Hello,

I think you have the foundation for a viable 28th Amendment. However, I would suggest that you count down the various subject matters and focus on "bridging the gap" between direct and indirect democracy. "Puppet-string" our elected officials.

We are currently governed under indirect democracy, which is fine for most purposes. However, in those unusual circumstance citzens should be able to over-ride their elected officials - i.e. the string of control on a direct basis.

Achieve what you are contemplating through a more direct means.

Each elected official is placed in office by a certain number of voters. 2/3 of those same voters should be able to over-ride or reverse or confirm elected officials vote on any certain matter. Non-issues would not generate an override, but controversial issues would generate discussion and expressions of opinion through voting.

Day to day, we want indirect democracy, but on certain issues, we want direct democracy.

Honestly, I do not care if my suggestion is passed because I just want some meaningful Constitutional Amendment to occur during my lifetime.

Best regards,
Douglas J. Crawford

****

Reply: Excellent suggestion for revisions in the proposed 28th Amendment.

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
DDC

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "It's time for common sense and direct democracy. ...":

Please read through this proposed article, and line by line explain how this will fix the problems America is facing right now. Electing supreme court justices? Are you kidding me?

This is the problem with extremism on either side of the party line. Just because your ultra-conservative ideals may sound good to you, doesn't mean they can work for the whole country. People like you guys disgust me.

DDC Founder reply:

Even though the tyranny of the socialist minority has undermined the Constitution and jerked around the majority for over 100 years, the strength of America still rests with the collective wisdom of the people. The social, political and economic crisis throughout the country will be resolved and reversed, now that the indoctrinated are feeling the pain brought on by the betrayal of false political prophets and failed promises. Indeed, the far left is not disgusting. It is wrong and pitiful.

Do not write back and disagree with what I am about to type. If you disagree, play Devil's advocate, so you do not attach your ego to the disagreement. Turn the idea over in your head if you have not thought about it in depth. This research is more important to me than my shabby life, and part of my study is in why people make bad decisions. My studies indicate that once you say you are for or against something in a debate, you will stick to that position in the face of a landslide of evidence. For that reason, if a point is important, think for a day. If it is really important, then think for a week... then take an informed position.

What direct-democratic principles can and should be incorporated into the US's current court system?

I am a social work student and I am trying to find information that supports the allegations about the golden fleece retirement plan for politicians. Can you help me find concrete proof that this is true and perhaps information on the plan they use?

Is there a possibility of direct democracy suppressing the rights of the minority?

I could not agree more! The health of our democracy is dependent on getting our elected representatives to reflect our well-being in the laws they pass and not those of special interest groups and corporations with lots of money they contribute to getting our representatives re-elected.

Please keep me advised of the status of any programs that need my support. I will start working independently here in Colorado. If you have any literature on this topic I would appreciate you informing me of any books, articles or webpages that I could use to formulate my own letters to my representatives.

There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq during the month of January..... in the fair city of Detroit (Michigan) there were 35 murders in the month of January. That's one American city folks, about as deadly as the entire war torn country of Iraq!

Talking about our government and democracy does not undermine our troops or in anyway endanger them. Telling people that it does is a blow to the United States and is a knife in the heart of democracy. Grow up.

Ended up here after reading a post on a Middle School Chatboard. I'd just like to express a few opinions and ask for a little feedback.

I wanted to know if DDC considers continuous election systems inside their agenda of electoral reform proposals.

Jim Blevins
December 18, 2003

Chris Blau:
July 7, 2003

Helgi Rudd
Sydney Australia
March 13, 2003

allow me to introduce new NGO: Agora - Civic Association in Support of Direct Democracy in Slovakia.

So how do we get the message out to everyone beyond what the internet can offer?

Mr. Jeffs,
My understanding of a democracy is just that, an understanding that is based in fact and is shared by everyone who understands human nature.
I'll tell you what, you help me get the 17th Amendment repealed and I help you set up your *unconstitutional democracy in any state you choose and if it works, then I advocate for your cause without hesitation. But seeing as how Democracy can only last as a form of government until the people discover that they can vote themselves largess from the Public Coffers, I doubt that I will be doing much advocating.

I consider democracy a far more insidious and vile a threat to world peace than terrorism. Democracy is evil incarnate. The very notion that every single crackpot along with their crackpot ideas deserves to be heard and is just a valid as legitimate concerns is ludicrous to the extreme.

Visiting your website was part of an assignment for a class. I was not expecting to come across anything that I related to directly or indirectly. That is until I read your article on how the media controls the publics mind and opinions.

Please accept my compliments on the book, "America's Crisis." I have also read the first edition, "Silent Crisis." Considering the 2000 presidential election crisis, the book begins with the appropriate phrase, "America is steeped in uncertainty."

CALVIN: Hello, I am American National Goverment Student and we are currently studying the tupes of goverments that can be implemeted. My instructor has given us an assigment, and I would like to know some of the pros and cons of a direct democracy. The term sounds good. I do believe that the people should govern, but through our (representative democracy) we do that indirectly and not directly. I have came up with a few disadavantages and advantages like (the people will get to decide to make their decisions, but there will be leaders who will influence them to vote in a certain way)

I am reading your web site with interest... but when I came to the part where you talk about President Clinton (news media section) "... simply panders to well known hot button and sensitive issues by repeatedly handing out candy that tastes good but won't last." ...

Those of you who want this "Real Democracy" are in a dream land. Have you taken the time to sit and think of the people who will be voting for our bills and laws? Just look outside your window at the legions of simpletons, morons, and idiots we have in this country. In our country there are about 11 million people with IQs of less than 80! You want a direct democracy where people who have no idea what in the world they are voting for...to vote?

Of my many communications and e-mail discussions as the founder of the Direct Democracy Center, the most recent is topical and interesting. The debate was conducted between July 31, 2000 and August 9, 2000. It touches on government, democracy and public education. Though there was a name attached to the e-mails sent to me, I will refer to the person as the EDUCATOR and myself as the FOUNDER in the dialogue that follows:

I have a question with regard to a true democracy. How much, or rather how many government offices would disappear? Would the IRS be gone, the Justice Department, etc. On a local level would we even have those departments responsible for road repairs etc. Please let me have this information as soon as possible, as I'm writing a piece on true democracy for school. ...

I thank God that you all have set up this web site. At least we have some people who are not afraid to speak the truth. It also shows that the Constitution still serves some purpose....

Hello, my name is Ken. I am doing a report with some other students for school about direct-democracy. I was browsing your site, but I see nothing about what if any countries tried this form of government....

Hello, my name is Alfred Rodriguez. I am 15 years old and seriously believe that direct democracy is the only correct government model for contemporary society. Representative democracy, while good, has its faults as you can never trust politicians, and many other faults....

I am writing to ask for more information on the direct democracy initiative in California. My main question is, how will electronic voting work? Will it be over the Internet? And how do you prevent people from voting more than once if it is over the Internet?....