Sorry, Greg. Mainly responding to Little Hawk's assertion that the citizens of Athens were "morons."

Far from it. WE should be so moronic!

Some fat cat who showed up at Congress with a briefcase full of money, thinking to bribe a few Congressmen, would find a Congress that numbered around 6,000, made up of common citizens who were interest enough to show up that day. That represented a fair percentage of the citizenry compared to OUR Congress. When the number reached 6,000, the path to the area where they met would be closed.

And the officials--who were elected by lottery--were evaluated at the end of their terms by a jury of 501 citizens, also chosen by lottery, and if they did a very good job, were rewarded (laurel wreath and many honors), and those who screwed up could be banished.

Like I say, we really ought to borrow of few ideas from the ancient Athenians!

Don Firth