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April 04, 2008

Tyranny of the Majority.  This is the ominous hammer used to stifle every discussion of Direct Democracy in America and the world.  It is a barrier that often prevents exploration of the benefits.   For some, the fear of Direct Democracy is almost visceral.  

It seems we are to believe that the minority is "tyrannized" in every vote conducted, somehow deprived of limb and life only because their view is shared by the smaller group.  Looking at this argument from the opposite pole, I must ask, "What is it but "Tyranny of the Minority" when political elites act counter to popular will?"  

Here are the essential truths regarding this objection.  (1) The society will not long endure that consistently acts against the general welfare of its minorities.  (2) In the democracy of our future, voters will employ their new powers, perhaps capriciously at first, but gradually with ever increasing wisdom, temperance, and compassion as they mature into true Citizens.   I believe that minority factions shall suffer far less under Direct Democracy than we all suffer under the political aristocracies that rule us now.  

B. Thomas Marking
November 26, 2007

Astute readers of Amendment XXIX have noted that at present there are only twenty-seven amendments to the U. S. Constitution. They naturally wonder what became of the twenty-eighth. Initially, my assumption was that it would take quite some time to make Amendment XXIX a reality. In the interim, I thought Congress would surely come up with some trivial or arcane idea that would evolve into a constitutional amendment. Perhaps I over-estimated the capacity of the major parties for agreement, even on the time of the day. That got me to worrying about how to fill the gap.

One of the most famous features of the U. S. Constitution is our Bill of Rights. Another is our system of checks and balances. Somewhere along the way, it dawned on me that Amendment XXIX would highlight an imbalance that had actually existed for some time.

The constitution defines the responsibilities of the various braches of government. Amendment XXIX, in essence, raises the Citizenry to the status of the fourth and highest branch of government. Therefore, to accompany Amendment XXIX, we require a "Bill of Responsibilities."

Several individuals and groups have already given this concept serious consideration. What follows is a compendium of provisions from different sources. Remarkably, there were numerous parallels in our thinking about what to include.

AMENDMENT XXVIII

Responsibility is, ultimately, a personal commitment to moral behavior. Adult citizens of the United States of America, unless adjudged incapable, bear primary and continuing responsibility for:

 *
 Their own actions and the consequences of those actions-- acting always for the greater good over personal gain.

*
 Economic independence from government and aid to those citizens in temporary need.

*
 Providing a safe and nurturing home environment in which dependent children may develop their minds and bodies to the full extent of their abilities and desires.

*
 Obedience to just laws and the peaceful pursuit of remedies to unjust laws.

*
 Well informed participation in the deliberative and judicial administration of the nation.

*
 Prior to age thirty, an appropriate period of civil or military service to the nation as needed.

*
 Honesty and high ethics in all dealings with fellow citizens.

*
 Respecting the beliefs and the privacy of others.

*
 Respecting public and private property.

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 The preservation of limited resources.
B. Thomas Marking
October 13, 2007

Can you imagine all the changes that will sweep through American society, once we citizens assert our rightful control of the political process?


 1.
 Citizen participation in national elections rises dramatically as voting becomes a meaningful right and responsibility.

2.
 Overall citizen morale improves as individuals sense that they have regained some control over their government and their lives.

3.
 Citizens regain lost pride in the American model of government.

4.
 Campaign coverage by the media will, of necessity, shift from candidates to issues.

5.
 Lobbyists will have to redirect their efforts to the citizenry at large versus selected legislators. Lobbyists lose their political leverage.

6.
 The influence and control of the political process by organized parties is diminished as the election of candidates falls back to secondary importance.

7.
 Critical policy issues are quickly resolved by national referendum, instead of dragging on for years in controversy and dividing the populace.

8. America is able to reassert its moral leadership in the world as it sets a new standard for democratic governance. This, in turn, raises the bar for basic human rights throughout the world.

B. Thomas Marking
June 03, 2007

It seems that two or three times each year I discover Mr Smith Goes to Washington being shown on my television. What keeps this 1939 Frank Capra movie alive - the great acting of Jimmy Stewart? I'm sure that's part of it. However, I believe the American soul still longs to feel that the ideals portrayed in this classic film can, if only occassionally, supplant the juvenile behaviors of our elected representatives. Please join us in converting a political fantasty into twenty-first century political reality. Please join us in making "Government of the People, by the People, and for the People" more than a slogan. If you believe, as we do, that America's destiny is to become the first true democracy among nations, you should be part of this new effort."
B. Thomas Marking

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