Thursday, November 12, 2009

Strategy and Objectives

The president wants to make it clear that
The U.S. commitment in Afghanistan is not open-ended.
How many additional troops would be sent, he asks,
And what is the timeline for their presence in the war zone?

The war is now in its ninth year and is
Claiming U.S. lives at a record pace.
Military leaders say the Taliban
Has the upper hand in many parts of the country.

(AP dispatch, November 12, 2009)

The old management professor asks,
What are our interests in this theater?
What are we attempting to accomplish?
How will we know that we have succeeded?

Then, and only then, can the following decisions be made:
A plan for getting the job done.
The resources necessary for executing the plan.
Measurements of success at stated intervals.

If we don't have these in place, we are throwing
Young lives into futile gestures.
The president is correct in raising concrete demands.
He answers to the people whose sons and daughters are at risk.

Monday, November 2, 2009

From a Minor Prophet

In the third century of that great nation, a false messiah captivated the people.
He promised to make their bodies whole and their spirits soar.
He tried to achieve peace with foreign countries by apologizing for past wrongs.
He wasted the lives of young warriors in futile pursuit of fleeing enemies.

The word of The Lord came to the prophet in a dream.
Proclaim the errors of the king to all who would listen,
For he is wasting the substance of his subjects.
Soon both the treasury and the granaries will be no more.

The king would not listen.
He was not an evil man, but a proud man,
Who believed that The Lord had anointed him to accomplish the impossible.
By wishing, and by speaking, he could make miracles happen.

The prophet warned him that he was worshiping hubris, a false god.
The warnings of the prophet were echoed by wise persons.
You will be judged by history as a wastrel, full of empty ambition.
So the king repented, and put on sackcloth and ashes.

He withdrew his brave young people from harm's way.
He stopped the plan to cure all illness with money alone.
He banished the courtiers who would control all aspects of his subjects' lives.
He restored the soundness of the treasury by eliminating needless spending.
He sought common ground for the improvement of the nation and the world.
And The Lord rewarded him for wise rule by giving him a peaceful reign.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Secession Movements

You may think that groups which recommend secession from the U.S.A. are various forms of nuthatches;
And you would be correct in most cases, particularly those which wish to refight the Civil War.
But some supporters of secession movements are quite serious in their desire for less central control of their lives;
And see separation from their parent country, U.S.A. or Canada, as the only rational means to achieve freedom.

The Second Vermont Republic has a firm intellectual footing that has given rise to expanded media coverage.
The Texas Nationalist Movement has history on its side as well as a well-organized website and membership drive.
The Alaska Independence Party wants to be able to vote on its status, with a separate and independent nation one of four choices.
Hawai'i Constitutional Conventions are held periodically to seek national sovereignty for native Hawaiians.

The League of the South appears to be a revised confederacy, with chapters in every state of the former nation.
Their program is gentle and professedly free of racism, but determinedly Christian and Anglo-Saxon in tone.
California has two obsolete websites devoted to independence; surprising considering the turmoil in governance of the state.
A piece just recently appeared in The Guardian (U.K.) describing California as the first failed U.S. state.

The titles Novacadia and Cascadia are used by nascent efforts to join U.S. states and Canadian provinces on each coast
In the formation of independent countries, sharing resources and government structures.
Neither is more than an idea at present; other Canadian movements including Parti Quebecois, seem to be moribund.
Patriots for Liberty in Massachusets and Republic of New Hampshire are go it alone websites, with no supporting organization.

So you have to say that balkanization is not yet considered a viable option by the citizens of the U.S. or Canada.
And would doubtless gain little traction unless grass roots protests like the tea parties grow up to become non-violent revolutions.
Causing nervous politicians to have to decide whether to try to head off or lead the body politic in the way it wants to go.
Paul Starobin's article, Imaging Breaking Up, in the Wall Street Journal, of June 13, 2009, is the genesis of such consideration.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Education

The Republic of New England shall have no public schools,
Supported by taxes and free to all.
Instead, religious and civic organizations may establish schools
To which parents pay tuition, perhaps on a sliding scale.

This system worked well for parochial schools,
And could be replicated on a larger scale.
Charter schools exemplify achievment at the elementary level.
Education is a privilege, not a right.

Advanced education will be apprentice programs for careers,
In institutions sponsored by the industries who need their graduates.
Literature and arts will depend upon the public and eleemosynary organizations
To support those who pursue aesthetic disciplines.

There is no place in the Republic of New England
For those who do not seek to better themselves
In the pursuit of knowledge and its application to the common good.
No occupation is less worthy than any other.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Currency and Debt

The Republic of New England will carry no debt.
All our expenditures will be pay as you go.
We will never borrow from our citizens
Through the medium of bonds or notes.

When we separate from the U.S.A. we will abandon their debt.
New England has received far less than other regions in return on taxes
So we don't have any financial obligation to their federal government.
Besides, we have nothing in our treasury to give them.

We talked about currency a great deal and came up with an inspiration.
The Republic certainly does not wish to use the U.S. dollar.
Printing currency of our own presents special problems
Of convertibility and fluctuation in value.

So we decided to join the European Economic Union.
They will be glad to have such a frugal member.
Then the Euro can become our currency
And help us to enjoy our lovely vacations on the continent.

Italy has Dante on their euro.
We could have The Old Man on the Mountain on ours,
As a symbol of New England thrift,
And a reminder that we too could crumble into dust.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Trade and Foreign Relations

The Republic of New England is too old for foreign affairs.
We only have foreign relations
Which should be friendly, long-lasting, and free of confrontation.
We don't want any other nation to be mad at us.

We are not concerned about the possibility of invasion and conquest.
Our only natural resources are tall trees for ship masts,
And there isn't much demand for them anymore.
We do have a vast supply of brainpower, though.

Beginning with the colleges on the Charles River,
Our higher education spawns technological innovation
To rival Silicon Valley and Israel.
Manufacturing of anything but high tech gear left us a long time ago.

Tourism is good, from the mountains to the sea, although
New England does have some of the worst drivers
And the most dilapidated road systems you could imagine.
Plus road signs deliberately designed to confuse visitors.

Our only real worry is the infiltration of ideologies
Which demand control over our lives and persons.
The traditional New England character is flinty individualism.
Now somewhat attenuated by loopy New Age spiritualism.

But the weather does build character, particularly
If you never had any character and did not know you needed it.
We have a glorious spring; last year it was on a Tuesday.
Fall is our season; that's when we get things done.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Governance

The Republic of New England will borrow the best of the parliamentary system
From those countries who have enjoyed it the longest.
England, the mother of parliaments, is the foremost example to consider.
The majority party leader becomes the head of government.

The sovereign, the head of state, provides stability to the system
In the change of governments, calling upon the prime minister to form a cabinet.
In Canada and many other countries, provinces are largely self-sufficient,
Thus reducing the temptation for the central government to micromanage.

Israel is a victim of proportional representation
That gives splinter parties a disproportionate role.
A plus in Israel governance is the fluid movement
Of experienced politicians to cabinet posts, regardless of party.

Switzerland functions without a strong central executive.
In France and Russia, the president and the premier jockey for power.
The United States of America gives the president unlimited authority in war,
But keeps a tight grip on the purse strings in Congress.

Our republic shall have a citizen legislature like New Hampshire.
A figurehead president will be the ceremonial head of state,
Who, like England's sovereign, calls upon an elected leader
From the majority party to form a cabinet.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Immigration and Drug Policy

(Note: You may be offended by the idea of a breakup of the U.S.A., for which many good men and women fought and died. Secession for a good cause is the ultimate in protest against incompetence, ineffectiveness, and insanity at the national level of a government.
So remember that these "policy statements" are make-believe, a form of satire that is often characteristic of science fiction. The "what if" emphasizes that a small country cannot afford to spend money needlessly, and thus avoids doing much harm. Remember that Bismarck said the stupid and energetic officers of the Prussian army should be taken out and shot.)

The Republic of New England admits all immigrants freely;
Not as a matter of policy, but from practicality.
We have no means of policing our border, nor wish to do so.
Immigrants who commit crimes are imprisoned, not deported.

Those who come here are strictly on their own,
To find work, to find shelter,
To pay for medical care, to pay for education.
There are no free schools in the republic.

New immigrants will most likely be assisted by their former countrymen,
And by private organizations, in getting started.
All who come here are entitled to vote, without conditions.
Local jurisdictions will determine how to control elections.

There are no proscribed substances in the Republic of New England.
Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs may be used freely.
No medical or therapeutic care exists for substance abusers.
Penalties for committing crimes influenced by same are severe.

The Republic of New England is a welcoming country,
Not a controlling country, not a welfare state.
We encourage immigrants to succeed and prosper.
We only require that they behave properly in doing so.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Defense Policy

Live free or die, the motto of New Hampshire
Can be the motto of the Republic of New England.
But practical considerations limit our ability
To defend ourselves against any and all threats.

The republic cannot be armed with nuclear weapons
Nor would it be able to employ them in any fashion.
We cannot afford a tactical air force,
Nor see any utility in having one.

Our principal military service has to be a robust coast guard.
Hundreds of miles of shore line are our principal feature.
The sea is our avenue to the rest of the world.
We already have the Mass Maritime and Maine Maritime academies.
Perhaps we can negotiate the transfer of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

A standing army would be impossible to maintain.
A small component of marines would suffice
To provide a land complement to the coast guard.
A small air arm would be primarily engaged in search and
rescue operation.

We might also consider emulating Switzerland and Israel
By requiring military training of all able young men and women;
Calling them to service when required
To repel invasion and conquest, if that is possible.
No doubt, the cost would be prohibitive.
We may have to believe, as Washington did,
In the protection of Divine Providence.

Defense Policy

Live free or die, the motto of New Hampshire
Can be the motto of the Republic of New England.
But practical considerations limit our ability
To defend ourselves against any and all threats.

The republic cannot be armed with nuclear weapons
Nor would it be able to employ them in any fashion.
We cannot afford a tactical air force,
Nor see any utility in having one.

Our principal military service has to be a robust coast guard.
Hundreds of miles of shore line are our principal feature.
The sea is our avenue to the rest of the world.
We already have the Mass Maritime and Maine Maritime academies.
Perhaps we can negotiate the transfer of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

A standing army would be impossible to maintain.
A small component of marines would suffice
To provide a land complement to the coast guard.
A small air arm would be primarily engaged in search and
rescue operation.

We might also consider emulating Switzerland and Israel
By requiring military training of all able young men and women;
Calling them to service when required
To repel invasion and conquest, if that is possible.
No doubt, the cost would be prohibitive.
We may have to believe, as Washington did,
In the protection of Divine Providence.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Fiscal Policy

The Republic of New England is a small country.
We cannot afford income transfer schemes.
No social security checks, no welfare payments,
No earned income credit, no unemployment benefits.

We have no government health services,
No medicare, no medicaid, no direct payments.
You get sick; that's your problem.
You either save your money or buy insurance,

The Republic always balances the budget.
In good times, a significant amount is reserved
For payment of essential services in bad times.
We don't spend the income of future generations.

We have no national debt.
There are no government subsidies for anything.
We are New England Yankees, our motto is
Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Spoof

In response to questions, yes, the Republic of New England
is a spoof, but with serious overtones. Certainly, the fiscal
adventures in Washington are insane. We may be playing
with Monopoly money soon. In Italy, a gelato grande costs
three euros, which doesn't seem too bad until you convert it
to USD.

Where are we going in Afghanistan? I bow to the military
strategists for a proper estimate of the situation, but in
management speak (my academic field), it seems like a clear
case of: "Having lost sight of our objectives; we redoubled
our efforts!"

Did you know that the subprime mortgage crisis began with
Massachusetts' own representative, Barney Frank, who
insisted that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae guarantee the home
mortgage of anyone who wanted one, regardless of ability to
pay. Beware, he's up to more mischief.

Or that the real reason for our involvement in the Middle East
is the refusal of East and West Coast congressmen and senators
to allow offshore drilling along their shores. We could be
nearly self-sufficient in oil from North America resources, if it
were permitted. Alaska is different. They want to drill more;
congress won't let them.

So there is merit in wistful thinking about a nice little country
like Slovenia, mostly unknown and under the radar. New
England almost seceded after suffering an economic collapse
from Jefferson's Embargo Act of 1807. Repeal in 1809 headed
off the movement.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A Lost War

Why the Republic of New England only needs a modest defense force:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125122932329657897.html

Repudiate the National Debt

Why we need to repudiate the national debt of the U.S.A. in The Republic of New England:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/business/economy/26deficit.html?bl&ex=1251432000&en=7d1bba04578a733a&ei=5087%0A

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Republic of New England

(Also known as Red Sox Nation)

A congress shall be convened in the city of Boston
in the year 2010 to draft a document of secession
from the United States of America, and a constitution
for the Republic of New England.

The seceding entities shall be the states of
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont,
New Hampshire, and Maine.

(Possibly, Fairfield County in Connecticut may have
to join New York, as it houses a majority of Yankee
fans.)

Said states shall send delegates to the congress in the
same number as the total of senators and representatives
each has to the congress of the U.S.A.

Ratification of the constitution shall be by each state
legislature in the manner each chooses.

Ratification by all six entities shall be necessary for
establishment of the Republic of New England.

Some of the issues to be considered in the document
of secession may be:

Repudiation of the national debt incurred by the U.S.A.

Takeover of former federal facilities of the U.S.A.

Replacement of the income tax system with a flat tax.

Discontinuation of all income transfer systems.

Establishment of a modest defense force.

Minimal government activity by the Republic.

Limited central powers of all branches of government.

Maintenance of good relations with neighboring countries.

Full citizenship for anyone after five years of residence.

Parliamentary style of election and governance.