Open Left

Professional politicians

I've often wondered how we might re-incentivize institutions like the congress to utilize their resources to more effectively present the pros and cons of any given issue; to more fully embrace the idea that they should research and investigate policy options and hold informed public debates that might actually inform the public.

Perhaps in a more direct democracy these professional politicians might be made in something more like a professional debating club.  They present the arguments and the citizens vote (proxy, or direct) based on those arguments.  As the results of the policies enacted become more apparent, the citizens can now approach an election by analyzing how accurate their congress persons are and how well-informed their arguments were.  In the ideal, the congress will have become a place where finding solid evidence and presenting an accurate argument will become the means to get re-elected.


"It sounds wrong...
     ...but its right."

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by: SpitBall @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 08:28:19 AM CDT