Mike Gravel - Do We Need A "National Initiative" Law?

[LiberalCast]

he's full of shit, the founding fathers were opposed to democracy because it leads to demogoguery.

why is he against globalization? markets don't recognize invisible walls that war-mongering elites impose upon people by force of arms.

[multiverse3]

The representative will never work as there is no such thing as altruism. This man is RIGHT, the only time the people got the power is the two seconds while they vote, then the power is delegated. It is a delegation by faith, hoping the one elected by you will .. care or give a dam about you. They dont! The solution is indeed to distribute the power from the hand of a few to the many, so the common good can win. I would also say the elected would be delegates , not representative.

[BboyVIRTUE]

California what what! Whether youre a Dem or Repub in the golden state, its the initiative, the referendum, and the recall that separate people like us from representative cesspools like New Jersey.

[orgay3]

He would have been a better president!

[LostInThought11]

ill be a warrior for that change

[onebrandofdemocracy]

Mob rule?? What the hell do you think the Constitution is for?

I'll give you mob rule. Look at the number of politicians on the local, state and federal levels that get indicted every damn year!! Mob rule??? Stop rehashing burrowed crap and develop some critical thinking skills. We will lose everything our predecessors fought for if we don't take this nation back. This is not a gov't of, by and for the people. We have a defacto monarchy/aristocracy. Only our reps don't wear wigs.

[kyeot]

People talk about mob rule not knowing it is tyranny of the minority that has caused all the problems for the U.S. since 1917. So called mob rule brought about civil rights, womens rights, even the ratification of the constitution. When the people have power they look after there own self interest rather than the interest of the corperation. Good video! ni4d*dot*us

[oldhacks]

the national initiative is the workers struggle of the 21st century. Without it we're doomed.

[ikekll]

3-8-08 Mike Gravel is looking better each day.

Among the democrat choices, he's the only one willing to talk outside the usual "talking points."

"Our politicians are owned," people yell.

Unfortunately, there's no laws preventing one from buying a politician!

Wiki-

"In the American political system, the fourth branch of government refers to a group that influences the 3 branches of governance defined in the Constitution...include THE PRESS, the people, interest groups..."

"THE MEDIA"

[oldhacks]

its not Mike Gravel as much as it's the national initiative. He brought it to us its up to us to take it.

[robclary]

how do we avoid this process being taken over by extreme elements from the commie-lib left or the nut-job right?

And nobody has answered the "27 Problems With The National Initiative" video from a supporter who taked issue with the wording of the law.

The idea of a National ballot Initiative is a good idea, and these questions need to be addressed.

[johndownunder]

robclary alias bobbyclerisi:The NEOCON who called Mike Gravel a traitor to his country now trying to discredit Mikes National Initiative.Clary you should be ashamed to call yourself an American.

[robclary]

Voters have REJECTED Mike Gravel - and these are sniveling democrats! He's an irrelevant political relec. My views toward Gravel are what 99% of Americans think like it or not.

So, let's address the ballot issue: QUESTION: How is mob rule prevented?

As a liberal, you of all people should be concerned about this. Do you want to have a serious discission or just more sniveling?

[johndownunder]

If you think Mike Gravel has been rejected why are you trying so hard to discredit him.One more thing the spelling of [relic]has an [i] in it.Your views on Mike Gravel are not shared by 99 % of Americans and neither are your racist views against American Negro people.Did you like the YOUTUBE ASSHOLE OF THE YEAR AWARD i gave you.

[leonaral2v]

johndownunder your wasting your time trying to talk to Mr Clary.He is a sad case and best left alone with his delusions.I like Mr Gravel he seems very sincere.

[stealthswimmer]

robclary is right. THis is a great idea...but you NEED to prevent mob rule, otherwise the rights of the minority will be trampled on. It's basically what happened in the Civil Rights movments for blacks especially. Their rights were not ackowledged because there was basically a strong majority trampling on their rights.

I think that this Initiative is part of the solution, maybe not the whole thing but it's definitely a start.

[johndownunder]

Your only interest in the National Initiative is trying to discredit it.Your a NEOCON LOSER ROB get a life.

[robclary]

Well John, I tried, but you seem unable to have a serious talk. Anyway, we have our differences and that's what makes this all fun to me anyway.

But you don't eem to be having much fun, so good luck.

Say hello to ET for me!

[DyingStarAlliance]

Poor thing is truly 'vexatious'(ty Gravel) :D

Your attitude and ignorance is a terrorist Rob. Don't be like Rob. Stop aiding those who would destroy the world to only own it for a small time.

Leonaral2v it isn't a waste of time if at least one person grows from it possibly by learning how not to be or the opposite.

[Beadbud5000]

Think about it. If we had a people's initiative if would act as another balancer. Kind of a fourth wheel. No, the 4th wheel. This "war" could have been prevented. This is needed and a good thing. Listen to Gravel, Nader, Jefferson and your own heart and concious.

[CHmale81]

The 4th weel, you don't take it fahr enough it should be the first weel it is faisble. It worke for us for more than a century now pretty well. In fact so good we don't have a post like a president, prime minster or cancelour. To have one powerfull men in front to lead is just not need if you have set up a elaboratet democracy

[bobbyclerici]

You want this since you fail time and again to get your commie-lib agenda passed.

It's never going to happen. It's just another failure in a long list for Mike Gravel.

[saintee1000]

A good comparison comes with British/French GDP in 1914 (Outbreak of WWI). Frances GDP was just over half of Britains WITHOUT colonies and with colonies included was barely a third.

[saintee1000]

The first Empire yes but the British Empire peaked in size and power in about 1902. As for France their Empire was much smaller and provided considerably less wealth than Britains.

[oldhacks]

we're all minorities. in swizerland theres 4 different languages 4 different religions people said it couldn't be done. What you're operating on when you react like that is fear. Fear of committing a mistake. Science is developed by assesing data through a period of mistakes. its the only way we will ever learn how federal policy effects our lives and take responsibility for ourselves and our country.

[4ourthofjuly]

not giving voting rights to 9 of 10 people sure helps, as well.

[oldhacks]

not when 9 out of 10 people are RIGHT! and its an issue that directly effects their lives!

[4ourthofjuly]

i was annoyed with conservatism to begin with, take a look at burke. we need to conserve our traditions to maintain order, yet who did the order help? not most humans. social climber like him, sure.

[jacknewt]

Surely that order helped everyone. The conservative British ended up leaps and bounds ahead of the French during Burke's time. The United States was not founded upon modern ideas of equality and diversity, yet the US surely has been more successful than other nations.

[4ourthofjuly]

my point is the order was unethical.

the growth is irrelevant.

stealing could make me wealthier, but i choose not to do it.

its exactly that simple.

[jacknewt]

Unequal treatment of Native Americans and Africans were essential to the growth of the US...this is certainly not to say that this is moral, however. You wouldn't enjoy your luxurious life today if it weren't for these inequalities.

[4ourthofjuly]

also untrue, unless you could demonstrate that we wouldnt have grown without the unethical treatment. i maintain we wouldve grown without it, even if it was slower.

[dfgrbac]

"Tyranny of the majority" is an oxymoron. It does not exist when the majority includes all citizens. The majority would never impose tyranny on itself. And the majority is compassionate enough to not do that to others.

[jacknewt]

Tyranny of the majority is certainly not an oxymoron. From the French Revolution to the rise of the National Socialists in Germany, societies have shown that the majority often makes mistakes.

[oldhacks]

the nazi movement was a minority just like the neocons. It's not minorities. its not majorities. its you. And me. and the person reading in on this. Its US. the UNITED STATES. not the divided states. This is the time and the place. dont let fear guide you. turn our opinion polls into legislation.

[dfgrbac]

The majority can only make a mistake when it is not informed - like today with our controlled media. With the National Initiative we can create responsible media. You surely don't believe the people of 1930s Germany were informed.

[jacknewt]

Fex--I think the National Initiative is a bit of a utopian idea. How would one go about educating people? The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Say a majority of people say they want cheaper housing--who wouldn't? But economics teaches that price ceilings are disastrous. People would simply be too prone to demagoguery and manipulation.

[Fex138]

I don't consider the national initiative utopian at all. It's not perfect. I do think it's better than the system we've got, which is full of politicians who say anything to get elected and then once elected do anything to make money instead of actually representing us. People are ALREADY prone to demaguery and manipulation. Keep in mind the national initiative does not replace our current system, rather it's adding to it. We will still have the executive, judicial, and legislative branches.

[Fex138]

Also note many states already make state laws via direct vote, and they do fine. I live in one of them. The drawback with the state laws is when bills "piggy-back" on each other, ie: a single bill may have items in it that have nothing to do with each other because politicians who put them forth are offering compromises/sneaking in legislation. What appeals about the national initiative is that we all can put forth a laws our representatives who fail to represent.

[Fex138]

Should read: ... we can all put forth laws, not only our representatives who fail to represent us. Education by the by can happen a number of ways, the two most significant through directly improving our school system at all levels, and through direct experience (in this case experience with direct democracy).

[jacknewt]

I suppose I am somewhat prejudiced against the National Initiative because I believe in federalism and believe that the vast majority or laws and regulations should be imposed at the state and local level.

[oldhacks]

thats no excuse. all you have to do is vote. and you can vote by phone. by text. on the computer. its just gauging the countries sentiments on the issues they are dealing with and seeing what the country as a unit proposes to do. its simple. Jack Cefferty will become a our vote counter instead of the email reader.

[MissahLowery]

To reply to Jacknew below..the republicans are making a mess out of democracy..

To reply to the video of Mr. Gravel..I am so thankful to God I found someone in this world and in your position whom I can really believe in and support..if you contact me..I will carry out your campaign and dream long till I die..I want the world to change..it must..and our country has the power to do it..and our people suffer cuase of what our government is doing not just here but global..

[Fex138]

So how about we educate the masses and let them learn responsibility? I think the National Initiative is a great idea, and I think there will be mistakes made by the people. However, the National Initiative also allows us to fix the mistakes we make. If a law doesn't work out, change it. Over time we will become better at it, and when we as a society are used to it and it's "old hat," shouldn't be many problems (if any) at all.

[jacknewt]

The Founding Fathers understood that the masses could often make worse decisions than kings. That is why they created a republic, not a democracy.

[4ourthofjuly]

meh, there were other reasons.

John Jay: "The people that own the conutry tought to govern it".

How many people could vote in 1790, %5? You had to be over 21, white, male, and landed. Looks like they didnt believe in representitive government either.

[deborahane]

Everyone

Take your old computers to anyone without one

Show them how to listen to You Tube

Let them hear Paul and Gravel

Share the hope!

[deborahane]

Ron Paul and Mike Gravel in 08

[AuroraKismet]

A thinking man with ideas.Now I understand the lack of media focus and why he was shut out of debates.

[Rickdeckard2020]

Good video