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why not just ask us taxpayers what we want our money spent on?
Published on May 22, 2007 By Sean Conners aka SConn1 In Politics
"Not with my tax dollars!!!" is a common cry amongst Americans whenever our government is found to be funding things we don't like. And of course, we see polls on a regular basis that try to tell us how we feel on any given issue. Then every 10 years our government takes a census report and gathers the information with all the speed and dexterity of aincient Rome.

But why do we depend on these archaic, limited and easily skewed methods to tell our representatives what we want?

There might be a better way. But the only way we could get our thoughts heard is if we demand it.

We can poll ourselves.

Now, before ya'll get any pornographic images in your head, hear me out. Every year taxpayers pay taxes. every year, we gripe about what the money is spent on.

Why not have a questionaire sent to every taxpayer with the tax forms. When the taxpayer sends it back, send the questionaire as well. It can be computer readable for fast results. The results would be "non binding" so it won't change any laws or change anything else for the moment.

What it will do is gauge the actual interests of the American people. It will do it more accurately than any limited 1000 or so person poll ever could. Even if participation is far less than 100%, we would still have literally 10's of millions of respondants. And since it will be, 1 taxpayer, 1 vote...it will be legitimate.

And we will hear from the people who care. From the left, to the right. People who vote. People who don't vote, but still care.

Of course, just the idea of this kind of actual "government of the people, for the people and by the people" kind of exercize will make most politicians quake in their boots. It might be harder to say the American people want this or that after the people have clearly stated they want none of it.

And who knows, maybe we'll see that people have a better grip on what we want for ourselves than what has been advertised. Maybe not. Maybe certain segments of the political spectrum are right on the money. Maybe we'll find out that we, the people would spend money like a fleet of drunken sailors and those "boobs" in Washington aren't all that bad. But then again, maybe we'll learn they are.

In any case, i'm sure the crowd inside the beltway would never suggest such a radical idea and an exercize in pure democracy such as this, even with a non-binding pretext. But I think it's obvious to even the casual observer, regardless of political leanings, that our democracy needs a shot in the arm. And using the tools of our technology should be a method of letting our representatives know, in a clear, unspinnable way, how we feel.

So, i'll suggest it.
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Comments
on May 22, 2007
I like the idea, but let me play Devil's Advocate for a second; who counts the poll and who watches the counters, (and watches the watchers et al, ad infinitum, ad nauseum!)?
on May 23, 2007

And since it will be, 1 taxpayer, 1 vote...it will be legitimate.

IN a democracy, which we are not.  We are a representative Democracy, and as such the "one person, one vote" does not apply.  It would require a complete reworking of the constitution, and then the dangers of a pure democracy in an imperfect world takes root.

on May 23, 2007
It's an interesting idea, but would never work in America.  Sending a "poll" around to people is not reliable in the least as it can be manipulated by groups quite easily.  
on May 23, 2007
IN a democracy, which we are not. We are a representative Democracy, and as such the "one person, one vote" does not apply. It would require a complete reworking of the constitution, and then the dangers of a pure democracy in an imperfect world takes root.


no it doesn't require any constitutional reworking. it is simply a non binding survey, like a census. of course, there will be an ad campaign to make people aware. and i think educating the tax preparers and requiring them to inform their clients of the survey would increase participation dramatically. and i suspect that people hwo have their taxes prepared (like i do) would be eager to tell the government what they want their money spent on.

it could be done after the 2008 election. that way, we could keep the partisanship out of it somewhat. plus, that would be the time that i believe, regardless of who is elected in 2008 (at all levels) that many will want to give a 2nd shout in what they expect out of a new congress, executive, etc...

if a federal survey is too big a bone to chew for some. the idea could be tried at the state level.

on May 23, 2007
It's non-binding and can be manipulated, so it will come out to be more government waste.


on May 23, 2007
it is simply a non binding survey


Technically, so is an election. And we see how often politicians keep those promises.

If it is non-binding, then it is basically worthless.