I found an interesting $1M federal grant opportunity today posted on
grants.gov with the title, "IMPROVING POLITICAL DEBATE ON KEY ISSUES AND ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
527-A-05-006"
From the Request For Applications:
This 18-month program ... will promote higher quality debate on key political issues and greater transparency of information on candidates and their political parties.
That sounds good, we could use that. And just in time for the 2006 mid-term elections.
More details on the grant after the fold:
See, look - the granting agency recognizes the dangers of too much executive power:
While much progress has been made in re-establishing independent branches of government, providing mechanisms for greater transparency of and access to government information, and developing the basis for political decentralization and justice reform, there is very limited citizen support for the democratic system. This is most notable in the extremely low levels of public confidence in government institutions.
They also want to examine why people don't trust their elected officials:
While there are many causes for this lack of public confidence, one contributing factor is that the "electoral connection"--i.e., where elected officials and political parties build strong ties with and are responsive to their constituencies for the purposes of being reelected--has failed to take hold...
They want to address the weaknesses of the Democrats....
... organizationally weak, with no defining ideology, little capacity for voter and constituent outreach, and an inability to control and sanction party members who do not follow party precepts.
... as well as of the Republicans:
Winning an election is often perceived as a fiat to pursue one's own personal political agenda, as opposed to that of the voters in an electoral district or those of the party they represent. To date, voters have based their ballot choices more on candidate personalities--especially for president--and on populist promises.
They even talk about disaffected constituents:
Overall, citizens do not feel that they are well represented by Congress. Members of Congress rarely return to the regions that elected them and do not have district offices to conduct constituent business.
This sounds like a great grant to pursue! But alas...
The program is designed to address specific challenges of the 2006 national and sub-national electoral processes in Peru .
Hey, USAID - got another million or two for the homefront? Sounds like we could sure use it.