What do you think of my silly idea?

[GTaudiophile]

I have come to conclusion that I hate all politicians. In fact, if you want to be a politician (meaning you want power), then that alone should be reason enough that you should NOT be a politician.

So, instead of elections, how would you all feel if Congress were drawn up like a jury? 635 people would be selected at random to serve one 4- or 6-year term. Two would be randomly summoned from each state for the Senate. Similarly, the House members would be summoned at random from the various districts. As a check, the Supreme Court could declare whether or not the summoned 635 members accurately represent US demographic data as given by the most recent national Census.

Those selected for "Congressional Duty" would each receive a yearly salary of $100K. All would receive a benefit package for vacation and healthcare. All DC housing and travel expenses would be covered. Those selected could not be fired from their jobs and would return to them after their service. Congressional service could only be denied if the selected were proven to be hospitalized, institutionalized, comatose, or physically and/or mentally unable.

The President would be nationally elected via the Electoral College as is.

 

[ebaycj]

Your idea is silly.

 

[Meuge]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I have come to conclusion that I hate all politicians. In fact, if you want to be a politician (meaning you want power), then that alone should be reason enough that you should NOT be a politician.

So, instead of elections, how would you all feel if Congress were drawn up like a jury? 635 people would be selected at random to serve one 4- or 6-year term. Two would be randomly summoned from each state for the Senate. Similarly, the House members would be summoned at random from the various districts. As a check, the Supreme Court could declare whether or not the summoned 635 members accurately represent US demographic data as given by the most recent national Census.

Those selected for "Congressional Duty" would each receive a yearly salary of $100K. All would receive a benefit package for vacation and healthcare. All DC housing and travel expenses would be covered. Those selected could not be fired from their jobs and would return to them after their service. Congressional service could only be denied if the selected were proven to be hospitalized, institutionalized, comatose, or physically and/or mentally unable.

The President would be nationally elected via the Electoral College as is.

That's pretty silly alright.

 

[dullard]

I cannot think of one problem that would solve. You'd still have massive corruption (especially with the pittiance of a salary you proposed). You'd still have laws passed which are not in the best interests of the country. You'd still have political bickering. What do you accomplish?

 

[judasmachine]

Kind of like how a self autonomous collective does it, I like the idea.

OT, but did ya have fun in Wisconsin the other day?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: dullard
I cannot think of one problem that would solve. You'd still have massive corruption (especially with the pittiance of a salary you proposed). You'd still have laws passed which are not in the best interests of the country. You'd still have political bickering. What do you accomplish?

You don't think, once you had regular Joes and Janes in Congress, that they would better represent the needs and wants of the people? It would have to be better than the Beltway Gang we have now!

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
You don't think, once you had regular Joes and Janes in Congress, that they would better represent the needs and wants of the people? It would have to be better than the Beltway Gang we have now!

Why would people who:

(1) Don't know anything about the law they are passing,
(2) Don't care about the law that they are passing,
(3) Don't understand the consequences of the law they are passing,
(4) A combination of the above,

be better than what we have now?

And would this be forceful selection? If you are a $300k/year doctor, the only doctor in a small town, would you be forced to leave your home, friends, and family for a year for a lower payinig job that you don't wany? If not, you'd only end up with people who want to be a politician - the exact problem you proposed to end. If yes, then what a horrible loss of freedom. Back to the draft I guess.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
You don't think, once you had regular Joes and Janes in Congress, that they would better represent the needs and wants of the people? It would have to be better than the Beltway Gang we have now!

Why would people who:

(1) Don't know anything about the law they are passing,
(2) Don't care about the law that they are passing,
(3) Don't understand the consequences of the law they are passing,
(4) A combination of the above,

be better than what we have now?

And would this be forceful selection? If you are a $300k/year doctor, the only doctor in a small town, would you be forced to leave your home, friends, and family for a year for a lower payinig job? If not, you'd only end up with people who want to be there - the exact problem you proposed to end.

Your 4 points are describing what is happening right now. And as for the only Dr. of a small town, he would get an exception like many do today.

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I have come to conclusion that I hate all politicians. In fact, if you want to be a politician (meaning you want power), then that alone should be reason enough that you should NOT be a politician.

This idea is not new. Some Greek philosopher (the name escapes me - my college philosophy classes are just a fog these days) suggested that the ideal ruler would, among other qualities, resist being awarded the position.

So, instead of elections, how would you all feel if Congress were drawn up like a jury?

Sorry, I just don't want to be governed by the average idiot. Last time I looked at the Census data, college graduates were still the minority, so odds are good a Congressional majority would consist of people whose knowledge of government came from a dumbed-down public high school civics class. No thanks. Our current Congress is bad, but that doesn't mean they've hit bottom yet. Your idea is akin to burning down one's home to solve the termite problem.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: Mursilis

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I have come to conclusion that I hate all politicians. In fact, if you want to be a politician (meaning you want power), then that alone should be reason enough that you should NOT be a politician.

This idea is not new. Some Greek philosopher (the name escapes me - my college philosophy classes are just a fog these days) suggested that the ideal ruler would, among other qualities, resist being awarded the position.

So, instead of elections, how would you all feel if Congress were drawn up like a jury?

Sorry, I just don't want to be governed by the average idiot. Last time I looked at the Census data, college graduates were still the minority, so odds are good a Congressional majority would consist of people whose knowledge of government came from a dumbed-down public high school civics class. No thanks. Our current Congress is bad, but that doesn't mean they've hit bottom yet. Your idea is akin to burning down one's home to solve the termite problem.

Perhaps an aptitude test would be part of the "jury selection." But you have to remember most people in Congress most likely do not understand or even care about the consequences of most bills they vote on. A college degree, and/or campaign funds does not mean you are not an idiot.

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
You don't think, once you had regular Joes and Janes in Congress, that they would better represent the needs and wants of the people? It would have to be better than the Beltway Gang we have now!

I hate to burst your mythical "the average working man as folk hero" bubble, but what makes you think the "regular Joes and Janes" are any less corrupt than the current crop in Congress? It's the average Joes and Janes asking Congress to live our fiscal pipe dream (low taxes, high benefits) right now! We as an electorate regularly reward deficit spenders, and don't otherwise hold our leaders accountable, on average. People believe in the myth that a corrupted political class can spring from an uncorrupted populace, but that's only because we're all afraid to admit that the corruption begins in the mirror.

 

[bdude]

Originally posted by: Mursilis

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I have come to conclusion that I hate all politicians. In fact, if you want to be a politician (meaning you want power), then that alone should be reason enough that you should NOT be a politician.

This idea is not new. Some Greek philosopher (the name escapes me - my college philosophy classes are just a fog these days) suggested that the ideal ruler would, among other qualities, resist being awarded the position.

So, instead of elections, how would you all feel if Congress were drawn up like a jury?

Sorry, I just don't want to be governed by the average idiot. Last time I looked at the Census data, college graduates were still the minority, so odds are good a Congressional majority would consist of people whose knowledge of government came from a dumbed-down public high school civics class. No thanks. Our current Congress is bad, but that doesn't mean they've hit bottom yet. Your idea is akin to burning down one's home to solve the termite problem.

George Washington may have been our first true and last ideal president.

 

[Eddieo]

Many people are more wacko than some politicians. You would get people with mental illness's in your jury that haven't been diagnosed. No thanks.

 

[Dissipate]

I have come to conclusion that I hate all politicians.

Then give up on politics. Don't try to come up with hairbrained ideas for 'fixing' the problem.

 

[Meuge]

Originally posted by: Dissipate

I have come to conclusion that I hate all politicians.

Then give up on politics. Don't try to come up with hairbrained ideas for 'fixing' the problem.

Maybe we need to reconsider monarchy.

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
So, instead of elections, how would you all feel if Congress were drawn up like a jury? 635 people would be selected at random to serve one 4- or 6-year term. Two would be randomly summoned from each state for the Senate. Similarly, the House members would be summoned at random from the various districts. As a check, the Supreme Court could declare whether or not the summoned 635 members accurately represent US demographic data as given by the most recent national Census.

And it would take those randomly summoned individuals exactly two hours in Washington to be corrupted by the evil lobbyists... But worse, I fear we could get some seriously flawed legislation by such a body.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
So, instead of elections, how would you all feel if Congress were drawn up like a jury? 635 people would be selected at random to serve one 4- or 6-year term. Two would be randomly summoned from each state for the Senate. Similarly, the House members would be summoned at random from the various districts. As a check, the Supreme Court could declare whether or not the summoned 635 members accurately represent US demographic data as given by the most recent national Census.

And it would take those randomly summoned individuals exactly two hours in Washington to be corrupted by the evil lobbyists... But worse, I fear we could get some seriously flawed legislation by such a body.

Well, I don't mind a military coup of K-street either.

 

[Rainsford]

That is the dumbest idea I have ever heard. It doesn't even come close to solving the supposed issue, and it introduces many new ones. The average "Joe and Jane" aren't any more honest or trustworthy than the average politician...this concept that congress is a bunch of people who aren't like the rest of us is popular, but untrue. They are exactly like the average person, that's the problem. If your average person had power and money, they would behave much the same way.

But while we're busy not solving that problem, we've introduced a bunch of people to our law writing system who probably don't have the faintest idea of how to write laws, and know even less about the topic they are writing laws about than your average congressman. Super!

The problem is that, for some reason, being a politician is assumed to be fundamentally different than any other profession. When people want a doctor, they want the best educated and experienced doctor they can find. But when they want a politician, for some reason they figure some random dumbass would be a good choice. But politics is just like anything else, it requires a certain skill set that you need to learn and master, just like any other profession. Corruption and incompetence are additional problems, and we should deal with them, but brining in random idiots isn't a good way to solve it.

 

[Thump553]

You are not all that far from what the Founding Fathers conceived the House of Representatives would be like. It was supposed to be a forum of civically minded private citizens, not professional politicians, who would serve one or two short terms out of an obligation of public duty. Back then even the concept of a political party was anathema.

Unfortunately, it didn't work then and wouldn't have a prayer of chance of working now.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: Thump553
You are not all that far from what the Founding Fathers conceived the House of Representatives would be like. It was supposed to be a forum of civically minded private citizens, not professional politicians, who would serve one or two short terms out of an obligation of public duty. Back then even the concept of a political party was anathema.

Unfortunately, it didn't work then and wouldn't have a prayer of chance of working now.

I'm not sure that's what they were looking for. It's true, most of the founding fathers did seem to have a little bit more patriotism than our current crop of leaders. But they weren't just all a bunch of random tools, they were mostly well educate upper-class people who were as close to professional politicians as existed in those days.

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: Meuge

Originally posted by: Dissipate

I have come to conclusion that I hate all politicians.

Then give up on politics. Don't try to come up with hairbrained ideas for 'fixing' the problem.

Maybe we need to reconsider monarchy.

Or maybe we need to reconsider having rulers at all. Ever heard of self rule?

 

[CSMR]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I have come to conclusion that I hate all politicians. In fact, if you want to be a politician (meaning you want power), then that alone should be reason enough that you should NOT be a politician.

An old argument of Plato.

So, instead of elections, how would you all feel if Congress were drawn up like a jury? 635 people would be selected at random to serve one 4- or 6-year term. Two would be randomly summoned from each state for the Senate. Similarly, the House members would be summoned at random from the various districts. As a check, the Supreme Court could declare whether or not the summoned 635 members accurately represent US demographic data as given by the most recent national Census.

That would be even worse than what we have. We would have the same policy attidues that we have in the current sort of democracy with a generally lower intelligence.

 

[WHAMPOM]

I want a pool of qualified candidates selected by lot. Then six weeks of campaign(right before the election) with three non-scripted debates. This is for President. The position should represent the country as a whole, not by political connections.

 

[Harvey]

It's a terrible idea. As much as I distrust a lot of, but not all, polititicians, the job requires specific talents and capabilities.

Intelligence and education are no guarantee of honesty, but there are enough idiots in government, already. The last thing I want is to see the country run by those drawn from an intentionally mediocre brain pool without the abilities and training needed to do a good job, even if they're honest and well-intentioned.

 

[1EZduzit]

We should just draw the names out of a hat, like they do for jury duty or the draft. That way we would all get our chance to be corrupted with 15 minutes of fame.