tanc: roadmap to "direct democracy" reform

Trans-American Alliance for a

National Consensus

Trans-American Alliance for a

National Consensus

Copyright © 2008 Trans-American Alliance for a National Consensus (TANC) & Michael A. FreemanALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Co-Founder/Executive Director: Michael A. Freeman

Copyright © 2008 Michael A. FreemanALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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TANC: A Consensus-Building Legislature

TANC: A Consensus-Building Legislature

The Trans-American Alliance for a National Consensus (TANC) is a proposed, complementary fourth “Electorate Branch” of the U.S. Government to work in consort with the established federal Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches.

A decentralized local/regional “consensus legislative assembly,” supported through the auspices of colleges and universities all 50 states and outlying U.S. territories.

Scholars and student serve as “catalysts” in bringing together all key public/private segments of American society to reach nonpartisan consensus on a wide variety of domestic socio-economic legislation — effectively establishing a tireless “Ethical Conscience of Democracy.”


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ScholarsScholars

Select Business Leaders

Select Business Leaders

Non-Profit Civic/Activist Organizations

Non-Profit Civic/Activist Organizations

Retired Civil ServantsRetired Civil Servants

Think Tank ExpertsThink Tank Experts

College StudentsCollege Students

Union ActivistsUnion Activists

Municipal/State/Federal Government

Officials

Municipal/State/Federal Government

Officials

Civil Rights ActivistsCivil Rights Activists

Regional Economic Development Commissions

Regional Economic Development Commissions

EconomistsEconomists

Association & Organization Leaders

Association & Organization Leaders

Constituent GroupsConstituent Groups

Trans-American Alliancefor a

National Consensus(TANC)

Trans-American Alliancefor a

National Consensus(TANC)


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A Path to Legislative AccountabilityA Path to Legislative Accountability

TANC assembly members set a proposed bill-making agenda, hold local and regional committee hearings and town hall meetings, and compile findings that allow a select group “National Executive Committee” members formally author federal legislative bills.

TANC-authored bills are submitted to both houses of Congress and the Executive branch to gain formal passive as federal legislation.

TANC’s mission is to heighten Accountability, Transparency, Consistency, and “Consensus Law-Making” to the federal legislative process.


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Trans-American Alliance Branch(TAB)


Proposed Four Branches of U.S. Government

Proposed Four Branches of U.S. Government

Legislative BranchLegislative BranchExecutive BranchExecutive Branch

Judicial BranchJudicial Branch


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NARA: A Call for Congressional Action

NARA: A Call for Congressional Action

The National Alliance Renewal Act (NARA) is a proposed bill and blueprint that establishes the Trans-American Alliance for a National Consensus (TANC) as a fourth “Electorate Branch” of the U.S. Government.

• As part of a proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution, NARA seeks to establish a complementary but binding college-led consortium of society’s “best and brightest” to craft true “consensus” federal legislation.

• Granting broad, equal powers on par with Congress and the Executive Branch to call for proposed rulemakings and the subsequent passage/enactment of Federal legislative bills.


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TANC’s Legislative PowersTANC’s Legislative Powers

TANC-authored bills can gain passage through a vote of both houses of Congress and sign-off from the President of the United States, along with two-thirds (66%) majority vote of The Alliance membership internally.

TANC can seek to override Presidential vetoes or non-passage in Congress by:

– Calling for a “National Electorate Referendum” by attaching bill(s) to regularly scheduled primary or general elections across the U.S. – taking a bill directly to American voters. Bill gains final federal passage with 51% or more of popular vote.

– Or an internal TANC “override vote” with at least two-thirds majority to gain final federal passage.


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Now is the Time for TANC…Now is the Time for TANC…

To break the 40-year pattern of partisanship and divisiveness between both political parties.

To mitigate and largely diffuse the influence of 36,000 registered lobbyists1, specifically some less-than-publicly conscience Special Interest Groups and Political Action Committees funneling money into the corridors of power in Washington.

– From 1998 to mid-2007, lobbyists poured in $20.01 billion for election funding and frequently swinging legislative initiatives1 in their favor.

1Senate Office of Public Records


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A House DividedA House Divided

Partisan division and rancor underlies the gridlock, inconsistencies between both houses of Congress and the Executive branches.

Presidents typically promise “consensus” economic/social policies, but the Cabinet features party-favored appointees ― leaving policies to be shaped by a handful of connected “insiders.”

An “institutionalized process” requiring politicians to raise large sums of election campaign funds opens the door for “Big Business” lobbyists and other well-funded Special Interest Groups to have undue influence ― affecting the authorship of legislative bills.


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Growing National Crises (I)Growing National Crises (I)

Unemployment and Outsourcing of JobsUnemployment and Outsourcing of Jobs

Record Federal Budget DeficitsRecord Federal Budget Deficits

Subprime Mortgage Lending CrisisSubprime Mortgage Lending Crisis

Healthcare CrisisHealthcare Crisis

Sagging U.S. Economy & DollarSagging U.S. Economy & Dollar


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Growing National Crises (II)Growing National Crises (II)

Federal Response to Natural DisastersFederal Response to Natural Disasters

Local/National Infrastructure ProjectsLocal/National Infrastructure Projects

Revamping the Federal Tax CodeRevamping the Federal Tax Code

Long-Term Solvency of Social SecurityLong-Term Solvency of Social Security

Inequitable Trade TreatiesInequitable Trade Treaties


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Growing National Crises (III)Growing National Crises (III)

Energy Policy and Development of Alternative Energy Sources

Energy Policy and Development of Alternative Energy Sources

The Environment and Global WarmingThe Environment and Global Warming

Immigration PolicyImmigration Policy

Election Finance/Campaign Funding ReformElection Finance/Campaign Funding Reform


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How Can We End the Gridlock?How Can We End the Gridlock?

Energizing the nation’s college students and scholars will make them “conduits” to engage the rest of America’s key socio-economic constituent groups to meet for “consensus” political reform.

By holding committees and town hall meetings on a “localized” basis (for broad expert testimony and input), the compiled findings will allow national TANC legislation to better factor in the needs of municipal, county and state electorates.

With the specter of National Electorate Referendums or internal TANC assembly votes to override Presidential vetoes, both Congress and the Executive branches will be impelled to “accede to the will of the people.”


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An Ultimate Extension of Democracy

An Ultimate Extension of Democracy

A binding legislative branch, TANC harnesses America’s “collective brain power” to establish a “true” national consensus law-making, governing body.

An independent, powerful “checks-and-balances” law-making authority ― an “Ethical Conscience of Democracy” to similarly energize and somewhat unburden our Legislative and Executive branches.

A hands-on role for American citizens, if needed, to vote in National Electorate Referendums — setting a new precedent in this country for “Direct Democracy” (long practiced in two-dozen nations internationally and 24 states here).


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TANC’s ArchitectureTANC’s Architecture

Participation of leading public/private universities in the U.S. and outlying territories.– America ranks with 30 of the 45 best universities in the

world1.

Managed daily by college students as “Delegates” and scholars as “Counsels.”

A representational percentage of America’s estimated 4,276 accredited colleges and programs2, divided into four U.S. regions (North, South, East, West).1Academic Ranking of World Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China2U.S. Department of Education


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The Collegiate StructureThe Collegiate Structure

Anywhere from 3 to 6 universities from each state, representing key metropolitan and

regional/rural areas.

Anywhere from 3 to 6 universities from each state, representing key metropolitan and

regional/rural areas.

Theological/ religious

universities excluded to

observe “Separation of

Church and State.”

Theological/ religious

universities excluded to

observe “Separation of

Church and State.”

Initially, up to 3% public/private

universities and colleges invited to

participate ― approximately 130 universities spread through 50 states

and outlying territories.

Initially, up to 3% public/private

universities and colleges invited to

participate ― approximately 130 universities spread through 50 states

and outlying territories.


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Participating universities/colleges will also be chosen in terms of their schools of specialization (i.e.,

hospital & medical programs, law schools,

business schools, engineering

schools, etc.).

Participating universities/colleges will also be chosen in terms of their schools of specialization (i.e.,

hospital & medical programs, law schools,

business schools, engineering

schools, etc.).

The national structure of the Alliance will be

broken down into four regions: North, South,

East, and West ― representing universities in each of the 50 states and outlying territories.

The national structure of the Alliance will be

broken down into four regions: North, South,

East, and West ― representing universities in each of the 50 states and outlying territories.

The Organizational StructureThe Organizational Structure


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Economic/Budget Policy and Appropriations Reform

Banking/Finance Regulatory Reform

Healthcare and Insurance Reform

Infrastructure/Transportation Reform

Social Security Solvency and Reform

Energy Development and Environmental Reform

Education Reform/National Test Competencies

Housing and Urban Affairs Reform

Small Business/Regional Economic Development

Labor Relations, Hiring Practices and Diversity in the Workplace

Free Trade and Commerce Reform

Government and Election Finance Reform

Science and Technology, Research and Development

Veteran Affairs

Armed Services/Homeland Security

Select TANC Legislative Committees

Select TANC Legislative Committees


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TANC Committee ProcessTANC Committee Process

Inaugural “National Alliance Convention” sets proposed bill-making agenda ― sometimes in concert with potential concurrent Senate and/or House hearings on the same bill(s).

Back in home states, individual university committees initiate separate local/regional discovery processes and set public hearings on specific bills ― soliciting key constituent group experts for comments.

– Intra-state and regional meetings will also offer Webcast/Internet linking to share information and hearing testimony.

– Local and regional committees will also monitor joint Congressional hearings via CSPAN television network coverage and Internet/Webcast links.


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Student “Delegates” and scholar “Counsels,” working through pre-designated local/regional Standing Committees, compile local/regional findings, preliminary recommendations and sectionalized language advocated for submittal toward national authorship of draft bill.

Delegates and counsels working in umbrella “National Executive Committees” will officially convene, either in-person at a pre-determined location or regularly conference via secure Internet/Webcast connections ― to jointly author final language of reform legislative bill.

The bill goes in front of the entire assembly of The Alliance for internal vote, with at least two-thirds “majority” (66%) of Delegates and Counsels votes required for passage, and for subsequent submittal to Congress and the President.

TANC Committee Process (Cont’d)TANC Committee Process (Cont’d)


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TANC Legislative ProcessTANC Legislative Process

TANC Bill Submitted toCongress and the President

for FINAL PASSAGE

TANC Bill Submitted toCongress and the President

for FINAL PASSAGE

Local/Regional Committee Review

BILL GOES TO FULL TANC ASSEMBLY VOTE

Local/Regional Committee Review

BILL GOES TO FULL TANC ASSEMBLY VOTE

Regional Committee Hearings

Regional Committee Hearings

DRAFT BILL READY FORCOMMITTEE REVIEW

DRAFT BILL READY FORCOMMITTEE REVIEW

NATIONAL ALLIANCE CONFERENCE

Identify and Set Bill-Making Agenda

NATIONAL ALLIANCE CONFERENCE

Identify and Set Bill-Making Agenda

Assign National Delegates/CounselsFor

BILL AUTHORING

Assign National Delegates/CounselsFor

BILL AUTHORING

Local Committee Hearings / Town

Hall Meetings

Local Committee Hearings / Town

Hall Meetings

COMPILEDFINDINGS

COMPILEDFINDINGS


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Legislative ProcessLegislative Process



Executive BranchExecutive Branch

Legislative BranchLegislative BranchJudicial BranchJudicial Branch

House ofRepresentatives

House ofRepresentativesSenateSenate

CongressCongress

Other Specialized CourtsOther Specialized Courts

District CourtsDistrict Courts

Court of AppealsCourt of Appeals

Supreme CourtSupreme Court

Exec. Branch AgenciesExec. Branch Agencies

CabinetCabinet

Vice PresidentVice President

PresidentPresident


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TANC-Sponsored Bill PassageTANC-Sponsored Bill Passage

The bill is presented to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate for their modifications and votes for passage/non-passage.

If both the Senate and House pass a TANC-sponsored bill, it would simply be enacted as legislation.

Should one or both houses of Congress reject a TANC-authored bill or the President vetoes it outright, a “National Electorate Referendum” can be called to attach the bill to a regularly-scheduled primary or general election calendar nationally.

If more than 51% of the electorate votes override a Presidential veto or Congressional no-votes, the bill will then be enacted into law.


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LongevityLongevity

TransparencyTransparency

AccountabilityAccountability

UnanimityUnanimity

ConsistencyConsistency

Benefits of Consensus Legislation

Benefits of Consensus Legislation


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A Self-Sustaining AllianceA Self-Sustaining Alliance

Portions of existing federal, industry and non-profit funding for academic research can also be re-allocated for TANC-associated legislative bill-making, reform and research programs.

– Federal funding for academic research and development totaled $83.3 billion in 20041.

– For example, federal funding earmarked for academic research in Healthcare/Medical studies can also be rewarded to TANC for things like Adult Stem-Cell research/legislative reform, National Healthcare, etc.

1National Science Foundation (NSF)


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A Restructuring of Existing FundingA Restructuring of Existing Funding

Restructuring of Federal Student Aid (FSA) loans or Pell Grants into “Working Grant” programs for enlisting student delegates to help reform and make our democracy more effective.

– $74.3 billion in student loans extended by FSA in 20071.

– $12.7 billion in Pell Grants allotted to students in 20071, with Congressional bills proposing increasing grants up to $21 billion by 2012.

– Re-allocation of grant funding, between $612 million to $1 billion annually for 51,000-plus TANC-enlisted students would account for little more than 4% to 5% of Pell Grants’ annual federal budgets.

– Re-structuring of grant funding would really just mean that students are “working” to cover their tuition costs for serving TANC.

1 U.S. Department of Education, (White House, Office of Management and Budget, FY 2007 Budget)


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Student “Delegates” Earn “Working Grants” to Cover Year’s Tuition

Student “Delegates” Earn “Working Grants” to Cover Year’s Tuition

Participating student delegates will be extended “Working Grants” ― out of a restructuring of Federal Student Aid grant and/or loans ― which students do not have to pay back.

Average public/private U.S. college tuition is roughly $12,000 annually1, which would serve as proposed maximum “Working Grant” compensation for one year of TANC service.


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Proposed Annual Maximum Limit / Working GrantProposed Annual Maximum Limit / Working Grant $12,000$12,000

Percentage of Total Pell Grants ($12.7B in 2007)3Percentage of Total Pell Grants ($12.7B in 2007)3 5%5%

Percentage of Total Federal Student Aid ($74.3B in 2007)3Percentage of Total Federal Student Aid ($74.3B in 2007)3 0.8%0.8%

Projected Total of Annual Working Grants (1 YR Term)Projected Total of Annual Working Grants (1 YR Term) $612,000,000$612,000,000

Average Annual Tuition – Private Colleges2Average Annual Tuition – Private Colleges2 $16,000$16,000

Average Annual Tuition – Public Colleges2Average Annual Tuition – Public Colleges2 $6,000$6,000

Proposed TANC Yearly Enrollment (.003% of Estimated 17M Students)1

Proposed TANC Yearly Enrollment (.003% of Estimated 17M Students)1 51,00051,000

TANC Annual Student “Working Grant” Allotments

TANC Annual Student “Working Grant” Allotments

1. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2004 figures, Digest of Education Statistics, 2005)2. The College Board (U.S. News & World Report, Oct. 23, 2007)3. U.S. Department of Education (White House, Office of Management and Budget, FY 2007 Budget)


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Benefits for Students and their Families

Benefits for Students and their Families

Average student and/or American family incurs up to $52,000 in debt (for four-year Bachelor programs only)1 — giving TANC participants to shave close to half of their tuition costs for up to 2 years of legislative service.

Student delegates will earn school course credits and will be graded based on their participatory efforts in The Alliance.

1 The College Board, U.S. News & World Report (Oct. 23, 2007)


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Benefits for U.S. WorkforceBenefits for U.S. Workforce

A burgeoning pool of graduate/post-graduate students who have gained “real world” experience and knowledge from government, socio-economic and public/private sector legislative reforms.

– Largely unburdened of tuition cost worries, more students gain access to a quality education and practical, real-world working experience.

Competitiveness ― a key measure of industrial/intellectual prowess (in engineering, technologies, sciences, etc.) ― will once again restore the American workforce to a world-leading position.

Business and public institutions will open up greater opportunities to interact with students and greatly improve their recruiting efforts with qualified candidates.


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“Bonus Grant” Compensation for TANC Scholar “Counsels”

“Bonus Grant” Compensation for TANC Scholar “Counsels”

“Bonus Grant” compensation can be simply re-allocated from existing government and private foundation grant programs already being extended to a variety of collegiate-led “research and development” activities (such as technology, economics, life/biotechnology sciences,

etc.). – Federal funding for academic research and development totaled

$83.3 billion in 20041.

– Private, industry and non-profit foundation grant funding totaled $219.2 billion in 20041, portions of which could be allocated to “blind trusts” for TANC’s funding.

– Although a formal budget has yet-to-be determined, given the regional/local scope of The Alliance, remaining portions of the budget will come from appropriations in the U.S. federal budget.

1National Science Foundation (NSF)


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TANC College Scholar "Bonus Grant" Compensation EstimatesTANC College Scholar "Bonus

Grant" Compensation Estimates

Total Allotted Bonus Compensation (1st YR Term)Total Allotted Bonus Compensation (1st YR Term) $27,075,000$27,075,000

Average Annual Bonus (3rd to 4th YR Term – 12% Gross Income)Average Annual Bonus (3rd to 4th YR Term – 12% Gross Income) $10,218$10,218

Total Bonus Compensation (3rd to 4th YR Term)Total Bonus Compensation (3rd to 4th YR Term) $104,232,000$104,232,000

Average Annual Bonus (2nd YR Term – 10% Gross Income)Average Annual Bonus (2nd YR Term – 10% Gross Income) $7,884$7,884

Total Scholars Participating (.003% of 1.7M US Scholars)1Total Scholars Participating (.003% of 1.7M US Scholars)1 5,1005,100

Average Annual Salary – Public/Private (2007-2008)1Average Annual Salary – Public/Private (2007-2008)1 $75,849$75,849

1. U.S. Department of Labor, Teachers-Postsecondary: Earnings (December 18, 2007)

Average Annual Bonus (1 YR Term – 7% Gross Income)Average Annual Bonus (1 YR Term – 7% Gross Income) $5,309$5,309

Total Bonus Compensation (2nd YR Term)Total Bonus Compensation (2nd YR Term) $40,212,000$40,212,000


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A Call for PassageA Call for Passage

Both houses of Congress and the Executive Branch need to join TANC in crafting “The National Alliance Reform Act” as part of a proposed 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

– Congress needs to expedite passage and formal establishment of the Trans-American Alliance for a National Consensus as an independent “fourth branch” of the U.S. government.

– Congress and the Executive Branch need to form Joint Operating Committees to regularly work with TANC committees.


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TANC… An Electorate LegislatorTANC… An Electorate Legislator

Instilling consistent, “consensus” policy- and bill-making.

A true “checks-and-balances” intermediary between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.

A tireless collaborator and catalyst promoting government reform and social responsibility.

Gives the American citizens a truly “participatory” role in “Direct Democracy” — reflecting the needs of our electorate and positively affecting our country’s future direction and welfare.


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A Self-Renewing DemocracyA Self-Renewing Democracy

TANC’s formation marks an “evolutionary” historical opportunity to shape a contemporary, modern American democracy:

– American citizens from every race, gender and socio-economic class can now feel a strong sense of empowerment and individual participation.

– Ensures domestic tranquility, equality and prosperity for all Americans ― not for a few privileged “insiders.”

– Potentially frees politicians and a weary American electorate from the frequent rancor, partisanship, ideological battles and divisiveness of election campaigns.


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“The Will of the People”“The Will of the People”

“The people made the Constitution, and the people can unmake it. It is the creature of their

own will, and lives by their own will.”

― John Marshall (1755-1835)U.S. Supreme Court Justice, American Statesman and Constitutional Law Advocate

tanc: roadmap to "direct democracy" reform

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