Attention du'ers..you may want to input some ideas here

[shraby]

Let's brainstorm for a bit about how we can really reform the American political system.

Forget, for the time being, the partisan notion that replacing the political party in control of Congress or the White House with another will magically fix the nation's ills and concentrate instead on the process itself and the ability of elected officials to turn what our forefathers saw as public service into a lifelong career where greed, corruption and lust for power rules.

I've been around politics for some four decades - three of them in journalism and one inside the political machine - and that's long enough to form some ideas on what might or might not work when it comes to serious reform.

To kickstart the discussion, we propose to open a debate on radical reform of our government and the political system that sustains it. Radical reform means more than the band-aid approach too often applied to the problem. Real reform requires real change.
So here's the beginning of what will be a series of proposals for ways to radically reform and fix a flawed system:


<http://www.capitolhillblue.com/content/2006/04/time_for_radical_reform_of_gov_1.html#more>

[BooScout]

1. Can we start with the Primaries?

By the time they got to my state everything was a done deal. I felt like I never did get a sayso in who the nominee was.

[redqueen]

2. PUBLIC FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS

Can't stress that enough.

Oh and like BooScout said, one day for primaries... not staggered around so early voters have more power.

[FrannyD]

11. Agreed!

The corporate money in politics is the root of the evil! It would begin a chain reaction.

[redqueen]

13. Did you hear Ted Kennedy say it was the way to go?

I about died! :D :D :D :D

[FrannyD]

16. I did hear him him talk a little about it on

NPR, but he sounded discouraged about it ever passing through congress. Also Bill Moyers and Molly Ivins are big proponents.

[redqueen]

17. He was talking it up on The Daily Show!

I need to send him a kind letter expressing my suprise and gratitude. :)

[jwirr]

3. Well the *ss's "reformed" the pug party by taking it over. That

is also what Hitler did in Germany to form his power base out of the socialist base. I think that it is easier to take over a power base that is already established and change it than create a whole new party.

[Montagnard]

4. A couple thoughts I have on reforming the political process

1.Three days for elections….there is no need to rush elections…give the working class a chance to vote.

2. Require everyone who wants to run to state and publish in unambiguous language what their goals will be if elected.

[asthmaticeog]

5. Kill whitey.

I'm kidding of course.

I'd love to see a parlimentary system, so that it wouldn't have to be a two-party winner-take-all system, but that might be too big for the scope of this discussion, as it would require a massive constitutional change. :shrug:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

6. Yeah. There's The Leader Of Our Political Health's Future: Doug Thompson

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Some of the things on the list were ok, but overall as far as a master plan goes, I found it no more compelling that what an average 6th grader might come up with for a school project, if that had been the topic.

[MGKrebs]

7. Easier ballot access.

We need more choices.
Move towards a proportional representation system, whereby coalitions are formed to create a majority. So even if 'your' party is in the minority, you get represented and your voice gets heard.
Ranked choice voting- saves money by eliminating runoffs. Leads to less negative campaigning, since candidates must also plan on being able to come in second or third or fourth.

Not sure how to get it done though.

[Ksec]

8. Get corporate money out.-

If we do one thing to change elections, its that. Nothing else comes close IMO. Paper trails on voting machines or better yet , get rid of these machines and bring back the old punchcards.

[cynatnite]

9. Lobbying reform

Seems like a fine place to start. Government needs to start working for the people rather than big business.

[panader0]

10. Get rid of the electoral college.

[stillcool]

12. in order for real reform....we first need real...

investigation, and really real education.

[originalpckelly]

14. Here is my proposal...The Forum...

The Forum
The Natural Truth of The Republic demands that all Citizens of The Republic be able to participate, at their own choosing, in any matter in The Republic's function; to ensure Their will be carried out by The Republic a forum of The People shall be created.

Here is a flow chart of the system:


1. The Forum shall meet at the convenience of members. It may be a physical or an electronic gathering. Each local session may consist of no more than 1,000 members. The various sessions shall proceed on a monthly basis. All sessions of The Forum must read and learn about a measure in a mandatory instructional session, before any measure may be considered with a vote or debate. Each session shall maintain a record of each debate. All debates shall be summarized in an electronic system, so that each point shall be heard and the volume of information each member of The Forum must read in the instructional session shall be kept to a minimum. Any members may at their choosing review any part of the verbatim record of debate.

2. All members present at The Forum must pledge allegiance to The Republic and to uphold and defend the Constitution under penalty of loss of property or time, before taking part in The Forum.

3. A citizen may delegate another person to represent them. A Delegate may not represent more than 50,000 people. A Delegate serves at the represented citizen's pleasure, and if a citizen so chooses they may represent themselves at any time.

4. To preserve order and efficiency, each session of The Forum shall elect 1 President. The President must be elected by a 3/5 majority. The President shall serve at the pleasure of The Forum's members and may be recalled by a 2/5 Vote of Displeasure. The President shall speak for the local session of the Forum at any official function.

5. (a) The Forum shall have the ability by 4/5 vote to veto any legislation or governmental act by any other part of the government.

(b)The Forum shall be able to impose a pause upon any act of government by a 3/10 vote, but this pause may not exceed 1 month. There shall be no pause of matters vital to the Republic's survival. Vital matters shall include either insurrection or invasion by a foreign power, with imminent or actual casualties.

(c) The Forum shall have the ability by 2/5 vote to recall any member of the government except Judicial Officers.

(d) The Forum shall have the ability to subpoena any member of the government for questioning, but only by a 1/5 vote.

(e) The Forum shall have the ability to draft and propose legislation to be sent to The Houses by a 1/5 vote.

(f) The Forum shall have the ability to unilaterally pass legislation by a 3/5 vote.

(g) The Forum shall in conjunction with the Houses declare war with another nation or other foreign power by a 7/10 vote.


Basically individual sessions will meet, debate, and vote on legislation. If the legislation garners only some support, mainly because it is not widely known, then it shall pass on to the Houses of Congress. If the legislation gains a lot of support, it shall go into law. Legislation cannot, however, be Constitutional Amendments. I think this would shift policy making to The People. I like it. Imagine being able to speak and vote in Congress. That would be so cool. Well obviously you have to be elected in our current system, but in this one everyone has the chance.

[OneBlueSky]

15. ban corporate contributions to candidates . . .

and take the voting process out of corporate hands and return it to the people . . .