What? Allowing the government to do whatever they want and then blame it on the taxpayers? The government should be held SOLELY accountable for spending the taxpayers' dollars in the best way. The idea is inane.

EVEN if you COULD trust the government to follow the taxpayers' wishes, consider this... go to a grocery or department store and see how many of the general public cannot even operate a shopping cart... go on! I dare ya!

You said, "And this would force the citizenry to actually LEARN about what it is that government does and the implications and ramifications, and become better informed, and even improve their embarrassing arithmetic skills." They can't even DRIVE A SHOPPING CART! SO many are stunned as me arse and you want to replace elected representatives with the Walmart crowd and ANYONE that can mark an X?

You think the general public can determine fiscal policy? Give your head a shake and see if it rattles.

Saul... I respect much of which you post but... fuck ME!RUN FER THE HILLS!