how greek of him

I'd vote for that, it would be like turning politics into a real life American Idol.

Oh wait, that's a horrible idea.

Individuals have no basis of knowledge for how to vote on most issues... doubly so since legislation involves a lot of horse trading which a web poll would have not ability to anticipate or utilize. We elect people not to vote exactly as we would vote but hopefully to think about the bigger picture in the same way that we would think about it. I want someone who's going to weigh to benefits and costs of each action and make moves according to my long term goals. Politics probably shouldn't devolve into a non-stop session of "Hot or Not."

That all being said, I'd still vote for the guy because it would be fun. With some effort you could get some really wacky votes out of him.

The best part of having elected legislators who make up their own minds is that I don't have to do intense research on every single subject of public importance. I mean, not that legislators necessarily do, but they have the resources.

But to play devil's advocate, it could create a market that presents the pros/cons of each issue in a nice package, as a legislative staffer does to his/her boss.

"We elect people not to vote exactly as we would vote but hopefully to think about the bigger picture in the same way that we would think about it."
-Yeah, and they do a damn good job of that. Fuck "hopefully." If that's the best we can do, we should bow out gracefully and let nature regenerate. I think that in the vast mess of centralized bureaucrappy that is the USA and every other statist system that tries to account for millions of people, or pretends to, with every big decision, your point holds fairly true. And since representation is obviously a stinking pile of auto-corrupting bullshit, maybe the better choice is a system that could enable the sort of thing Mr. Rosen is proposing. To play another devil's advocate, I love the idea that someone is making a move like this. Of course tomorrow we couldn't revamp this government into that one, but as a gesture I'm all for it.

And yeah, CM, definitely. There would have to be some sort of reciprocity to it, though- and maybe there is, I was just on the site for a minute. But he makes reference to the Town Hall meeting- there would absolutely have to be more than a one-way connection.

This sort of thing would devolve quickly. Nobody would vote on the 'boring' bills that most of us know nothing at all about. At least they wouldn't vote rationally:

Omnibus spending package? I'm in.

Ratification of the global population architecture treaty? Do it.

Confirmation for the assistant secretary of agriculture? No way, dude!

The Ossiphix as the official federal state bird? Ha, who are you trying to fool.

It would be like a game of Sim Government.

I like how the guy gives a little bio about himself at the end of his website. I mean really his personality, beliefs, political theory etc. amounts for naught as it will not influence the way he votes at all, or rather does he have to convince the voters that he is trustworthy and he will not make up his mind for himself on the issues or vote on a whim, but will do merely what people tell him to do.