By Blackjack Pershing Missouri Territory
Dateline: November 5th, 2019
“As once, when the armies of the empire were shattered and the strong barbarians poured in upon the soft provincials, so now the fierce weeds pressed in to destroy the pampered nursling’s of man.”
― George R. Stewart, Earth Abides
A recent tweet by the 53rd Regiment sparked the idea that it’s time to decentralize the federal government and disperse it throughout the United States.
The above quote from the noted apocalyptic novel Earth Abides, references the ‘pampered nurslings of man’. Is there a better description of denizens of the Beltway than that? Maybe…
Like rats to a dumpster every known form of vermin has now gathered in Washington DC; like the swamp ecosystem that gives it its nickname, DC has its own ecosystem of users, hacks, hangers on, bribers, sycophants, charlatans, and destroyers. Unlike the ticks, fleas, snakes, toads, mosquitos and flies of the real swamp, these vermin do real and lasting damage to our nation.
The 53rd Regiment pointed out recently that even major corporations (not just defense contractors) are moving their HQ’s the DC metro area to get in on the feeding frenzy of special interests and influence building. Even those larger companies who do not have a HQ there, usually have well-staffed teams of lobbyists in the capital.
A distributed model for our federal institutions could be one way to break up the clogged sewer we call Washington DC.
First – what we do NOT mean: this is not a proposal to move the entire capital to the center of the United States. Others have advocated that; we are not. Too expensive, too unrealistic and too dated.
We advocate a gradual move of federal resources throughout the territory of the United States in order to evenly distribute resources, and better keep the population in touch with its institutions.
What stays in DC: the Capitol, the White House, the Pentagon (DOD), the museums and the monuments. Washington DC can remain the historical capital of the nation and the rightful place to memorialize our history. Our elected officials can also live and assemble there.
What can go? Pretty much everything else. Over time. And it would be extremely healthy. Current thinking on the evolution of any large organization is to move toward a distributed model – google Bob Johansen and Leadership Literacies, if you have an interest in the topic. Technology now enables instant communication globally; certainly within the time zones of the United States this is even more attractive.
Think about these possibilities:
· The Department of Homeland Security in the Southwestern US near our largest security issue
· While the Pentagon may stay the Pentagon, US Military assets could be moved throughout the United States. Navy HQ in Hawaii? Philadelphia? Army HQ Ft Bragg, NC? Ft Riley, KS? Air Force HQ one of the coasts? Home of Aviation in Dayton, OH? Future Space Force Command in Cape Canaveral? All Possible – over time. Military deployment and logistical needs should certainly be evaluated.
· Every time a department is to be built, renovated, restructured, etc., it should be moved to another state, systematically and fairly – no one gets too much, and everyone gets some. Much like the electoral college.
· FBI leaves the swamp and goes to crime capital of the US: Chicago; they should be careful once there. Dangerous.
· CIA: leaves the swamp and comes to the heartland, St Louis, MO
· HUD: move it to a well-run city like Charlotte or San Diego learn what works.
· DOJ: great candidate to leave the swamp; send it to the heartland, and in this case make it Jackson, MS
· The VA – a critical agency if ran correctly should move to a much more conscientious town near a large Military Installation; maybe someplace in Kentucky, near Ft’s Knox or Campbell.
· The USDA should naturally be in the farm belt of the nation; upper Midwest feels right.
· The EPA should move to Detroit. Plenty of big messes for them to focus on there. New Jersey a close #2, and we do mean #2, as in #2. Sorry New Jersey.
· Require the congress to rotate its location and meetings through State Capitols several times per year. Make them experience and come to terms with different parts of the United States.
Safety: distributing the federal government assets makes it far more difficult to ‘decapitate’ the United States in a terror attack or even surprise attack from an international competitor. Given the risk level it is surprising that this course of action hasn’t been discussed more openly already.
Readers of the 53rd Regiment: Do you agree? Is this a good way to not only drain, but permanently disrupt the swamp? Weigh in below and be heard!
BJP
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