The results of the highly contentious 2000 elections are far from being presidential or democratic. Indeed, the only winners of this historical exercise in spectacles are factions: political party powers, special interests, pundits and pollsters, lawyers and demagogues. And, of course, the news media and the recipients of political advertising dollars.

Alas, the American people, as usual, are the losers. In fact, it's surprising that some alert editorial cartoonist hasn't depicted the United States as a dog, Alaska as its head, the Hawaiian Islands as drips of sweat, Al Democrat and George Republican wagging the country by its Florida split tail, and voters being shaken off like so many fleas.

As if the electorate hasn't suffered enough from partisan fatigue and the "chattering class" since the 1992 elections, the social, legal, political, educational and economic divisions in our society have severely deepened. America has been fractured beyond recognition. To the rest of the world, we just don't practice what we preach about democracy.

Our country is steeped in uncertainty. We've been assaulted by selfish interests and battered by the failures of good intentions. Clearly, most people have lost faith in corporate, government and educational institutions as being self-absorbed, unresponsive and perilously powerful.

All this will become President Clinton's legacy: The two-party system's politics of polarization.

There is, however, a silver lining to these divisive storm clouds. Instead of being turned off by the winless presidential election and deeply divided partisan Congress, democracy in America has discovered a new awakening. The signs are everywhere. People want more democracy, nonpartisan government, nonpartisan elections and quality education.

Out of the storm, new light has been focused on fragmented, antiquated voting systems, shamelessly neglected and perpetuated by the two-party system and government. In this age of rapidly advancing technology there is simply no reason not to establish secure, reliable voting networks connected to voter's homes.

This is the time for people like Bill Gates and Larry Ellison, high tech companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco and Sun Microsystems to develop voting and education networks. This is the time for the telecom, fiber optic and cable industries to establish the democracy connection. This is the time for those so richly rewarded for their vision, invention and hard work to give back and create the "real deal" to accommodate and promote self-government and quality education.

There are over 275 million citizens in the United States. About 204 million of us are over 18 and eligible to vote. And there are 62 million eligible voters who are not registered. Voters are shifting away from political parties. The percentage of people who identify themselves as Republicans or Democrats has fallen to 31% Republican and 34% Democrat. But those who identify themselves as Independent has risen to 35%.

Less than half of America's eligible voters voted in the presidential election. Less than half of those voters will elect this President, which amounts to less than 25 percent in this highly partisan cliffhanger. It is hardly a voter mandate, which was also the case in the last two presidential elections.

Partisan powers maintain control by making people feel divided, ignorant, fearful and insignificant. Making people feel like victims makes them angry, defensive and bitter. Making them dependent on government creates resentment, frustration and apathy among all the people.

Given the hostilities created by the 2000 presidential election, the 12th Amendment, containing the electoral college, will undoubtedly be up for repeal in favor of a popular vote. It should follow that serious consideration be given to amend the Constitution to create national voting networks connected to voter's homes, including networks exclusive to the states, and to declare government and all elections nonpartisan. Political parties would certainly exist, but not as the controlling hands of elections and the clenched fists of government.

Direct democracy, to some degree, is inevitable. It has already begun with increased voter initiatives and referendums in nearly half the states. Voting over the Internet is a reality, as was done in the 2000 Democratic Primary in Arizona, and which resulted in higher voter participation with no hitches or glitches.

Why not think of direct democracy to a greater degree? Think about truthfully informed voters, not micro-managing government, but deciding matters of taxation and public policy by means of the voting networks. Think about selecting and electing the best of us to represent the rest of us over the voting networks.

Think about having nonpartisan, highly qualified, well compensated professional government managers instead of professional politicians addicted to campaign financing and personal power. Think about truth or consequences for our representatives, who would be subject to annual confirmation or recall. Think about real accountability unclouded by campaign finance obligations.

Direct education is not only inevitable, it has begun in some secondary schools and it increasing rapidly among colleges and universities across the country. But failure to educate two generations about our form of government has come back to haunt society Think about putting back and increasing civic and government education in the schools.

Combine civic education for everyone with direct democracy voting networks and the result would be truth, knowledge, justice, mutual understanding, cooperation, and the real American way. It's time to re-examine ourselves and do something about it or face the inevitable consequences including the loss of freedom. We must increase, not abdicate, our responsibilities as citizens.

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center