I wish to make a proposal:
The standards we deem appropriate for our students must be applied to our national halls of Congress.
All members are equal: women, men, rich and poor, landed, unlanded, all races and creeds.
Members must pass a test of adequate intelligence.
Discourse is civil and respectful, giving everyone an opportunity to speak.
Bullying is outlawed.
Gangs are outlawed.
In general assemblies all members sit in random order, which allows strangers to become friends.
There shall be no more lying.
Trash talking is prohibited and name-calling is out.
In elections, there are no closed primaries. All wishing to run for office have an equal opportunity to be on the ballot.
So-called parties are allowed but persons running for office are not elected by party affiliation but individual statesmanship.
Each candidate has an equal amount to spend. These monies are supplied by the ruling body.
Campaign speeches and advertising may not malign an opponent but explain the candidates’ positions only. Public debates are mandated.
Rules are enforced and all shall abide.
Is this too much to ask?
Marion Gerrish
Kalispell