Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 14:45:27 -0500
From: Aaron Micheau <amaarchy-AT-compuserve.com>
Subject: Fw: Re:Democracy


Message text written by "Ryan N"?

>>On a nationwide scale, it's impossible to have all people vote, because
>they are probabally going to be evenly divided on issues.  That's why you
would
>have to have 'loteried' officials who have extemely short terms (<6-12
>months). <

While i think the idea of lotteries for representatives is workable, i
don't see why universal and direct participation in deciding most issues is
inherently unworkable.  The only legitimate reason for having a (instantly
recallable) representative is that in some instances, it may be more
efficient or desirable for a few people or one person to be the delegate of
the community, or a group within the community.  i don't consider it
legitimate to designate an official to make decisions for the community
just to be a 'swing vote' when the community is evenly divided on an issue.
 If the community cannot decide on action on a particular issue, why should
any individual have the power to make their decision for them? 
Maybe no action should be taken at all.

> Removal from political education isn't going to save you from the
>ills of our current political system, it's only going to spawn dictators
>who are willing to take advantage of that ignorance.

There's that term again. what is 'political education', and who needs it,
anyway?

-apm