Hypothetical Political Scenario

[orange]

Assume for a minute that it was required that all US citizens read detailed reports on many different political issues, paying special attention to how much it would cost them individually in taxes, and then vote on those issues.

Would there be enough people voting us into the war on Iraq? Would there be enough people voting for law enforcement agencies? Medicare and Medicaid?

Do you think that many people have strong opinions on issues like these while being unaware of how much it costs them, or rather, how much less they'd have to pay in taxes if these programs didn't exist? Would such a system create a neo-libertarian paradise in America?

[David Floyd]

Well, I certainly think that many Americans would vote Libertarian if they listened to the Libertarian viewpoint with an open, rational mind.

[Zkribbler]

Re: Hypothetical Political Scenario

Originally posted by orange
. . . paying special attention to how much it would cost them individually in taxes . . .

I certainly hope they'd also be given information on how much it would cost them if they didn't have these programs. For example, law enforcement may seem expensive at first, but having been in L.A. during the Rodney King Riots, I've seen what happens when law enforcement breaks down and anarchy reigns.

[Bosh]

We'd be ruled by students, housewives and retirees

[Commie Chocobo]

HAH! maybbe then america would realise commuunism is the only way...

[Whoha]

You mean have election day on Tax day, instead of as far away from each other as possible?

Yea that would be about right for increasing voter turnout and increasing the number of people who vote for such evil conservative ideas like killing old people,poisoning the air,etc:P

[PLATO]

I always thought that would be a great idea...Of course then we would be a democracy. The government can't be letting us little guys run the show, now can they?

[Nubclear]

Re: Hypothetical Political Scenario

Originally posted by orange
Assume for a minute that it was required that all US citizens read detailed reports on many different political issues, paying special attention to how much it would cost them individually in taxes, and then vote on those issues.

Then the wise would use the reports in order to twist it into something that supports their side, and we'd have politics as usual.

Unless you also assumed Americans were able to see through the politics

[Q Classic]

the long-silent moderate majority would finally be able to tell the extremists on both sides of the ****in fence to shut the **** up, because it's been their *****ing and their policy jerkfests that have ****ed up this country.

[orange]

no, just facts. The program, the cost per individual, etc.

[GePap]

Regular citizens would be unable to get through detailed budget reports, specially since the methadology used to calculate costs is as important as he numbers on the page, given that different methdologies give you widely different numbers. And some things can't be measured financially with any possbility of accuracy.

[orange]

let's put it this way then - the exact amount they'll be charged. Like a preemptive bill.

[Shi Huangdi]

Re: Hypothetical Political Scenario

Originally posted by orange
Assume for a minute that it was required that all US citizens read detailed reports on many different political issues, paying special attention to how much it would cost them individually in taxes, and then vote on those issues.

The political party that forced people to do those detailed readings would be punished by voters at the poll, and the opposition would be elected on a "No mandatory reading" landslide.

[GePap]

Originally posted by orange
let's put it this way then - the exact amount they'll be charged. Like a preemptive bill.

How do you meausre the cost to them of not having the service? That is the crux of the problem.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by David Floyd
Well, I certainly think that many Americans would vote Libertarian if they listened to the Libertarian viewpoint with an open, rational mind.