June 1, 2002

It is sad to see that it took the horrific September 11, 2001 attack on America to focus real attention, a sense of urgency and long overdue demands for overhauling the "homeland" security of the United States.

However, there is much more at stake for the American people's well-being than superficial action to correct the collective, derelict shortcomings of government.

Indeed, even with sustained terrorist attacks, it will take years to witness any substantial results from government reforms simply because government departments and agencies are firmly entrenched, administration-heavy, monolithic cultures replete with inherently arrogant, incompetent bureaucracies.

Power-hungry career politicians with mixed loyalties notwithstanding, elected officials come and go. But the empire-building bureaucrats remain, essentially unfettered by Congress, presidents, judges or anyone else -- and that's what needs to be overhauled.

Alas, throughout our history what has been increasingly overlooked, circumvented or simply ignored, is the fact that our government has an absolute duty to the Constitution and to one, and only one, employer: The citizens of the United States.

By any definition, America was established by the people as a constitutional republic of representative democracy, not a bureaucuracy.

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center