Campaign Funds and 2000 Election
LOS ANGELES TIMES July 10, 1999

Low voter turnout among the general population of American voters is not because of apathy. The electorate has simply been disenfranchised by a closed two-party system of pre-selecting candidates. Certainly, the forthcoming presidential elections will scar the new millennium with yet another blow to our deeply wounded republic.

Indeed, Presidential Auction 2000 has already been held and sold to the highest bidders. Moreover, the electorate needn't bother voting in the primary elections for congressional seats. They too will be auctioned-off to the plutocracy long before the polls open.

Bush's $36 million and Gore's $20 million are little more than teasers compared to the value of hundreds of millions in coverage, wherein the news media's corporate owners and advertisers will surely anoint the next president and every major office holder, just as they've done before in most elections across the land.

Common sense tells us that the 4th of July should serve as a reminder to re-examine ourselves, declare our independence, and take back our right of passage to the precious franchise of democracy.

Return to the INDEX of Articles

The John F. Kennedy Jr. Plane Crash
THE WASHINGTON TIMES July 21, 1999

Though the loss of three lives in a private plane crash is a tragic event, why must the public be subjected to another round of obsessive media coverage, pre-empting all else, simply because the name "Kennedy" is attached? They do it because they are the players and we are the captive market.

The Kennedy mystique is nothing more than a media creation thrust upon the nation as "Camelot," America's royal family, which is the very antithesis of the principles that founded the United States. Indeed, monarchy and heredity succession was the driving force that stimulated our separation from the crown of England. Even though it may seem harmless to perpetuate the dramatic fantasy, public interest is waning and the forces behind the "Crown Prince" mentality should be re-examined. They are the wealth, power and celebrity elite who have shaped, molded and manipulated themselves into America's aristocracy, including the media.

And though at first glance we see no particular harm in the fascination of it all, nevertheless, the American taxpayers continue to pay a heavy price for the never-ending Kennedy saga, even when they're not in government. The public cost of investigating a small plane crash and deaths of three ordinary people costs taxpayers thousands of dollars. This one is costing us millions and it will certainly generate millions for the media, book dealers, film makers and other opportunists.

But it won't bring back their sadly shortened lives or soften their family's pain, nor will it answer the inescapable question: Is the tragic loss of anyone's life worth less because of their lack of fame? If we as a society are to gain anything from the experience, we should straighten out our values and priorities or we will lose them in the mist of the media and the haze of celebrity worship.

Return to the INDEX of Articles

OFFICIALS, REMEMBER WHO YOU REPRESENT

Letter to the Editor published in USA TODAY August 9, 1999

"The Direct Democracy message is getting through to the media"

Let's get serious about government for a change. The fools in Congress and the White House should stop all the childish political posturing over what to do with tax surpluses and start doing their jobs. Obviously they've long forgotten that it's called representative democracy.

In other words, the people are the stockholders of this trillion-dollar corporation of the United States and our elected board of directors are self-absorbed, inefficient and blatantly wasteful. If government is ever going to become a productive institution, our representatives are going to have to take three bold steps:

(1) Prior to the adoption of the annual budget, provide the taxpayers with a truthful report that simply explains where revenues come from and how they are spent. Revenues and expenditures that cannot be explained should be eliminated.

(2) Elected representatives inform the people sufficiently to make informed decisions and let the people participate in deciding all matters of taxation and public policy. (3) Systematically review all laws, rules and regulations and repeal all those deemed unnecessary.

If our representatives cannot uncomplicate it, then it's time to convene the voter's grand jury of America to do it for them. Not by micro-managing, but with the self-government of real democracy.

Return to the INDEX of Articles

Reagan: A genuine American original.

Letter to the Editor published in USA TODAY October 5, 1999

The selectively edited feeding frenzy over Ronald Reagan's biography by Edmund Morris, "Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan," removes all doubt that the character assassination of the former president is a politically motivated attempt to soil, if not destroy, Reagan and his legacy ("Blurring fact and fiction," Our View, Reagan's official biography debate, Wednesday).

After reading the book and watching Charlie Rose's thorough interview with Mr. Morris, I can conclude that journalists are running amok, fellow historians and biographers are inflamed with amateur jealousy and Edmund Morris should be under serious consideration for another Pulitzer Prize.

"Dutch" is nothing short of brilliant literary presence and original thought under the most difficult of circumstances. If it weren't for Edmund Morris' depth and endurance, the world might never have known what a true and important American original Ronald Reagan was.

Return to the INDEX of Articles

Cybervoting debate sends good message

Letter to the Editor published in USA TODAY February 15, 2000

A Letters to the Editor debate about voting over the Internet began with reader's letters published in USA TODAY on January 31st, February 8th and February 10th. Two of the letters were against cybervoting and one was in favor. Of course, the Direct Democracy Center contributed to the debate with a letter from the DDC Founder, which was published on February 15, 2000.

The current debate among USA TODAY readers over cybervoting is a healthy sign for democracy. Indeed, the information technology and communications revolution is certain to embrace electronic voting and advance voter participation simply because it's inevitable.

Clearly, the Internet has created an explosion of information consumers, including voters, who are breaking away from the confines of narrow politics and shallow campaigns. Many voters are rejecting the two-party system, media influence over elections and the machinations of political advisors.

The demand for participatory democracy is increasing because of the Internet. With the remarkable speed of advanced technology, systems of secure Intranets could easily be connected to voter's homes. Build it and they will come. Participation would increase, voter apathy would decrease and the American people would gain better understanding and cooperation between themselves.

With more direct democracy, voters could decide the most important issues such as taxation and major public policy. With interactive voting networks, who knows? Maybe there wouldn't be a need for campaign financing, lobbyists, political pundits, or a two-party system that dominates elections and government. Maybe we could handle it ourselves over the nonpartisan voting networks. It's called self-government.

Daniel B. Jeffs, Founder
The Direct Democracy Center
Apple Valley, Calif.

Return to the INDEX of Articles