Political System Values

[LunaWolfe]

I also argue that "socialism" has never really been practiced: Countries that have called themselves Socialist are really Communist "Dictatorships of the Proletariat" with "Socialism" being a far off goal once we get rid of all the Bourgeoisie Kulaks via generational "re-education." In the meantime it just becomes a regular old Oligarchy. Countries that are pejoratively called Socialist (like our rightwingnuts here call Norway), are all really Representative Democracies whose participants simply care a bit more about the well being of their fellow man than the "I-got-mine-you-get-yours-yourself" crowd over here.

Buffy

Exactly!

I remain very curious about putting true socialism into practice. However, I don't think it can happen without some more... well, "personal growth" from everyone in the society. So in the meantime, what I would like to see is more REPRESENTATIVE government in North America. We (both U.S. and Canada) are a couple of the last few remaining First World countries that do not use some form of proportional representation. I would like to vote for the Green Party candidate in most elections. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't... because it is highly unlikely that the candidate would get enough votes to win in a "first-past-the-post" system. And yet, the representative who does get in very seldom has even 30% of the vote, let alone more than 50%. So why are they there?

Also, I would be interested in pursuing some form of more DIRECT democracy. I think there is a role for career politicians and people whose passion is legislation, administration, diplomacy and policy. However, I think there could be ways (computer-assisted???) to increase direct PUBLIC input on many issues. The Swiss use referendums a whole lot.

Or what about giving us each a say in how our taxes are spent? Could you imagine being able to specify that NONE of your taxes would be spent on military funding? Or being certain that you could increase the percentage of your tax monies that would go to public health-care? The repercussions are staggering!

Finally, I wish there were a system that linked our representatives more directly with neighborhood groups. It is hard to make decisions about candidates based on televised speeches, glossy ads, and pre-scripted public appearances. I would be more willing to trust someone I actually knew, talked to regularly, partied with, etc. And then give them some voting power to decide the next level of representation so the groups making decisions never get too big.

I feel we are too disconnected from each other, our environment, and our government.

Thanks for listening!