The Yale.edu open courseware includes a semester course by Kagen studying Ancient Greek Civilization. The Athenians instituted a real living breathing democracy. What were its limits?
At one time, they would have a yearly vote to expel someone under penalty of death for one year.
Our Founders knew this, which is why they loathed democracies.
Our founders gave us a representative republic whose power was limited by a constitution. One by one, the limits have been stripped away. The founders were rabidly against “factions (best translated as “special interests”, the largest of which are the current political parties)”. I agree with the Judge that our government is the captive of the “big government party”, with Democrat and Republican wings monopolizing the ballots.
One way to break this monopoly is to institute the “none of the above” rule — in any election, there must be a “none of the above” choice; if it wins a plurality, another election must be held, and the candidates on that ballot are not allowed on the next.
[ One way to break this monopoly is to institute the “none of the above” rule — in any election, there must be a “none of the above” choice; if it wins a plurality, another election must be held, and the candidates on that ballot are not allowed on the next. ]
I agree 1000% the citizens need a “No Confidence” vote and mechanisms in place in case of No confidence.
Also I think Incumbents should have to earn more than a simple majority each additional term or at least term limis.
Also I think there should be NO federal election where ANY incumbent runs unopposed in a Primary along with closed Primaries.