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Election Reform
The following pro-democracy reforms are needed to bolster our badly sagging democracy. There needs to be far less talk about how "Freedom Isn't Free" and more talk about how "Democracy Isn't Free". Democracy does not thrive without the proper nourishment.
- Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) or Condorcet Voting - ensure majority rule; eliminate the spoiler effect; vote honestly, without fear of helping a spoiler
- Proportional Representation (not parliamentary government!) via Choice Voting - the big reform that makes everything else pale by comparison; multi-seat cousin of IRV.
- Ballot access reform - make it as easy for independents and third parties to run as the majors (in PA at the state level this year, BTW, it's 33 times as hard).
- Public campaign financing; reduce the unfair and unhealthy influence of corporations and the wealthy.
- Free media time for candidates (the public owns the airwaves).
- Real public funding for real public media (TV, cable, radio, ...).
- Tightened restrictions on media ownership to increase the number of independent media outlets.
- Political districts drawn by somebody other than legislators (but this will always be a huge problem until we have PR - then ).
- Election machine reform - tamper-proof machines with real recounts and voter-verified paper trail.
- Greater government transparency at all levels.
- Direct election of the President (via IRV, of course).
- Non-partisan election administrative bodies (no more Floridas or Ohios).
- Non-partisan debate commissions that will include all candidates in equal measure (no more exclusion of Perots and Naders).
- Increased (and wiser) spending on public education, and greatly strengthened civics and "citizenship" curriculum, including media awareness.
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