Instead of elections, let’s use lotteries
This Utopian Statist piece comes with the minor caveat that: "No pure lottocratic system has ever existed, and so it’s important to note that much could go wrong. Randomly chosen representatives could prove to be incompetent or easily bewildered. Maybe a few people would dominate the discussions. Maybe the experts brought in to inform the policymaking would all be bought off and would convince us to buy the same corporate-sponsored policy we’re currently getting. There are hard design questions about how such a legislative system would interact with other branches of government, and questions about the coherence of policymaking, budgeting, taxation, and enforcement of policy."
It looks like the author's hope is that randomly chosen representatives would have the courage to adopt radical anti-business policies to tackle issues like "climate change".
It looks like the author's hope is that randomly chosen representatives would have the courage to adopt radical anti-business policies to tackle issues like "climate change".
This guy sounds really desperate...the odds of this actually working in any reasonable way would be...well. like winning the lottery...;-)
Think of it this way: a new lieutenant is assigned to a squadron. The veteran Master Sgt calls him "Sir" and obeys his commands - but actually runs things. If the lieutenant has brains, he functionally understudies the MstrSgt. "Well, sir, I don't think you really want to give That order, I think perhaps you want to give This command instead."
This would continue in perpetuity, with the lotto-leaders becoming even more explicit puppets to the clerks and functionaries. These are the people who would now control all of the partisan threads.
Jan
Jan
As you say, though, "but still"...with today's educational system and so many people still (even though they say they don't) trusting the mainstream media, I think even with a so-called "random" system, we'd most likely wind up worse off.
Let's elect by fiat, my beagle, Bella. She never holds a grudge. She is very even tempered. She never shits on the floor. She's always happy to see you. How many candidates can say the same?
Now, just so long as once they're Out they can't work for any organization involved in lobbying or which sells Anything to the level of government they last worked at.
Zero chance, but a kinda cool Utopia in my view...
NYC phone directory in D.C. instead of those who
are there. . they could not do worse. -- j
.
If you have a driver's license, you're eligible!
I love it!
u.s., in my humble opinion. -- j
.
:)
/sarc
introduce any new legislation, but would have to OK any law passed and signed. It would be a great way to reduce or eliminate those laws (and regulations) that are intended primarily for political purposes (i.e., pork).
I keep visualising a bingo machine choking on a whole boxcar full of balls...
Pres and VP shared nearly the same power prior to the 12th.
Repeal the 17th - that'll get the big money, and life time serving politician out of the Senate.
Repeal the Legislative Reform Act of 1970 and restore the secret ballot to congress. Then the lobbiest wont know how a politician voted, whether they paid them or not.
That would restore control/voice back to the people.
Before the 16th the feds had import tariffs and excise taxes. My guess is that today, with only those options, they'd institute a 50% tax on oil -- both imported and domestic -- and use it to pay for everything. Which would still be an improvement over the current system.
Too many power-hungry creepzoids, though.
Jan