| DELUSIONAL DEMOCRACY Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government Joel S. Hirschhorn |
| This book will disturb your equilibrium, no matter what your political beliefs are. Unlike any other book because it goes way beyond criticism of the current state of the American political system - it has solutions! This book will motivate millions of non-voters to get back into the citizenship game, and for politically engaged Americans to move from depression to advocacy for specific reforms. Part 1 presents detailed analyses of the three branches of government and the "fourth estate" for a compelling message that American democracy has steadily gone downhill. American society is saddled with distractive consumerism, a culture of dishonesty, and rampant corporate corruption of government. Despite what false patriots tell us, we now have a delusional democracy, not one that citizens can trust to serve their interests. We clearly need a Second American Revolution. Part 2 presents details about a number of practical solutions for fixing our republic peacefully - actions and techniques that have been proven to work in states or other countries. Are you willing to suffer some pain and see the truth? Or, like so many Americans, will you remain in a delusional state? This book will convince you that there is no hope as long as the two-party duopoly remains in control. More importantly, it will convince you that a new third party is more than necessary for salvaging American democracy - it is increasingly seen by Americans as the only hope for our future. Eligible voters who do not vote are not to be condemned - they are to be respected and motivated to vote by being offered a new, trustworthy alternative. |
| About the author: Joel S. Hirschhorn has been widely published; his previous book is Sprawl Kills - How Blandburbs Steal Your Time, Health and Money. He has published many articles and oped pieces in major newspapers (Washington Post, New York Times, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Tribune) and on progressive web sites such as CommonDreams, The Progress Report, SmirkingChimp and Opednews; Google Joel S. Hirschhorn to see his writings and achievements and see link below. Before becoming a writer and consultant, he was a senior staffer for the U.S. Congress (Office of Technology Assessment), Director of Environment, Energy and Natural Resources at the National Governors Association, a full professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and head of an environmental consulting company. He is the Chair of the Independent Party of Maryland and co-founder of Friends of the Article V Convention |
| Delusional Democracy Does What No Other Book Has Done! A number of electoral reforms are necessary to rescue American democracy: 1. Expand the use of Clean Money, Clean Election programs. 2. Provide a None of the Above option on ballots. 3. Permit fusion candidates to promote third-party candidates. 4. Reform the Electoral College or its use by states. 5. Provide Instant Runoff Voting. 6. Pass the “Our Democracy, Our Airwaves” federal law. 7. For primary elections, support an open or crossover primary that favors third-parties. 8. Make voting compulsory after other reforms Each reform, when taken by itself, will not have a large enough impact and may appear unexciting. Each one has some organized advocacy. BUT NO ONE HAS MADE THE CASE THAT WE MUST HAVE ALL OF THEM! Can we really rehabilitate American democracy just by tinkering with the rules? No one change will do it. But if they were all implemented, a seemingly sleepy set of reforms pushed in back room operations of dissent would go a long way to creating fundamental systemic change. Nor should there be a competition among these reforms, especially by those who have attached themselves to single options. We surely will not get them all at once, but the ultimate prize is getting them all. Plus one more action is neceassary: Expand citizen-driven ballot measures. In our corrupt pseudo-democracy, ballot initiatives are smart weapons for citizens to target problems and reclaim their power, to sidestep unresponsive and corrupt legislatures. Ballot initiatives help courageous citizens do battle with corrupt forces. It is Americans’ major opportunity for civic power through direct democracy. It comes down to ballots or bullets to save our democracy. |
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