good point, of which it is also indicative of the greater problem of "democracy" and why a republic is always better. the majority vote of the people, without the benefit of experience and education (and on matters for which the vote comes up, they are NOT educated) will be a vote for that which seems to benefit the individual voter the greatest in the shortest term possible, without any regards for long term impacts, constitutional issues, or even actual adherence to reality - a vote entirely based on gut instinct.
the ideal of the Socratic vote required people actually being educated on the issues which came up to a vote (one of the reasons it was a free-men's only club, of course), and on the issues today, no "plumber" or any other day-job could possibly be educated to the extent possible. (hence, the requirement of a free, educated, and active press, which we've lost in this country, too, as they've become tools for business...but that's yet another rant).
2 changes I would like to see the collective states take on: 1) no more simple majority votes on issues of importance (like any of the California props, nevermind Maryland using ballot issues as a means to dodge responsibility for crap like slots) 2) 50% *plurality* (yeah, that requires turnout) or 2/3rds majority to change a state constitution.
a LOT of the crap the states are in, either socially or financially, would be non-issues under those conditions, and governments might actually get on with governing instead of posing.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-07-12 12:47 am (UTC)the ideal of the Socratic vote required people actually being educated on the issues which came up to a vote (one of the reasons it was a free-men's only club, of course), and on the issues today, no "plumber" or any other day-job could possibly be educated to the extent possible. (hence, the requirement of a free, educated, and active press, which we've lost in this country, too, as they've become tools for business...but that's yet another rant).
2 changes I would like to see the collective states take on:
1) no more simple majority votes on issues of importance (like any of the California props, nevermind Maryland using ballot issues as a means to dodge responsibility for crap like slots)
2) 50% *plurality* (yeah, that requires turnout) or 2/3rds majority to change a state constitution.
a LOT of the crap the states are in, either socially or financially, would be non-issues under those conditions, and governments might actually get on with governing instead of posing.