I wish we could vote for platforms and not for people

[Bonobo]

A line item voting system for us, that would be the ticket.

And why not?

Then, ideas that were popular could be voted for -even if they came from people that we don't like because we find them "ego-maniacs" (like Nader) or "crazy" (like Ron Paul).

Then, we could reject indefinite detentions, secret trials and assassination powers even if we find the people that defend such ideas as "charming".

Yes, I like it. I'm sure we could find a way to make it work. If we were brave. If we really wanted a democracy in the truest sense of the word.

Yes, I can see it now. The voice of the people, amplified and projected, soaring high above the land and ringing out so that even the proudest, richest, most privileged of the upper class could no longer ignore it....

Naaaaaah!!

[jody]

1. I wish we could vote for people and not parties. nt

[Bonobo]

2. Well, ummm, we do. nt

[jody]

4. IMO an independent elected sans party has zero hope of committee assignments from which to

exercise a modicum of power for her/his constituents.

Those who cater to the party ignore that party's platform which is IMO a facade or con to attract voters who hope for a better day and that things will change, but that hasn't happened recently.

[ZombieHorde]

12. I would love to see the end of political parties in the US. nt

[napoleon_in_rags]

3. Amen. Imagine politics without "wide stances"

Or weiner pics or whatever the terminology of the latest personal scandal being used to discredit the policy views of the person involved is.

[Old and In the Way]

5. I wish we could direct where our tax dollars are allocated.

Seems like it would be a real democratic aspect to our paying taxes...even incentivize people to do their taxes. Given computer automation, I see no reason why the taxpayers couldn't allocate individually and then have computers compile the results as a budget document for Congressional guidelines.
I'm sure some would over-allocate...ie 100% to Defense...but others would counterbalance with 0%.

[jody]

6. Wouldn't allowing voters to direct taxes violate the basic principle of democracy? If taxes fund

anything that can be shared, would someone opt to reject that item knowing that those who selected it would pay but those who rejected it would benefit at no cost.

[Old and In the Way]

7. It would be an interesting exercise in participatory democracy and value allocations.

OK, maybe not something that should be followed strictly by Congress....but it would certainly provide insight to Congress on where the taxpayers want their money spent. Since just about every voter is also a taxpayer, it would provide the most comprehensive type of polling to see where we want to put our discretionary tax dollars - military budgets or domestic programs? Foreign aid or healthcare? It would be interesting to see how much or little divergence the combined allocations of the taxpayers reflect the actual budget priorities in place today.

[jody]

8. I'm delighted that youngsters like you have such insight. Would be nice if kids in K-12 & college

could learn those lessons.

[Old and In the Way]

11. As we all know, age is a state of mind...mostly.

backatcha

[Fuzz]

9. That would be more a democracy than a republic. Can't have that.

edit: Adding

/sarcasm

[bvar22]

10. Well, in 2008,

I voted against:
*Insurance Mandates

*Extending the Bush tax Cuts

*more Free Trade

*Cadillac Tax on Union Health Plans



and voted FOR:

*"making EFCA the Law of the Land"

*Renegotiating NAFTA

*Active support for Striking Workers

*a Public Option

*Restoring America's Honor
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-june-15-2010/respect-my-authoritah

*Representation for Liberal Democrats on Obama's Team
(admittedly, I interpreted "everyone will have a voice in my White House"
as the Liberal wing will finally have a voice after 20 years in the wilderness...
My Bad)

*Transparency and ending Secret Deals in the White House

*Labeling GMO foods and Country of Origin

*Protecting Social Security by Raising the CAP on FICA deductions

*Refutation of the "Unitary Executive"

* NO Military "adventures" without the approval of Congress
.
.
.
.
.
So HOW did THAT work out?




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