Although I’m no fan of the Republican party, I admit that I do admire John McCain. He’s not the maverick that he once was, but he is still full of challenging ideas.
One of them that I read a few weeks ago is an idea that British Prime Ministers must stand in front of Members of Parliament and answer any and all questions under oath. This is called Question Time and it’s time that it came to America. As an admitted Anglophile, the idea that this concept should take root here, in the so-called last superpower in the world, is something that I’ve longed to see.
Imagine if the leader of the free world had to swallow his pride, get off his high horse, look at Congress, the elected body that represents the people, directly in the eye, and answered any and all questions that were put to him.
No preening, no swaggering, no photo op, no sound bites. It would make C-SPAN appointment viewing.
Question Time. It’s about time for Question Time.
[...] There have been some editorials on this from George Will and the New York Times as well as some blogging on the [...]
@ithinkthereforeirant:
Thanks for the link to my blog in your 1st paragraph. I’m honored to be mentioned in the same paragraph as George Will and the “Paper of Record”.
Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but it seems to me that you’re saying that QT works in the UK only because they elect the Prime Minister. They have a parliamentary democracy and we have a representative democracy, but I don’t see either being a prerequisite to Question Time.
I still stand by my approval of Question Time in the Executive Branch, if not exactly the same that is used in the UK, then one tailored for our republic. My point is that the Presidency needs more accountability and credibility. This administration has wielded the instrument of Executive Orders in a way unprecedented in American history. They are almost like fiat, shaped and molded to fit the aims of the administration, with almost no input from Congress.
I disagree with the idea of the President turning tables and questioning Congress. Seeing how partisan both parties are right now, Question Time in this form would devolve into nothing more than another stalemate. But the idea of having citizens question Congressmen/women while it is in session, IN FRONT OF THE PEERS (and on C-SPAN)…. now that’s an interesting idea.
Finally, I disagree with your assertion that a 7th grader can describe the three branches of government. Have you actually spoken to the typical middle-schooler these days? They scare with the almost total lack of knowledge of the world around them. Even more frightening is the type of adult they will grow up to be. Now, THAT’S a rant-worthy topic.
Non-sequitur: as Churchill said, “the best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.”