Skeleton Government

Other Considerations

   To further improve the situation, a skeleton government will also adopt a project-oriented, or P-series, government bond system. Rather than an open-ended fund that encompasses all federal programs, every project will have its separate P-numbered bond that will encapsulate government programs better (e.g., no more dipping into a general fund that hides cost overruns, or siphoning funds meant for other projects). A project-oriented bond structure will also allow the public to have greater discretion over which projects should be funded compared to others regarding their ethical considerations.

   For example, suppose a new project was created for clean energy (wind/solar) to replace fossil fuel dependency, or if funding is necessary to build a multibillion dollar sports stadium. A new P-numbered bond will be assigned to the project that will primarily be funded by private investment. The role of government will be to initiate the project, facilitate funding, and assist with its general management. Redemption of the P-series bond will be provided after the project is completed (e.g., it pays for itself after becoming fully operational), so only a minimal amount of federal tax dollars will be given to the project if any.

   Along with an efficient bond system, nations will need to significantly cut spending in order to achieve a skeleton government. For example, a low 5% federal tax rate may require the active military force to be replaced with an unpaid civilian force (similar to the Minutemen of colonial times). In doing so, the defense budget will primarily be used for maintaining special/elite forces, while a smaller portion will be allocated for volunteer training camps. In any given year, taxes may be temporarily raised for weapon procurement whenever necessary.

   So, in the future, nations will need to evaluate if maintaining a massive military force will be necessary for their country's needs. For example, since World War II, America's involvement in various conflicts (Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran) went against local opinion that shouldn't have resulted in military action. In fact, only the 9/11 incident involving the attack on the World Trade Center required the use of their military to resolve the situation. In this case, only one incident in the past eighty years necessitated the use of their military, which doesn't justify excessive defense spending over the years.

   When the minimal need for military involvement is combined with the overall effectiveness of pure democracies around the world (which prevents wars by its very nature), nations will need to evaluate if excessive military spending is appropriate for them in the future. The "walk softly and carry a big stick" philosophy of maintaining a large military presence in order to intimidate others did very little for America's case (e.g., Somalia, Iran), or Russia's (e.g., Afghanistan, Ukraine).

   In addition, if every nation adopted a skeleton government with its low taxation policy, economies would improve to the point where the population would become more content and satisfied in life. This will encourage goodwill among people and result in fewer hostilities around the world. So, the combined effects of pure democracies and skeleton governments will promote peace at a level that didn't exist before in the world. With these new factors contributing to an era of world peace and prosperity, nations will need to evaluate if excessive military spending will be necessary for them in the future.

   On a domestic level, in order to achieve a skeleton government dramatic cuts in spending will be necessary with some programs being replaced with better alternatives. Listed on this website are examples how to resolve government pension plans (c.f. Social Security), debt issues (c.f. National Debt), health care expenses (c.f. Medical Insurance), costs on goods/services (c.f. Inflationary Tax), among others.

   Even entire programs may be eliminated such as replacing the failed incarceration system that hasn't deterred crime for years with a more effective punitive system (c.f. Eye-For-An-Eye Justice System). Or, impose an exile measure since criminals have failed to uphold the laws of the country.

   State/province and local city governments will also be reduced to their skeleton equivalents. For example, state sales taxes and local property taxes will be eliminated in most cases since only wages/revenue will be taxed by the government.

   By design, a skeleton government should have a maximum 15% total tax rate for federal, state, and city combined. Voters will decide how this limit may be divided (e.g., 3% federal, 4% state, 8% city).

   Municipal cities will have a higher percentage to accommodate everyday needs at the local level (e.g., police, fire, schools, road repair, garbage collection, etc.). Schools at the K-12 and collegiate level will require less funding when replaced with a better alternative (c.f. Free College).

   Overall, there will be significant spending cuts in all areas to accommodate a skeleton government's 15% maximum tax rate. The goal of a skeleton government is not only to eliminate excessive spending, but also to improve the quality of life.