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From: rb@ccivax.UUCP (rex ballard)
Newsgroups: net.politics,net.legal
Subject: On Democracy: A Plan to Implement a Practical Modern Democracy
Message-ID: <441@ccivax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 27-Feb-86 22:21:10 EST
Article-I.D.: ccivax.441
Posted: Thu Feb 27 22:21:10 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Mar-86 23:07:06 EST
References: <689@sftig.UUCP>
Reply-To: rb@ccivax.UUCP (What's in a name ?)
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Xref: watmath net.politics:13641 net.legal:3012
Summary: A few more ideas

In article <689@sftig.UUCP> jmg@sftig.UUCP (J.McGhee) writes:
>Tom Tedrick writes:
>> 
>> Good article. I think the fundamental problem of establishing
>> a political system which is not corrupt is sometimes glossed
>> over. I claim that it is extremely difficult to implement a
>> non-corrupt democratic system.
>
>	I would say that corruption is an ever-present problem in **> ALL <**
>forms of government. Like friction and energy loss in any physical machine,
>it is inescapeable.
>
>	Our present republican form of government is an an excellent starting
>point from which we could evolve a true democracy for which the following
>changes would be necessary:
>
>Judiciary Branch:
>
>	This branch could remain essentially as it is, except that all federal
>judges and all members of the Supreme Court would be directly elected by the
>people.
	They should be nominated congress rather than open political convention.
	And be limited to One long term (10 years maximum) in office.
	This eliminates the pressure of getting re-elected, and
	allows replacement of corrupted judges or parties.
	Limited single terms would be nice even in the appointment,
	ratification system.
>
>Executive Branch:
>
>	This branch could remain essentially the same, except that the
>President would only be allowed to use his veto power three times during
>a single term of office.
	Veto power is an important check against an over-enthusiastic
	congress.
	Presidential Candidates must list their cabinate nominees
	at least three months before election.  People can vote
	against a specific nominee if they feel the choice is bad,
	but it is only an advisory ballot.
>
>Legislative Branch:
>
>	Groups of citzens would also have the power of composing their own
>bills to be presented to the electorate if a certain minimum number of
>signatures are collected for that bill.

Citzens would also have the power of composing their own bills to be
presented to the congress for a mandatory roll call vote if minimum
signatures are collected.  This way, a good law can't be "killed in
committee".

Congress could issue a referrendum vote with a 1/3 minority
vote (giving the minority party some leverage).

The total term for any congress member cannot exceed 12 years.
Six terms for house members, Two terms for senators.
>					J. M. McGhee