The Electoral College

[Warsaw]

This would kill the secondary purpose of a democratic system (the government being a reflection of the entire society). Not saying this is bad, it just wouldn't be called a Democracy anymore.

Also having trouble that you don't entrust the average Joe voter but would accept some equally average Joe politicians? In your case having a voting license and a direct voting system where all decisions are voted upon would make a lot more sense.

Possibly. The whole story isn't told with just what I wrote above, that could get lengthy. Just as there should be a more stringent criteria to decide who can vote, there should be one determining who can run for office.

A direct democracy is ultra complex and leaves too much of a margin for abuse, more than a properly-done republic.

That said, the ideal form of government would be an enlightened oligarchy with a benevolent set of leaders. You just can't guarnatee that the successors will be as just and good, and that's why authoritarian governments always collapse. What the USA has right now is really no better than mob rule, and is far from just. What I really think about the Electoral College is that it is trivial and merely a symptom of a larger problem, that we need a new Constitution enumerating a new government.

[Tnnaas]

What I really think about the Electoral College is that it is trivial and merely a symptom of a larger problem, that we need a new Constitution enumerating a new government.

We've had the same constitution for around 240 years now. That's way longer than most other constitutions anywhere in the world. This brings me to an interesting question: Are we better off with an aged constitutional system or should we rework our constitution from the ground up like other countries, some of whom are better off than us?

This was just spewn off at the top of my head; I would have prepared more. Maybe next time, but seriously consider the question. Do you think we need a new constitution or not? This is for everybody, so feel free to say why or why not.

[=sw=warlord]

A direct democracy is ultra complex and leaves too much of a margin for abuse, more than a properly-done republic.

It's a simple fix.
Have a machine with multiple choices and when you select the party you want, sign the vote with a scan of a finger print of your thumb.
Single use only thus stopping multiple votes but can also be kept anonymous.

[Warsaw]

It's simple: we kill the Batman.

Also, that doesn't fix rigged software. Software could be keyed to only accept a percentage of votes for one party as they are, while converting the rest into supporting the opposite side's candidate.

@DarkHalcyon: I can't think of a single country that is legitimately better off than us except maybe New Zealand...everybody has pros and cons. I would want to rework the Constitution into a new document. Take the old and use it as a baseline, but bring it into the modern era. If done properly, it would destroy the ability for interest groups and businesses to lobby the government for favours.

[Bodzilla]

new zealand is not better off. hence 50% of the population moving to australia for work

[Warsaw]

Hence the "maybe." I'm not really familiar with NZ's condition, but everybody seems to be of the opinion that it is the last Western-civilized country to still be a good place to live.

Apparently not.

So yeah, nowhere is really "better off" than the USA. Each place has its pros and cons, you have to choose what matters the most to you.

[Bodzilla]

you gotta remember that america's at the bottom of the list because of your terrible social infrastruture and programs.

Nearly every country in the world is better off then america.
dont make me post that newsroom opening scene again >:U

[Warsaw]

But economically, America is better off than most of the rest of the NATO countries and all of the former Warsaw Pact members. We also enjoy a few more rights, whether you agree with them or not.



You win some, you lose some. Pick you habitat based on what matters most to you.

[Timo]

new zealand is not better off. hence 50% of the population moving to australia for work

Well its more like <1%/year, with the last couple being an exception due to the earthquakes.

You win some, you lose some. Pick you habitat based on what matters most to you.

Pretty much this. As much as I love NZ wages are pretty low in comparison to the US/Aus, and stuff is relatively expensive. I'd never consider moving to the US though.

[Bodzilla]

obviously i was exaggerating timo lol.