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To: letters@suntimes.com From: Scott Sinnock ssinnock@netzero.com 6:32am, July 14, 2012 Subject: Willful ignorance: Americans tune out Wow. The Truth. Very unusual. The author is indeed a brave soul to state that our governments are no longer functioning democracies. I agree and suggest that random selection of lawmakers is the only way out of our current dilemma. The problem, of course, is the excessive influence of monied interest groups. The money is used to air emotionally laden ads produced by psychologists in cahoots with spin doctors and other such salesmen. Issues are created and destroyed to bolster political position rather than address problems. It would be comical if it weren't so effective. We all know the litany of things wrong with our democracy, and I am pleased that David Sirota openly acknowledged them. It is along that vein that I propose random selection of our lawmakers, a radical proposal that calls for democracy without elections, at least for one house, perhaps a new third house to start. I propose a house of about 1500, the number polling agencies often use, for good reasons as I recall from my statistics courses. This house would have up or down approval authority, but no emending authority, over every piece of legislation from the other houses, either before or, my preference, after the chief executive's signature. Sampling technology exists to assure, over time, fair and equitable representation of every person and interest group in the sampled population.. So let the monied interests play and politic, but give the "people" direct veto authority, perhaps in addition to the chief executive or perhaps, eventually, instead of. This is an obvious direction for democracy, rule of the people, to move. Resistance by powered interests will be strong, perhaps overwhelming. Much needs negotiation. Who is in the pool? All ages? What about felons? other miscreants? People with high risk for heart attacks or other debilitating or expensive diseases? and others. Enough such questions exist to sabotage the effort without vigilance and persistence. My take would be to let all people over 35 be in the pool, enough time to have learned to make one's way, through work or other means. Education? No requirement, lots of smart people drop out of high school and lots of stupid people earn PhD's. Felons? Yeah, I would include them in the pool, but that one probably won't fly. Of course, once selected, just like military conscription, you have no choice, you have been called to service for your country. Your salary will be ample for the rest of your life, say about $100,000 in today's dollars; and, of course, if you are convicted of taking any bribe, however small, the death penalty is automatic after a single appeal. The same penalty, of course, would apply to anyone offering a bribe. More stumbling blocks, more things to negotiate. I would suggest a period of learning after selection. For each legislative position a set of alternates would be selected from the pool. Then four years, perhaps, would occur with no requirements on those selected, except to continue their lives with the knowledge of their selection and the community's awareness as well. Then another four years, perhaps, when alternates would sit at the side of the voting legislator. Then, as each legislative term ends, one of the alternates would be selected as the voting legislator. The other alternatives would remain in service until the term is over. Face time with legislators could be randomly selected from a list of applicants, each selection given equal time. A legislator would have subpoena power and could call any witness for any reason. Alternates should be required to attend all constituent meetings but prohibited from speaking. All meetings would be recorded. Equal time, rigorously enforced, should be given to face-time applicants and witnesses of the legislator's choosing. The legislator's voting term would be, say, four years, then the service term is over, a comfortable pension guaranteed. Delayed payoffs for bribes would still carry the death sentence. However, after a legislator is released from service, he or she and the associated alternates would be free to find employment. This proposal represents a twelve year hitch, only eight of which are in actual service. Again, each detail mentioned above is a deal breaker, if you want deal breakers. But, let's think about it America. Let's continue to be the shining beacon on the hill, lighting the paths of those stumbling in darkness. We took bold steps in 1776 and 1781 and 1787 based on the freshness of Enlightenment ideals. Let's take bold steps again. Let's advance those ideals by putting more power directly with the people. All are created equal, all are qualified to vote, so all are qualified to be lawmakers. Scott Sinnock 205 West Todd Avenue, Apt 201 Woodstock, IL 60098 815.206.0634 ssinnock@netzero.com |