The Politics of the Young

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The other night, my Smart Boy and I spent the time after dinner and before bed talking.

We mostly discussed politics, and I found his viewpoint fascinating.

Basically, he believes that we're due for a Constitutional Convention, and these are the changes he believes are required:

  • Federal Senators should return to being selected by State government, not by popular vote.
  • All those "equal rights" Amendments should be consolidated into a single Article that all people really are equal, and should be treated as such.
  • Protection under Article IV should not allow criminals to get off under "technicalities."
  • The Sixteenth Amendment should be rewritten to reflect payment of income taxes to each state, and the state should in turn pay taxes to the federal government.
  • Federal social programs should be remanded to the states for administration and funding.
  • The Patriot Act is evil and should be destroyed.
  • Social Security should be abolished.
  • Basic universal health care should be provided by the government, supplemented by private industry.
  • While maintenance and control of the Armed Forces, the Interstate Highway System and other specified programs will continue to be the mandate of the Federal Government, states should regain their individual powers.

While he currently lacks the experience and education to see that some of his plans have moral and legal consequences that he hasn't thought of, I'm still so proud of him I can hardly stand it. I don't remember considering Constitutional Law when I was a Junior in High School - I was too busy chasing boys and ditching school.

He's spending his time considering Jeffersonian Republicanism and why the Federalist Papers ruined a good thing.

I told you he was smart.

5 comments:

Cindi in CO said...

He's not only smart, he's cute and decent. A triple threat.

We are all so proud. :)

Janiece said...

Cindi, I realize we're not exactly without bias here, but yes.

Decent, cute and smart!

Nathan said...

Yeah, but can he bake?

Hmm? Hmm?

Janiece said...

Nathan, he can cook the basics, so he won't starve when he's out on his own, but he usually cons his sister or his mom into baking for him.

I wouldn't want him to be quadruple threat.

Anonymous said...

My own Eldest Son gave a little lesson to my two younger boys about the difference between a caucus and a primary. I felt the same way you did. Cool, ain't it?