I don't think the problem is that idiots get to vote. The problem is that most political systems only offer the illusion of a choice to voters so it really doesn't matter who those idiots vote for anyway
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Alex wrote:democracy as actual democracy has never ever actually existed
A few states in the US have an initiative system that allow any resident of the state to create a petition, which, if it gets enough signatures, goes on the ballot as an initiative to amend the constitution. Every adult resident of the state then gets to vote on this initiative.
Here is an example of why I think this form of direct democracy is better for the people.
And
here is how it continues to work better for the people.
I think the whole world would benefit from this blend of direct and representative democracy. Our state legislature can create laws as it wishes but the people have the right to amend that legislation and create our own law independently of the legislature. Unfortunately we even don't have this at the federal level and I think very few other countries have such direct democracy.
Alex wrote:Should be compulsory for all eligable citizens to vote.
I must respectfully disagree. If I am not interested in the issue being voted on I am not going to take the time to research the subject well enough to be able to make an honestly informed decision and I don't believe I have the right to force someone else to live by such a decision. As for voting for candidates, at least the ones going to Washington, that is a complete waste of time.
Diziet Sma wrote:I have something of a problem with 51% getting to tell the other 49% how to live.
While I agree with this I still think its better than 0.1% getting to tell the other 99.9% how to live, which is the case in most of the "democracies" in the world today.
If the people can only vote for politicians, politicians (and their rich mates) always win. If the people vote for law, at least the majority of the people win.
@ Wildeblood
Sorry, lost my connection there a while back.
Awesome thread
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)