We won! Whew... I am just relieved.
With all the voter suppression including long viting lines I would like to replay an entry from 2006.
Build Democracy in America
Memorial Day is an appropriate time to reflect on the sacrifice the few are making for the many. Rather than selectively supporting Democracy outside of American, we should find ways of creating Democracy in America.
There are many failings in the US political system:
* Undemocratic Electoral College.
* Gerrymandered House seats where there is a Soviet Union style re-election rate.
* Partisan Politicians running elections.
* No Constitutional Right to Vote.
* Low citizen participation in the political process including voting.
In my opinion, the crucial components of a functioning democracy:
* A competitive electoral system.
* Every vote counts
* Free flow of ideas.
Here is where Democrats need to have the courage to support Democracy even in the face of losing future elections. They need their own Contract with America outlining specific measures they support if in power. "Democracy in America" should be one of those measures.
Much has been written about improving the process. Here is just one article from "The Nation" on the subject: http://www.thenation.com/...
Here are a few ideas to make a more competitive election process:
* Eliminate the Electoral College for Presidential Elections - Popular vote.
* Nation-wide nonpartisan created US House districts like Iowa and Maine.
* Public funding of Federal elections with campaign limits.
* Free or significantly reduced media rates for politicians to get their respective messages (ideas) out to the public.
* Weekend elections starting and stopping at the same time to prevent premature announcing of electoral results while others are still voting. Another alternative is a Nation-wide holiday on Election Day.
* Auditable voting results for recounts.
* Possible mandatory voting like Australia.
* A nonpartisan bureaucracy to administer Federal elections.
Here is another site with electoral reform information: http://bolson.org/...
Part of the proposals should focus on increasing civic participation in the process. Educational funds need to be used to educate our children from grade school through high school on the American political process and their civic responsibilities culminating in registering every high school senior to vote. Much has been made about the science and math deficiencies in American children. Civic ignorance condemns America to be a less Democratic country.
Let me say in closing, I am not against "spreading Democracy throughout the world". I do hope the Iraq tragedy ultimately comes out OK for Iraqi people. I don't think you spread Democracy through force. The US needs to get our own house in order before we go preaching to the rest of the world.
Sun Oct 12, 2014 at 3:48 PM PT: https://web.archive.org/...
Is the updated web page