http://willbop.breebop.com/2006/11/05/united-indies-and-public-participation/ Just a Bee in the Bree Bonnet Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:51:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 http://willbop.breebop.com/2006/11/05/united-indies-and-public-participation/#comment-868 Paul Sun, 05 Nov 2006 05:26:45 +0000 http://willbop.breebop.com/2006/11/05/united-indies-and-public-participation/#comment-868 I like the train of thought, but as the consummate naysayer I must add one point here. Governments run according to this sort of semi-direct democracy face a crippling problem: taxation. In California, for example, where most tax policy changes go to a direct ballot, it has proven effectively impossible to raise taxes, no matter how badly the money is needed. The result has been brutal budget problems and a staggering inability to fund necessary services. No matter how well-intentioned, voters seem to find it more or less impossible to vote to raise their own taxes, no matter the circumstances. Any suggestions on how to work around this? I like the train of thought, but as the consummate naysayer I must add one point here. Governments run according to this sort of semi-direct democracy face a crippling problem: taxation. In California, for example, where most tax policy changes go to a direct ballot, it has proven effectively impossible to raise taxes, no matter how badly the money is needed. The result has been brutal budget problems and a staggering inability to fund necessary services. No matter how well-intentioned, voters seem to find it more or less impossible to vote to raise their own taxes, no matter the circumstances. Any suggestions on how to work around this?

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