THE PURPOSE OF THE BOARD
The people select those who represent them in government. This board provides a town meeting environment to discuss the process by which they are selected.
The criteria for selecting our leaders was best described in a quote from an unknown source, cited by Warren Buffet:
"... in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you."
Our purpose is to consider whether our existing election process produces candidates with these qualities, and, if not, how it can be made to do so.
This board is established through the courtesy of InvestorsHub, an American enterprise, and is conducted in English. However, our discussion is not limited to election processes as practiced in the United States. Our purpose is to consider alternatives. In doing so, we must be careful that we neither expect the unattainable nor sacrifice the realizable.
If our topic generates sufficient thoughtful participation, we will ask iHub to put the Town Meeting in the "Free Zone" to encourage non-members, particularly people interested in philosophy and political science, to contribute.
POSTER CONDUCT ON THE BOARD
Off-topic, frivolous or offensive posts are unwelcome.
Our task is formidable. We seek productive participation with a touch of humor to help the flow of ideas. Posts should focus on the selection process and avoid discussion of specific political issues or candidates. Such topics are fraught with emotional triggers. Participants must not only post with courage and honesty, but also with courtesy and respect. Posts should make or counter a point. When one agrees with another poster, their contribution will be more effective if they add insight or logic supporting the point.
To avoid rehashing old points, if participants agree that a point is valid or that some other point is invalid (insofar as our discussion of the election process is concerned), we will cite the point under the appropriate heading below. In addition, to avoid the distraction of tangential discussions, we will post links to subsidiary boards that focus on important related issues.
U. S. CONSTITUTION (Annotated)
#msg-17581800
AGREED POINTS
Integrity is serving the public interest, regardless of any other interest.
Integrity is a dependent virtue.
METHODS
ACTIVE DEMOCRACY: #msg-17002018
EXCLUDED POINTS
LINKS
(Topic ... Link)
Practical Democracy ... http://participedia.net/wiki/Welcome_to_Participedia (Enter 'Practical Democracy' in the search box on the left side of the main screen)
