Forwarding the Conversation

So – here goes – I’ve never done anything like this before, so I am a little bit nervous. This post is about a new idea that I have and I NEED your feedback, ideas, possibilities, and connections. I cannot do this without the support of others. So – please support me by posting your thoughts after you read this. I will post updates at least twice a week. Thanks in advance!

I am looking to start a new website. This website would house all local, state, and federal legislation. It would be easily searchable, contain legislative summaries, and give people the opportunity to organize around the legislation. 

I believe there is a need for this because right now there is no one site that contains all of this information. This site also has the opportunity truly flatten of the democratic process. It will give people the opportunity to see all of the laws that exist and then it will provide context for those laws. The context is incredibly important here – people need to know what this legislation means to them in their daily lives. It’s true that some legislation, some of the time, means nothing in the lives of average people. There are other instances though where legislation does make a significant impact in the lives of ordinary folks. Sometimes a seemingly innocuous clause can effect the lives of millions. 

I want to create a site where people can get this context, digest it, and then decide if they want to do something about it. I want to create a site that will allow ordinary people to mobilize around this information and create change. I want to create a site that brings the individuals who legislate to the same table as the people whose lives are impacted by the legislation. I want to create a dialogue that occurs both online and in person. 

The assumption that underlies this entire concept is that people do not have easy access to the laws that impact their everyday existence. Beyond that – just because someone can find the legislation doesn’t mean that they will understand the way it’s written. Most people don’t understand the way in which the bills are written. Moving a step further, I believe that if legislation was easily accessible and understandable that many would be moved to action based upon what they saw;  legislation is often  loaded with pork projects, special kickbacks to big campaign donors, etc. 

I believe that it’s time that people have this information. I also believe that it’s possible for people to have this information at their fingertips in real time. Armed with information I envision a central location where people can interact with one another, with advocacy organizations, with elected officials and their staff, and with other key stakeholders who help guide political process. I want to create a central platform where the process of democroacy occurs – in plain site – for everyone to see.

I’d like to call this project The Great Experiment because – like democracy – this process is a work in progress. It will never be complete and will always be open to the universe of possibilities. Like democracy this site will give efficacy to people – this site will give a voice to those who may have forgotten that they had one. This site is a testament to the idea that people do matter in our system – that we are stronger united than divided.

I implore you to provide me with feedback, suggestions, comments, concerns, connections, etc. I believe this information and interaction is necessary for the strengthening of our civic life and democracy.

I now officially give this process away to you – the reader. Please support this idea by acting as a guiding voice. Thank you!

This is just amazing – check out www.sciencecommons.org this site is serving as an open source repository for the world’s science information. This type of project just boggles my mind especially since this was no already happening. The possibilities for something like this are endless: giving individual scientists the knowledge to build upon the research of others and innovate in new ways!!! My mind almost hurts from excitement!

Here is a brief video that describes Science Commons.

I found this TV ad to be quite moving because it shows a world connected by falling dominoes. These aren’t the kind of dominoes that are menacing – they are colorful and soothing. This advertisement speaks to me and says that everyone on earth is in some way connected. It’s a simple and very effectively delivered message (in addition to the message of: please buy our TV because the color is good).

What does this ad say you?

Last week, in California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted the Governors’ Global Climate Summit. The purpose of the summit is twofold:

The first is to facilitate a high-level meeting between governmental “climate leaders” and to conclude a cooperative Summit Declaration on climate solutions (such as the examples described above). The second is to discuss the outlook for a comprehensive global agreement on climate solutions that prevents the world passing the “tipping point” as described by the IPCC. 

To learn more about the summit click here and to watch videos of all the activities click here. Below you will find a pre-recorded address from President-Elect Obama to the summit attendees.

Here are some questions to chew on as you watch the video:

• What is it going to take for the entire world to begin moving in the same direction on the issue of global climate change?
• What sacrifices are each of us going to have to make in order to ensure that we preserve our planet?
• How can each of us do to make sure our leaders take the issue of climate change seriously?

Watch this video about the Charter for Compassion and read the description below. You can help write the charter for compassion by going to the link provided above or in the description below.

By recognizing that the Golden Rule is fundamental to all world religions, the Charter for Compassion can inspire people to think differently about religion. This Charter is being created in a collaborative project by people from all over the world. It will be completed in 2009. Use this site to offer language you’d like to see included. Or inspire others by sharing your own story of compassion.

Absent a fireplace and FDR, Barack Obama delivered his first YouTube “fireside chat” where he outlined his plan for rebuilding the economy. This is important because it sets the bar at a new level for how elected officials use the internet to strengthen our democracy.

The question coming out of this is simple: does this simple video signal an era of open government? Express your opinion by voting in the poll and then watch Obama’s video below. You can also find it at www.change.gov.

President-Elect Obama has recently launched a new website called Change.Gov. The website is what democracy is all about. It is open, transparent, and gives a forum for people to give their input and vision for the country. The site invites people in to be a part of something. I think this a fantastic example of what is made possible empowering individuals. Check out the website below by going to www.change.gov. Before you go watch President-Elect Obama’s victory speech and think about the following questions.

• What does a vibrant and flourishing democracy look like?
• What can you do to serve your country?
• What is the value in seeking input from a large number of people?

VOTE!!! It doesn’t matter who you vote for just go out to the polls and vote. Take a lawn chair, some magazines, a six pack of beer, a bottle of wine, a picnic basket, or whatever will make you happy. Get motivated by watching the video below! Also, if you don’t know where to vote go to www.maps.google.com/vote

Below is a guest post by a friend of mine named Ryan Alban. Ryan is currently a student at Webster University in St. Louis where he is the President of the College Republicans and involved with the One Campaign:

…The 2008 Presidential Election is less than 48 hours away and some of the same subjects are being discussed as have been in every previous election. One of those is “will the youth vote turn out?” Watch the video below and then read the questions posed and my response to them.

When did you first register to vote?

How old were you when you first (actually) voted?

Do you vote in every election or only during the presidential elections (every 4 years)?

What led you to vote for the first time? Why?

Is it a foregone conclusion that those youth who DO vote, will vote for Obama?

I registered to vote on the morning of my 18th birthday. My intermediate driver’s license expired, as I had received it 2 years earlier, and I had to head to the DMV to renew it and receive my full DL. When I got through the line, the clerk asked me if I would like to register to vote. With pride and without blinking, I answered yes. Of course…who wouldn’t want to register to vote? Not to mention, they already had my information and all I had to do was sign on the dotted line. The rest was taken care of for me.

Everyone says that your 16th, 18th, and 21st birthdays are the most important. When you turn 16, you can get your driver’s license. 18, buy cigarettes and pornography. 21, the last big blow out, you can head to the local bar and buy yourself a drink. These rites of passage have become ingrained in daily life. For me, 18 did not mean lung cancer or a hearty laugh with a good porno. My eighteenth birthday meant that I could proudly sign up for selective service and register to vote. I have voted in every election ever since. This year will be my FIRST presidential election, and I will head to the local precinct and wait in line all day if I have to. My voice will be heard. Who wouldn’t want theirs to be?

Year after year, the youth get riled up and active whether it is in a social movement or behind a candidate. Yet election after election, our numbers are dismal. As a young voter, I am appalled at our lack of participation. I urge you to share your story, and I urge you to vote on Tuesday.

Please share your responses.

Special Contribution:

Ryan, Age 20, St. Louis, Missouri

This is one of the most important posts on this blog. Please take a look.

In this TedTalk psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the difference between liberals and conservatives. One quote that he draws on here is from Buddhist Zen Master Sent-ts’an who says:

If you want the truth to stand clear before you, never be for or against. The struggle between “for” and “against” is the mind’s worst disease.

Haidt argues that through moral psychology that we can all learn to step outside of our “moral matrix” which will allow for a more productive and civil society.  Watch the video and ask yourself the following questions

1. How is Haidt’s argument playing out in the 2008 election?
2. How do you take this way of seeing the world onto a battlefield that uses morality as a wedge?
3. What are you for and what are you against? How do you feel about those who oppose you?