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I can't help but feel that with better representation (or at least representation that felt they had to actually do right by voters) then we would be in a much

I can't help but feel that with better representation (or at least representation that felt they had to actually do right by voters) then we would be in a much better place and many of these problems would be solved through legislation. I know this is glossing over many things like lobbying, gerrymandered areas, favoritism for incumbent candidates, etc. but I really think there's something to getting more people elected who represent the people and have a serious interest in passing legislation that actually helps people and solves major societal issues. Maybe political training for "everyday" people who pledge to vote the way the majority of constituents want them to (I think there was a YC startup back in the day that had a software platform for something like this)? Maybe a political donation platform like Crowdpac that only unlocks donations to a politician if they've voted a way they promised to on an issue? Maybe a way to help bring more people to the polling station during elections to make them more representative of the population (many poorer voters can't make it as in the U.S. these are often during weekdays, have lines, etc. and they can't afford to take off work or the Uber ride to get to the location) I've been researching the area and am looking to jump on something full time (currently working for the Estonian govt but will move back into the private sector soon) but haven't landed on a final killer idea so more than open to kicking around ideas with anyone who is interested!

dnautics 7y ago
'at least representation that felt they had to actually do right by voters' What is the mechanism by which you propose to enforce this? Who gets to define "do right by voters"?
- atlasunshrugged 7y ago
  Not sure the exact definition, I meant it more as the politician would have to do what they said they would do when they were campaigning (as in fulfill their promises). The enforcement mechanism is what I think is most lacking today - even when politicians break promises they often still get reelected (hence the Congressional reelection rate compared to voter approval). The pessimist in me says it has to be purely based on money because money is what really talks, but maybe there's another mechanism too
mLuby 7y ago
Unfortunately I think your point boils down to "if we had better representatives, we'd have a better government". I agree, but at least since Plato, there's been no consensus on questions like "what is a good government", "what makes a good representative", and "how do we identify good representatives". Once the philosophers give us a decent spec, it should be trivial to implement. ^__^;

dnautics 7y ago

'at least representation that felt they had to actually do right by voters' What is the mechanism by which you propose to enforce this? Who gets to define "do right by voters"?

atlasunshrugged 7y ago
Not sure the exact definition, I meant it more as the politician would have to do what they said they would do when they were campaigning (as in fulfill their promises). The enforcement mechanism is what I think is most lacking today - even when politicians break promises they often still get reelected (hence the Congressional reelection rate compared to voter approval). The pessimist in me says it has to be purely based on money because money is what really talks, but maybe there's another mechanism too

mLuby 7y ago

Unfortunately I think your point boils down to "if we had better representatives, we'd have a better government". I agree, but at least since Plato, there's been no consensus on questions like "what is a good government", "what makes a good representative", and "how do we identify good representatives". Once the philosophers give us a decent spec, it should be trivial to implement. ^__^;