Democracy and the Common Wealth exposes the dirty secrets about the American electoral system and the dysfunctional policies that have resulted from it. From how to rebuild an inner city slum to how to run a government, it traces the simple steps that can lead to representative governance and rational policies.
Follow the extraordinary, often humorous, story of a concerned citizen's journey from outside politics into the dirty business of running for governor of Florida. As one of the most corrupt states in a country that has been sold off to the special interests. Florida may prove to ground zero for a new Progressive Movement. American is about to wake up, and Michael E. Arth is sounding the alarm.
Louis Nizer once wrote, A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. Also known as The New Urban Cowboy for his rebuilding of a slum and his work as an urban designer, and as Biking Mike for his plan to campaign the length of Florida on a bicycle, Michael E. Arth is all these things, and more. Arth shows clearly in this engaging and challenging book how electoral reform, combined with rational policies, could transform our town, our state, our country and our world.
About the Book & Cover
The book exposes the dirty secrets about our electoral system, and the resulting policies. Part I explains how Americans can break the stranglehold of the special interests and create a more representative democracy. Part II is a step-by-step guide to the kind of equitable and rational policies we should expect following electoral reform. Even though it was written in relation to my run for Florida Governor, the issues are universal. Additional subjects and more fully expanded arguments can be found in my forthcoming work, The Labors of Hercules: Modern Solutions to 12 Herculean Problems. Much of this book is derived from those two volumes, and from my own personal quest.
Strangler fig trees comprise several species of strangling trees that grow all over the tropical world, including in south Florida. These trees are often found smothering the stone ruins of ancient failed civilizations. A strangler fig seed is typically excreted or dropped by a bird high up on a building or in a host tree. The tree begins as an epiphyte, living off air and water. Its roots drop down the trunk of the host until it finds solid ground, while the branches reach skyward. Often the host tree dies and rots away entirely, leaving an empty core. Palms fare better as a host, and are sometimes able to outgrow the strangling trees, so I have represented them as a symbol of hope.
The strangler fig tree is a metaphor for what has happened to our government. A bald eagle innocently defecates on our governmental institution. Because the watchdogs have not been attentive, they do not notice when a parasitical tree emerges from the foul stew and drops its first small tendrils down to the ground. Instead, they lap up the sweet tempting figs (i.e., money, influence and power) on the ground and begin looking for more. A few of the figs fall into crevices so new trees take root. Before long, the seductive strangler fig trees have insinuated themselves throughout the structure.
The government and the special interests form a symbiosis so complete it appears the strangling special interests are holding everything together. This is where we are today, and it seems normal because it has gone on for so long. Maintaining the status quo will allow the parasites to continue to dig in while we are preoccupied with picking up leftovers. Removing the stranglehold of the special interests will require decisive but careful restoration work.
Michael E. Arth is an American artist, home/landscape/urban designer, public policy analyst, advocate for the homeless, futurist, and author. On June 4, 2009 he officially announced a run for Florida Governor on his campaign website.
