The National Initiative for Democracy is a movement that proposes to change the US Government by introducing a Constitutional amendment that would add a 4th layer to our checks and balance system.
This proposed extra layer would be a "legislature of the people" who would act as another layer of "eyes" to make sure the people's will is done.
Former Senator Mike Gravel (D-Alaska) supports it, as does Ralph Nader. This is a cause that has been developing, evidently, over the last decade, and it appears to be one of Mike Gravel's central issues (#3 onhis website under issues after Iraq and Iran) in his run for The Presidency.
The question is, do we live in a Democracy?
Of course we don't. We live in a Republic. This was how the Constitution was written.
So should we change that?
I think not. I believe that our problem is the people we choose to run the government, not the setup itself.
If we start voting on the issues directly, why even have a congress? Wouldn't people vote on some issues, and not others, which would give us an incomplete portrait of our values and culture.
Would the congress be forced to write laws that laymen could understand (that actually sounds good to me?)
What about a bill with several sub-bills? Could we start accusing our neighbors of voting for it before they voted against it?
It sounds like their motivation is noble. I don't think this is an effort by the left to "permanently take government over."
I just think they're wrong, that's all.
We have a chance to do this every 2, 4, and 6 years. We need to challenge more people to take advantage of this opportunity, not add another layer of confusion.
I generally Like Mike Gravel (he supports The Fair Tax for one), but on this one, I do believe he's wrong.
