Turn america into a democracy now!

[ceaser1345]

America is no longer a true representative democracy or federal republic, it is ruled by the peple with the msot money and or power. We switch parties every year only because we think the next guy cant be as bad as the worst, and sadly, were usualy wrong. If we changed America into a true Democracy or use Instant Run-off Voting. This way every vote woudl make a difference, and America could be considered a real nation of the people. Unforunatly, we would need to due away with the two current dominant political parties and form new ones, hopefully more than 2, hopefully 5 or 6, or more. This would keep the peple who govern our nation the people that we choose personaly according to out own veiws, not becasue there the only ones to vote for.

 

[Glassfan]

Shouldn't this be on the Rant thread?

 

[MagisterCultuum]

Instant Runoff voting would not significantly help. There are actually reasons to believe that may further entrench a two party system.


What we need is Range Voting, or better yet its variant Reweighted Range Voting which allows Proportional Representation without requiring any political parties.



I also tend to think that ballots should have to include essays by the candidates explaining their platform and qualifications, perhaps submitted along with signed affidavits so that lying is criminal perjury. Currently ballots tend to include a lot of races that get very little media coverage, so most voters have no information other than perhaps party affiliation on which to base their decisions.

 

[Gatsby]

America is no longer a true representative democracy or federal republic, it is ruled by the peple with the msot money and or power. We switch parties every year only because we think the next guy cant be as bad as the worst, and sadly, were usualy wrong. If we changed America into a true Democracy or use Instant Run-off Voting. This way every vote woudl make a difference, and America could be considered a real nation of the people. Unforunatly, we would need to due away with the two current dominant political parties and form new ones, hopefully more than 2, hopefully 5 or 6, or more. This would keep the peple who govern our nation the people that we choose personaly according to out own veiws, not becasue there the only ones to vote for.

Wherever there is an opportunity to gain or consolidate money/power, there will be people who will try to seize that opportunity. Changing how voting works will not get rid of this problem, at best it will make life somewhat more difficult for power-hungry types. The real problems that need to be addressed are deeper and more long term, e.g. any group that can manipulate public opinion effectively can acquire disproportionate power and wealth regardless the governmental system. Given the ignorance and apathy out there, are you sure that a voting system which reflects the true will of the people would be a good idea?

 

[History_Buff]

Having 6 parties all funded by the same oligarchs won't really help anything.

Campaign finance reform is needed first. Sadly, it may require either years of Democratic leadership, or a constitutional amendment, to get Citizens United overturned.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

How are we defining campaign finance reform?

The usual proposals that involve public financing of privately run political campaigns or parties are a truly terrible idea.

Limiting free speech either of individuals or groups is also a very bad idea.

Requiring that corporations and unions get permission from their shareholders and members before their executives spend money that does not truly belong to them on either campaign contributions or lobbying is a good idea.

Providing more information about the candidates to voters as they are filling out their ballots (such as through those essays I suggested be a prerequisite of ballot access) is a good idea.



Even without campaign finance reform though, it would still be a huge improvement to allow voters to express opinions of every candidate rather than give their full support to the lesser of two evils.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Turn America into a democracy?

How reactionary.

 

[Flying Pig]

Even without campaign finance reform though, it would still be a huge improvement to allow voters to express opinions of every candidate rather than give their full support to the lesser of two evils.

Do you really think that most voters would bother to read the whole thing?

 

[Dachs]

Do you really think that most voters would bother to read the whole thing?

I know I wouldn't. If we're going to have to go through an undue amount of rigmarole just to elect people who would be even more afraid to change anything than they would be under the current system, then I'm not going to vote for the same ass-tards everybody else is voting for. I'll just write in Zombie Phil Sheridan or the Avatar or the Late George Sanders.

 

[Tahuti]

Man, why even vote anyway? Name one thing you'll change by voting (aside from keeping the size of your balance at the bank intact in states where not voting is illegal).

Anyway, majority rule works in communities where the voters know eachother. Dunbar number and all. Which is why states can never be effective democracies: A principled vote can never make an impact and elected politicians can easily be puppeted by lobbyism and bureaucracy.

 

[Dachs]

Man, why even vote anyway? Name one thing you'll change by voting (aside from keeping the size of your balance at the bank intact in states where not voting is illegal).

The endorphins I get from thinking that I performed a Civic Duty.

 

[Leoreth]

America is no longer a true representative democracy or federal republic, it is ruled by the peple with the msot money and or power.

So it is still a federal republic. [/pet peeve]

 

[classical_hero]

Just use a proportional voting system, since that allows your vote to count even if you preferred candidate won't win.

 

[Winner]

America is no longer a true representative democracy or federal republic, it is ruled by the peple with the msot money and or power. We switch parties every year only because we think the next guy cant be as bad as the worst, and sadly, were usualy wrong. If we changed America into a true Democracy or use Instant Run-off Voting. This way every vote woudl make a difference, and America could be considered a real nation of the people. Unforunatly, we would need to due away with the two current dominant political parties and form new ones, hopefully more than 2, hopefully 5 or 6, or more. This would keep the peple who govern our nation the people that we choose personaly according to out own veiws, not becasue there the only ones to vote for.

Rule of political science #1: there are no easy and quick fixes to dysfunctional political systems.

(if they were, the world would be a much better place)

You should start though by abolishing the presidential system and first-past-the-post majority voting.

 

[Flying Pig]

Rule of political science #1: there are no easy and quick fixes to dysfunctional political systems.

(if they were, the world would be a much better place)

Rule #2 - if you think you've got a brilliant idea that would hugely improve a system, and it's simple and easy to implement, ask yourself why nobody's doing it already.

 

[Leoreth]

You should start though by abolishing the presidential system and first-past-the-post majority voting.

Actually, they should start by repealing Citizens United.

 

[Glassfan]

Why not a Fascist Dictatorship? Great uniforms, cool gear...

 

[Perfection]

Man, why even vote anyway? Name one thing you'll change by voting (aside from keeping the size of your balance at the bank intact in states where not voting is illegal).

You get a sticker.

 

[lovett]

Rule #2 - if you think you've got a brilliant idea that would hugely improve a system, and it's simple and easy to implement, ask yourself why nobody's doing it already.

Rule #3 - Consider the actions of politics agents through the lens of rational choice models, and thereby see that good, simple ideas often aren't implemented because it is not in the interests of anyone with the power to implement them to do so (good examples abound in the US system, restrictions on earmarking for instance).

 

[History_Buff]

How are we defining campaign finance reform?

The usual proposals that involve public financing of privately run political campaigns or parties are a truly terrible idea.

Why? Drop spending limits on the campaigns, donation limits on individuals and corporations, and provide subsidies on a per-voter basis. The blend of public/private funds is up for adjustment.

Illegal at the moment in America of course, but for me getting rid of Citizens United somehow is a prerequisite to getting anything helpful done. Money does not equal speech.