[xster]

Not commenting on this particular case, but on the general sentiment.

Aristotle did say in Politics IV that appointing public office by lottery, drawing from the real public, is more democratic (power to the people) than elections, which is an oligarchic exercise.

[ActionHank]

Makes sense.

I've always held the opinion that elected officials should have to use public health care, send their kids to public schools, and use public transport.

This would ensure that they would have to maintain these institutions and be able to face their constituents on the daily.

[psadauskas]

> A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It's where the rich use public transportation.

-- Gustavo Petro

[readthenotes1]

"real public" at the time excluded women, slaves, and expats.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenian_democracy

[Insanity]

Sure but those need to be understood within context.

Obviously OP is not saying it was unilaterally better and the idea being commented on is just public lottery vs election. You can lift out that idea and apply our current understanding of “public” and the point of OP still stands.

[3hoss]

how, exactly, is that relevant here?

[ActionHank]

Because the US democratically elected a would-be dictator who is now building out his oligarchy.