Strategic Vision
Democracy is a living, breathing exercise in a democratic (note SMALL “d”) political process. This means Participation – Action – Collegiality. Not bipolar conflict without end.
Bipolar politics creates a “Tug-o-War” in government where constituents have to choose a side rather then express and share common political interests. It becomes for many, outside the core party constituency, a risky selection based on perception of power and personal benefit. Disillusioned constituents realize the they are pawns in a larger power struggle where voting districts redistribute votes to shift power to incumbents. Political issues are forced to try and use money and hired influence to effect participation in the “democratic” process, playing into the professional political power players.
This site is the start of a process to re-invigorate the democratic process through engagement of people (Voters) with and without valid voter role registration, but skewed toward voters as true owners of the democracy. To this end, some basic principals will be defined as a point of departure where all participants will have input into the direction those principals take. Voters will have a large input and non-voters will have minor influence through the voters.
Each voter will have an equal ability to provide direction on issues that affect them. If there is a specific issue for voters in one state, there should be clear distinction between those who have standing and those who do not. Input will age/expire to encourage participation and weed out those with only a passing interest.
There are three primary areas of development on this site:
- Discussion and forums to allow ideas to be discussed, debated, and developed. On a side channel, education based on consensus of the group will be developed to allow newcomers to rapidly understand the approach and operation of the site.
- An outreach section that publishes issues and positions that are believed to be better for the constituency as a whole along with supporting facts and opinion. Facts and Opinion will be well defined and labeled to help consumers of information to understand the pedigree of information that is used to develop knowledge. And from that knowledge, derive wisdom.
- A specific section devoted to an idealized democracy based on value centered principles. The concept is one of Think Tank, without the useless demagogues of political domination.
It’s a start – a small and simple start.