Re: Molecular Success

2008-12-20 06:02:00

LWK quoting JJ writes:

"There is already a critical mass of voters who like the idea of the majority being represented. All that needs done is to popularize the idea and these people who already exist will show themselves in great numbers."

LWK:

"I think that the majority of people that pay much attention to politics do so because they are interested in specific issues like abortion, gun control, etc., etc. If you talk to people about politics it will be very rare to hear someone raise the idea of "the majority being represented" as an issue.

"Many Conservatives and Libertarians are philosophically opposed to the concept of unlimited democracy and would oppose a move direct democracy as "mob rule." Liberals and those on the left might support it, that is, until they saw the possibility that a majority of Americans might vote against their pet ideas, for example, gay marriage or tax payer funded abortions."

JJ:

I will agree with you on this. Die hard ideologues will not support direct democracy because they will not be happy unless they get everything their way. In other words, they will always be disgruntled, for none of us always get our way 100%.

As I said before, however, I think there is a large voting segment of society that is overlooked and surfaced when Ross Perot first announced for the Presidency. He drew a large number of people who were from the middle who just wanted a greater voice in politics. Many of these people had never been big on a single issue or attached to a political belief system. Perot was the only one to bring this type of person to the surface in my lifetime.

LWK:

"A lot of liberal and/or left wingers in California are not to happy with democracy in action when voters approved a referendum to define marriage as being between a man and a woman and prohibited gay marriage in the last election."

JJ:

This will be one of the greatest hurdles of Molecular Politics. Many will say they support the majority and then when they find out the majority disagrees with them they will not be so enthused. Even so, there will be enough who will be attracted to majority rule to empower the idea. When it becomes mainstream it will be accepted by most just as we accept the majority vote electing our Congress even if the guy we like didn't get elected.

LWK:

"The point is that most people that are interested in politics are interested in certain specific issues and that is their highest priority. Given the choice of voting "Molecular" and letting the majority decide the outcome they would support the candidate and/or party that supported their pet issues."

JJ:

On the other hand, many realize their pet issues are not being furthered by any politician and more influence can be had by becoming a co-legislator and blogging with other co-legislators.

LWK:

"The bottom line though is that it will be a steep uphill battle to convince a significant number of people that direct democracy should be their most important issue, and that they should support it even when the results of the vote don't go along with their views. If you can't create the necessary numbers then you will be just another small group of zealots who know they are right but can't convince enough of their fellow citizens to actually get anything done."

JJ:

Without some good publicity you would be correct, but if we can get just one Molecular Candidate elected to national office he will then become quite a curiosity. I do not plan on starting the Molecular organization until I can do it right or we would just be a group of zealots crying in the wilderness.

LWK:

"First you have to educate people about your ideas and convince them they are worthwhile. If you actually just accomplish that they you will be doing pretty good."

JJ:

Agreed, but will aim to do more.

LWK quoting JJ again writes:

"One reason Molecular Politics has the greatest chance of change is because it uses the members of Congress who are the real roadblock to constructive change."

LWK:

"And how does that work again? So how is MP [Molecular Politics] going to use Kennedy, Schumer, Reid, Pelosi, et. al., to advance its agenda?"

JJ:

Molecular candidates replacing these people will make the changes and remove roadblocks. The current crop of politicians will not want direct democracy. They think they know better than the common man.