DISCUSSION ON HOW TO PROMOTE DIRECT (TRUE) DEMOCRACY | |
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WDDM Forum : Proposals and Initiatives Any member can post here proposals concerning WDDM (its function, mission, goals, organization).
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Hi all, good discussion.
I agree that "groups" factions will always be present. As to "Party's" I also agree they are destructive. But, I do not believe it is the fact that they are party's but the fact they have POWER. Their power is in their ability to "sell" their support to lobbyists, than "promote" members of their party to be elected. If party's were restricted in matters of money, they would have little power. Than they would simply be groups of like minded people. If "Clean Elections" were sponsored by the public, and if "adds" were also provided by the public instead of the wealthiest being able to media us to death, that would also even things out. The US has "licensed" media and could legislate that these licensed media provide a given amount of time for political adds. Once a person was "approved" by a majority of citizens, (I&BR) they would be eligible for money and adds provided by the public.
Many States are adopting "Clean Elections".
Common Cause was the leading advocate in the successful fight for public financing of presidential campaigns and has worked for public financing of congressional campaigns for many years. At the state level, Common Cause is a strong supporter of clean elections systems in Maine and Arizona, worked to successfully pass clean elections in Connecticut and is working with other organizations to pass similar reforms in other states, including California and Maryland. Common Cause has been a leader in passing reforms at the municipal level, including New York City, Los Angeles, and other cities.
Common Cause led the fight to ban soft money, the huge, unlimited campaign contributions that were undermining the federal system of public financing and contribution limits. In 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act was enacted and a year later an historic U.S. Supreme Court decision, McConnell v. FEC, upheld the law. Initial studies show that the law has effectively banned soft money and pushed political parties and candidates to seek small donations from a broad base of contributors, broadening the participation of average citizens in campaigns. [www.commoncause.org]
Bruce Eggum Wisconsin USA
www.doinggovernment.com