Texas Democrats

I understand that there are many issues of concern to Texas Democrats including providing adequate healthcare for our children, improving education, ending the Iraq quagmire, and stopping the privatization of public assets like toll roads.

As you may know, the centerpiece of my candidacy is a recognition that our representative system of government has broken down under the weight of special interests and that the system appears incapable of reforming itself. Most voters know that when it comes to passing laws, politicians often place special interests ahead of the voter’s interest. Even the election of a new president will not solve this problem since Congress can prevent new laws from passing.

So what is the answer? The power of government is the power to make laws. Accordingly, I have proposed the National Initiative for Democracy that will allow voters to pass laws directly; laws that are binding. History proves that citizens can make rational decisions regarding their best interests. And this process will create better informed voters. With the National Initiative we can have better education, affordable healthcare for all Americans, and an end to unnecessary foreign wars.

Switzerland has had this system for over 100 years. They have had no wars during this period and have one of the highest standards of living in the world. I say if the Swiss can do it, so can we.

QUESTION: Couldn’t such a process lead to mob rule and bad decisions?
MIKE GRAVEL: If you are concerned about this issue, you are probably confident in your own decision-making abilities; it is other people you are worried about. But stop and think, those “other people” are thinking the same thing about you! Ask yourself, do you think our elected representatives are doing a good job? Do you think the American public would do worse? With the will of the American voter manifested via the National Initiative, we would already have affordable healthcare for all Americans, an improved educational system with opportunities for all Americans, no troops in Iraq, and so on. And importantly, the voting process, giving people a real opportunity to change their lives, would draw more people into political involvement and improve voters’ understanding of important issues.