Travisland

Am I a dork because I enjoy looking up different forms of government and trying to find all the subtle differences that make one more democratic than another? So far I have a few obvious favorites, but I have some major faults with them as well. Is it possible for a country to truly become as democratic as it could ever be? I feel like (despite the direct representation/100% true democracy obvious one) that a system that is as democratic as possible can be achieved--in relative terms.

Is that gibberish? I haven't designed my perfect government yet, so don't ask. I will tell you it is certainly not presidential. Nor is it much like the United States at all. I will tell you a few things that are absolutely essential to a perfect government:

Small size - a country with smaller borders has a smaller population, allowing for much more representation in the government with fewer representatives.

Bicameral legislature - this does not mean that one house of the legislature must be more powerful than the other, simply that each one checks the others power. No concentration of power into a single parliament or congress like in England and Sweden.

Flexibility - a country's constitution can easily change how quickly the country can change directions. it can easily become too rigid, and some flex should be included in the government. This can help lead to the next fundamental requirement.

Multi-party system - multi-party does not mean 2 dominant parties for long periods of time. Multiple parties means that enough parties are present to prevent any one from obtaining a majority.

50% Proportional Representation/50% Plurality in Single Member Districts - individually, each of these can bypass democracy easily. together, however, they work incredibly well. There are many countries that only use one or the other that are quite democratic, but I would still argue my point. 

Judicial Branch - a judicial branch is key, although it does not always require a great deal of power. The only real power that the judicial branch must have without a doubt is the ability to review laws constitutionality. However, this power can result in a great variety of different roles for the judicial branch.

In my book, these things are absolute requirements for a "perfect" government. Sorry for the dorky post, it's just been on my mind lately.

stuff

I'm horrible at blogging these days... Oh well.

I only have a few quick things that I would really like to say:

1. I am officially a Geoduck. I was accepted at Evergreen on November 5th, 2008 and begin attending class on September 28, 2009. Intense, no?

2. I am procuring a Volcano tomorrow. Fun, fun, fun.

3. Possible Blakes show on Christmas. Quite unlikely though. Either way, our ep SHOULD and WILL be done by then. So if we do play=CD release party.

Sad Panda

I don't think that there is anything worse than watching the person you love be unhappy while you can't do anything about it. It is both extremely frustrating, because you are unable to make them happy and it is usually not your fault, as well as fairly depressing, because they're unhappy. I'd say that so far in my entire life, having an unhappy girlfriend is the worst thing there is. Some might argue with this, but I believe I am right for two reasons:

1. This statement can be stretched to fit anything, from not being able to hang out to losing a limb in a car accident. Unhappy lover=unhappy other lover. I think this is a sign of a good relationship, though. 

2. The only possible thing that could be more important to you than the person you love, is probably your child. Seeing as I don't have a child...

All you can do is just wait and hope they feel better tomorrow, because you know that you have been in the exact opposite situation and it is difficult to be in. I am going to focus all of my positive energy on Corey and hope that her night isn't as shitty as it was when I left. Hopefully my good energy will help out. Also, hopefully she won't read this and get sadder... That would make me feel like a pretty lame person.

In conjunction with these thoughts, I'd like to announce that The Mattresses' ep, The Moon Trench, will be complete and available on Dec. 12. It will be a darker album, to coincide with our lovely weather.