What can the government do differently to allow us to effectively participate in our democracy?

Answer 1

Make it easier for more parties to run for office. The dem's, & repubs. have made it virtually impossible for a third party.

Answer 2

We don't have a "democracy". The United States is a Democratic Republic. That's quite different. So the first step in participating more effectively on your goverment is learning what kind of govermet you live under.

The chief characteristic and distinguishing feature of a Democracy is: Rule by Omnipotent Majority. In a Democracy, The Individual, and any group of Individuals composing any Minority, have no protection against the unlimited power of The Majority. It is a case of Majority-over-Man.

A Republic, on the other hand, has a very different purpose and an entirely different form, or system, of government. Its purpose is to control The Majority strictly, as well as all others among the people, primarily to protect The Individual’s rights and therefore for the protection of the rights of The Minority, of all minorities, and the liberties of people in general. The definition of a Republic is: a constitutionally limited government of the representative type, created by a written Constitution--adopted by the people and changeable (from its original meaning) by them only by its amendment--with its powers divided between three separate Branches: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. Here the term "the people" means, of course, the electorate.

Answer 3

Uphold the Constitution of the United States would be a great first step!

Allow a recount or second election when there is a Question about an "elected" official and if the election was accurate.

Remember that the people are the "Government " - the elected officials simply represent them.

Answer 4

both answers are good but I'd like to add curb lobbying, by about 95%, only recognized non -profits could lobby and those non profits could only accept donations up to set dollar amount and only from individuals. No more 529's or PAC's in election years only individual donations up to $1000 dollars per cycle and each candidate is given 2 hours of broadcast time free and cannot exceed that amount. this would force them to real dialog during their fleeting moments of exposure the rest could be as debates and panel discussions of issues.

Answer 5

Obey the laws.

As long as the govt is obeying the laws and following the constitution, we get to participate.

But as for the electoral college, changing the rules (at the state level) to allow for pro-rata (proportional) allocated votes, rather than all-or-nothing for a single candidate, would go a long way.

Answer 6

I'm sure there are some great answers, but my first thought is to stop trying to stifle dissent by equating criticism of the government with treason.