Reply #19: possible reforms

[ulTRAX]

Since I believe each citizen's vote to be of equal weight I'm opposed to all vote weighing schemes... and US federalism is rife with them. Such schemes are illegal on all OTHER levels of government. Since I believe that all citizens should be able to vote their conscience and be represented on some level of government I generally favor proportional representation.

How do these principles play out?

I'd like to see the Senate turned into a national parliament based upon national party elections. It would end the vote weighing that gives some citizens 38X more influence than others. It's also a sure way to finally get a few third party seats.

I'm still debating about the House. I believe in representation for regional interests but the current system is clearly broken. Multi-district elections might be the answer. It would greatly reduce Gerrymandering and increase the possibility of third parties getting seats.

For President I believe the EC must be abolished and we must move to a popular vote.

I'd like to see the amendment process based upon a percentage of the US population... not a percentage of states of unequal size. I'd also like to see ratification done by the people, not the states. I, too, fear, popular passion... I think the problem can be dealt with by having amendment referendums as part of the voting process. Maybe amendments would have to be approved over 2-3 election cycles. I'd like to see broad support from the population so maybe 66% of the vote or 50% of the voting age population. I think details can be worked out because any system is better than a super tiny minority having the ability to obstruct common sense reforms.