The states need more parties

[anigav]

Agree.. at this state we need more panties

[mjmacky]

that's what I know.

Someone should teach you the difference between "know" and "think". That someone probably could have been me, at this very moment, if it wasn't for the near certainty that it would completely ineffective.

---

The Swiss have a direct democracy
France shares a presidential system with the U.S.
Germany has the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, so that's already cool.

[Squeamous]

The idea of referendums every third Wednesday is sweet but it makes no sense at all.
Referendums are fine when it comes to matters of the heart, such as changing a flag. But the notion of asking the great unwashed if they think we should, for example, increase the funds provision to alleviate foreign banks gives rise to an irresistible urge to double face-palm.

The thought process behind the voting would be; 'fuck those stavros cunts, I'm saying no' or 'I like kebabs, so yes' or 'Lesbos sounds like lesbians, fuck yeah'.


Also, the ability to watch our leaders via closer ties to each other has the unfortunate side effect of hamstringing decision making. Whereas in the past, a sound decision would be made at face value without debate in half a second. That decision now, no matter how blindingly obvious, has to have approval from seventeen different departments.

The result is usually placing wood approximal to architrave rather subsequent to the equine sally.

That's not quite what the Sweden has: it has a direct democracy composed of elections and referenda. Anyone can raise a policy point for referendum, they just have to get enough support. It's not a case of asking the population eveery five minutes what they think, it's a case of the population being able to raise policy it thinks is right for it not have it imposed on them. That's the system I'd like.

[OlegL]

The Swiss have a direct democracy

That's interesting! So, Switzerland's direct democracy is similar to the one the Greeks had in ancient Athens? As far as I know, only extremely small areas can have direct democracies, but still, it's hard for me to imagine how it's possible to have a direct democracy even with the population that is as small as 1,000 people. I mean, all of them have to come to meetings where they have to discuss government issues and other similar things.
But could you please explain more what it is that you don't like about the American presidential system?

[mjmacky]

That's not quite what the Sweden has: it has a direct democracy composed of elections and referenda. Anyone can raise a policy point for referendum, they just have to get enough support. It's not a case of asking the population eveery five minutes what they think, it's a case of the population being able to raise policy it thinks is right for it not have it imposed on them. That's the system I'd like.

I also confuse Sweden and Switzerland all the time.

[mjmacky]

I mean, all of them have to come to meetings where they have to discuss government issues and other similar things.

I know that sounds strange to you, but that's only because you've never had a job.

[Squeamous]

I'm not talking about Switzerland, I'm talking about Sweden's direct democracy.

[mjmacky]

I'm not talking about Switzerland, I'm talking about Sweden's direct democracy.

As also so am I

[Artemis]

I'm not talking about Switzerland, I'm talking about Sweden's direct democracy.

I was talking about Toblerone, and the tragic shortage of beaches

[Squeamous]

I'm not talking about Switzerland, I'm talking about Sweden's direct democracy.

As also so am I

I'm not talking about Switzerland, I'm talking about Sweden's direct democracy.

I was talking about Toblerone, and the tragic shortage of beaches

Stop confusing me! I don't know anything about Switzerland's version. Happy to be enlightened. It'd better be good though because Sweden does everything better than everyone, ever.