Author’s Invitation to Blooming Democracy Flowers bring a smile to everyone’s face. This is why I propose that we focus on flowers as we consider improvements to our American Constitutional democracy. A groundswell of enthusiasm for flowers and freedom and democracy should be a collective act of joy. I recommend that you go out and plant flowers as you simultaneously work to achieve the ideals embodied in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Please help us build a better America by reforming the methods we use to Amend the Constitution, providing for ratification by the voters - Reform Federal elections, including Ranked Choice Voting, open primaries, automatic voter registration, compulsory voting, digital or e-Voting, and a National Primary Day - Empower Congress to set the rules for all Federal elections conducted by the states, including campaign financing both public and private - Elect the President by popular vote - Elect the Vice President/Chancellor by popular vote - Make the Senate a representative body - End gerrymanders - Reform the judiciary by establishing term limits - expanding the Supreme Court - allowing Congress to mandate a review of Supreme Court decisions - implementing an enforceable code of conduct - Rebalance the checks and balances in the Constitutional system by reassigning responsibility for all judicial appointments to the Vice President/Chancellor - limiting Congress’s ability to block executive or judicial appointments - allowing Congress to block Executive Orders - requiring Congress to approve a President’s Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF) - requiring that Executive Branch positions appointed by the President have a civil service deputy We need to restore Americans’ belief in democracy: Civics should again be required in the high school curriculum. - Teenagers should participate in democratic processes – participating in History Day, Democracy Day, and mock elections. Teens should also help as auxiliaries at polling places, getting them involved in civic processes and service. - We need to again value TRUTH as a civic virtue. Please go out and plant flowers in your garden, whether your garden is in your home, in your apartment, in the great outdoors, or in your mind. Work for the expansion of freedom and democracy. And keep smiling!