If you could make ONE SINGLE political reform...?

Thanks Bobby, just wanted to make sure.

But those who do vote in a district where the majority doesn't have more proportionate power than those who don't. It also helps stick a fork in the "politicians have the support of the public". That said, it was just a passing thought.

@Deboss. Trudat.

How about a THRESHOLD!

You don't get [arbitrary value]% of total potential electorate you don't get a Member!

That would be the ideal way to keep all the crazies out, yes.

Oh, wait.

I have one I definitely want to introduce.

Metrication for the ENTIRE WORLD!

The use of imperial will be outlawed.

Plausiblity: 1.6/10

Slightly more plausible than the UK being more involved in the EU.

edited 29th Dec '11 4:05:51 PM by Inhopelessguy

NO! We must go to DEFCON 1 to combat this most dangerous threat. All elements of the United States Military must be redirected to stand against the metric menace!

...

Doesn't the military use metric?

...

Troop: "What are we attacking, sir?"

Commander: "OBJECTIVE IN 500 METRES!"

T: "What is it, sir?"

C: "WE'RE ATTACKING THE SIGN THAT SAYS 'OBJECTIVE IN 500 m'!"

edited 29th Dec '11 4:13:37 PM by Inhopelessguy

I think they do use metric. o_o;

Yeah, so... they're fighting against themselves?

...

Wait, you even said so, several times over, that you'd "have to learn the evil, wicked ways of the fascist metric" in order to work in the army.

...

Are you the real USAF-with-a-new-account?

edited 29th Dec '11 4:19:44 PM by Inhopelessguy

Yeah. I forgot about that.

CURSES! Foiled again. You win this time, British fiend, but MARK MY WORDS: I SHALL RETURN!

Edit: I actually legitimately forgot that the military uses metric. That's kind of sad, really.

edited 29th Dec '11 4:21:13 PM by Flyboy

...

Sure. Sure.

Just turn left in 500 m.

Instead of a test to weed out stupid voters, how about a test to weed out stupid candidates? (I guess that's another way of saying "electoral reform".)

I don't have any problems with those ideas.

edited 29th Dec '11 5:22:42 PM by OscarWildecat

Like using STV or a List-System? Every vote (in theory) would count, and the risk of a winner's bonus is minimised.

^^ Unfortunately that's not much better. Nobody WANTS stupid candidates, but the problem with our political system is that it's already too stratified, and implementing a policy that could easily be used to screen candidates on a this or that flimsy basis of acceptability can only make our government even less representative of its people than it already is.

Not to mention that I think such a test would be both non-indicative and a great way to prevent certain minority groups from getting political positions, because such a thing is easily manipulated by those already in power. Also, it takes a certain amount of cunning to get into the higher up positions; this is why I refer to politicians as crazy rather than stupid most of the time.

Interesting idea... let's go long-term, as the benefits would take time to see on this one.

I'll go for an 'Invest in Our Children' act. Repeal 'No Child Left Behind' measures that punish teachers for working in struggling areas and encourage teaching to the test. Instead mandate a low teacher/student ratio so children get the attention they need and have school funding doled out on a per-student basis by the Federal government rather than being paid for through local property taxes.

Rationale:

Economic: Puts more teachers to work and makes teaching a more pleasant prospect to attract better teachers. Creates a well-prepared workforce for the future with more attention to each student. Social: Creates equal education opportunity for children regardless of where their parents can afford to live, allowing more mobility among socioeconomic strata.

edited 30th Dec '11 5:20:54 AM by TheGirlWithPointyEars

() I guess I should have had a Sarcasm Tag on that comment. Anyway, it seems that the weakness of most proposed reforms is that they could still be abused by the political class so skilled at abusing the current systems.

Reform: Allow smelly, dirty, unhygenic people to get careers, hold office, and do anything else that clean people are allowed to do.

Rationale: Because American society closely mimics the Caste System of Old India, and we can at least not oppress the untouchables.

Reintroduce the Athens democracy! Force everyone to hold public positions every year or so.

Just one? d'oh...

Would reform the Judiciary/Security forces

Dammit, I knew I should've never allowed my slaves to vote.

Personaly there be two ideal systems;

1) A democracy set in ballance between order and chaos.

2) A eternal dictatorship runned by me!

By you? Oh, yes, yes, of course! You don't know that I'm actually making you my puppet leader!

Wait... but I am the one who wants to play with puppets!:(

On serious though a good policy would be ensurance that public sector workers like teachers, doctors and civil servants have protected pensions.

edited 31st Dec '11 3:46:17 PM by Ailedhoo

Take away prohibition of drugs and prostitution Rationale?: It's fucking stupid, also there will be strict regulations and taxation for the drugs

Simple, whenever a lobbyist meets with a politician or anyone from his office and has a discussion, it must be televised, live and uncut, on CSPAN. If the connection cuts out the meeting is stopped. Failure to comply results in felony charges for the lobbyist and an investigation of the politician.

Hardline compared to the attitude of the American justice system? Yes. Extremely necessary? Yes.

I don't have a problem with industry lobbyists pleading their case with politicians, it just shouldn't be behind closed doors.