Ideal Government?

[JakeD]

Describe your ideal government. What would its drawbacks be? Do you think that a government of its type could be put to use at this very date in time? If so, why? If not, why?

[Sterling]

Do you mean the ideal system of government, or preferred political persuation of the government?

I think the ideal system of government is a democratic one, which is designed to avoid stagnation. A key component of such a system is an element of proportional representation, which allows minority parties to compete effectively, by letting people vote for them without 'wasting' their votes. For example, the 'Alternative Vote' system, whereby people rank candidates in order works very well. It means one could for for Ralph Nader (for example), without 'hurting' Al Gore (again, purely for example).

However, I would note that it is actually impossible to design a completely fair electoral system. There is a mathematical theorem to this effect: Arrow's Theorem (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ArrowsParadox.html).

I also think that it would be a good idea to cap the amount of spending political parties can make, and allow for state funding of political parties which poll over a certain proportion of the voting. The threshold should be set high enough to eliminate 'junk' parties, but low enough to give equal opportunity to all 'serious' parties. This would eliminate a major source of corruption, and correct the political bias towards the rich that the current system has.

[JakeD]

Ideal system.

Forgot to clear that one up. :P

[Gracie]

I know its probly not possible and I am sure that someone somewhere will have fun with this one but I will say it........

no government :) there

[kittyroze]

Hee hee hee...I agree. If I were going just by ideals (and not what would work in a practical manner, cause I know this won't) I'd have peace loving hippies running around bare foot in flower covered meadows.

[Jake]

I think I'll just go over to kitty's government. ;)

[Sterling]

Yeah, I'm guessing the peace loving hippies would starve to death pretty soon. Or just get shot by the survivalist gun-freaks in the next door field.

Why do so many Americans have this inbuilt prejudice that government has to be bad for you?

[kittyroze]

I put a disclaimer on their for a reason, Sterling. I know that government HAS to exist or else we'd face major chaos. I was just saying that I wish we didn't need it.

[Diva]

Originally posted by Sterling
Why do so many Americans have this inbuilt prejudice that government has to be bad for you?

Hmmmmm


http://www.nochicktrix.com/fun/oth/vb/me/459.jpg

[Gracie]

LOL good one diva......... very well said.......... and I agree with you kitty..... wouldnt that be lovely?

[Jake]

Hahahah. I think that picture has more truth to it than I want to think about.

[Noctornus]

/me shakes his head...

I thought it was funny before, then I looked more carefully and saw that there was a caption...

/me is an idiot...

[Villager]

The ideal system of government is self government. Of course, there are many benefits to communal government, but the more you have, the less control you have. Less burden, less control. Less responsibility, less choice. The man who tills a field with his family may only have oats to eat, but he pays no tax and is entirely in control of everything he owns.

[Sterling]

Sorry, but that's simply wrong.

What happens when your neighbour decides to shoot you and take you field?