired, then either gets redeemed by Collective members, or reverts back to its source. Joining an inclusive Creator Collective would enable members the opportunity to save expired basic units, accept them as rewards, trade them within the collective, and convert expired basics for primary currency at an elevated and individualized rate, thus incentivizing participation and enhancing the culture. Harmonizing economics this way would create both a supply of, and demand for, social-balancing currency designed to dramatically reduce crime, stress, strife, and extreme wealth imbalance.
Better than Socialism, better than Capitalism, and far better than Communism is- Compassionism, for three main reasons: Freedom, Incentive, and Peace. The choice to quit or refuse participation to peacefully go one's own way, is critical. The social maturity to prevent fellow humans from unnecessary suffering- by providing what's already abundant, is feasible. And in a modern technological era and information age, the wherewithal to incentivize participation for further collective prosperity- without the threat of impoverishment, or the burden of undue stress and strife, is attainable. Little risk with large reward is “the way it should be” for a modern society, so why not try, especially if it could be simply accomplished?
UBI without CCO
Giving every adult $1k/month may help many, however dollars are subject to the whims of the global markets, and most people prefer if basic income were spent only on necessities, and not on guns/ammo, alcohol, drugs, prostitution, casino gambling, etc. If housing, utilities, food, and non-luxury transportation were the only redeemable expenditures for a separate, supplemental currency, pegged to the dollar at a 1:1 ratio, the basics stay in-country without directly influencing currency markets. Basic currency with CCO, as opposed to primary-currency UBI, could both mitigate inflation, and stabilize currency markets.
A currency spectrum and tiered octave scale could usher in a whole new era of harmonized ratio economics and collective prosperity, and holds claim to both the fairest proposed solution to extreme wealth imbalance, and the best way to implement UBI. With a fresh and fair money supply and a transparent Creative Currency Octave system, everyone gains, yet none lose. And if they ask, “But how do we pay for it?” Reply simply: “By creating it, sans tax.”
The Vision
The Basics
Practically overnight the system could arrange and switch on a simple UBI, with a few non-invasive strings attached. Citizens could opt-in to receive a transaction card for foundational goods and services, e-replenished each month. Merchants could apply to accept Basics as payment, to be deposited for a same-as-cash value at their bank. ATM sized redemption machines can be placed at post offices, banks, markets, etc. The technology already exists to auto-print receipt paper with bar-code scans and transact cash & coin (a standard in modern casinos,) and by including a card reader, QR scanner, and a secure connection, in theory, the technology to support poverty elimination is ready to be implemented.
Main Focus-
The guarantee to each citizen would be enough to provide:
-a residence (with postal address, front door with lock, bathroom with toilet/sink/shower,)
-kitchen (with sink, refrigerator, oven, and stove,)
-food assurance (focus incentive on spoilage prevention and improved logistics,)
-reasonable rate of utilities per individual, and
-reasonable transportation assurance.
Included in the deal, but not transnational, should be medical coverage for all emergencies and essential care. An additional stipend per child until age 18 would be welcomed by parents and guardians; youths in public school could also receive age-increasing allowance, and incentives for high scholastic marks and grade completion.
Primary Currency Is Still Earned & Spent
Those who earn a paycheck or receive structured or investment income, continue to save and spend as they please. All adult citizens are entitled to receive basic UBI currency. Although Basics can't be spent on luxuries, guns/ammo, casino gambling, prostitution, drugs/alcohol, etc., they can be redeemed (by members of the creative collective) for primary currency, money that can spent on anything- provided a willing party. Basic units expire, which provides incentive for the ambitious to join the collective to earn a multiplier rate of exchange, individualized and improved along the way, by participating in limitless options from civic and municipal projects- to classified-section type odd-jobs, or even developing one's own invention or creation. For those who don't join the collective, yet have more than enough, they'll likely be more willing to support others with their surplus and expired basics.
Zero Tax Burden On Basic Currency
The notion of taxes could become completely reformed. Imagine the ideal with far less waste, mismanagement, and misappropriations intending to improve efficiency and effectiveness going forward. Property tax and sales tax could still both be levied and collected by local governments- though ideally at decreasing rates, and income tax could become less necessary and therefore less burdensome given a more appropriate and effective economic system. When visualizing an economic maturation of capitalism, trial and improvement trumps trial and error, and this generation has the additional lessons learned from existing case studies of what's come, and failed, before.
Cutting The Glut From Our Systems
Let's actualize far less bureaucracy, and far more effectiveness by dismantling the conglomerates and hierarchies that lead to propagandized group think. A "Tree Of Democracy" (introduced in the article The Blueprint) could overshadow the current corporate media that seems to focus on entertaining an audience through emotional shock and stimulation, instead of what should be its chief purpose- honorably and respectfully informing an inquiring public- concisely. Most would prefer if the populous drives the narrative and sets the agenda, as opposed to a Wall St. enslaved, ad-fueled, rigged-rating driven, camera-and-spotlight aimed like cross-hairs to where only two opposing microphones polarize instead of unite.
Make People Less Compromised
Imagine a pleasant vision of "big power-of-influence gained-through-intimidation" getting weeded out, where war and military exploitation have become obsolete. Until then, transitioning the militaries of the world from operational to disarmament seems to be the most appropriate path- where "defense-as-a-show without an enemy or willing combatant" could encourage people to enlist for peace-time training and organizational development. Opportunities that promote a solutions-oriented focus as opposed to a conflict oriented culture, with far less world-wide military spending, benefits us all.
“True heroes are those who bring peace. Those who maintain peace, peacefully, are essential.”
-Wise Proverb
Public Trust Housing
Consider that in the 1970’s the average U.S. house cost ~8,000 hours of minimum wage work, yet today it’s over 40,000 hours. Does it feel as if each new generation’s house is being robbed before they even take possession of their homes, if they can afford to purchase as opposed to renting their living spaces?
Public Trust Housing Meme Text, Expanded
Imagine instead of paying rent or a mortgage, citizens could choose to pay into a collective housing option as a Public Trust, where anyone could contribute via simple terms to accrue equity on rent payments, and earn credit for upkeep and maintenance. Unit stays could be short and long term, posted on an inclusive and transparent online portal with attempts to optimize city neighborhoods for social harmony. Non-profit insurance fees could be accrued and paid forward to acquire and remodel properties that become available in newly-zoned neighborhoods, with priority for distressed units. Instead of realtor, bank, and landlord fees, local placement agents could assist the house-mate matching, moving, and settling-in processes with the goal to leave no citizen un-housed, and maintain a small housing surplus. There could be multiple levels and types of living situations available, from basic to luxury and beyond, single-units to families-with-children to all-adult households. By designing a system to level-up participants until settled and satisfied, while improving the base in perpetuity, both the real estate and culture gain value - which could be likened to an ever expanding collective inheritance as opposed to the current extractive model that leaves too many humans homeless and victimized while neighborhoods become dilapidated and dangerous. Congress could make citizens' housing a priority via tax incentives, and by limiting the monetary amount any person or entity can earn on another’s primary housing. It would also be beneficial to develop a few new green-efficient metropolitan cities, in say, the USA’s deep south, midwest region, and mid-pacific coast. If better ways are possible, aim towards best!
Considering a Citizens Basic Income with Creative Currency Octaves and Public Trust Housing, how could an inclusive web portal become optimized?
Suggested structuring:
Base- Decent at worst homes, and zones for adults without kids.
Recovering- Wellness placement for those who need help with addiction or other recovery.
Maintaining- Citizens currently satisfied in their housing situation.
Seeking- A lateral move, whether across the street, another side of town, or across the country.
Expanding- People seeking change, such as: kids on the way, or someone seeking to level up in land, living space, or luxury.
Contracting- Those seeking to sell property, reduce lot and/or living space, someone taking a step down from luxury.
Developing- Both new housing development, and remodeling projects.
Luxury living usually takes more to maintain such as manicured lawns and other maintenance, but when a large home is mostly unoccupied, there presents an opportunity to fill the bedrooms with young professionals, or perhaps live/work spaces for small enterprises and/or company teams.
What other factors are important to consider? Regardless, it seems obvious that human beings as a whole could do much better than current when designing and organizing how humans are housed.
This article is included in the second edition of the title Better To Best, a compilation of articles from 2015-2023, presented for free here: www.BetterToBest.wixsite.com/Book