Democratic Evolution

Tags: behaviour change, communication, Controversy, Society, politics

Aims:
To enable a true representation on the Communities real point of view, and enable a transparent system of viewing the community’s point of view on an issue.
To centralise the systems of Government and allow communities to show their points of view in one place on an issue, whether it be Local, State, Federal or International (only Australian Registered voters will be able to register for this system)
To enable individual issues to be discussed by the broader community, and for information providers (News/Internet etc) to direct the community to an issue to allow their opinion to be heard.
To ensure each and every member of the community has access to the system to ensure a broad section of the community can have its say.

Solution:
An objectively controlled Online based system that allows Voters to register.
(Could be considered a Social Network ordained by the Government)
Each registered voter can register onto the system (one vote, one registration)

The system will have a list of all current issues in discussion by the parliament (Bills/Issues etc)
A list of the committees/ MPs that are overseeing the discussion, who raised it, who supports it etc
A forum for discussion on each individual issue.
A UML type map of how this issue fits into the bigger picture. A visible display of what other options this issue would effect.
For example increasing spending on more beds for the aged, means less beds for the younger generations.
Ability to vote on each individual issue
Ability to Create an Issue, and get support for the issue to be raised in Parliament, and create a parliamentary issue from this interest.

Accessibility:
Majority of Registered Voters must be able to Access the system.
A requirement that Issues are published in all newspapers (Supplement published weekly) and spoken on a regular basis in all Licensed Media – Major Newspapers, Local Newspapers, News, etc. (Could be legislated into the Licensing agreement)
Web based Media can provide links to individual issues. For example The Age online could provide a link to the current issue in its opinion section.
ISPs, Web access points would be required to allow access to this website at no cost.
Libraries, Government buildings and other community centres could have “pods” to allow access.
People can then write in via Letter or Fax, and have their views published (less their identity) Faxes/Letters would be scanned, and votes input by objective third party organisation. (All identities can be completely controlled, however you can only ever vote once on an issue during each debate period)
Audit Trail – Random verification of correctness of voting position on issues based on letters/ faxes. All letters archived and linked to votes with Voter Registration Details, date/ time issue number etc.

Types of Issues:
Parliamentary Issues would be open for discussion for 1 month. After this term, the issue is then closed for Parliamentary discussion, and reopened for 1 month to allow for comments on amendments by Politicians.
Community Created Issues would have 1 month to gain support from the community and then it would be up to politicians to decide on popular issues.

Benefits
This system would allow politicians the ability to release policies for public consultation, and gauge support for each individual issue. This would therefore allow them to actually measure the communities support or opposition for each individual issue, policy or bill that is currently being debated in parliament.
Also allowing the community to show support for issues that are not being debated in parliament, and raising awareness for these issues (or showing them to be opposed by the broader community)
Actually see statistics from a broad section of the community on any individual issue.
Recognise when an issue has a community interest.

Potential Problems with System
People over a certain age are not technically knowledgably
- Allow for Letters/ Faxes with Voter Registration details
- Fill in a form and send it in (OCR Technology used to save labour cost)
- Personalised voting forms could be acquired from all Government Buildings free of charge, or printed out for you by your technical adept family member
Not everyone has access the internet
- Issues are published, with Issue Number/ Identifier regularly in local publications at all levels of community
Politicians would be out of a job
- Someone would still have to create the issues, show support for them, lead, represent, make decisions in tough times, etc. (Maybe just a few less egotistical popular pollies, and a few more truly “for the people” pollies)

I think I am a Sociapitalist - or Social-Capitalist

Tags: politics, Society, sustainability, Environment, behaviour change

So I was riding my bike along last night, flying past all the cars "parked" on their way home to be across town in just a few minutes and found myself thinking about the ideals of society and the "nanny" type state that we are moving into in Australia.  Also the Democratic movement that is happening in the Middle East is close to my minds eye at the moment.

Then I got to thinking about the Democratic process and how really the big powerful people really do still have the power in society - I mean look at the Mining companies in Australia last year.  With a mere 0.1% of PROFIT they strong armed the government into not taxing them any more than we currently do.

Now let me just tangent off for a moment and put that into perspective for you: a small group of mining companies and associations got together and spent about $20M AUD last year to throw a massive advertising campaign against the government.  One (yes only one) of these companies just announced a PROFIT, after expenses like this of $10.5B AUD for the 6 months - That is the cost of this campaign was 0.2% of ONE companies half yearly PROFIT.  It is just disgusting to think they could do this really.

Anyway this is life isn't it.  Being ruled by some Dictator with lots of power and money.  In the western Democratic world we have this perception of Freedom and choice which most people think is "good enough" but I take the unrest and freedom fights of the middle east and consider that maybe it is time we fought for a better Democracy - for a system of Sociapitalism - that is a system where the top gets the chop and the bottom gets some more support from Society.  Not a dog eat Dog world - but a Dog help Dog world.  I was musing over a term for Socialism and Capitalism put together and apparently it is Social-Capitalism - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_capitalism but I prefer Sociapitalist or maybe Capitocialsim depending on which way you swing.

I was explaining to a much learned friend on the weekend about an idea I have for a future that doesn't solely rely on money to distribute "wealth".  Wealth of course not being money, but more importantly it is and should be defined as Knowledge, luxury items and respect.

The idea:
If you have used Ebay you might understand this theory.  It is based on the users rating users system.
The best way to describe this is to use an example and this is a great place to first implement this idea:
State and National Park Camping
When you camp in a Park, you are utilising public space for a nominal fee - everyone has equal right to use these places and everyone can and does.
The current concept is that when you camp in a park you should leave the place in at least as good as you found it, if not better.
Through some simple technology we could implement an Ebay style user rating system for the parks.  When you camp you could rate the state you found the space in.  Ie. Dirty 1 Clean 5 or anywhere in between.
This rating would be recorded against the Previous user of the space to indicate their respect for the park and the next user.
Motivation would be to keep you rating high as then you would be "allowed" in to more beautiful spots - ie. with the knowledge that you have respect for your surroundings, and will maintain them.

Simple really - completely anonymous and easy to implement in this world of GPS and smart phones.

What do you think of this first step towards a society less dependant on Money and more dependant on repsect for others?

Ride to Work Day 2010 - Ride to Work MONTH, not day!!

I have an idea.  Based on my experience, and also some other friends of mine, making the change to get out of your car (and off your fat arse in some cases) and onto a bicycle requires more than just a day or two to make it happen.  In fact if you change your habits it takes an average of 3 weeks to really change your core behaviour.
Hence...
Ride to Work MONTH
Tags: cycling, bicycle, Transport, campaign, behaviour change, obesity
Twitter: #RideMonthMelb

The Idea/Campaign:
Have volunteers from the inner suburbs of Melbourne opt to ride to work for a month.
As there is nothing like riding a new bicycle, with panniers and knowledge of a good rain jacket, overalls, gloves and shoe covers to ensure a pleasurable experience is had.  Also the ability to carry goods is useful for most people.
The will also get free use of a Flexicar for the Month with 5-10 hours of driving time available in case they need the car.  They then have to give up their car keys for the month of October.
October being the month the Ride to Work day happens, so BV might support this idea, and also the Amy Gillet Foundation does courses on riding and safety around this time, which would work in well with the idea.

Issues people have with Cycling
It is dangerous
- This is due to vehicles not being aware of cyclists, the ways to avoid this are numerous, including having more cyclist on the roads to ensure people see them, and also wearing lots of bright colours and lights helps too.  Another way to feel safer on the road is to do a course in Rider Safety offered by the Amy Gillet Foundation and local bicycle stores, ask your local one.
I don't have a bike
- The idea behind this campaign is to provide you with a bike of which you can purchase at the end of the month if you decide to continue riding, or give back at the end.
I want a buddy to ride with
As part of the campaign I would be asking local bicycle shops to put up signs to get some local cycling commuters to register and provide a buddy system, almost like car sharing, we can help our fellow new cyclists to become more confident on the roads.
There is no safe way to work
Part of the campaign will be to sit down with each volunteer and a map, and show them the easiest way to get to all their regular places, work, friends, grocery shopping, hang outs etc by bicycle.
- Not ever heard of a cyclist getting done for Drink Cycling...
There is no end of ride Facilities (Shower/Locker)
As part of the campaign I plan to find a local facility (within walking distance to your workplace) that will allow you to use their shower/lockers at the end of your ride for the month.  For example the local gym, or pool, or other work place that does have facilities.  Eventually we could get something like this green pod installed near your office http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2865944.htm
And of course if you are in the CBD you would use BikePark for your end of ride.

Please post your issues in the comments so I can address then in this list.

Sponsors needed!
In order to make this idea happen we need some sponsorship.  Someone to supply the equipment for example would be great.

Equipment required
- Bicycle

- Helmet

- Lights and Bell

- Pannier Rack and Bags

- Rain protective gear like



Reference:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_long_does_it_take_for_something_to_become_a_habit