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:
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.
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
