A Radical Democratic Idea

It should be official that we don't live in a democracy. A government by the people? Yeah, 29-34% of people believe that to be the case. What's the problem? Well, there are too many to list, but one deals with people's obsession with power and control. They may be ordinary, average people when they're working the regular 9-5 job, but when they are elected to a position like President of the United States, some of their inner demons are likely to make their presence felt. While presidents only make $200,000 a year (only, ha!), they're rewarded with remarkable benefits, and have the control and power that many dream of, but never have. So, what do they do? Play the role of God. The more wrongs they commit and aren't caught, the more immortal they feel. They give speeches to BS that they care about the people, are doing everything they can to better the country, and basically reiterate the same words spoken just a few months before at another speech of theirs. What if that good salary and those benefits weren't guaranteed? What would happen?

Unless the president does something illegal, is caught, resigns or is impeached, he will stick around for his four-year term. In almost any other profession, that can't be guaranteed. If a hot shot manager in baseball is hired by a perennial doormat, is signed to a 5-year contract, and doesn't improve the team any within three years, he can be fired. If a player isn't living up to his hype or potential, then he can be let go or traded. Why, if it's truly a "democracy," can't the people ultimately decide?

So, here's the idea. President's are only guaranteed a salary that the average American makes (the actual mean average) with the benefits of the average American. He can improve the salary up to a maximum of $200,000 and the benefits that presidents have received depending on how he does during his term. How do we measure his performance? Through non-biased independent studies that show the rise or decline in the following areas: 1) Academic performance, 2) Crime, 3) Health of the Environment, 4) Percentage in poverty, 5) Protection of the people, 6) Protection of our liberty, 7) Equal opportunity, 8) Gas prices, 9) Taxes, and 10) Public's Approval. Then, there will have to be a system in place to calculate just how much the president gains or loses based upon his performance in those ten separate categories. At any time during the term, if 33% or less of the public supports the job of a president (or if he is paid only a certain amount of money during a year for his poor performance), then he will be fired from his job and the public can go to the booths to elect another president. With this proposed system, there will have to be some people who agree to be put on the "just-in-case" ballot. These may include those who lost in the actual election.

Also, because there isn't guaranteed money and benefits for the president, I suggest we add a third and possibly fourth party to the ballots. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, "There already are other parties on the ballot." Yeah, and you're right, but what chance do these parties have of actually being elected? Slim to none. Why? No publicity! They're not part of the debates. They don't have all the ads and commercials with their names and stories on them. All they do is take votes away from the two major parties, Republicans and Democrats. We've already allowed the two major parties to get us to the point we are today. Why not give the other parties a chance? So, we give each of the four parties an equal share of money to use however they choose, whether it be through a commercial, radio ad, or anything else (that's legal). They'll all be welcome to debate one another, as well. Through this, we should have equal exposure from all four candidates. Instead of having just a two party system, we'd finally be expanded to four.

I would hope that all of this would motivate politicians to truly put the people ahead of themselves. It'd hopefully motivate them to get things done and right from the start of their presidency. The money and benefits wouldn't be guaranteed. They'd have to work like any other American and with their good work, they'd receive a raise and added benefits. If they slacked off, then expect that to show in their paycheck. If they slacked off greatly for an extended period of time, then they'd be out of a job, just like anybody else. It's time that we don't put presidents on a pedestal. It's time that they don't look at themselves as elite and God-like. It's time for them to truly work for the American people, by actually being an American person.