I like listening to Jello Biafra's spoken word albums, not because his voice is oh-so-fabulous, but because he has a way of putting things. Between him and Utah Phillips, you start to get a real sense of simplicity in complicated matters, such as politics.
Some ideas sprang to mind tonight, while I was awkwardly cutting my husband's hair and listening to Jello.
What if police officers were not only elected by the community, but had to work in the same neighborhoods they lived in?
What if we had real Justices of the Peace?
What if politicians were paid minimum wage?
What if there were no such things as lobbyists?
What if there were no political parties at all?
What if candidates were totally anonymous except for their platform and voting record until the polls were closed?
What if your vote actually counted, as in a popular vote?
Just me, thinking aloud....
4.23.2008
Just Some Ideas
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
"What if police officers were not only elected by the community, but had to work in the same neighborhoods they lived in?"
I definitely agree with that.
"What if candidates were totally anonymous except for their platform and voting record until the polls were closed?"
That is a brilliant Idea and worth pursuing. Not sure if it's possible. But it would be nice.
Well, I like the idea of cops working their own neighborhoods. I'm sure we can all imagine the benefits that would accompany that.
And, I'll probably offend someone, but I am so against political parties, that I don't have strong enough words to express it. We get so rapped up in it all, that we forget that our country just does not have a clear objective. It's all just mish-mash.
"What if police officers were not only elected by the community, but had to work in the same neighborhoods they lived in?"
Correct me if I'm wrong but would such a thing not be an infringement on the personal security of specific officers? Everyone being policed is likely to know where the officer lives, if he/she has a wife/husband, children etc. Threats and even black mail become far more viable.
Theres also the matter of corruption. The officer is bound to have friends in his neighboring area. Will he treat them same as all other criminals or give them special treatment?
Thanks for the great comments guys and gals. It's good to know someone listens to my ideas! Heh.
Chris - to address your points, which are good ones.
Correct me if I'm wrong but would such a thing not be an infringement on the personal security of specific officers?
I don't think it is any more of an infringement on their rights to privacy then what they have now. As for rights to security - well, the danger goes along with the job - no matter what form it' sin. If someone has it in for an officer, it's not too hard to find them.
That said - the "danger" of living in the same neighborhood you patrol would be the or should be the motivating factor to do a good job - and for police to go above and beyond and not simply respond to calls, but also really work the prevention aspect of their job.
Everyone wants, and deserves a safe neighborhood to live in. Making the officers live in the area they have to prevent crime in should force them to really think about their job.
Theres also the matter of corruption. The officer is bound to have friends in his neighboring area.
Are implying that this type of corruption doesn't already occur? ;)
Seriously though - don't forget the "elected" aspect of it. Each neighborhood gets to nominate the person they think would be best suited for the job - and each officer is responsible for his or her neighborhood only. So whatever treatment they dole out, favoritism or otherwise - they will have to face each and every person they work for every day, on or off the clock. And, if it is bad and corrupt, they lose. They won't (or shouldn't) be re elected.
And the idea is also that coppers SHOULD be scared if they're screwing around. If police were forced to live in their communities, beatings and corruption would be less common because the copper would A) by under public scrutiny, and B) be subject to the wrath of the community.
Post a Comment