The Smaller the Better

Decentralization and secession.  Any move along these lines in political terms is a good move.  The smaller the better:

Iceland's government named a new prime minister and called for early elections in the autumn on Wednesday, a day after Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson quit to become the first global politician brought down by the "Panama Papers" leaks.

Iceland has a population of about 330,000; everyone knows everyone.  The politicians can’t hide.

Protesters, already fed up with the financial and political elite after the 2008 banking crisis wrecked their economy, have gathered the last three nights in the capital Reykjavik, some pelting parliament with yoghurt and eggs.

Try that in Washington DC or any state capital.  You will be lucky to survive the experience.

Gunnlaugsson and his wife bought a company called Wintris Inc from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca in late 2007 through the Luxembourg branch of Landsbanki, one of the three Icelandic banks that collapsed in 2008.

Court records show Wintris had investments in bonds in all three of those banks, according to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which coordinated the leaks investigation. It said Gunnlaugsson sold his 50 percent share in Wintris to his wife for $1 on Dec 31, 2009, the year he entered parliament, and violated Iceland's ethics rules by failing to disclose it.

The Clinton Foundation secured untold tens of millions in “donations” while Hillary was Secretary of State.  Try throwing some eggs and yoghurt at her and Bill.  You will be lucky to come out alive.

Such are the benefits of smaller political entities – the crooks can’t hide from the public’s displeasure.  I am all for about 1.5 billion such political entities – about one per household – but I will settle for one per every 330,000 people.