democracy and the internet

[date unknown] american composer charles ives once complained that the only way we could have a true democracy would be for each person to have a button in his/her home to push to vote on any decisions that had to be made. (this is paraphrase of what i've been told, so if someone has a more accurate original source, let me know what he said exactly.)

today, we have the capability to do far more than that. with the internet, we can:

1. decide, as a nation (and eventually as a world), what needs to be done.
2. propose methods for doing it.
3. provide centers for discussion of the alternatives, with links to complete information about them.
4. at a specified time, let each individual cast a vote for the alternative he/she desires (providing publically-accessible computers for voters who don't have a computer at home).

in this way, we can at long last become a democracy, rather than a republic. strong cryptography makes it possible to ensure that each person gets only one vote and that that vote comes from that individual. the open nature of the internet makes it possible for watchdog groups to keep a close eye on the validity of votes. in the bargain, we get a more informed and engaged electorate that knows that its vote does count.