tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31439825.post4826850536855444821..comments2023-04-15T06:37:42.992-07:00Comments on Engage: Conversations in Philosophy: America--Love it or...Change itJoseph Oroscohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04950358209722798820noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31439825.post-15810259250044840252007-08-09T13:27:00.000-07:002007-08-09T13:27:00.000-07:00On the one hand, this is an interesting proposal.O...On the one hand, this is an interesting proposal.<BR/><BR/>On the other, your point about such a proposal being hijacked is well taken. In Oregon, Tom Sizemore and a few folks from out of state with a lot of money have managed to quite effectively hijacked our system to place a lot of undemocratic measures on the ballot. And, of course, word has it that California has the same problem in a big way.<BR/><BR/>I guess I think that the initiative system is only a solution if people are interested in using it and if it's effectively policed for big money interests, court decisions aside. <BR/><BR/>At the state level, I don't see it working, but at the national level, there may be a critical mass of folks who can use such a system effectively.<BR/><BR/>Though I can't wait for all the DailyKos-type lefty activists, who spent years crashing the gates and are now insiders in the name of governing by and for the people to argue that this isn't a good idea. I think if the same groups of lefty bloggers/activists had heard about this in 2004 they might have jumped on it. Hard to say.Dennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05685035273589091992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31439825.post-67478927709295146992007-08-09T09:22:00.000-07:002007-08-09T09:22:00.000-07:00As great as the idea of a 4th branch of govt. made...As great as the idea of a 4th branch of govt. made up by the People is... I fear that our current climate would, as your post mentioned, maybe go to the rich as everything else has.<BR/><BR/>Interesting idea though.<BR/><BR/>In fact, come to the Corvallis Open Forum and have your say about it. SAT morning, 11-1 at the Farmer's MKT. We meet under a large deciduous tree, about 500 FT. of the kiddie fountains.crallspacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00024551175379067957noreply@blogger.com