10 February 2003 Assemblyman Mark Leno 455 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102 Dear Assemblyman Leno: I work as a paraprofessional at Dr. William L. Cobb Elementary School in San Francisco, helping an autistic boy learn and integrate into a fifth grade classroom. I also teach science classes and chess classes to elementary school students. I am deeply concerned about the state of our schools, and more broadly about the state of our state, and of our nation. I believe that we need a fundamental change in how we seek to solve problems in our society, and I think that the direction of that change is towards solving problems more locally. In a word: decentralization. The trend in our nation seems clearly to be towards more centralization, most specifically in our federal government. I believe that this is hurting our educational system, and threatening our very security. As I'm sure you know, our constitution was adopted after a great debate, overcoming the adamant opposition of many prominent Americans known to history as the Anti-Federalists. They warned of an inexorable centralization of power. In contrast, the Federalists maintained that this strong federal government was necessary to our security as a nation. Perhaps they both were right. Our federal government helped eliminate slavery and defeat Hitler. But now the warnings of the Anti-Federalists are ringing true. I believe that the time has come to revise the nature of our political bonds at the federal level. I have a dream of a United States of America united by choice, and only by choice. Where all federal activities are performed and funded by voluntary associations of individuals. Where our fifty states are independent and free, setting an example of how independent states can live together in peace. You as a member of the legislature of California have the opportunity to help California be a leader in this process of decentralization. I believe that it holds the key to peace for our country and perhaps the world. How could we decentralize our federal government? Our state legislatures could pass a constitutional amendment! If you wish to see a specific example of a decentralizing amendment, which is only 3 sentences in length, please see www.CSMNL.com. Thank you sincerely for your efforts to make our state, our country, and our world a more peaceful and happy place. Sincerely, charles olson Paraprofessional Dr. William L. Cobb School 2725 California Street San Francisco, CA 94115 charles @ CSMNL.com [CSMNL stands for "Congress Shall Make No Law."]