3 ms·

This: http://votesimple.org/ http://votesimple.org/ I would like to see this kind of thing in the USA someday, but there are some pretty significant practical

by tkiley 17y ago

This: http://votesimple.org/ http://votesimple.org/ I would like to see this kind of thing in the USA someday, but there are some pretty significant practical hurdles in the way. I think it's possible to design around the problems, but I just haven't had the time + energy to move forward.

aarongough 17y ago
I like it! It's a very clever way to combine a direct democracy with the current system! I would be happy to see it working... I was talking with a friend of mine who is a political analyst a while ago about a similar scheme... While sketching out a basic plan I realized how much work it would be and let it die...
timmaah 17y ago
In 2010, votesimple will run for one congressional seat in one district in the United States. If elected, we will establish a website where all Americans can read... I like the idea, but I don't think you would ever get someone elected as congressional seats are supposed to represent the constituents of the state/district. Why would anyone in elect someone that is going to listen to all citizens vs those who they are stated as representing?
- Zak 17y ago
  Because most elected officials don't listen to any citizens much, if at all?
tierack 17y ago
There are a couple of reasons I'm not a huge fan of plans like this. I have a friend running for state legislature under a similar goal (though only district residents would vote on his votes, not all state residents), and these are the two big points I made to him. 1. Most people aren't equipped to think about the kind of issues that come up with legislation. There are subtle interactions between laws, small economic provisions can have huge market effects, and many sentences end up meaning the exact opposite of what they seem to say. Ideally (for me, though you may disagree), the person getting voted in is equipped by experience, education, and general smarts. I want someone voting who is studying law, proposed and current, and making informed decisions. I don't always get that, but I'm more likely to get that with one person than with many. 2. Many Americans are terribly prejudiced. Pick any poll you have handy showing that more than 50% of Americans believe in something ridiculous and imagine them voting on a law related to that belief. Historically, perhaps, this vision is dimmer. It's a cultural issue, not an absolute one, so if we get better as a people, this argument against will become less important. I do like when these kinds of ideas are brought up, however. Lots of interesting talk happens.
- aarongough 17y ago
  I agree with you on both points. I have had several similar discussion with a political analyst friend of mine. I think that because of the way things run now we are also predisposed to think that other people will take care of the minutiae. The only problem is that in a direct democracy there is no 'other people'... I think that a direct democracy is possible, but I think that the transition to it and the period afterward would be very rocky, possibly rocky enough to bring back the old system.

by tkiley 17y ago

aarongough 17y ago

I like it! It's a very clever way to combine a direct democracy with the current system! I would be happy to see it working... I was talking with a friend of mine who is a political analyst a while ago about a similar scheme... While sketching out a basic plan I realized how much work it would be and let it die...

timmaah 17y ago

In 2010, votesimple will run for one congressional seat in one district in the United States. If elected, we will establish a website where all Americans can read... I like the idea, but I don't think you would ever get someone elected as congressional seats are supposed to represent the constituents of the state/district. Why would anyone in elect someone that is going to listen to all citizens vs those who they are stated as representing?

Zak 17y ago
Because most elected officials don't listen to any citizens much, if at all?

tierack 17y ago

There are a couple of reasons I'm not a huge fan of plans like this. I have a friend running for state legislature under a similar goal (though only district residents would vote on his votes, not all state residents), and these are the two big points I made to him. 1. Most people aren't equipped to think about the kind of issues that come up with legislation. There are subtle interactions between laws, small economic provisions can have huge market effects, and many sentences end up meaning the exact opposite of what they seem to say. Ideally (for me, though you may disagree), the person getting voted in is equipped by experience, education, and general smarts. I want someone voting who is studying law, proposed and current, and making informed decisions. I don't always get that, but I'm more likely to get that with one person than with many. 2. Many Americans are terribly prejudiced. Pick any poll you have handy showing that more than 50% of Americans believe in something ridiculous and imagine them voting on a law related to that belief. Historically, perhaps, this vision is dimmer. It's a cultural issue, not an absolute one, so if we get better as a people, this argument against will become less important. I do like when these kinds of ideas are brought up, however. Lots of interesting talk happens.

aarongough 17y ago
I agree with you on both points. I have had several similar discussion with a political analyst friend of mine. I think that because of the way things run now we are also predisposed to think that other people will take care of the minutiae. The only problem is that in a direct democracy there is no 'other people'... I think that a direct democracy is possible, but I think that the transition to it and the period afterward would be very rocky, possibly rocky enough to bring back the old system.