Why don't you Americans create another centre of power?

Braznor

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2005
4,767
435
126
Why not? How about having another pillar of power in your society, instead of solely trusting the government? Perhaps a commission to uphold truth, openness in government affairs?

It could be elected and/or be composed of non political citizens entrusted with keeping the interests of public in mind.

Of course, the current establishment will never allow such a thing to happen. Too many people will have too many things to lose.

But it could actually work in America before anywhere in the world.
 

Braznor

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2005
4,767
435
126
Originally posted by: mrCide
They'll be corrupted just like the government.

Why not have an electoral college made of common people having to pass an exam to vote?

 

brandonb

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 2006
3,731
2
0
Originally posted by: Robor
Originally posted by: broon
How about the catholic church?

Nice! :laugh:

Actually the church used to hold this place in society for centuries, but society has gone faithless. It just doesn't hold any respect towards the church anymore. We are better off with the porn industry these days, or Paris Hilton. Or did I just say the same thing?

We are screwed.
 

Atreus21

Lifer
Aug 21, 2007
12,001
571
126
The office of which you speak is the citizenry. We are responsible for our government.
 

broon

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2002
3,660
1
81
Basically you're suggesting creating a second government to keep the current one in check. And only allowing "smart" people to vote for the second one.
 

Braznor

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2005
4,767
435
126
Originally posted by: broon
Basically you're suggesting creating a second government to keep the current one in check. And only allowing "smart" people to vote for the second one.

Yes. One elected in shorter terms and without a party system. Just made of smart, concerned citizens. Perhaps you can have higher grade exams for the top positions in this commission.

 

broon

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2002
3,660
1
81
Originally posted by: Braznor
Originally posted by: broon
How about the catholic church?

You jest. But the system worked in Europe in its own twisted, cruel way.

Sure it did. "Witch" burning, crusades, Northern Ireland, need I say more?
 

broon

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2002
3,660
1
81
Originally posted by: Braznor
Originally posted by: broon
Basically you're suggesting creating a second government to keep the current one in check. And only allowing "smart" people to vote for the second one.

Yes. ONe elected in shorter terms and without a party system.

The people running for this new government will be the same ones running for the other. Plus...you can't deny a citizen from voting just because they can't pass a test.
 

Braznor

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2005
4,767
435
126
Originally posted by: broon
Originally posted by: Braznor
Originally posted by: broon
How about the catholic church?

You jest. But the system worked in Europe in its own twisted, cruel way.

Sure it did. "Witch" burning, crusades, Northern Ireland, need I say more?

Such incidents happened everywhere, not just Europe.
 

broon

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2002
3,660
1
81
Originally posted by: Braznor
Originally posted by: broon
Originally posted by: Braznor
Originally posted by: broon
How about the catholic church?

You jest. But the system worked in Europe in its own twisted, cruel way.

Sure it did. "Witch" burning, crusades, Northern Ireland, need I say more?

Such incidents happened everywhere, not just Europe.

Generally such incidents were because the corrupt church officials had influence in the government. And it's not limited to Christianity. Certainly not now.
 

Braznor

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2005
4,767
435
126
Originally posted by: broon
Originally posted by: Braznor
Originally posted by: broon
Basically you're suggesting creating a second government to keep the current one in check. And only allowing "smart" people to vote for the second one.

Yes. ONe elected in shorter terms and without a party system.

The people running for this new government will be the same ones running for the other. Plus...you can't deny a citizen from voting just because they can't pass a test.

In an ideal form, the difference can be maintained. Perhaps enacting a legislation similar to those prohibiting "conflicts of inflicts" in corporate affairs should do it.

Perhaps the contenders to the commission would need to be proven activists and so on. Here is the beauty of the system. Under the current ones (we have across the world) heros are made and gradually get corrupt as they climb the rungs of politics. This one can keep them apart from the filth of the decay accumulated near the fountains of power.

Our current systems produce a Obama, perhaps once a decade. This one can do so, year after year.
 

rasczak

Lifer
Jan 29, 2005
10,437
23
81
Originally posted by: Braznor
Originally posted by: broon
Basically you're suggesting creating a second government to keep the current one in check. And only allowing "smart" people to vote for the second one.

Yes. One elected in shorter terms and without a party system. Just made of smart, concerned citizens. Perhaps you can have higher grade exams for the top positions in this commission.

the problem with this suggestion is tat they too will be come corrupt just as the politicians in our government are now. lobbyists/politicians/other government will throw money/services/goods their way to "overlook" any wrongdoings.
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,847
10,161
136
This topic reminds me of the reason we have 50 states. Is it such a novel idea that they hold the ultimate authority compared to a remote and unrepresentative body of power?

A second source of corruption wouldn?t fix anything. Government?s authority and power needs to be localized, not centralized.
 

Braznor

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2005
4,767
435
126
Originally posted by: rasczak
Originally posted by: Braznor
Originally posted by: broon
Basically you're suggesting creating a second government to keep the current one in check. And only allowing "smart" people to vote for the second one.

Yes. One elected in shorter terms and without a party system. Just made of smart, concerned citizens. Perhaps you can have higher grade exams for the top positions in this commission.

the problem with this suggestion is tat they too will be come corrupt just as the politicians in our government are now. lobbyists/politicians/other government will throw money/services/goods their way to "overlook" any wrongdoings.

Even in that context, its better we have two different set of crooks in power than one almighty one.

This system is a more scientific version of the two consul system.

 

piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
60
91
Yah what we need is the Taliban to Cut off our heads and beat our women when we find we can not control them. That should help to get rid of all the Gays and lesbians. Then we can start wearing burkas and every man can grow a beard and look like Moses.

Maybe not such a good idea.

Arent we trying to liberate women and free people from oppression?

We could just appoint an emperor and get rid of all these elected officials. Just appoint some dukes and duchesses to take over the government. And when we get a new king he can have all the old cronies heads chopped off and put his own cronies into power.

Uhhh . . .
I think we had a big war to get rid of the King of England from ruling over us. Dont want to have to do that again.

I am all for getting rid of all the stupid programs and the free money for corporations. Hey, the fair tax is sounding better all the time.
 

Siddhartha

Lifer
Oct 17, 1999
12,505
3
81
At one time the Labor unions were another center of power but they have been losing their power with the loss of US manufacturing jobs.

Wall Street, big business, is another center of power outside of Washington.

 

Braznor

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2005
4,767
435
126
Originally posted by: piasabird
Yah what we need is the Taliban to Cut off our heads and beat our women when we find we can not control them. That should help to get rid of all the Gays and lesbians. Then we can start wearing burkas and every man can grow a beard and look like Moses.

Maybe not such a good idea.

Arent we trying to liberate women and free people from oppression?

We could just appoint an emperor and get rid of all these elected officials. Just appoint some dukes and duchesses to take over the government. And when we get a new king he can have all the old cronies heads chopped off and put his own cronies into power.

Uhhh . . .
I think we had a big war to get rid of the King of England from ruling over us. Dont want to have to do that again.

I am all for getting rid of all the stupid programs and the free money for corporations. Hey, the fair tax is sounding better all the time.

Quoting my own OP :

Why not? How about having another pillar of power in your society, instead of solely trusting the government? Perhaps a commission to uphold truth, openness in government affairs?

It could be elected and/or be composed of non political citizens entrusted with keeping the interests of public in mind.

Of course, the current establishment will never allow such a thing to happen. Too many people will have too many things to lose.

But it could actually work in America before anywhere in the world.

That doesn't sounds like the Taliban, does it? :)
 

Skitzer

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2000
4,414
3
81
Originally posted by: Braznor
Why not? How about having another pillar of power in your society, instead of solely trusting the government? Perhaps a commission to uphold truth, openness in government affairs?

It could be elected and/or be composed of non political citizens entrusted with keeping the interests of public in mind.

Of course, the current establishment will never allow such a thing to happen. Too many people will have too many things to lose.

But it could actually work in America before anywhere in the world.

I think your country ought to be first to try this out ......... oh and get back to us with how well it works out for ya.