Final essay

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jylhYprZAGqoo72thAuHTaxpKqVd_FCl1V0hHgFFh1E/pub

Changing the American system of democracy

While wandering through Forest Park on a sunny Saturday, you stumble across a battered antique oil lamp.  To your surprise, upon picking it up a genie springs forth, all thunder and lightning and smoke and what have you.  After the hullabaloo has subsided, the genie informs you that you get exactly one wish, and it’s a strictly structured one at that: the government of the United States, from here on out, will follow whatever changes you want to make.  You design it, and it will stick.  You have two options:

1. Keep the pre-existing system – We’ve looked at how the US government functions.  Executive, legislative, and judicial.  Two-party system where third parties don’t matter.  Lobbying, gerrymandering, and the filibuster.  Keep the whole system intact if you want – but you have to be able to justify it.

2. Fix what’s broken – What’s wrong with our government, how should it be fixed, and why is your way better?  This can be about any aspect of our system of government - don’t feel obliged to change everything.  Just the stuff you think can be improved.

Now, there’s one catch to all of this – you have to write me a 1,500-word paper justifying your decision.

For example: “Lobbying has got to go.  This form of legal bribery has corrupted our political system to the point that the processed food industry convinced Congress to declare pizza a vegetable.  Part of my genie wish will institute a constitutional amendment overturning the Citizens United decision, banning corporations from donating money to political campaigns.  Private citizens will be limited to donations of $100 per candidate per year, overturning McCutcheon.  The time has come for publicly financed campaigns in America – I’m tired of the candidate who raises the most money winning 90% of elections.”

I expect creativity.  I expect thoughtfulness.  I do not necessarily expect humor, though it’s always welcome.

Due Monday, June 1 – Enjoy the rest of your lives, seniors