Hi @Chilzany, I didn't really mean it as a serious proposal, because I know it will never work and wouldn't be accepted for the reasons you mentioned, among others. It simply is an unworkable idea. But I thought, if officeholders are using their office to take bribes to increase spending, what if there was some way to "bribe" them or give them an incentive to reduce spending. The Big Guy got 10% to do the wrong thing; what if he got a % to do the right thing?

No, I am afraid the system is really broken and I am doubtful of any solutions. To paraphrase a commentator I listen to, under current conditions, seeking office automatically disqualifies you from that office. In other words, the kinds of people who are interested in getting elected, are exactly the kinds of people you would not want in office -- psychopaths, narcisists, grifters, etc.

Didn't one of the Founding Fathers say something like, democracy will work until the people realize they can vote money for themselves?