An Idea for Improving the System

Jdanton and Thundercles' Concept for Improving the American System of Government, with contributions by FreedomKiss and Poetrychic.

I. The Congress, how chosen, qualifications, terms of office.


1. Representatives of the House would be chosen thusly:

-10 citizens would be chosen at random from those residents in the respective congressional districts who:
-Are at least 25 years of age
-Are either native-born citizens or have been naturalized citizens of the United States for 10 years or more
-Have resided in said district for five years or more,
-Have not been previously convicted of a felony.

-Upon being chosen, the 10 citizens must pass a basic literacy and math test. (Equivalent to a G.E.D.) Upon passing that, they would be required to take and pass (or test out of) basic political science, American history, and world geography courses. These courses must in no way either support or decry a particular political ideology, only serve to educate about the workings of government and current affairs. The citizen who achieves the highest cumulative score in the courses and/or placement exams will be selected as representative. The selection process for each post would begin four months prior to the end of the previous representative's term to allow time for these measures and for the representative to hire a staff to help manage their affairs, the salaries of which would be provided for as now.

-The living expenses for the representative and their immediate family (and their staff and their families) would be provided for (this includes medical, dental, etc. coverage), similar to the current provisions for such.

-Any person selected could choose to opt out if they are unable or unwilling to fulfill these duties or qualifications. Should said person opt not to participate, another citizen will be selected for the testing/course process. The course process must begin with 10 possible candidates. After the four month education/transition period the candidates who did not test highest will be returned to the general pool and may again be chosen as candidates in forthcoming selections if such circumstances occur.

-Every representative would be limited to one term of three years.

-Referendums could be held, similar to the referendum process now, one year and again two years after their initial selection, to remove the representative from office if the people feel the representative is not fulfilling their duties or adequately representing the will of the people. In this event, another candidate would be randomly selected. For a referendum to be presented before the general populace for voting, signatures of citizens supporting such a referendum with their current addresses must be collected numbering at least 10% of the district population. All signatures and addresses must be verified by the Federal Election Commission prior to the ballot being posted.

-The representative would be required to pass a drug test upon being chosen and periodically at random intervals during office. (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and physician-prescribed drugs are excluded as disqualifying substances)

-Representatives would be forbidden to accept money from any other sources, and any assets they had prior to being chosen, stocks, bonds, etc. would be placed in a blind trust fund for the duration of their term of office.

-Failure to meet either of the above two conditions would result in a new selection to take place starting the following November.


2. The members of the Senate would be chosen thusly:

-Senators would be chosen randomly from the pool of those who have served as representatives in the same state, who have not been voted out by referendum, who still reside in the same state, and who are at least 30 years of age.

-Each senator would be restricted to one term of six years.

-Former representatives who are unable or unwilling to serve as senators are able to opt out if they so choose.

-Similar recall referendums could be taken after two years and again after four years of office. For a recall referendum to be present on a ballot, signatures of citizens supporting such a referendum with their current addresses must be collected numbering at least 10% of the state population. All signatures and addresses must be verified by the Federal Election Commission prior to the ballot being posted.

-Similar restrictions involving assets and outside income would apply, as would salary and health benefits. Senators would also be subject to similar random and periodic drug testing.

-To keep the interests of the representatives and senators further in keeping with those of their constituents, a pension will be provided upon leaving office of $25,000 per year for representatives or $50,000 per year for senators, provided they have completed their term of office or been voted out by a simple majority. If they are voted out by a two-thirds majority however, the pension is forfeit.



II. The President, how chosen, qualifications, terms of office.


1. The President would be chosen thusly:

-Candidates must be 35 years or older, be a native-born citizen and have served in both the house and senate without having been recalled by referendum.

-The representatives of the house would cast one vote each for whoever they choose fitting these requirements. The top ten vote-getters of the house vote would then be voted on by the senate, whos members are allowed one vote each. The top three vote-getters of the senate vote would then be voted on by the general citizenry; however, the winner must receive more than 50% of the vote. If none of the three candidates receives more than 50% of the vote, a run-off vote will be held between the top two.

-As the senate representation has already influenced the choice of candidates, rendering the electoral college superfluous, the final election will be decided by popular vote alone.

-Each of the three candidates will be provided an equal amount of funds to advertise and advocate their candidacy as they see fit. Outside donations are forbidden.

-Presidents will serve one term of four years, and as they are elected directly by the people, will not be subject to referendum recalls; however they are still subject to impeachment and removal from office by the usual means.

-Presidents will be provided a salary and benefits similar to the current system for themselves and their immediate family, as well as their cabinet and staff and their immediate families.

-The candidates' choices for Vice President must come from the same qualified presidential pool and be named after they are elected by the senate, but not before the election by the general citizenry. The rest of their cabinet may be chosen from the general population or the qualified pool.

-In the event the President is incapacitated, the Vice-President will assume office and serve out the term as normal, but they will be required to name a new Vice-President from the pool of qualified citizens immediately. Citizens who have served as vice-presidents are not restricted from being nominated for President by house members after serving, excepting those who have served as acting President for more than two years due to incapacitation of the original President. In the unlikely event that the President and Vice President are both incapacitated, the line of succession would continue as it stands. However, the acting President would take office in a temporary capacity only until new elections could be held in the same manner described above no later than the following November.


III. Concerning the Judicial branch, the lawmaking system, and additional regulations.


-The current system of checks and balances and the process of lawmaking, vetoes, etc. would still apply.

-The Judicial Branch and the nominating process would essentially remain unchanged.

-The current system for amending the Bill of Rights would remain unchanged.

-Any evidence of bribery of a representative, senator or president, or candidate, either through money, goods, services or promises of employment after political service with the expectation of political favor in exchange would be a federal offense, punishable by life in prison for the briber and also for the bribee if they were shown to be complicit. The bribee's pension is also forfeit upon conviction.

-State and Local Governments are free to enact similar systems or remain as they are. Having held office in state government does not disqualify a person from being selected for national government, nor does having held office in national government disqualify a person from running for state office. However, any person who had held state office is still required to climb the House-Senate-Presidency ladder, as it were. A citizen who holds state or local office at the time of selection for national government is free to opt out or vacate his local office, at which point local or state rules concerning such matters would apply.

The advantages of this system include:

-No campaigning except in a very limited fashion in the presidential election, which means no campaign contributions, which means no favors to donors.

-No political parties, which means no party-line votes or petty partisan politics.

-Political office would not be restricted to the rich.

Obviously there will be problems with this system as well, no system is perfect. I would appreciate feedback, but especially creative suggestions on how to improve the idea.