America becoming socialist?

I'll read this article tomorrow at work (might as well do something!). It sounds interesting.

I've always thought that Western democracies have stagnated because people take participatory democracy for granted. Either they're apathetic, too self-absorbed to care, or so firmly committed to their own viewpoint that they'll shelter themselves from any other perspectives.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jul 27 2008, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I've always thought that Western democracies have stagnated because people take participatory democracy for granted. Either they're apathetic, too self-absorbed to care, or so firmly committed to their own viewpoint that they'll shelter themselves from any other perspectives.</div>

I sort of see this going on with how our different states and regions are represented in Congress. Population distribution among all 50 states really varies. There are some sparsely populated states in between NY and CA that get far more representation in Congress than I am comfortable with. Often, they feel what is good for them, must be good for us and vice versa. This is also a problem on a smaller level, like city interest vs. rural interest within individual states. There are a lot of folks living in a little bubble, far removed from major cities, and trying to tell others what to do, even though their tax burden is nowhere near the same. I would love to amend the Constitution and give Montana one Senator, and California 3, for example.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane @ Jul 28 2008, 12:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Senate is supposed to give each state equal representation.</div>

Right, I don't think they deserve it, hence my call for amending it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ Jul 27 2008, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jul 27 2008, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I've always thought that Western democracies have stagnated because people take participatory democracy for granted. Either they're apathetic, too self-absorbed to care, or so firmly committed to their own viewpoint that they'll shelter themselves from any other perspectives.</div>

I sort of see this going on with how our different states and regions are represented in Congress. Population distribution among all 50 states really varies. There are some sparsely populated states in between NY and CA that get far more representation in Congress than I am comfortable with. Often, they feel what is good for them, must be good for us and vice versa. This is also a problem on a smaller level, like city interest vs. rural interest within individual states. There are a lot of folks living in a little bubble, far removed from major cities, and trying to tell others what to do, even though their tax burden is nowhere near the same. I would love to amend the Constitution and give Montana one Senator, and California 3, for example.
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I think its a problem with almost every democracy, but one that's magnified in the North American ones. Just ask any Canadian that has to see a Quebec Nationalist party come out with 30% of the seats in every general election, despite that province's voters making up way less of the total voting population.

pure self interest - social empathy = tyranny of the majority ftl.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jul 27 2008, 09:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I've always thought that Western democracies have stagnated because people take participatory democracy for granted. Either they're apathetic, too self-absorbed to care, or so firmly committed to their own viewpoint that they'll shelter themselves from any other perspectives.</div>

I can't disagree.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ Jul 27 2008, 09:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jul 27 2008, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I've always thought that Western democracies have stagnated because people take participatory democracy for granted. Either they're apathetic, too self-absorbed to care, or so firmly committed to their own viewpoint that they'll shelter themselves from any other perspectives.</div>

I sort of see this going on with how our different states and regions are represented in Congress. Population distribution among all 50 states really varies. There are some sparsely populated states in between NY and CA that get far more representation in Congress than I am comfortable with. Often, they feel what is good for them, must be good for us and vice versa. This is also a problem on a smaller level, like city interest vs. rural interest within individual states. There are a lot of folks living in a little bubble, far removed from major cities, and trying to tell others what to do, even though their tax burden is nowhere near the same. I would love to amend the Constitution and give Montana one Senator, and California 3, for example.
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Personally, I have no problem with 2 senate seats per state. But, 3 congressional districts here in Utah? The 2nd district where I live is the most liberal and 67% of the people voted for W in '04.

You could rework the system so instead of a congressman for every 500,000 (I believe thats the ratio) to 1:750000.

A unicameral legislative branch would not work IMO. Having fewer elected officials might not be suich a bad idea.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane @ Jul 28 2008, 11:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The people in the flyover states think Californians and Northesterners have no clue what their lifestyles are about and resent one-size fits all kinds of rules and regulations that city folk think are best.</div>

I think that works both ways.

What really sucks is when your representative loses touch w/ who he represents. Let hear it for lobbyists and no term limits.