Spending Buckets for Democracy
Jun 1, 2005, 10:43p - Democracy
About a month ago, Dave and I had an idea about how to improve democracy, and I finally got off my lazy butt to write it down. Here goes:
The problem: Even after electing a politician to public office, she may take actions that you disagree with, especially if she's influenced by special interests and other lobbying groups.
One solution: ... more »
Read comments (4) - Comment
Brian
- Jun 2, 2005, 8:29a
I really like this idea. When I was paying my taxes, I was really annoyed to think that the check I was sending wouldn't even cover the tank ammo that military trainees explode as part of an exercise. I would have felt a lot better to view my taxes as a contribution to a cause I believe in. Instead of discretionary, perhaps elected officials could stand behind suggested allocations. This would give people a way to say, I don't know what's best but I trust that Barbara Boxer does so I'll allocate my taxes as she suggests.
Alvaro
- Jun 28, 2005, 9:12a
This is just ludicrous. You're talking about a reconciliation effort so massive, just to undertake it would be an enormous cost in and of itself. Nevermind that, but who would want to pay for personally unnecessary, yet socially necessary projects??? I'm stunned that you're starting to sound like a republican! ;P
David
- Jun 9, 2006, 10:20a
Nikhil,
This is a brilliant idea, and it is feasable.
You would need to phase the effort in over time.
The short term impact of over-looked departments would leave them un-funded and shut down. The BLM for example might not make your list or catch the attention of voters. Folks would not notice until the remaining National Forrests were being mowed down buy entreprenuers, lumber companies and looters.
A first step to making this happen would be to shine a light on what voters (albeit unweighted taxpayers) want vs. what each congress member does. For example, I suspect that most folks in Walnut Creek want peace in the middle east. But more importantly, few of them are aware that Rep. Ellen Tauscher is sponsoring legislation to increase troops in the middle east and reduce the tarriff (taxes) on canned Oysters - unsmoked.
Linking voters desires to Congress Actions... the first step.
nikhil
- Feb 13, 2012, 7:46a
And now it's on a T-shirt:
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/e0b1b66d-b682-40a0-9b81-58f762a9da4a.html
|