Imagine an America where:
• Election Day and the day before were national holidays
• Every eligible voter was always already "registered"
• District lines were drawn by algorithm, not politicians
• Any party past an easy threshold gets campaign funds
• No spending at all outside these funds
• No campaign contributions other than freely-given labor
• No spending by outside groups
• No TV/radio/junkmail advertisements
• Multiple unscripted debates among all candidates
• False or misleading statements get you disqualified
• Voting is mandatory; not voting gets you a $500 fine
• But there's always a "None of the Above" option
• Paper ballots kept in public; no corrupted voting machines
• Instant-runoff or other vote-counting system (see below)
• Elections run by nonpartisan boards, not elected officials
• Elected officials paid median income for their district
• Their benefits same as a 2nd lieutenant in the army
• All business of elected officials conducted in public
I'm usually the cynical one saying it's always been corrupt; yet all of these changes are easily within our grasp. All it takes is attention and perseverance--ooh, but look! Dancing with the Stars is on.
