Shawgi: actually, I thought your comments below very clear and very interesting. The changes you propose in the political process are quite close to much of what the Green Party is focusing on in the US (along with proportional representation). Thanks for responding. > Blair, briefly, analysis shows that what is needed is an entirely >New electoral process and political system. The present set-up of the >super-wealthy only serves to effectively marginalize and ghettoize the >broad masses of the people. Democratic renewal is needed. > A key feature of democratic renewal is to remove the right to >select candidates for election from the hands of party leaders only and >create institutions and mechanisms which vest the right to select >candidates for election in the hands of every single member of the polity. >Related changes include the creation of institutions and mechanisms which >enable every single member of the polity the right to initiate >legislation, to recall elected officials and to a truly informed >vote. As well, referenda, when held, would actually be binding. Today, >referenda are routinely held in many places, but are not binding, are >routinely dismissed by the ruling classes and its servants. > Many other things, including changes in broadcast time alloted to >officially registered parties and campaign financing must be implemented. >The Canada Elections Act as well as the Federal Elections Commission Act >(U.S.) clarify the extent to which only those with extremely large amounts >of wealth are privileged by the extant electoral system. > Democratic renewal means creating a New electoral system, the only >way to constitute a New and different kind of government, to vest >sovereignty in the people for the first time. > The creation of a modern constitution is also key. Every modern >constitution must base itsself on the cardinal principle that all humans >have inviolable rights by dint of being human. As well, every modern >constitution must enshrine a definite conception of citizenship which >stipulates that all have equal rights and duties. It must also affirm the >specific rights of national minorities, Aboriginal peoples, women, the >youth and other collectives in society. All this is absent at this time. > In order to bring about all these qualitative changes which will, >for the first time, empower all members of the polity, there must be >organized collective discussion on a broad scale in educational >institutions, workplaces, neighborhoods, military units, seniors' homes, >religious congregations and youth organizations. > "Discussion" means actually investigating the essence of social >problems and on that basis proposing real solutions. As is well-known, at >this time the instruments of discussion (e.g., the media and educational >institutions) are monopolized by the bourgeoisie and used to mystify, >disinform and divert people. > Once the working class and people come to power they will have to >work ten times harder than before coming to power. This is when the >"real" work begins, so to speak. Capitalism will not just disappear when >the working class and people come to power. But nor can the >crisis-ridden economy be reorganized without political power in the hands >of the vast majority. > Please let me know if I can clarify or elaborate on >anything. > > >Shawgi Tell >Graduate School of Education >University at Buffalo >[EMAIL PROTECTED] ************************ Blair Sandler [EMAIL PROTECTED]
