The Next Democracy
Here, in our democracy, we elect people to represent us in government. But, if there is one thing we have learned over the past two hundred years it is that our elected officials are not the strongest aspect of our society. Thus, our next form of democracy should be set up so that The People have direct control over this heavily corrupting force that moves the world...money.
Two hundred years ago it was obvious that we did not have the technology to set up a system where The People had direct control of how their money was spent, so they had to go for a representative gig. But, I would argue that we have that technology today, and that most of the non-governmental system is already set up in the public marketplace... we just need to shift our perspective a little so that we are more responsible with our money.
For instance, imagine that every tax year, we give our taxes in the usual way, but then we went online to allocate how our money was distributed. Maybe 25% of our taxes would be set for basic administrative stuff, but then we had the freedom to choose what the rest of it was for. And, no one in the government would have the authority to move funds around; if a less popular project did not get fully funded, the money would then just sit in escrow until the next tax season. And, The People would also be able to add projects and budgets by referendum.
Definitely not a perfect idea, but I think it would be a huge step forward.
This ramble sponsored by oatmeal. C:)
12 comments:
The way we do democracies are stupid. Ours was set up to fail. It keeps getting bigger and more complex and expensive to operate, and always more stupid, and will topple one day.
And I think that day is not that far away. A governing body should be built on the KISS principle, and kept that way.
If I had my own planet it wouldn't be ruled by a democracy, they are like allowing your children to have power in your home.
:-)
bbc - I will reply to that in tomorrows post C:)
Hi ((((dash))))!!! C:)
I think we should all be thankful for what we have. If it's so bad then why do so many people want in and no one wants out?
Oh.....that reminds me that I have the ability to 'play' with where my retirement funds go.
Do I remember the password so I can get IN and play with it?!
....nope......
*sigh*
Hi ALF! Just because something is good is no reason not to make it better. Isn't that what America is founded on? Ingenuity and progress?
mel - it's always the passwords.... pesky little things. C:)
so...there would be national funds to designate...state funds...and local funds? Locally I could select schools...or fixing potholes...or the fire department?
not so sure I want everyone getting to make their own choice...I would be happy to make the choices...not so sure I trust all the others.
katherine - Then what is the value of faith? If not to enable us to move forward despite what we might think of the other people on this planet. C:)
WoW!!
;~)
If this was from eating oatmeal, what happens when you eat cheerios?
"so that we are more responsible with our money."
That's good,
being responsible is a big one.
I'd like to be known as a responsible person.
Responsible for helping someone through that sort of system.
I would love to have the ability to choose where my tax dollars went, cause I know a lot of tax dollars are not going where they should.
Especially when I hit those potholes I cannot avoid and it's tearing up my vehicle.
Are you going to run for office?
;~)
I'd vote for ya.
LOL! simple (normally I would refer to you as the first letters of each word in your screen name, but that doesn't work out so well C:D ) I am the last person anyone would want in public office... I would make it about a week... too damn stubborn and loud. But, thanks for the thought C;)
That's the point though - this system of government allows for those with different ideas to put them out there and try to get elected based on them. If you feel so strongly, you should run!
Although there is much to dislike in our current system, I seems some problems with the notion of direct democracy as well. Appealing as it is to think that individual voters can make better decisions than our politicians, I have the sneaking suspicion that voters at large would not devote the time needed to study every issue and make informed votes.
In 2004 I visited hundreds of residences and talked to hundreds of perspective voters on behalf of MoveOn's voter drive. It was disheartening to find how many people had no understanding of issues at all and, if they were to vote at all were deciding on the basis of some 30-second ad or on some pitch by swift-boaters.
The fact is that many of our Congressmen and Senators do, in fact, work hard to understand issues and make informed votes. Sure, the leadership plays games by bringing bills to a vote before they can be properly debated and understood, but would a direct vote by the people avoid such manipulations?
My own preference would be for a citizen's ballot initiative that could over-ride the decisions of Congress on a few issues that the public finds important. I think Mike Gravel proposed something like this.
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