Populist Reform of the Democratic Party

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)

30. Proportional Representation is characteristic of parliamentary democracies.

Tue Nov 18, 2014, 02:14 PM

Nov 2014

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proportional_representation

The term proportional representation (PR) characterizes electoral systems by which divisions in an electorate are reflected proportionately in the elected body. If 30% of the electorate support a particular political party then roughly 30% of seats will be won by that party. The essence of such systems is that all votes contribute to the result, not just a plurality or majority of them.

Under Proportional Representation, if the Green Party earns 10% of the vote, then 10% of the Congressional seats would be awarded to Green Party legislators. No more "wasted" votes.

It does lead to government by coalition, but I prefer that to our current system.

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What are the PROBLEMS Populists want to fix? [View all] Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 OP

The "systemic issues" are the problems we should be fixing. Scuba Nov 2014 #1

Too much "policy talk" in the context of... Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #5

Election reform is a policy issue. Scuba Nov 2014 #8

It is a policy issue. Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #14

You are correct but it would help if you give us some examples of systematic vs issue related. jwirr Nov 2014 #33

Sure, Election Reform: Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #37

Thank you. That gives all of us some starting places. jwirr Nov 2014 #49

I like what you are doing. Here's my idea. We need to agree on the basic principles. rhett o rick Nov 2014 #56

Unemployment, particularly long term unemployment. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #2

Unemployement is a BIG deal Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #6

WPA, Civilian Conservation Corps Doctor_J Nov 2014 #16

Hmm, Good examples to look towards Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #28

Getting money out of politics is THE top priority. (edit) CrispyQ Nov 2014 #3

YES! Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #9

I think you are right in that the PUBLIC/Populists need to start 'naming names and shaming sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #19

You identified two prongs of the problem and solution Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #22

So what can Populists do to speed up that process, is my question? Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #27

First we have to identify what tools are available to populists. sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #32

That makes sense, but it is preaching to the choir Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #38

I'm going to start the Jamie Dimon In Jail party. CrispyQ Nov 2014 #58

Yes! Nothing will essentially change until then. ~nt RiverLover Nov 2014 #51

The best way to focus the group's attention on problem solving demwing Nov 2014 #4

Not problem solving, SYSTEMIC PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #11

Need living wage jobs. L0oniX Nov 2014 #7

ABSOLUETLY! Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #12

Election Reform is foundational. riqster Nov 2014 #10

It appears so. Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #20

Just so. When we feel invested, we increase our engagement. riqster Nov 2014 #23

Yep, it so basic. Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #29

Hear! Hear! starroute Nov 2014 #13

This appears to be a chicken or the egg issue. Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #17

Medical Bankruptcy. "working poor". Perpetual money-scarfing MIC Doctor_J Nov 2014 #15

I see your point Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #18

See my thread on election reform F4lconF16 Nov 2014 #21

Thats what I'm seeing Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #25

Campaign Finance Reform is the #1 issue Maedhros Nov 2014 #24

Again, chicken or the egg Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #26

Proportional Representation is characteristic of parliamentary democracies. Maedhros Nov 2014 #30

Interesting. What does the end game look like? Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #31

The end game looks like most of Europe (and Canada, and Australia). [n/t] Maedhros Nov 2014 #36

Any suggested reads (sumary types) to get the big picture? Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #41

Any decent Comparative Politics text would do. Maedhros Nov 2014 #42

Thanks, got homework to do ;~) Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #43

Yes. Liberals and Progressives would not be required to surrender their electoral leverage Maedhros Nov 2014 #44

That makes a lot of common sense. Thanks Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #47

Free and fair election system. Without honest elections, we won't be able to fix rhett o rick Nov 2014 #64

Global warming. progressoid Nov 2014 #34

Yes, many systemic problems are nested Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #40

Seems ta me that it's not problems, but goals Jackpine Radical Nov 2014 #35

Agreed, it's a question of how to process the goals. Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #39

We need to stop prisons from getting contracts that union labor should be performing.nt bravenak Nov 2014 #45

Absolutely! Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #46

We need to get people educated. bravenak Nov 2014 #48

Education is everything. Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #50

We have to fix our democracy, or nothing else will be fixed Martin Eden Nov 2014 #52

I'm in! Voting is All American! Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #54

We need to prioritize. I agree with your signature but we need to rhett o rick Nov 2014 #63

Yes, we can't do it all at once Martin Eden Nov 2014 #68

You need to educate Americans or nothing is going to be fixed. EEO Nov 2014 #53

Of course, but how? Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #55

We need to somehow render the 1% completely powerless. They are the root of every systemic Zorra Nov 2014 #57

Taxation is the way to fix this TBF Nov 2014 #59

Taxation or Tax reform? Simplify or add to the byzantine process? Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #60

Exactly - TBF Nov 2014 #61

Yes. Tax them at the same rate we taxed them at in the 1950's. Zorra Nov 2014 #62

Absolutely. The argument is so easy to make. NYC_SKP Nov 2014 #65

Pin of the Week! demwing Nov 2014 #66

Great choice! scarletwoman Nov 2014 #67

Thing is, a lot of the fixes need constitutional amendments, and they have become merrily Nov 2014 #69

People not caring. UrbScotty Dec 2014 #70