Writer's Block: State of the Union

[seawasp]

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Someone who does not WANT to be President, but who will serve if called.

I think high-level politics should be very Zen. Those who wish to be president or senator or representative are not qualified, because of that desire. Those who do not wish that job, may be qualified.

Comments

[k-kinnison.livejournal.com]

I always liked the idea of a Presidential lottery. one year term, no re-election.

[gary-jordan.livejournal.com]

The United States, where anyone can become president... without warning.

I might buy into that, but there's an old joke about a pious, devout woman preying to God to win the lottery as a reward for her piety and devotion, and becoming petulant when week after week, she doesn't win. Finally, the Lord appears and tells her, "You have to meet me halfway. Buy a lottery ticket."

The problem is, there are some politicians who can afford a lot of lottery tickets...

[seawasp]

I believe the idea is that you are automatically entered in the lottery. Once. As a citizen. You can't buy a ticket.

[gary-jordan.livejournal.com]

I got that. It's re-instituting the draft, at the Commander-in-Chief level.

The buy-a-ticket lottery has this going for it; a lot of rich politicians attempting to buy the "election" might put in enough money to rescue social security.

[seawasp]

Actually, I'd say for all national elected positions.

Not that it will ever be enacted, or that there aren't a lot of problems with it, but I DO want something done about career politicians who are in it for the egoboo and personal power.

[gary-jordan.livejournal.com]

How about if we make it court-ordered public service for white-collar criminals? Would we notice a difference?

[seawasp]

Unconstitutional. Cruel and Unusual punishment.

[gary-jordan.livejournal.com]

Cruel and unus... and the current system isn't?

Oh, you meant for the criminals.

Thats an interesting idea.

[ancientone.livejournal.com]

I agree that there probably are a lot of folks in this world who could solve a lot of our problems. But money seems to always get in the way of things. seems we've lost our way on governing.

[richardboustead.livejournal.com]

Winston Churchill once said that "Democracy is the worst form of government ever invented, except for all the others that have been tried".

I think it would be fascinating in a thought experiment way to take all the modern knowledge about power and ruling and try to think up a new system. And not Democracy 2.0 or New Republicanism or anything like that. You take the best from existing systems, fit in how people react and see what spits out the other end. The big issue there is that you can end up debating on what the 'best' of a system is. (ie: "X is best since it rewards personal effort", "No, It's bad because it has no provisions for social care")

From what I've seen, the real effectiveness of a political system is not the values of the ruling party, but rather the charisma and statesmanship of the person in the top job, who encourages buy-in from the people. Make people feel they are part of the leadership process and you get wonders done. Make people feel like they're just disposable cogs and you get Occupy movements.

Many political systems seen have relied on an educated few ruling an uneducated/disenfranchised majority. The world is in a situation where we are beginning to have an educated majority with access to real-time networking. I think it necessitates another look at how things are done. Just my two cents anyhow.

[izeinwinter.livejournal.com]

Actually, I strongly disagree with that. There has, historically, been one hell of a lot of very good - in the sense of Righeous- politicians who were driven by ambition, and who sought their offices. The problem is not ambition per say, it is the utterly repugnant shape the modern nomination and electorial process has assumed in many places and parties. If the only way to appear on the ballot is to wade through slime, you only get slimy politicians. That doesnt mean being a politician is inherently a loathesome profession, it means that there is something quite seriously wrong with your parties and institutions. Mostly, money. The fact that you have to sell your soul to lobbyists to even run is likely the number one factor keeping everyone with a shred of decency out of american politics.