"Young people have become less interested in party politics and
have less trust in politicians," said Ian McAllister, who has researched voting
habits in Australia, Europe and the US. Reported in the Age September 3, 2004 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/02/1093939069258.html
The problem is not the party system but the one party one voice system. Let the
parties have their party policies but demand that all elected officials have
equal opportunity to speak out and represent us.
Here’s a strategy for young people to change politics for ever. Vote for
candidates who commit to vote in the Dome of Conscience.
The Dome of Conscience is a transparent online conscience voting chamber just
for elected officials. Until October 9th all federal candidates can join the
vote. It operates through the website www.domevote.com.
Former magistrate Brian Deegan, father of Bali bombing victim Josh, and
candidate for the seat of Mayo is the first candidate to make a public commitment
to vote in the Dome. On September 2 Brian Deegan said, "The Dome of Conscience
represents exactly what I am standing for, transparency and honesty in
government."
"I am delighted to be the first to commit to a regular vote in the Dome. If all
candidates did this, the parliament would be transformed overnight. Why would any
candidate, asking for trust, not commit to a regular transparent conscience vote?
It only takes a minute to vote in the Dome," said Brian Deegan.
"If parliamentarians commit to a regular online conscience vote our democracy
will be much stronger, people will have more trust in the process of government
and feel more connected to the parliament. Ultimately a stronger democracy can
only mean greater security, wealth and wellbeing for all," said Brian Deegan.
The Dome of Conscience is an online scoreboard of opinions and ideas in the
minds of lawmakers. There are no questions, surveys, pollsters or party whips.
Any federal candidate can float a new opinion in the virtual voting chamber any
time. Opinions are expressed as concise single line statements called "placards".
All opinion placards compete continuously for votes from parliamentarians and
candidates and are ranked live in a leaderboard for all to see. Repeat voting is
encouraged and never causes vote stacking as the system counts the last vote only
for each candidate.
But do we know if this "opinion market" voting idea really works? Yes,
primary school students have set an example at www.studentparliament.com.
If politicians and candidates vote in the Dome we will see the collective
voice of all candidates, the parliament as a whole, the Senate and House of
Representatives separately, as well the vote count of each party and importantly,
the voice of each candidate.
There are hundreds of big issues. They all compete for attention and money.
Even young people cannot expect to get exactly want they want all the time. But
everyone can expect that all issues get a fair hearing. This will not happen
unless our politicians all have equal opportunity to express their opinions. In
the Dome all politicians are equal and all have equal opportunity to represent
their constituents.
However dome-ocracy will not happen unless we ask for it.
Make it clear you will vote for candidates who can demonstrate a real commitment
to be honest and transparent with their opinions when elected. Vote for
candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to free speech. Vote for candidates
who will make it easy for all to know exactly where they stand on the issues of
the day, not just today but every day. Vote for independent thinkers and a
parliament alive with many voices. Vote for candidates who put loyalty to
constituents above all else. These values need not be inconsistent with the party
system.
What better way for a candidate to demonstrate these values than to make a
commitment to a regular online vote in the Dome of Conscience at www.domevote.com? And we can expect to see
sincere candidates in the Dome now.
Apparently about 50 per cent of young people still have some interest in
politics. That's enough to fix the system!
Ralph McKay
BigPulse.com
Tel 02 9953 3958
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