Mark, I think that you make a number of excellent comments.  Indeed we have lost many to term limits; don’t forget Joan Bray.

However, I do think that it’s somewhat of a given that our electorate is going to have limited critical thinking skills for some time to come.  The idea of eliminating bi-cameral legislatures and going unicameral could help.  Consolidating communities in St. Louis County could also help.  But as you suggest, it’s complicated and has its down sides.  I hope that we can keep the conversation going.

Mark, I think that you make a number of excellent comments.  Indeed we have lost many to term limits; don’t forget Joan Bray.

However, I do think that it’s somewhat of a given that our electorate is going to have limited critical thinking skills for some time to come.  The idea of eliminating bi-cameral legislatures and going unicameral could help.  Consolidating communities in St. Louis County could also help.  But as you suggest, it’s complicated and has its down sides.  I hope that we can keep the conversation going.

Term limits weaken office candidates and empower money just like other progressive reforms.

Why is it that Clinton and Obama felt comfortable showing disdain for the base? Because Open primaries mean that the lazy uneducated vote for the lead horse people win. Primaries have made party activist unimportant but strengthened money.Getting rid of the primary “reform”and returning to caucuses would return the country to a two party system and supply voters with choices rather than  just the choices of the monied elite.