We accept our current system of democracy as the best system imaginable because it was in place when we were born and because everyone around accepts it. Because of this, we tend to be extremely unobjective about how it actually works. If we take a hard, objective look at how it works, it becomes clear why we have the problems we do, and a possible solution becomes evident.
A Different Approach to Democracy
Voting is a binary form of communication, and the ratio of citizens to representatives is so enormous that only a tiny number of citizens are able to communicate with their representatives directly. How is representation possible when real communication is impossible? Most voters know little or nothing about the individual candidates they vote for in elections. Is it only voting that matters, with good decisions not mattering at all? Most people feel very disconnected from the government and don’t participate in most elections—or any at all. What is democracy with little or no participation from citizens?
We believe the solution to these problems is simple. Our current system of democracy delegates control of our government to one level of representatives, why not more? All organizations consist of a hierarchy of managers, and this is what makes it possible for them to be successful. A hierarchy of representatives would allow people to get to know their individual representatives, make good voting decisions, and would connect them with the government. Open your mind to the possibility that something other than the status quo is possible and read our introduction: Being Objective About Democracy.
The re-election of 91% of Congress despite a 10% approval rating is a clear sign that democracy in America is broken. Understanding how this happens is the first step in fixing our government.
Conventional wisdom tells us that democracy is defined by all citizens voting directly for candidates for elected office. But if we look at this process of mass elections objectively and compare it with how business leaders are hired, it becomes clear that mass elections are a frighteningly broken and are the source of all of the problems in our government.
Both the Obama and Romney campaigns have been found to be full of statements that are less than truthful. Since it follows that candidates who are less than truthful during their campaigns will also be less than truthful while in office, this presents a clear and present danger to freedom of all Americans.
Americans tend to pick a political party and stick with it election after election. How do they choose their party? Does this inevitably lead to political polarization? How does sticking with one party allow for political accountability?
There is much talk of 1% of the population controlling the U.S. government. Is this really the case? If so, what is it about our system of democracy that allows it to happen?
The Framers of the Constitution loathed political parties. They are marketing organizations that belong to special interests and ambitious politicians.
Money in politics is a symptom of a deeper problem–the disconnect between Americans and their government. Nearly all of the problems with our government can be traced back to this disconnect. The only way to address these problems is to address the root problem of disconnect.
Our disconnected society leaves many people with few social connections. In extreme cases, when isolation mixes with anger, lonely young men can become a grave threat to others. The solution to this problem must lie in more social connections.
It is important to think of government in human terms. Government is about people in every sense. Government can only serve the needs of the people if we think in terms of what works for people at every level. If we base our government on human nature and what people can realistically deal with, we are well on our way to a good government and a better life for everyone.
Politicians use negative campaigning to achieve their own personal political goals, but the damage their negativity does to our country is deep and severe.
We pride ourselves in living in a democracy, but the vast majority of Americans didn’t bother participating in our most important election. Where were they? Can we call our government a democracy when almost nobody votes?