Gustible - under the rubric of [$_SELF]

I strongly believe that democracy is not the optimum way of choosing a government. No – I do not have a viable alternative, but the evidence suggests that there should be a better way of determining who is fit to govern.
Consider the following – I pay a very large amount of tax every month – the marginal rate is 40%, and the effective rate not a hell of a lot lower. In return for this I get:

• Infrastructure – but without any service level agreement (meaning that the roads are often bad, electricity supply is sometimes erratic and broadband internet is very expensive)
• Security – policing, and protection from the enemies of … the state ?! (Something smells about that last statement). But of course no service level agreement in terms of security either. (South-African taxpayers will be able to attest to this lack of an SLA).
• The right to vote
• The right to be protected by a constitution … pretty similar to the second point, in effect.
• Not much else, except the assurance that the politicians know more than I do, and are always acting in my best interest.

I have a proposition for my government (and yours, too). In this, the twentieth century, the most hallowed right in a democracy is the right to vote. I therefore propose this:

I will sell my right to vote to you. In return I want a flat tax rate of 15% on my income (still more than double what one would pay in Singapore, by the way). I want guarantees of home, family and personal security (with well-defined financial penalties to the government if these are not provided). I should continue to be recognised as a legal person by the constitution, and enjoy every right of every other citizen, except the right to vote. I want to be exempt from all “national” endeavours – such as conscription. I want a life-time guarantee for these rights.

Consider carefully dear government – I will willingly give to you the single thing you tell me is most dear to all your citizens. I will even continue paying you for services, but in the framework of a well-defined contract.

Can you, as government, survive if you have to deal with us, your citizens, as business partners rather than emotionally manipulated patriots ?

I’m waiting for your call.