I have government subsidized healthcare, and it literally saved my life. I'm sure other people on this forum, especially in more progressive countries, could say the same.

Not all of them, just most of them. There are a few of them who keep their promises.

That's why direct democracy is the only fair way.

There are better ways than direct democracy. People are stupid, and make stupid decisions. If people had the knowledge and wisdom to make good decisions, then they would elect better people to office. What we need is some kind of method to insure that the people who are elected to govern have intelligence and integrity, and an understanding of the issues facing the country, both immediate and long-term. Some kind of filter to insure that corrupt or ignorant politicians are not allowed into power. Unfortunately, such a thing is almost impossible to do.

Power itself seems to corrupt

HarbingerDawn, I changed my mind. I'd vote for you. If I could.