A Proposal to Insure Representative Democracy

In the United States there are only two viable political parties, named Republican and Democrat (even though there are factions in both parties representing what would be separate parties in Europe -- Social democrat, Christian democrat, or whatever). Some powerful movements try to found a third party, but never succeed. So let's form an official Third Line on ALL ballots: "None of the Above". If a majority votes that line, then the outcome will be determined by a lottery drawing. To enter your name as a candidate in that drawing, you will have to put up $100 (just to keep out frivolous people and street bums), but no other requirements necessary, not even a political agenda. Somebody so elected will have the obligation to fire all of the past adminstration, without pensions, excluding those who have union contracts, who can be laid off, with pensions, at the discretion of the new politico. Another rule will be a periodic poll, Internet or traditional Gallup, every three months or so after a one-year grace period, in which the conduct of the new electee is up for impeachment, but the percentage for impeachment has to be 80% to avoid bad cess (since most incumbents even now only have a 40% approval rate at best). This high level for impeachment should insure against anarchy. Yet if impeachment succeeds in a resignation or especially conviction in court, then the runner-up in the lottery will take over, and be required by law to replace all higher-level administrators put in place by the predecessor. If any corruption is discovered in the expulsion of an administration, the guilty parties will be subject to life imprisonment without parole, and confiscation of all their assets (with the funds going into a victim-relief pool, not into the general budget) -- minor convicts will just be given notice to leave town permanently with what they can pack in a carpet bag.

Term Limits? No there will be no term limits, subject to the poll system -- once elected one can stay there forever or until retirement or being voted out. There will be no pension or any rights or perquisites after departure in any case. But of course an emeritus has the right to make money on lecture tours and so on if anybody is willing to pay for it. Non-lottery-elected officials will be subject to the death penalty on leaving office (see the Term Limits web page); most likely they will get off anyway on the basis of 'public service'.