This is post I wrote in 2016 during the presidential election cycle in the United States.

This post and the next post are the result of over a decade worth of reading and research with how and why the US is soooo messed up. There are many reasons, but this is a powerful one.

Introduction

I have said for quite a while: ‘Any candidate that does not have electoral reform as one of their first issues is the problem .’. We cannot have a truly representative democracy or a government that represents the people until our horribly broken electoral system is fixed. Our corrupt corporate owned government is what stands in the way of America being a truly great country instead of the laughing stock that we are due to how corrupt and fraud-ridden our system is. It would be amazing if we could finally join the rest of the world and be an actual democracy and not just throw the word around just because we like the sound of the word or because it is seen as a sacred though defiled part of our people’s collective history.

My Thoughts for Electoral Reform

This is post I wrote in 2016 during the presidential election cycle in the United States.

This post and the next post are the result of over a decade worth of reading and research with how and why the US is soooo messed up. There are many reasons, but this is a powerful one.

Introduction

I will cover here a many of the issues with the two party system and the suppression that is inherent in it. I will also give some specific examples.

What follows is nowhere near as well written, organized, supported or researched as I would like and this is because of limited time. My time is  limited not only because the elections coming up soon, but also because I have a life outside of politics and my blog, so I needed to get this out there sooner than later. Please forgive me. Some of the ideas I cover below in this first chapter I will cover in more detail in the next few chapters ( assuming I am able to get them written) .

• A General Look at the Systemic Suppression Inherent with America’s Two Party System

With the mess of the first parliamentary elections having just completed with elects declared (almost), slowly we move on into starting parliament up and attempting to get to work. Below I will talk about the top concerns that we need to address and keep in mind once parliament is able to actually get to work to start making things happen. The convening of the first Asgardian Parliament is set for June 24 in Vienna, Austria, so we have some time to kill to start getting our thoughts together.

Clawing Our Way Into A Brave New World (22 pgs)
Thoughts on the convening of Asgardia’s First Parliament.

So here is a process I have developed which pulls ideas from consensus based democratic work which will allow for a more open legislative process and more citizen participation. I also pull a little from Dahl’s ideas too.

Why a consensus based process you ask?

Well, a majoritarian based process like we have in the US and most of the rest of the world creates party based politics, divisiveness, grabs for power regardless of cost so they can control the process, and suppression of minority voices. Where the winner takes all for legislation, we all lose. =(

Consensus based democratic governments tend to be more cooperative, tend to eschew parties and party politics, tend to be more representative of the people, as well as respect and take into consideration minority voices due to the consensus based voting - all or nothing. When fine tuned this process may move at a similar rate as a majoritarian based process. A consensus based democratic legislative process will more accurately embody Asgardian ideals of equality and openness.

So, here is a process:

Legislative Process for a Consensus Based Digital Democracy (Google Docs)

My new 10 page post talking about my continuing struggles dealing with aggressive moderation in Asgardia.

You can read it here on Google Docs so it is easier to read with better formatting:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s4AwvihEDvxmwn6NwzvPXYhdoyZt7VTvjO5iEjJlr38/edit?usp=sharing

@Nikari Steve Miller

@Denise Blair

Here is my blog post which sprouted from a conversation from a Facebook conversation:

Productivity and Motivation in a Resource Based Economy?

Round 2 of elections has started.

Previous votes have been cleared.

Here is the annoucement:

https://asgardia.space/en/page/notifications/regulations-on-final-voting

You will need to vote again to get me and anyone else you planned on voting for into office.

So go out there and vote!!

Vote Here: https://asgardia.space/en/elections-districts/English/

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You can read this on Google Docs so it will be easier to read and formatted

Looking to Estonia, the Most Digitally Advanced Nation

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Asgardia, The Digital Nation

As a nation, Asgardia is virtual, digital, and internet based. We will not really have any physical locations or offices for our citizens to go to wait in line to talk to someone or to apply for a service or to get problems rectified.  Because our  websites and apps will be the way our citizens shall primarily interact with the each other, the government, and the various related Asgardian services and entities, our digital infrastructure needs to be a, if not THE, primary concern.

Our website and mobile app infrastructure needs to be clean, easy to use, and as modern as possible not only as a reflection of our Nation, but so that this technology can facilitate and focus on getting Asgardian things done. Our websites and apps should make things easier and not more difficult.

We NEED a comprehensive website redesign and overhaul with powerful long term planning guiding it. A haphazard, organic, or piece-by-disconnected-piece process will not get us there and it will create an incredible amount of additional work in the long run. By not planning for success today we are planning for failure tomorrow.

Why Recreate the Wheel?

Because of this, we should be looking to those who have used technology to completely digitize their national infrastructure including the use of blockchain technology. Estonia has potentially the world’s most technologically advanced governmental infrastructure. Their governmental process is completely digital. Their residents interact with their government primarily through their websites and an app(s) which is also also how we as a nation will be.

Estonia has:

• * has completely digitized their government
• * is issuing E-Residency to people world wide
• * is establishing a cryptocurrency (estcoin) which will work with their e-Residency program as well as utilizing blockchain technology with their national infrastructure.
• 
  
• We should not try to recreate this amazingly complex wheel when it has already been done.  These are all goals that Asgardia basically has, so we should be looking to those who are already successful in such endeavors or are currently pursuing such ends. The government of Estonia is at the top for digital governments around the world and we need to learn from them so we do not waste time, money, and precious volunteer time.

• How can we start this?

  1. We can initiate talks with the the Estonian government for their advice.
  2. Talk with the company that created their webpages, apps, and blockchain tech.
  3. Talk with Estonian citizens that are Asgardia citizens to get screenshots, translations, and to see how well it works.

You may also read this in Google Docs too so it will look a lot better:

The Constitution of Asgardian: Stepping Stones to Tyranny

I. Introduction

I have been asked to condense my thoughts on the primary issues with the constitution which may lead to oppression, tyranny, and fascism in Asgardia. Here is my attempt at ‘condensing’.

My Commentary on the Asgardian Constitution has 14 pages of my first pass comments on the constitution. There is a lot of good there, but also some very, very troublesome things to which I will talk about below.

There are 6 main factors present that need to be dealt with:

1. People Other Than the Electors Decide if MP’s Take Office
2. Tyranny of the Majority
3. Subjective Morality
4. Enforced Nationalism
5. HoN Dynastic Appointments
6. HoN’s Unfettered Legislative Power

NOTE: Also, I should state that this takes into account extra-Constitutional texts (the Asgardian Website) which at this point is effectively on par with the Constitution itself until as such time as that assumption by the public at large and the interim government is rescinded by the interim and acting Government.

II. People Other than Electors Decide if MPs Take Office

From the website - bottom of the Election Page : Keep in mind we have no idea what part of this means, because it is not explained, but is very problematic, especially because of how open it is, and I do not think this is mentioned directly in the constitution either:

"Candidates who receive most votes in their electoral districts will move on to the interview round conducted by the Central Election Committee of Asgardia. Elected MPs cannot take office until they have been interviewed by the Central Election Committee of Asgardia and approved by the Head of Nation."

This is problematic on two potential fronts for significant democratic reasons:

MP CEC Interview: From the standpoint of democratically elected representatives, I am not at all keen on a random and potentially partisan committee being able to tell the people that who they voted for arbitrarily cannot take on the job. This is somewhat analogous to America’s Superdelegates or the Electoral College members deciding on someone other than who the voters selected will take office. It does not work there and it sure as hell will not work here either.

There are no constitutional requirements nor guidance investing in the CEC to validate candidates or how to determine valid candidacy, so it could be left to opinion on whether or not the candidate likes teddy bears or whether or not they support the King’s views. This stands as quite anti-democratic and a violation of core premises of democracy.

Now, if this was only there to verify that they met the resume/ID/Recommendation requirement, then that would be one thing, but should be done prior to voting or listing them as a candidate.  Otherwise it results in having the citizen waste their vote and prevent them seeking a qualified representative, and preventing their voice from being heard, but this is does not seem to be what this is about, since verification of candidacy is already done prior to being listed.

Head of Nation Approval:  HoN also has to approve the candidate that has already been approved by the electorate and the CEC? (not in constitution) This is inherently anti-democratic. Members of Parliament should be voted in by the people, period. This part states, effectively that the HoN gets to pick his parliament.

Nothing could possibly go wrong there! Not ever!! I would love it if the President of the United States would get to pick his Congress. Oh, the horrors that would be wrought. Seriously, this is one is horrific and wrong, beyond all rational belief. You may say we do not have a king, but if this is left to stand then we most assuredly do!!! .

III. Tyranny of the Majority

“Article 16.7: 7.  The supreme form of the expression of public will in Asgardia is a referendum. Referenda shall be used to resolve the most important national matters of Asgardia. Referenda shall be held in accordance with Asgardia’s laws.”

“Art 30.1 Asgardia shall be governed by its citizens through referenda.”

There are significant problems with ruling by referenda as the US saw in California during the Prop 8 debacle. $20 Million was spent in a campaign of fear and lies for months prior to this vote, which was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court. This allows for the Tyranny of the Majority to run wild over the country with no protection for minorities or minority viewpoints of any kind. This is going to be a long term significant problem. All it takes is one powerful statement or a charismatic person to move the masses by fear and anger to destroy progress or the rights of others by a single...Referenda.

There needs to be a significant check on this. Direct citizen referenda is pretty much a bad idea all around. I have an idea on how to correct this in my Constitutional rewrite, but I guess we shall see how well that will work.

IV. Subjective Morality

Article 17.4.a “the spread of moral ideals;”

Article 22.5 “ Asgardia shall prohibit any propaganda of immoral and antisocial behaviour, and any production and circulation of information on any storage media, which contains mass information, that is harmful to morality and/or aims to undermine or diminish its Supreme Values.”

Article 23.3  To ensure information security, the Government regulates the circulation of certain types of information on the basis of the Constitution of Asgardia and in accordance with the procedure set by Asgardia’s laws.

What are moral ideas? Morality is quite subjective and can vary from culture to culture, from religion to religion. Some may demand the stoning to death of someone who does not believe in their god on moral grounds or that women be required to cover themselves at all times. We are one citizen referendum away from a moral tyranny, especially when combined with 23.3 which controls the circulation of information - here comes censorship and political oppression!! Anti-social?  As an introvert I have been called antisocial. Am I a referendum away from jail or some other punishment. These words, albeit, are poorly selected, but are also endemic to potentially very damaging constitutional precedents of protecting arbitrary ‘moral’ beliefs.

V. Enforced Nationalism

26.5. Asgardian citizens shall respect and protect Asgardia’s national symbols. Any disrespect towards Asgardia’s national symbols shall be subject to liability in accordance with the procedure set by Asgardia’s laws.

26.6. Any use of national symbols in violation of the procedure set by Asgardia’s laws shall be prosecuted in accordance with such laws.

26.5 and 6: 5. and 6. Both are really messed up and need to be removed. It violates freedom of expression and is a powerful tool to suppress political dissidents. Such laws are used by authoritarian regimes like Myanmar and fundamentalist Islamic countries to destroy political commentary, political dissidents, political controversy, and it goes against the very foundations of free speech. These are trappings of a monarchy, feudalism, and point horrendous levels of social and intellectual regression. Kingdom!! Ugghhh!. Super BAAAAD!!!

VI. HoN Dynastic Appointments

32.4: 4. “One year prior to reaching the age limit or in the event of a voluntary resignation, the Head of Nation shall nominate a candidate (on the basis of genealogy or on any other basis) for the position of Head of Nation. Two other candidates or the same candidate for the position of Head of Nation shall be nominated by the Parliament and the Supreme Space Council. The election of the Head of Nation is put to a referendum in accordance with Asgardia’s laws.”

Not a good idea. This should be scrapped altogether. There is an incredible potential to create dynasties by appointment even if the parliament gets to pick - provides potential for deal making and corruption.

This should be changed to an order of succession with an election to soon follow with the interim head having limited powers, unless in certain circumstances. You say we do not have a king? A king in all but name with dynastic appointment possible.

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You can read this on Google Docs too if you like:

Elections are a Self-selecting Referendum on the Age of the Candidate

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In the debate on the minimum age for parliament I was firmly in the 23-25 minimum age based on maturity, life experience, college education, etc. I have now changed position on the minimum age based on points made in this discussion from this Facebook post by Christina Cole . I think we should make it 18.

So, regardless of what we individually feel the minimum age should be, the electorate shall indirectly engage in an 'electoral referendum' on whether the candiate is old enough, mature enough, or has the ideas or experience enough based on their individual vote.

If they feel the candidate is too young then they shall not vote for them. If they feel that they are too young age wise, but they present themselves as mature for their age and has good ideas then the voter will vote for them. Their intellectual and emotional age shall be effectively voted on in the election based on the votes they receive. This results in a self-selecting minumum age on a candidate by candidate basis.

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Here is a Google Docs link so can read it without getting a headache:

The Case for an Asgardian Economic System
(Part 3): The Implementation

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I. Introduction

Note: Keep in mind that what I am presenting is just the tip of the iceberg for such a complex topic.

Here is the first 2 parts if you have not read them yet:

The Case for an Asgardian Economic System
(Part 1): The Problem

The Case for an Asgardian Economic System
(Part 2): The Answer

In the previous 2 parts of this series I talked about how Capitalism is the definitive problem and how a Resource Based Economy is the solution. Now, I am going to try to present the case for why a Resource Based Economy is right for Asgardia but also what it may look like if we implement it virtually.

II. Similar Philosophical Foundations

Here is the first reason why Asgardia and a RBE are great together - similar philosophical foundations:

When I was evaluating what Asgardia meant and how it defined itself, I was reading through the website and through the constitution and was just jumping off my seat, because I could see the philosophical foundations for a Resource Based Economy slathered everywhere, all over everything. That sort of idealistic, utopian, humanistic and equality laden vision for what humanity can become. It was refreshing and powerfully inspiring, even while looking through the document’s many imperfections.

The Asgardian constitution in its own crude way espouses RBE ideals without knowing it. This potential really excited me because it seems that they really want to make a difference in the right ways by espousing such RBE ideals as: global equality, equal access to goods and services, humanism, education, using science and technology to its fullest to make life better for ALL of Humanity.

In my Candidacy Platform I even took the time to pull out all of the points in the website and the constitution which promote RBE ideals and there are A LOT. I am going to post those here so you can see… all... of…. them,so be prepared for all 4 pages of excerpts:

VIII. Asgardian Philosophical and Constitutional Support for a  Resource Based Economy

As I read through our website and our constitution there are so many lines that just scream Resource Based Economy. The philosophical framework for both are very, very similar. Take another look at the keywords below and then take a look through the constitution and see for yourself. Are these the definitive keywords for Asgardia or a Resource Based Economy? Can you honestly tell them apart?

• Global, Equitable, Humanity, Resources, Goods and Services
• Environment, Interdependent
• Technology, Science, Sustainable Management

This happens so much that I think that this may be a match that, when put together into one movement, may just change the world in powerful and unexpected ways.

Just choosing the International Fixed Calendar (IFC) says progress and efficiency not bound by cultural, theological, or societal regression is a prime motivator. Choosing districts based off linguistic lines and not national, geographic, or religious lines says this too. Science and efficiency to move forward.

A RBE is the right tool for the right job, a more efficient and powerful socio-economic tool to replace the broken one we have now, not bound by cultural, theological, or societal regression which is very inline with the philosophical basis of Asgardia.

A. From Asgardia’s Concept Page

Section on (1) Philosophy

“The essence of Asgardia is Peace in Space, and the prevention of Earth’s conflicts being transferred into space.”

Humans will always carry their nationalistic and social problems with them, so the only way to accomplish this ‘preventing conflicts from spilling over from terrestrial Earth and into space’ is to work towards bringing peace to the world. Any attempt to avoid this process is to completely subvert this philosophical basis for Asgardia.  Working towards creating peace on Earth is the only way to ensure that there is peace in space, or anywhere else for Humanity.

“Asgardia is also unique from a philosophical aspect ...

to serve entire humanity and each and everyone, regardless of his or her personal welfare and the prosperity of the country where they happened to be born.“

This says equal access to all of the world’s resources and services which is an amazing concept - equal access for all. This is really the only way to ensure real peace in a society as this wisely brings to bear.

Both combined are a powerful philosophical basis for a society: to prevent the existing harms and conflicts and to establish a society which is based on peaceful coexistence for all of humanity with equal access by all. This is what RBE is about.

Section on (2) Legal Concepts

“New space law has to equally protect the interests of every human being on Earth.

…  delivering the benefits of using space for creating new goods and services, and financial resources.”

Again, working towards equal access to goods, services, and protection for all human beings is the only way to really ensure world peace. Global equality is a core RBE concept.

Section (3) Science and Technology

Using humanity’s combined technological and intellectual pools to ensure equal access to space and the knowledge contained therein is a powerful equalizer that can lift all nations and peoples up. Committing these combined world-wide resources not only to protect us from environmental threats that stem not only from space but also from Earth itself is important, for these potential sources of disasters can affect the very fate of humanity. Environmental protection and remediation is a core RBE concept.  If we poison our ecosystem then we poison ourselves.

Committing to science and objective truth over subjective “truths” and opinions can help to bring peace to the world. Using science and technology for the betterment of all humanity and not just the select few. Using technology and science to make life better for all and to free humanity from the drudgery of monotonous and mindless work that can be easily automated so humans can concentrate on work that really matters is what RBE is about.

B. From Asgardia’s Constitution

Here is a link to Asgardia’s Constitution .

Chapter (1) Declaration of Unity

It is wonderful to see that the very first section of the constitution is drenched with RBE language and ideas such as:

• equal opportunities for all, welfare of all humankind, are equal, irrespective of their (Earthly descriptors), science, international, peaceful history

Chapter (2) General Provisions

Article 2 - Status

• “which is transethnic and secular, is based on morality, fairness, peace, and the equal dignity of every human being”

Article 4 - Asgardia’s Supreme Values

(4) Asgardia’s Supreme Values are very much in line with a Resource Based Economy (slightly edited):

• peace in space and peaceful settlement of the Universe;
• ensuring equality of opportunity in space for all;
• safeguarding all of humanity from all threats;
• unity of space humanity as a community;
• human dignity, human rights and freedoms, and the harmonious development of individuals;
• human happiness, life, love, children and family, and the propagation of human species;
• preservation of space environment - and of Earth’s ecosystems;
• community and mutual support;
• scientific and artistic creativity, and the belief in the boundless potential of human reason, knowledge, labour, and progress;
• peace, tranquility, safety, security, respect, and confidence;
• morality, fairness, and freedom;
• harmonious existence of individuals, society

Chapter (3) Space Citizenship of Asgardia

Article 8 - Rights and Freedoms of Citizens

• 2. All Asgardian citizens shall be equal.

Article 9 - Obligations of Citizens

• 7. Asgardian citizens shall preserve nature and the environment in Asgardia’s localities.

Chapter (4) Asgardian Resources

Article 12 - Natural Resources

• 4. … shall use all available resources to ensure the safety and sustainability of its natural resources and the space environment, and shall support corresponding initiatives …

Article 14 - Scientific Resources

• Asgardia shall be a nation of the supremacy of science and technology, and a nation of ideas. Asgardia shall combine the advantages of information technology in virtual and physical world.

Chapter (5) Government By The People

Article 17 - Fairness

• (1) Asgardia shall recognise that every person has an inalienable right to fair treatment and facilitate the enjoyment of this right.
• (2) Asgardia is a nation of social justice, which strives to ensure that citizens enjoy material and spiritual benefits expected by other citizens, society, and the government, and produced by the citizen through labour and production of material and immaterial goods.
• (4) To ensure fairness, the Government shall encourage:
• the spread of moral ideals;
• equal rights and equality of human dignity;
• scientific and technological progress.

Article 18 - Dignity For All

• (1) Asgardia shall recognise the equal dignity of all persons.
• (2) Every Asgardian citizen has the right to have their dignity recognised and protected in life and memory after death. No grounds can be used to diminish human dignity. The dignity of Asgardian citizens shall be protected.
• (3) The views of people and Asgardian citizens about human dignity shall be formed and fostered through education, parenting, propaganda, and the media, in accordance with Asgardia’s Supreme Values.
• (4) Any propaganda of superiority and/or inequality of people is prohibited. Asgardia shall prohibit racist, Nazi, fascist, and other similar ideologies in their historical and new forms.
• (5) The Government shall protect groups of citizens, who find themselves in a difficult position on Asgardian territory, by providing them equal access to food, clothing, shelter, and basic material and immaterial benefits.
• (6) The Government shall seek to reduce inequality of social conditions and opportunities for Asgardian citizens, including those contingent on their Earthly country of residence.
• (7) The Government shall support the establishment of humanism, compassion, and charity in social and economic systems.

Chapter (6) Security in Asgardia

Article 18 - Protection of Earth

• (1) Asgardia shall use governmental and private resources to build capabilities to safeguard the Earth from space-originating threats, independently and in cooperation with the Earth States and international organisations, on the basis of bilateral and multilateral treaties.
• (2) In order to safeguard the planet Earth, Asgardia’s authorised bodies shall:
  • (a) monitor the condition and physical processes of potentially dangerous objects in near and outer space, and model and forecast space-originating threats and their potential consequences;
  • (b) monitor the condition and physical processes in Earth’s geospheres, and model and forecast their potential consequences;
  • (c) monitor Earth’s biosphere and emerging biological threats originating in space, and model and forecast their potential consequences and ways of defending against such threats.
• (3) In order to preserve humanity and biodiversity of the Earth, Asgardia shall organise and ensure the building of Space Arks and protective platforms in space to be used in the event of threats to the safety of humanity on the Earth and for space tourism, in the absence of threats.

The sheer amount of RBE language here is pretty amazing!!

III. Preventing Earthly Conflict from Affecting the Heavens

Here is the second reason why Asgardia and a RBE are great together: They both wish to bring peaceful existence to Humanity.

The following is an quote from Asgardia’s page on Asgardia’s philosophy (Our Country -> Concept -> 1. Philosophy -> paragraph 4) :

“The essence of Asgardia is Peace in Space, and the prevention of Earth’s conflicts being transferred into space.”

The only way to accomplish this ‘preventing conflicts from spilling over from terrestrial Earth and into space’ is to work towards bringing peace to the world. Any attempt to avoid this process is to completely subvert this philosophical basis for Asgardia and, well, every other philosophical foundation too. =) Working towards creating peace on Earth is the only way to ensure peace in space, or anywhere else for Humanity.

With the significant systemic issues inherent in Capitalism and a monetary based economy, the only really way to create peace on earth and everywhere else for Humanity is to utilize a socio-economic system which values and embodies such things as global equality, sustainability, compassion, justice, science, education, etc. Capitalism most definitely does not. It values one thing only - profit. Profit no matter the cost to the environment or to the people. The system that embodies these important humanistic ideals and whose goal is peace and equality for ALL of Humanity is a Resource Based Economy.

The Philosophical Prime Directive from my Candidacy Platform addresses that quote directly as well, which is how important I think it really is:

Humanity carries its cultural, theological, emotional, intellectual, and social baggage with it wherever it goes which creates perpetual strife and conflict. If we cannot live in harmony here on our planet of origin that we will never be able to live in any semblance of harmony in a space station nor anywhere else in the universe. The only real way to accomplish peace in space is to create peace on Earth.

The Asgardian Prime Directive should be:

“To advocate for a change in Humanity’s social, political, and economic systems so that we can save ourselves and our planet of origin from our own self-inflicted horrors and the systems that created them. We shall do so using Seven Philosophical Pillars: Science and Technology, Interdependence, Sustainability, Humanity, Justice and Compassion, Equity, and Education as prime drivers and guides for effecting that change and bringing peace to Humanity where ever we shall find ourselves.”

III. The Implementation

Finally, I shall get to how an Asgardia Resource Based Economy may manifest, which is sort of a 5 step process:

1. Contact the Organizations that Study, Research, and Preach RBE
2. Constitutional Reform
3. RBE Educational Platform
4. International Advocacy
5. Implement an Asgardian RBE?

A. Contact the Organizations that Study, Research, and Preach RBE

First, we should contact the organizations which live and breathe for their advice, thoughts, and guidance. They will be an amazingly well educated resource to advise us on how to have our government move forward to embody the ideals which we already espouse.

B. Constitutional  Reform

Next, let us consummate this relationship and make it official. Let us embrace the relationship fully and reform the constitution (which needs to be done anyhow) to acknowledge that a Resource Based Economy is part of the ideals of Asgardia (since it really is) and adjust the wording of our philosophical foundations to more directly call to a Resource Based Economy’s language. Currently, I am working on a constitutional rewrite based on this very idea. =) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights as set forth by the United Nations is a large part of that as well since it really calls to equality.

C. RBE Educational Platform

Since the philosophical ideals of Asgardia are truly the ideals of a Resource Based Economy we should ensure that all our citizens are aware of that and then we can start educating people on this and related topics. A relationship with such organizations will prove to be indispensable for that because they have spent years advocating and educating on these topics and have learned much. We can save ourselves many problems by working with them and even utilizing them as guest speakers and presenters.

We can provide a platform to educate over a hundred thousand people which is an amazing opportunity. Asgardia can be on the vanguard or true societal change, an opportunity like no other micronation in the world has ever had. This alone is exciting, to possibly be able to truly make a difference in the word, especially when we consider the next step....

D. International Advocacy

This next step is even more mind-bogglingly amazing: Assuming Asgardia does well as a micronation, it would find itself in an unique situation unlike that of any micronation throughout history - we would have many, many people, money, and legitimate claim to existence and respect within the international community.

Once the nation progresses, has completed the 3 previous steps, has initiated relations with the UN, and has a working relationship with them, then things can really start to change. Speaking to the UN as an acknowledged nation about Asgardia and a Resourced Based Economy will give us leverage the likes of which no other organization has had, as well as an international stage and an audience which is already sympathetic to our cause. We would have the ability to really work towards world wide change by promoting Asgardian ideals.

E. Implement an Asgardian RBE?

Ok, so now we get to the crux of the original question: What would an Asgardian implementation of a Resource Based Economy look like? How would it manifest in Asgardia?

1. Previous 4 Steps

The main part of this answer is potentiality is found in the previous 4 steps - embodying the values of Asgardia as a Resource Based Economy. That is perhaps the most powerful thing we can do help the world. We can do this by forming our processes and policies to embody a RBE as much as possible - global, sustainable, automated, science based, data driven, equal, etc. We have examples, as my platform points out, of countries who exhibit nascent individual RBE traits - Nordic countries especially for education, prison, and waste management, Estonia for the digital infrastructure, and so on. We can look to the world at large for ideas on RBE based methods of doing things.

2. Nationwide Resource Survey

Perhaps, the most powerful action for Asgardia to embody a RBE beyond the previous steps, and one that is an essential part of what it means to be a Resourced Based Economy, is a Resource Survey. This will not be possible without a comprehensive and extensive website reform. Our website(s) can be the primary driver to drive us forward and part of that would be through getting to know what resources we have available to us. Citizen volunteers should be able to, through their user profile, be able to say which skills they have, take a test to qualify their level of knowledge and skill, so they know and we know, and then they can be available to be assigned for volunteer work. This is the first and, honestly, the important most part of my Candidacy Platform: Comprehensive Website Reform .

3. Physical Manifestations

As far as actually being resource based and providing things for free to all people, I am not sure if that is possible, although it may be to a limited extent. Perhaps this will mostly be available as an option through what digital services we provide - education, access to space, perhaps cloud storage, Asgardian email and phone numbers, and things like that. It becomes quite difficult to do much beyond digital things since we do not have land, manufacturing facilities, farms, etc.

Honestly, a Resource Based Economy in a physical world could only really work on a large scale - continental, perhaps national or internationally if the nations attempting it are big enough and had the resources. We are not that.

We will also need a digital monetary system, which I support in my platform. Even if we do make the transition to a digital Resource Based Economy, we will still exist within in a Capitalist society, so we will still have bills to pay, services to buy, and our public servants to attempt to pay.

V. Conclusion

In this document I have:

1. I tried to explain what a Resource Based Economy is, why it is important, and why we need to work towards it.
2. Then, I laid the foundation for how Asgardia’s philosophical foundations are the same as that of a Resource Based Economy. Currently, they are in a one-sided philosophical romance which has yet to be requited. <3 (Not quite stalker’esque in nature because Asgardia is effusively extolling RBE’s many virtues)
3. Lastly, I talked about how a Resource Based Economy might play out in Asgardia.

So, I have spent 11 pages talking about a Resource Based Economy. Hopefully, what I have said will give you something to think, consider, and to spend time researching. Asgardia really is at its foundational core, a Resource  Based Economy. It does not know it quite yet and is perhaps not ready to admit it, but once it is ready to come out of the closet, then the world shall be better for it. We just need to acknowledge it and make the relationship official and then things will get better from there.

by James O’Neill

My profile on Asgardia.

Ask Me Anything threads:
on Asgardia or on Reddit

Vote for me on Asgardia!
(towards the bottom of the list)

******

Here is a Google Docs link so can read it without getting a headache:

The Case for an Asgardian Economic System
(Part 2): The Answer

******

I. Introduction

Note: For all my fellow Asgardians, I am an American so this will be written from that perspective, but will be broadly applicable outside the US.. Also, keep in mind that what I am presenting is just the tip of the iceberg for such a complex topic.

Here is the first part if you have not read it yet:

The Case for an Asgardian Economic System
(Part 1): The Problem

***

A definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. We cannot ever expect to solve the issues that are visceral and inherent to the archaic Capitalist system using Capitalism. Why should we work so hard to control a system whose rules are predetermined to have negative and deadly outcomes when other far superior options are available?

We change our technology when it becomes outmoded and so we should also change our social and economic systems when they have far outlived their usefulness. It is far beyond time especially with 18 million people dying each year due to the structural violence inherent in Capitalism. Can we honestly afford that price in the blood of the innocent in order to maintain the cancer of Capitalism? Is keeping this broken system that important?

A. The Domestication of the Velociraptor (Commentary on Capitalism)

Your tribe has the option of continuing to unsuccessfully domesticate wild velociraptors or to try to domesticate those wolves that have been coming close to your tribal lands, eating from your garbage, and on occasion eating from your hands.

For thousands of years your tribe has been unsuccessfully trying to domesticate wild velociraptors . You capture them, cage them, and train them up. They act right for a little while, or at least you think they do, but you still see them look at you and your family like they are its next lunch. For a while they even perform as you would like: guarding your homes and flocks, allowing you to pet them, playing with your children, pulling your plows.

Eventually, it acts out tearing off your arm or clawing you. Your people capture and then retrain it. Then it eats your dog. You repeat the retraining process. Then it escapes eats most of the family next door. With a new color of harness you retrain it again with tremendous cries of support and religious services dedicated to it and it's amazing potential, because this is how we have lived for thousands of years and this is what is right. You even set the raptors upon the wolves who come near and eat from your hand.

Now the raptor is roaming throughout the streets of your tribe eating whoever and whatever it wishes. Your people live in fear while espousing the wonderful traits of velociraptors: strong legs, powerful jaws, sharp claws, great hunter… even while its fangs are disgorging blood from your spouse’s neck. Your tribal members cry out “Velociraptors are amazing! In fact they already are domesticated, but maybe we need a new harness to make sure this time.”.

A tribal member cries out “Look at those tribes over there. They have wolves. They are being successfully domesticated.” Your tribe angrily rages “We already have the superior domesticated velociraptors which eats wolves! How could you even suggest? Those tribes are the enemy. They use… wolves. You are a traitor. You are not a member of our tribe.” The member points to the trail of blood left by your spouse’s lifeless body as it was dragged out by the velociraptor. You say ‘It is my spouse’s fault for not petting the raptor properly.” as you think ‘The raptor just needs a new harness of a different color.’

You go to the mass grave where your spouse and many of your neighbors are buried as the “domesticated” raptor fed upon their unsuspecting bodies as it was meant to do. Excitedly you say. ‘Yes, a harness of a different color is the answer!”

II. The Final Answer

We need to evolve beyond Capitalism and use the far superior system which prevents all of the issues of Capitalism and utilizes the benefits of technological advancements. Capitalism, which is based on scarcity and money, causes pretty much all of our global problems and the answer to this is a Resource Based Economy (RBE).

A. What is a Resource Based Economy?

A Resource Based Economy (RBE) is defined as: A global socio-economic system that will utilize existing resources (natural and technological) to provide an equitable method of distribution of goods and services in the most humane and efficient manner for the entire population without the use of money, credits, barter, or any other form of symbolic exchange.

We have 5 keywords that I will talk about here:

Global: is a modifier for all aspects of the definition of a Resource Based Economy - meaning world-wide, all of the nations of the world working together for the benefit of all of humanity

Resources: sharing all of the of the world's various resources : natural (water, minerals, food, etc), technological (manufacturing, computers, intellectual property, etc) and human (personal skills: engineering, agronomy, carpentry, knowledge, etc) shared to solve the problems facing our world

Goods and services: sharing all of the world's products that are manufactured or delivered (food, water, clothes, computers) or services (energy, internet, food preparation, home design) rendered to humans

Humans: All the world’s, resources and goods and services are there to benefit ALL of humanity and not just a select few.

Equitable: is a modifier for goods and services - ensures that ALL of humanity has equal (as equal as possible) access to all goods and services

No Money: Perhaps the most important and world-shaking phrase here is 'without the use of money, credits, barter, or any other form of symbolic exchange'; no money. All things are available for free. As was covered in the previous section, money is the creator of most of our world's problems and once we get rid of that and share all the things life will be better for all.

The RBE Trinity

A RBE proposes a design for a global society that has a specific function – maintaining the ecological balance while improving the standard of living for all its members. To achieve a more humane and meaningful approach to shaping civilization the primary guidelines will be these three interdependent ideas:

1. The intelligent use of science, technology, and manufacturing as the driving force to achieve a truly sustainable future where the primary concern is:

2. … the protection and sustainable management of the environment and its resources

3. … for the well-being and benefit of ALL the people of the world.

Here we have 4 terms to work with:

Sustainable Management: is a global modifier for all things within RBE. Creating processes that are environmentally friendly, efficient, and automated are very important to making life easier for all of humanity.

Technology: creating technology using sustainable processes where the entire lifecycle (manufacturing, delivery, use, and recycling) is environmentally friendly, efficient,  and automated

Environment: sustainable management of the environment and its natural resources is of prime concern here which includes efforts to reclaim and repair all environmental damage and to prevent it

Humans: creating sustainable manufacturing processes and protecting and fixing the environment to ensure that ALL humanity has a healthy environment to live in

RBE + Trinity

When we put together the diagram for RBE and the Trinity we get something like this:

Key Modifiers: You will note that the key modifiers here are: global, equitable, and sustainable management. RBE works within a methodology that is global, sustainable, and equitable to help ensure that we have a planet to live on with clean air to breathe, food to eat, and water to drink and that all people have access to these. A global sustainably managed process to manufacture and deliver goods and services equitably to ALL of humanity while protecting and remediating the environment.

B. Summary

The essence of a Resource Based Economy is to claim the world’s resources as a common heritage to all of humanity so we can end poverty, war, crime, exploitation, greed, and ignorance. We have all of the resources, knowledge and technology to accomplish this today, to even manage space freely and equally. By harnessing the power of AI, science, and high levels of global automation to manage all of our global resources intelligently and sustainably we can free humanity up to do things that matter. Amazing things are possible when we work together. It is the greed and division that is inherent in Capitalism that keep this vision from happening.

Mad Max Vs Star Trek (Economies)

III. Conclusion

I have spent the previous article in this series talking about why Capitalism is the primary source of all of our problems and I think that this is quite apparent, especially if you really think about it. The great book ‘ The New Human Rights Movement’ really shines here in making that apparent. If you have not read this then please do that. It will change your world. It really connected the dots in ways that I could not do with such a complex issue.

In this article I have proposed the socioeconomic solution which should prevent all of the problems of Capitalism and create a society that will flourish using technological advancements such as AI, 3D printing, automation, sustainable energy, and hydroponics, etc to create a great world for everyone. We have the resources. We have the knowledge. We have the technology. We just need the will to do so.

Next, I will talk about how a Resource Based Economy may take shape here in Asgardia.

Now on to:

The Case for an Asgardian Economic System
(Part 3): The Implementation

by James O’Neill

My profile on Asgardia.

Ask Me Anything threads:
on Asgardia or on Reddit

Vote for me on Asgardia!
(towards the bottom of the list)

******

Here is a Google Docs link so can read it without getting a headache:

THE CASE FOR AN ASGARDIAN ECONOMIC SYSTEM
(PART 1): THE PROBLEM

******

I. Introduction

Note: For all my fellow Asgardians, I am an American so this will be written from that perspective, but will be broadly applicable outside the US. I am sure you will have many similar examples too. Also keep in mind that what I am presenting is just the tip of the iceberg for such a complex topic.

I have spent over a decade reading, writing, thinking, and researching why our world is sooooo messed up and what we can do to try it fix it. I have studied such topics as:

• * America: the Constitution, Revolutionary War history, our Founding Fathers
• * Religion: Christian theology, Christian history, religious history, Pagan theology, religious history, divine feminine theology, philosophy
• * Sexuality: sexuality, monogamy, polygamy, homosexuality, prostitution, polyamory
• * Sciences: evolutionary psychology, evolutionary biology, advancing technology, green technology, alternative energy
• * Politics: constitutional law Second Amendment issues, poverty, minimum wage, electoral reform, problems with the 2 party system, money in politics

As a part of this process I have come up with ideas that others have as well:

• * International Fixed Calendar
• * converting to the 24 hour time and the metric system; having a world standard decimal time
• * religious humanism, evolutionary creationism,
• * progressive taxation, public funding of elections

… and many other things in my education and journey.

II. The Final Problem

However, the most important conclusion I have come to in the last few years is that our economic/monetary system is that the prime culprit of all of the problems that humanity faces today, although I could not wrap my head around the totality of the idea or the magnitude of it.

Below are a few of the facts that has led me to this conclusion:

A. Features of Capitalism

Here is a small list for you to consider. These are the features of Capitalism throughout the world. These are features and NOT bugs:

• * recession and inflation
• * greed, corruption, and exploitation
• * pollution and destruction of the ecology
• * income inequality
• * planned obsolescence and waste
• * war and violence
• * crime, poverty, homelessness
• * systemic ‘isms (racism, sexism, nationalism, patriotism, etc)

This is a great list right? Below I will give you a small set of examples to show my point.

B. Poverty and Homelessness

We live in a country where we:

• * throw away enough food to feed 3 times our population
• * have enough housing for 3 times our population
• * are the richest country in the world

and yet we have:

• * the second highest Child Poverty Rate
• *and over 600,000 homeless people

…which shows that we have enough resources and money, so homelessness and poverty should not be a thing in America, so why do these problems go unsolved when we have the resources?.

C. Profit Over Society and Advancement

We live in a country where:

• * the works of the brilliant Nicola Tesla are buried
• * the Hemp Car (made of hemp and powered by a hemp based biofuel) which was created by Henry Ford was buried by the oil companies and other industries
• * alternative energy technologies are railed against and thwarted politically
• • * other patents and ideas are purchased and buried so that no one can use them
  • 
    

… because such technological inventions and advancements threatened the profits of big businesses.

Profit before the environment or people. Profit no matter what the cost. That is the motto for Capitalism and our monetary system. There are so many more examples of abuses caused by Capitalism, but that is enough for now to give you a picture.

D. Capitalism’s Systemic Corporate Corruption

Now, with this discussion I am going to assume a few things just to give Capitalism’s advocates the benefit of the doubt. Let’s assume that everything in my posts regarding the Two Party System , Electoral Reform , and the 28th and 29th Amendments are enacted, and also that laws are passed so that:

• • * the Maximum Income Disparity is set from the horrific 347:1 which we have now down to 10:1 times like Japan
• • * progressive taxation is implemented such that the Marginal Rate is set to 90%.
• • * Hell, lets even throw in Universal Basic Income just to really make this nation great again.

This all is an amazing situation, I mean, like a really dreamlike situation (at least here in the US).

Even with all of that being assumed, it honestly does not matter what reforms we enact, it will always only be temporary. Republicans and Corporations will always work towards undermining and destroying whatever reforms are enacted because they worship greed, power, and the cancer of the “Free” Market which is anything but free.

A feature of the free market is income disparity. With any level of income disparity there are health issues due to biophychosocial issues. Capitalism also has recessions and bankruptcies inherent due to there not being enough money to pay back the interest in the monetary system due. Why is this you ask? Because of the way the Federal Reserve, which is private corporation, works to add money into the economy. And, of course, our favorite friend  – income disparity.

The list of corporate corruption is systemic and will always fester itself back in. It will never be a matter of “if” it does, it is a matter of “when”. All of the reforms in the world can and will be undone as we all very well know. It is a matter of time and then we will repeat the cycle just like we did with the Great Depression.

Some examples to give you an idea of the inevitability of the undoing of any progress made:

• • * The Glass-Steagal Act, which was passed following the Great Depression, to prevent that horror from ever happening again – well that was undone 60 years later due bank lobbying during the Clinton administration, and the result of that was the 2008 Market Crash.
• • * In 1973 Nixon allowed the Healthcare industry to be for profit. Prior to that it was a non-profit industry.
• Ronald Reagan overturned the Fairness in Reporting Act which enforced fair and balanced news reporting which created the horror that is Fox news and so many others
• • * The Consumer Financial Protection Organization thingy which was setup by Elizabeth Warren a few years ago was recently gutted or dismantled by the Trump administration.
• • * There is also the fact that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) which has been prevented from researching gun violence for over a decade due to powerful lobbying by the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Even with the Max Income Disparity Ratio @ 10 and Progressive Taxation implemented with Marginal Rate set at an amazing 90% the corporations and the rich will always have more money than the rest of us and will always be able to afford people to lobby our representatives in whatever form they can manage. We, the middle class, do not have the time or money to do as such since we have to get the bills paid. It is not a matter of if they will get their way, it is a matter of when. And then, we have the sad fact that conservatives vote religiously and liberals do not. So, eventually Republicans and Corporations will win again and get what they want with the rest of us paying for it. It is just a matter of time. To think otherwise is naive.

V. Conclusion

You do not have to take my limited word for it. Please read this immaculately researched book: The New Human Rights Movement . It will change you world. This is a really in depth read stating the academic and intellectual foundations as to why Capitalism and our monetary system creates most of humanity's problems which are really features of capitalism and not bugs. It is a very dense read filled with studies, citations, and facts to back it all up. All very well done.

Even though it is a large book, there are only 6 "chapters" which are heavily segmented by various topical headers. The first 4 "chapters" deal with Capitalism's issues. The last 2 "chapters" talk about a Resource Based Economy, which is not done as well, in my opinion, but still very useful. The book is almost worth it just for the first appendix on renewable energy systems.

Hell, the book is really worth it just for the appendix on sustainable energy facts. Please, seriously, read The New Human Rights Movement. This is the first book I bought for my dad who is a moderate conservative and a banker and that is how important I think this book is.

Capitalism really does not have a redeeming quality that matters to you and I, nor the planet which is sick and is trying to kill us like a fever. Rampant capitalism has brought upon us the 6th Great Extinction which is well underway and it has also brought us the horrors of Climate Change . With Capitalism proving to be an abject failure of an experiment, we need to find a socioeconomic system for ourselves and for the world in order to really bring peace to it.

There are plenty of resources you can access to educate yourself on this more. You can also contact me and I can send you a study path too which I have prepared. If you have any questions, then please let me know then I would be happy to answer them.

Now on to:

The Case for an Asgardian Economic System
(Part 2): The Answer

by James O’Neill

My profile on Asgardia.

Ask Me Anything threads:
on Asgardia or on Reddit

Vote for me on Asgardia!
(towards the bottom of the list)

Here is a link to my 24 page formatted Candidacy Platform !

TLDR; Candidacy Platform Sheet

AMA (Ask Me Anything) threads:
on Asgardia or on Reddit

Vote for me!
(towards the bottom of the list)

I will be submitting my candidacy soon, so here is:

My candidacy platform in a well organized 24 page Google Doc .

It is better to read it in the Google Doc than on the website since all caps kills the brain!

I also have a c ommentary document on our Constitution too (13+ pages) .

( This is still a work in progress )