ABSTRACT
Between 1968 and 1974 over 550 children enrolled in Stanford University's Bing Nursery School took what has become known as "The Marshmallow Test". Alongside the historical narrative, the local societal difficulties associated with closing United States military bases are examined. Within the democratic process there are two systems working in tandem related to closure of the nation's military bases: the popular system and the electoral system. The Base Closure and Realignment Act (BRAC) commission's relative success has given hope to many that similar commissions could help solve some of the country's other problems as well. As a presidential candidate in 2008, John McCain proposed a BRAC-like commission to help eliminate wasteful government programs. In 2013, Senator Mark Warner introduced the Civilian Property Realignment Act of 2013. This bill would establish a commission very similar to BRAC to oversee all federal government-owned property.
