democracy

finder,

The impetus for this thread came from something you mentioned in an earlier blog which I thought I'd start a new blog for. You mentioned how low voter turnout was in a general election.

Interestingly, our local turnout is usually better than the state or national average but having said that, lower voter turnout is a sympton of an unhealthy democracy. I did a little reading this afternoon and from the League of Womens Voter website found these criteria which are indicators of a healthy democracy. And they are:

• Voter turnout In a healthy democracy, citizens vote. Democracy is weakened and government is less accountable when people don't vote. Low voter turnout suggests that citizens no longer see the relevance of government to their lives and that they are choosing to withhold their consent.
• Campaign finance In a healthy democracy, citizens have more influence on public policy than do special interests. The campaign finance system is an indicator of the influence that special interests have over the legislative and election processes. It also is a gauge of the openness and fairness of the political system to new ideas and new faces.
• Civic education and knowledge In a healthy democracy, citizens understand how government works and how to make their voices heard. Citizens must have a basic level of knowledge and the skills to participate effectively. In a real sense, civic education and knowledge measure the capacity for self-government-the capacity of citizens to play an informed and active role in American democracy.
• Diversity of representation In a healthy democracy, elected officeholders reflect the diversity of the citizens they represent. Diversity of representation measures both how open the system is to women and minorities and how well the government represents the needs and concerns of all its citizens.
• Civic participation In a healthy democracy, citizens come together through civic institutions to resolve problems for the common good. Participation gives people a sense of belonging and ownership. Participation builds and draws on citizens' energy, ideas, understanding and skills to create better, healthier communities for the future.

Locally and nationally, I believe restoring health to the democratic process is probably one of the most important issues of the leaders we elect this year. We may individually have different ideas about how to reach a healthy democracy but on this I think we can all agree, the goal is to experience a healthy democracy.

It was appropriately named to attract the largest number of uninformed voters it can get.

What's not to like about "hometown?" It's such a local word and applies to you and me and where we're living today. Then throw in "democracy" and it would be almost sacriligious to vote against anything that remotely sounds un-American.

The premise behind this state constitutional amendment is horizontal in nature. It assumes that each and every one of us knows (or will learn) everything there is to know about zoning and land use regulations that some attorneys - like the John Kopelousoses of the world  - have spent an entire career learning.

Ding Dong the bill is dead, the bill is dead, Ding Dong the fricken bill is dead! Democracy works!! Thank all of you for contacting your representative. If you write they will listen.  The immigration bill died in the senate last night and it’s because of you guy’s, but it isn’t over yet. Now it is time to tell your representatives that you want our boarders secured before any other bill is put before the house on immigration. We the people told them that we didn’t want 36 million immigrants to become citizens and they heard you. This kinda restores my faith in the old US of A. But there is still much work to be done. Six months ago a bill was past and the president signed it, that would build a Eight hundred mile fence along the boarders that are most prevalent for smuggling. Not only was this bill enacted into law, it was also funded. That’s right they have the money sitting in an account just waiting to be used to secure our boarders, and build the fence. This is why I say our work isn’t done yet. Write your reps at this link http://www.house.gov/writerep/ and tell them to secure our boarders. Enter your zip code and it will take you to your representative’s web site. Also write the president @ www.whitehouse.gov  and tell him what you expect from him.  Good job, keep on writing and we will Perivale.          

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After 230 years, I fear the concept of 'democracy' has become outdated. Yes, I know we live in a Representative Republic. By virtue of the fact we go to the polls to elect our reperesentatives, I fear the term no longer has meaning. Democracy just ain't what it should be. Instead of getting leaders who will listen to and follow the desires of those who put them in office, we are far more likely to get individuals hitching a ride on the gravy train.  What is the point of an election when hundreds of people can appear to protest an unnecessary action then get told to, essentially, get lost?