Presidential Candidate John Edwards Wants Bi-Annual National Deliberative Democracy Called The “Citizen Congress” 

This past Saturday, Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards called for the creation of "Citizen Congresses" that would regularly convene 1,000,000 Americans in national deliberations on critical policy issues. These congresses are part of his One Democracy Initiative http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/govt-reform . 

According to Edwards, he believes that elections every two or four years are not enough of a connection between most Americans and their government in Washington, D.C.  This is particularly unnecessary what with the growth of communications technology in recent times.  Thus, in Edwards’ view: “most voters are no closer to Washington policymakers than they were hundreds of years ago.” 

A Regular Deliberative Democracy Process is the Solution 

Edwards says he believes in the collective wisdom of the American people and the power of deliberation. Thus, he would convene, every two years, some 1 million citizens nationwide and have them participate in Citizen Congresses. These would combine “local town halls with the latest technology to create true national discussions, unfiltered by interest groups. Americans will discuss the challenges and trade-offs facing our country and offer advisory opinions to leaders.”  

Unfortunately, this does not quite add up to even a “non binding referendum” process.  Moreover, it is not nearly up to the standards of another Democratic candidate for the presidency, former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel, who has proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would institute a national deliberative citizens initiative process. See www.ni4d.org