Direct Democracy - are we ready?

[ejejozixe]

I read an interesting article recently that did a take off on the IRS form, "check this box to contribute $3 of your taxes to the Federal Election Fund" (or whatever it is called).

Why not expand on this idea to include other federal programs folks could choose to support directly with their tax dollars?

It could start small to see how it would work. Maybe it only be 5-10% of our taxes to start. But, we would have a direct vote in how it was spent. So much to...
• Education
• Defense
• Health care
• Environment

Do you think this would get the attention of Congress and the media? This is political polling where you put your money where your mouth is. http://countryplans.com/smf/Smileys/default/shocked2.gif

Programs could even be invented to see what kind of funding they might snare.

The more I think about this the more I could see it as a step toward direct democracy that totally does a detour around the whole military-industrial-legislative complex. No lobbyists needed! http://countryplans.com/smf/Smileys/default/cheesy2.gif

[elhlavaa60]

I think I just read something by or quoting John Kerry on how he thought he'd made a mistake taking those funds. Too many strings attached, I expect.

[elasipao]

Yep, I wouldn't be surprised to find out politicians will attempt to control even the free money.

[eoetewxa30]

Have no doubts -

[eqcpkkdn73]

You are right PEG, but since the crooks control the rules there is no way they will favor cutting themselves out of everything. I'm sure everyone's favorite thing is when the pollies vote themselves big raises. Not often that we see them vote themselves pay cuts. I think political offices should be voluntary with no pay. A real service to the county.

Remember that for them to give anything back to us, first they have to take many many times more than that from us --administration fees - bureaucracy fees, embezzlement, finger in the pie, illegal personal trips, etc.

Be glad that you don't get the amount of government that you pay for. Who said that? http://countryplans.com/smf/Smileys/default/smilesm.gif