Even though our nation has been thoroughly shaken by the 2000 presidential election debacle, the energy crisis, Enron-style corporate corruption, economic uncertainty, the dastardly Attack on America and the war against terrorism, not much has changed the private and public industries of ruthless politics and government, wrought with divisive selfish interests and the failures of good intentions.

Alas, the 2002 election season opens to the usual montage of self-serving political blather, a power-hungry two-party system that continues to usurp democracy and the will of the people, an incumbent-driven Congress that cannot come to terms with self control, real campaign finance or election reform, a Supreme Court bent on the consolidation of power in Washington, a monarchial presidency, and the unabated empire-building of government bureaucracies.

We need to have a system of democracy wherein the people are truthfully and fully informed, educated to decide matters of taxation, public policy and foreign policy, and have the power of initiative and referendum. We need a system unfettered by single interests and media-driven chaos where, rather than micro-managing government, the people decide the important issues.

Clearly, we need to lay claim to the sovereignty of the people with a constitutional amendment establishing direct democracy and nonpartisan government with secure interactive voting networks connected to voter's homes.

Instead of professional politicians, we need to create new professions of highly qualified, well-compensated nonpartisan government managers, elected by the people to do the informed will of the people, and subject to periodic confirmation or removal from office if they fail.

As the age of information technology matures, we should use the power of information technology to enhance democracy. If we don't, corporate and government powers will irreversibly compromise what remains of our tattered Constitution and this failed republic of representative democracy.

Direct democracy in America is certainly possible. And it's probably inevitable if we can bring ourselves to trust the collective judgment of our fellow citizens. Under the proposal outlined above, which would also protect and preserve all the constitutional rights intended by the Constitution, I, for one, would -- simply because freedom is on the line and we're the only ones who can keep it and make it better.

It has been said, and how true it is, that the only thing necessary for evil to exist is for good people to remain silent...

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center