| The Return of Common Sense
by Eric Szuter
If you believe that this nation is in such a pickle that only a major structural change can get us out, you will want to read this book. If you are a fan of Thomas Paine, you will be interested in how the author draws upon Paine's Common Sense to promote his ideas, with which Paine might well be in sympathy if he were here. If you fit both categories, this is a book you probably should not pass up. The early part of the book dwells upon some of our current problems - notably, the burdensome national debt, the pervasiveness of government in our lives, and the attitude, now common among the American people, that "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need", alias "the world owes me a living". The author attributes these bad attitudes and conditions to politics and wants to get rid of politics altogether. He notes that our Constitution, though in its time a great step forward in modes of government, has a few basic flaws that he hopes to fix. The fundamental flaw is that, by providing for voting people into office, it opens the door to politics and politicians. Here are some of his solutions: (1) officeholders would be chosen by lottery, not by vote; (2) Congress would be unicameral, with a term limit of one two-year term; (3) no lawyers could serve in Congress, the practice of law being a conflict of interest with the enactment of same. These and other changes to the Constitution would, the author believes, restore Paine's ideal "that the elected might never form to themselves an interest separate from the electors", an ideal that is indeed remote from the present reality. Sociophysics Institute, c1992, hardback, 155 pages, $19.95 Paragon HOuse, c 1991, paperback, 218 pages, $14.95. 90 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011 Table of Contents | 1993 Issues | Subscribe Credit card Orders call: 800-321-9054 or fax: (619)676-0433 Truth Seeker is published by Truth Seeker Co., Inc. (ISSN 0041-3712) © 1996 |