We Can Build a Better System

THE PROBLEM

As we approach the end of an American election year, probably a decent percentage of us -- more than usual, I mean -- have begun reflecting on the predicament we are in with respect to the rotten state of our public discourse. We all have someone to hate, for some reason. We all feel cheated by someone. Most of us feel powerless, or at least too power-limited to be of any use. The only thing more than half of us can agree on is that the system is so thoroughly rigged that no matter what we do, we are likely to fail in changing it for the better.

But what if we are wrong?

What if we already have the tools we need to enact real, meaningful, lasting change? What if we could agree on a system that allows us to -- at the very least -- work together productively even the only thing we can agree on is that work needs to be done?

I say we do, and we can.

Modern technology has connected the world in ways that no one would ever have imagined until 10 or 20 years ago. It has revolutionized every industry, every job, and every business in every modern nation -- except for one very glaring, increasingly anachronistic industry: government.

The way we elect representatives who budle our support and dispose of it as soon as they are bought by a special interest group, is absurd with the technology we have to communicate and coordinate with each other in today's world. There is no reason why we need these criminals to lead us. We can lead ourselves, and I believe we can do it now, without waiting for the establishment to give us another choice between two (or ten) equally corrupt candidates.

Every day -- on major social networking platforms; at work behind the counter or around the coffee station; on the radio; on TV; everywhere -- we are bombarded with the reality that no one is happy. Everyone wants change. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, "conservative", "liberal", or anywhere in between. In today's world where division rules us with an iron fist, we all share dissatisfaction, and we all have ideas about what ought to be done.

A century ago, or even 25 years ago, the only thing any of us could do with our ideas was to write them down and ship them to some schmuck in an overpriced suit somewhere, and that asshole would file them directly in the trash and continue the important work of raking the rest of us over the coals. This is exactly what happens with impotent platforms like change.org and the laughable White House Petitions site. We sign our names to ideas that are doomed to fail because those ideas carry no weight. They have no power. But we, the People do have power. And we can exercise that power with technology much more effectively than we are are doing now.

THE PITCH

I propose a new social networking platform, completely open in source and content, where people can gather for the express purpose working together to solve problems. Everyone on the platform will have the ability to propose enacting, repealing, or amending new and existing government policies. Everyone will be able to vote on these proposals, propose changes. Sort of a Github for open-source government.

To distinguish this platform from the toothless ones that are out there now, the proposals that arise from this platform will be packaged as actual legislation that can be submitted for approval by real voters in official elections as Voter Initiatives, in jurisdictions that allow such initiatives.

We can reach jurisdictions that don't allow voter initiatives by providing clear instructions of existing laws and supporting (or even directly running) candidates for local offices who will defer policy decisions for their districts to a vote by the people.

Someday, if we take this seriously, we may even kick the oligarchs out of government by changing the letter of the law in enough places to adhere to the spirit of the law. We can democracy to be something real, rather than just lip service and empty slogans.

THE DEFENSE

Believe me, I know this sounds far too ambitious. But just give it some thought. There is no reason we should trust corrupt politicians and their billionaire friends, working hundreds and thousands of miles away, with our lives if we aren't willing to trust ourselves and our neighbors first.

If it sounds ridiculous, ask yourself why it is ridiculous. You will realize that the only reason this idea is absurd is because we have been conditioned to believe that democracy will only work if it is protected from the people who are supposed to be running it. Set aside your assumptions about people who disagree with you for a moment, and just start with the basic fact that everyone's goal is a better life for themselves and their children. A better, safer, more free life. A better, safer, more free world. Where we can trust strangers. Where we can trust the State. Where we can trust ourselves.

If you want to be involved, get in touch. If not, well that's cool, you do you. I'd just like to see this idea take off, even if it evolves into something I can't imagine right now, and especially if I don't own the finished product.