There are lots of smokescreens to improve democracy. But if applied, these smokescreens will have the USA being governed in more or less the same way. Nothing will really change--even going back to the good old days prior to the 17th amendment.

This article is thinking out of the box. These are solutions worthy of consideration. However, we need a plan to move from HERE to THERE. But asking the current system to change itself is mostly wishful thinking. These days--and for the next 10 years--our legislators and aspiring legislators will be preoccupied with more pressing matters--like keeping the current flawed system in place vs. a dictatorship.

I have developed a new kind of democracy. The best part about it that citizens can start building it today. There is no need for the political elite, the media, the wealthy, or intelligentsia to come on board first. Just neighbors spending about 10 hours a month.

If interested, follow my byline.