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Dysfunctional Democracy

Reform Congress/Save Ourselves-II

Daniel Hough Jones | Posted 11.16.2011 | Politics
Read More: Politics, Family, Dysfunctional Democracy, Political Gridlock, Partisan Gridlock, Washington DC, 112th Congress, Congress, Influtrol, Manipulation, Politics News
Daniel Hough Jones

Introduction: I published this essay on 09-11-11. I received comments that helped clarify aspects of it. This is a revision. Thesis: We live in a ...

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Reform Congress - Save Ourselves

Daniel Hough Jones | Posted 11.13.2011 | Politics
Read More: Religion, Politics, Congress, Relationships, Advertising, Progressives, Dysfunctional Democracy, 112th Congress, Conversation, Reform, Dysfunctional Family, Influtrol, Communication, Politics News
Daniel Hough Jones

Thesis We live in a fragmented society. We are overwhelmed. Influtrol (a word I will be explaining) is a major cause. Influtrol has become endemic in ...

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Diversionary Dangers of Amending the Constitution

Jeffrey Abelson | Posted 05.25.2011 | Politics
Read More: Supreme Court, Civic Ignorance, Constitutional Amendment, Constitutional Convention, Political Ignorance, Larry Lessig, Citizens United, 30 Second TV Spot, Uninformed, Dysfunctional Democracy, Money in Politics, Special Interests, Citizen, Political Corruption, Robert Borosage, Politics News
Jeffrey Abelson

Post Citizens United vs. FEC, Americans should be less concerned with who spends money on campaigns and more concerned by ill-informed citizens who enable that spending to have a profound effect.

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Seeking Civic Virtue in "Citizens United"

Jeffrey Abelson | Posted 05.25.2011 | Politics
Read More: Supreme Court, Corporate Advertising, Civic Engagement, TV Spots, Civic Apathy, Citizens Uhnited, Disengagement, Dysfunctional Democracy, Corporate Spending, Democracy, Special Interests, Self-Governance, Civic Literacy, Political Literacy, Politics News
Jeffrey Abelson

If this is the end of democracy as we know it, I say good riddance, because that is precisely what's brought us to this present moment of gridlock and polarization and corruption.

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Optimizing Democracy

Jeffrey Abelson | Posted 05.25.2011 | Politics
Read More: Sub-Optimal, Political Problem-Solving, Civic Virtue, Civic Apathy, Public Passivity, Dysfunctional Democracy, Self-Governance, Self-Government, Citizen Responsibilities, Gridlock, Civic Engagement, Public Anger, Polarization, Political Ignorance, Political Wisdom, Political Elites, Politically-Engaged, Citizen, Thomas Friedman, Paul Krugman, Politics News
Jeffrey Abelson

While issue after mega-issue begs in vain for wise and farsighted solutions from our fearless leaders -- politically-engaged citizens shake their heads in disgust and disbelief.

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