My Second-Best Idea Ever

I have a great idea that almost nobody will like....move the nation's capital to the middle of the country!

One of my biggest complaints about Washington, D.C. (among many, many others) is that it is bogged down by thousands of parasites. You know, think tanks, policy centers, lobbyist organizations, etc.

They (the parasites) have entrenched themselves strategically in and around D.C. causing, among other things, congestion, development of an army of Washington "insiders," and an elitist culture that is completely out of touch with the rest of the country. All in a tiny parcel of real estate with one of the highest crime rates in the country (not even counting political crimes).

The 3 branches of government could be situated in close proximity to each other with whatever agencies that provide administrative support.

The major departments (Transportation, Veterans, Commerce, Labor, etc.) could be spread out to occupy the many military installations that are being closed. The Feds have a lot of real estate that the military no longer needs - many with excellent airfields and other facilities.

But what about the cost of transporting officials from their remote locations to the seat of government for all those meetings they have to attend? One word....Teleconferencing.

What we have now in D.C. often resembles a cesspool - metaphorically speaking. Spreading out the Federal government would help to clean up the mess and make it harder for the parasites to exert their influence on lawmakers and high ranking officials.

It's just a thought. Brazil moved its capital out of its metropolitan setting and put it smack dab in the middle of the jungle. Their second best idea was to develop an ethanol-fueled society.

Maybe the Brazilians are on to something.