Rich and Well-connected not accountable

"The perception of a system run and managed by a political establishment that serves the rich and connected and fails to hold these elites accountable for the damage they cause to the rest of society" (Mohamed El-Erian, Bloomberg)
We could not have said it better! While Direct Democracy would not be the perfect solution to this problem it would go a long way towards a more equitable economic and political system.

Two-Party System on the Way out?

The Slow, Inevitable, Collapse of the Two-Party System (OrientalReview)

More important - it does not really matter how many parties compete for your vote, and under what electoral system.The most important change to align politics with the wishes of the Citizens is the introduction of Direct Democracy on all levels of Government.

Just these days the Burghers of Zurich, Switzerland, will launch a referendum against the imposition of higher parking charges in their town. One may agree or not, but they do not have to helplessly accept the diktat from above.

Constitutional Change needs to be handled with Care

Changes to the Constitution must not be allowed to dictated by the political Establishment. There needs to be a mandatory consultation of the Electorate. At the same time only a qualified majority - including one supported by a qualified majority of regions - must be a binding requirement. Manipulations such as this one would not be possible.

Poland's new Leaders take aim at Democracy (Bloomberg)

Posting Comments poor Substitute for Direct Democracy

While posting to Media Websites (or phoning in to TV or Radio programmes) might be a good way to let off steam it is a less-than-satisfactory way to participate in the formation of Legislation. Whether it is 100 or 1000 posts, the effect is the same (or should one say the lack of effect?).
Only Initiatives, Petitions and binding Referendums ensure that the will of the Majority of the Voters is respected. And that means that it should not be left to the Governments to decide when a Vote is to be held, and on what issues.

EU: Lack of Democracy appalling

Without taking a view on the ongoing question of how to deal with the Refugee/Migrant Crisis that has several member states in its grip one can say that the way the EU rulers decided to solve (?) the problem has all the hallmarks of a dictatorial Edict.
As is always the case, the citizens of the Union were left without the opportunity to have their say on this crucial decision. Apart from that one has to wonder whether the EU should be allowed to decide this issue in the first place.
The principle of devolution should mean that all legislation is handled at the level of government that can deal with the issue at hand. Only those decisions that do not meet this criteria should be made at the next-higher level of government. If Greece, for example, is unwilling or unable to stop the influx of refugees/migrants than that is its problem. Individual member states may come to its aid if they wish to do so (but only if the citizens agree that their government steps in).
Greece having a disproportionately large army should be more than capable to control its borders. Not doing so just demonstrates a lack of willingness on the part of its leadership.

THE ONLY WAY THAT CITIZENS WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THEMSELVES HEARD IS BY SUPPORTING DIRDEM - THE CAMPAIGN FOR DIRECT DEMOCRACY - THE WAY THE EU HAS ARRANGED FOR UNION-WIDE PETITIONS TO BE ORGANISED SEEMS TO BE DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INTERFERENCE IN THE DECISIONS OF ITS OFFICIALS TO AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM

Average Citizen has no influence (Study)

"...economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence." (Testing Theories of American Politics: Elities, Interest Groups and Average Citizens, Gilens and Page)

While Direct Democracy would not be able to balance the excessive influence of Elites and Lobbies - it would even allow them another avenue to garner support for their policies - it would definitely give the average citizen more say on all matters.

See also Jeremy Grantham's "The Ten Topics that really matter"

No need to believe in election manifestos!

No need to believe in Father Christmas either. If you want to know what you 'buy' with your vote you should support the introduction of Direct Democracy. Only with a referendum will the (qualified) majority make sure that its decision is translated into legislation. So horsetrading should not be a problem.

Davos: Destructive Elites ruling our Lives

Much attention is now focused on grass economic inequality. But while universal suffrage in the 'Western' democracies gives the impression of political equality this does not reflect reality. A narrow and interrelated caste of political, bureaucratic and business functionaries controls the levers of political and economic power under the fig leaf of democratic procedures. The only effective antidote is the introduction of Direct Democracy on all levels of government.
Davos's Destructive Elites (National Review)

10 outrageously pricey tax breaks 'gifted' by Congress (The Fiscal Times)
 Dysfunctional Parliaments in grip of Lobbies, Special Interests

Today's remote and insulated politicians are responsible for the new People's Revolt (Daily Telegraph)
The only way to bring them closer to citizens is Direct Democracy