Objective: To create a policy that ensures voters contributing economically to the country have a significant say in national elections, encouraging fiscal responsibility among citizens.
Proposed Policy:
- Eligibility Requirement: Any citizen, excluding first responders or military personnel, who receives more direct government aid than they contribute in taxes over a rolling average of three years may be ineligible to vote in national elections for the following year. This excludes Social Security and Medicare, as these are programs that citizens pay into throughout their working lives and are viewed as earned benefits.
- Rolling Average Mechanism: Eligibility would be determined based on a rolling average of three years, allowing for a broader assessment of a citizen’s economic contribution over time. This approach recognizes that individuals may experience temporary financial hardship but still contribute meaningfully over a longer period.
- Aid and Contribution Assessment: Government aid includes any form of welfare, housing assistance, unemployment benefits, or other financial assistance provided directly by the government. Tax contributions would be assessed based on federal income taxes and other forms of direct economic contribution at the national level.
- Exceptions: First responders (such as police officers, firefighters, and EMTs) and active military personnel would be exempt from this requirement due to their public service. These individuals contribute to society in non-monetary ways that are deemed significant for national well-being.
- Goals of the Policy: The aim is to promote fiscal responsibility and ensure that individuals who are directly contributing to the national economy have a larger stake in influencing national policies. This is intended to create a balance between receiving aid and participating in the decision-making processes of the nation.
Potential Benefits:
- Encourages fiscal responsibility among citizens, potentially reducing long-term dependence on government assistance.
- Promotes a sense of accountability regarding government resources and how they are allocated.
- Ensures that those with a direct financial stake in national governance have a proportional influence in elections.