from the top down or bottom up?

Question

this question for Liberals, Conservatives and Independents. Do you believe citizens should have more power in our society or do you believe that leaders should? Consider values, direction, and intent. Should leaders be insulated from the public more or less? Should government be allowed to create policy in private sessions? Should some of their decisions and votes be confidential? Please state you political stance.

If there could be instant votes from the citizens to decide most laws instead of elected politicians, would you be in favor of implementing it and do you think it would work?

To "Joe" I don't want to control your answer, take your pick on how you want to answer it....to me it's the same thought, just laid out in different ways.

I personally feel that the centralk federal government has too much powe...if individuals (personally) could not realistically be involved in voting for large issues

Answer 1

I say a mix. Leaders shouldn't be insulated whatsoever. The framers had the right idea:
For best justice and morality, let the people choose.
To protect against the lynch mob idea, and for organization, we should have leaders and different levels of govenment.
And so they tried to achieve the happy medium. But the government shouldn't shield the public from anything.

I'm a liberal socialist/democrat who respects some of the grass-root conservatives.
By that I mean I'm a democrat, but I have more conservative friends who have my respect. Many fellow democrats and liberals make the mistake of believing all conservatives and republicans are bad. The biggest problem, from my point of view, is the republic leaders, politicians, and right wing extemists. But there are many good conservatives on a personal level.

Answer 2

You should ask these seperately, as I could go off on each one of them. I don't think this is a black or white question. I don't think most people would know what's going on enough to be voting on these kind of issues. It might be devastating to our country. Government should be able to make policy in privacy (For matters of National defense). Then you need some sorta checks on it. Yes, this stuff should be confidential. I am not happy with the way our banking system turned out though and it appears to be every sense of the word "Scandal". I have not made a concrete decision on a candidate as of yet, but I have enjoyed watching Huckabee lately. I am familiar with most of the candidates and even like some of the dems.

Answer 3

This country is made up of "we the people". On that basis alone, our elected leaders need to stay focused. They should not be isolated or be allowed to create policy in private sessions, unless it is a matter of national security and not many fit that mold.

Answer 4

Locally we would be better to go back to Town meetings if we could get citizens to participate. In State politics we should get more closely involved with or State Representatives and insist their give up the "sheep approach" tp leadership in their group. Nationally we should control the lobby on Congress period.

Answer 5

We have power through our Representatives and Senators.If they do not speak for you,make it known to them and work to make sure they only have one term in office.

We have let them get by with promises far to long. get them all out at the next election.