As you may have noticed, I’ve left my name off this book, choosing instead to provide only my status as a U.S. citizen and my initials. This decision to remain anonymous was purposeful for a number of reasons, but the most important of which was to allow the idea of a democratic evolution to be evaluated on its own merits, without an initial bias. As humans, we cannot help but instantly attach some level of bias to an idea when we know the individual from whom it originated. The bias may be positive, negative, or somewhere in between, but as soon as we become aware of the gender, age, race, ethnicity, educational background, occupation, political affiliation, or even the wealth of a person, we cannot help but let some bias, however large or small, attach to the person’s ideas. Only by keeping my identity hidden is it possible to ensure that this idea will be provided with the opportunity to receive a truly unbiased evaluation.
Secondly, my hope for this idea is that, without an identified owner, it becomes a shared idea amongst us all. This idea is not intended to benefit any specific individual, or any particular group, but all of us Americans, and all persons living within the borders of our country. In particular now, when the differences between us are on full display across the internet and our televisions on a daily basis, it seems we are in desperate need of a movement to bind us back together as a united nation, even in times when our individual views on specific issues may differ.
Before outlining the fundamental principles of the idea, I believe it’s essential to explain that it originates from a core belief that together we are far stronger than we are as individuals. In observing our modern world, I can’t help but consistently be amazed at the seemingly endless advancements and achievements reached by people working together and cooperating with one another for a common purpose. Everywhere you look, you’ll find examples of things that wouldn’t be possible without cooperation. When we work together, human beings are capable of exponentially more than we could ever hope to accomplish on our own as individuals. This simple concept of cooperation is what formed our earliest societies to begin with, and is what I believe is critical to allow our present day society to continue to progress forward.
It is with that introduction that I offer to you, to hopefully adopt as your own, the idea to bring about the next evolution of our democracy:
A) When a Congressional vote is required to:
- Enact or repeal a law;
- Confirm a new justice to the Supreme Court; or
- Declare war or authorize the use of military force in a foreign nation:
Instead of allowing our elected Representatives and Senators to vote in whatever manner they choose, all adult citizens shall have the right to vote on these matters, and the majority of us within each District and State shall determine how the official votes are cast by our Representatives and Senators in Congress.
B) In order to prevent the President, a single elected official, from standing between the will of the people and the force of law, the executive veto power shall be replaced with the limited ability to call for a national re-vote.
C) Except in response to a direct military attack on America, the President shall be required to obtain a majority consent of both houses of Congress prior to introducing U.S. Armed Forces into foreign hostilities.
D) Presidential elections shall be determined by a popular vote of all American citizens, wherever located, instead of the Electoral College.
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