This Needs Fixin'

I’m not optimistic on anything being fixable at this point, but we should still think about how to do better next time.

Because there will (eventually) be a next time.

And when it comes time to write the constitution for whatever comes after the U.S., we should make sure that the State is specifically forbidden from delegating its powers or sub-contracting its responsibilities.

See, the State is that collective organization that we all have to be involved with simply because of where we live. It has responsibilities and the powers it needs to discharge those responsibilities, as well as limits and oversight, as described in a constitution and laws.

But the U.S. political class has found a loophole in that.

They’ve sub-contracted a bunch of the functions of the State to private companies.

These functions require special powers be delegated to the companies, since the tasks are often things like running prisons and operating in war zones that would be blatantly illegal for private citizens to do.

But since the workers contracted by the State aren’t actually employees, they’ve claimed that oversight mechanisms like open records laws don’t apply.

Sneaky.

And definitely not in the best interest of the public.

But it is very much in the best interest of the companies’ and their owners’ bank accounts, as well as letting the ruling class get away with a bunch of illegal things that it probably couldn’t otherwise.

This is … not ideal.

So, if we do get another go at fixing the U.S. (or later when we build its successor State), we need to put in a requirement that the State do its own job and keep its powers to itself.

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