Should DU have a constitution?

[sweetheart]

Whilst we are democratic in theory, the forum is really a benign
dictatorship run by skinner. The question is not really whether skinner
is or is not a good dictator, but whether DU should be true to its name
and elect its corporate administration. A constitution would provide a
more long lasting form of corporate governance, and as well, allow there
to be a members bill of rights.

Some might say the dictatorship is simple, and that a private company
need not consider such a thing. But are those people democrats? Are
we not, in the current form, rather a feudal system, with a king and
a bunch of serfs, who no matter their fealty to the king, are always
an inch away from being beheaded with or without due process?

Could DU be administrated by a system of rules and elections? Bottom
line, yes, should ownership of DU be by its members, and if so, what
would be the fair way for that to work?

I mean no slight to the administrators or moderators in discussing this,
rather, i make the obvious point that despite the name, we are not
a democracy ourselves... and in the principal of "walking the walk",
perhaps it might be appropriate, going forward to consider the
democratization of this very forum in to which we all invest so much
of our time and goodwill.

[pstans]

1. We have a constitution

The United States Constitution.

[Andy_Stephenson]

2. "Let them eat cake"

just before she lost her head.

[Jamastiene]

3. WTF?

I wasn't aware there was a dictator for DU. I mean the moderators are, well, pretty moderate in how they apply the rules. What's weird is that we have a Constitution in the US, but it's not being used right now (like Robin Williams said). I vote to use it and the Bill of Rights. Gotta make sure we get to keep the Bill of Rights.

[sweetheart]

5. The forum itself

THe shares of democratic underground, the holding company are owned by
the "dictator". Should you, as a member, have an honourary nonvoting
share in the company. Perhaps you should have a voting share. The
very structure of "our" company, is not ours in fact... it is skinners
and "we" are just a myth... as with all american companies... employees
like to use the word "we" until they get fired, and then all the
goodwill they put in, is taken from them, and they are beheaded.

So given that "we" stand for equal rights, and enfranchisement, is it
possible to enfranchise us as owner/members of a truly democratically
administrated company, that might serve as an example to our
corporate bretheren.

What i'm discussing is the vitual equivalent of chavez's land reform.

The constitution of the USA is not what i mean. You do not have
the right to free speech on this forum, and never will. It is a
censored forum... so the bill of rights is not applicable. The
constitution of DU is something different.

[Richard Steele]

4. Who told you we were Democratic in theory?

This is a WEBSITE for DEMOCRATS, _not_ a democratic website.

We already abide by RULES, and we do so VOLUNTARILY, as we all join by CHOICE, and choice alone.
And the rules obviously are working well, given the SUCCESS of this site.

I think you are using the WRONG definition of the word 'members' to conceive your premises.

I say NO to your idea.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Swamp Rat]

6. Does Marcus "Skinner" Aurelius know he's about to be overthrown?

:D

[sweetheart]

8. A peaceful management buy out, perhaps?

I'd wager, that there will come a point for Marcus Aurelius, when running
his empire gets tiresome, and he wants a sustainable way to relieve
himself, to be compensated for his hard work, AND to empower his
creation.

:-) I hadn't considered it a people's rebellion, but now that you
mention it. :-)

[Swamp Rat]

9. HAHA!

... and we'll talk about the glory days of the "Good Emperor." :) Maybe Skinner will publish his "Meditations" and recount his stoic repose while confronting the Bushbarians. :D

[Endangered Specie]

10. I am locking this...

If you have a comment, suggetion, question or complaint... post it in ATA.

-DU Moderator.