As has been discussed in other diaries, the situation we face is terrible. All three branches of our government are under the direct control of the same party, a party whose ideology consists of nothing less than the destruction of government itself, insofar as government can be said to define the use of taxes for the public good. The 'Democrats' whose role is that of opposition have proven themselves as unfitting to it as they are their title, and it has become increasingly, painfully clear, that our government is no longer representative.
Indeed, I believe it is time to call into question the need for such 'representation,' in a modern setting. With the communications revolution, there has come an unprecedented level of interconnectivety, and the potential for such. The frequently cited obstacle to true democracy is the Size and Scale of government, the relative Incomprehensibility of state affairs, and, to a lesser extent, the Unfit to Govern nature of the Unwashed Masses. Let us dispel this nonesense!
Today we experience the ability to network our ideas and opinions in such a way that there is no longer a necessity to physically present ourselves for the means of Voting and Discussing. Indeed, we are continually confronted by the absurdity of 'sessions' of congress, and presidential vactions. Do these men, these Lords of Higher Consciousness we appoint to our management, not comprehend the Internet? Do they not own laptops, for fucks sake? Why, in a world of continuous development and exchange, do those whose sacred Task it is to protect Our interests, punctuate their duty so absurdly?
I say it is clear, now, that the role of the Governer can be defined as such- 'To act as a processer of information, a decider of action.' Should not, if our interest truly be of a humanistic and populist nature, that role belong to each and every citizen? In this age, where information false and otherwise is projected into the minds of every societal participant, where the monetary nature of human exchange turns every purchase into a vote, should not we encourage and provide for the organization of human behavior in a Free Forum of Exchange, a virtual common grounds of ideas and proposals? Is that not the direction the Internet has head with little diversion since its inception?
Let us cast of the shackles of our Empire, which has proven time and again that even the profits of its immoral behavior are not in our favor, that it exists as a charade, a legal framework for sociopathy, and a cruel mockery of the ideals it celebrates with the fetishization of our Founding Father mythology.
Let us establish a nested and regionally based network of Direct Democracies, each working to provide for its citizenry Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, but also the time and means to Participate in government, lest their interest be betrayed.
If Value is to continue to be Abstracted, for the time being, as we recognize that the infrastructure of Capitalism is a well insinuated phenomena, let us posthaste devote our energies, Abstracted and otherwise to an Alliance of the Divided, a movement to form a Government which is Modern and Reasonable, and not hostile and reluctant towards its stated aim.
The form of this Direct Democracy must necessarily be a matter of public debate- but I suggest a few ground rules.
-Free Flow of Information-
Even in matters of 'Security,' that most nebulous and open ended term, information of public interest must be available for all, should they desire it, lest through subtle or accoumulated deceit, our energies be co-opted for selfish purposes.
-Equal Voice and Voluntary Participation-
In no circumstances should one Voice, no matter how loud, intimidating or seductive, be allowed greater value than another when regarded in context of Tallying or Deciding. Let communication be constant, and opinions discussed, but the opinion of one shall never count for more than itself.
Participation in governmental programs must necessarily be voluntary, and conscientious objection allowed for literally all involvement. Only in cases of extreme and obvious contempt for bretheren shall a participant be denied their Voice, and otherwise restrained from further damage to the community.
---
In terms of actual execution, I see the initial phases taking the form of a website, a sort of 'craigslist government,' if you'll pardon me, which will act as a focusing point for direct action and infrastructure building. We will be an independant and virtual state, and will mask ourselves in the cloth of the time- we shall be an NGO corporation, to protect our funding from governmental garnishment, and otherwise exploit the same hypocrisies which have allowed the hostile takeover of our traditional governing body. We will work for change through the best avenues available to us, and may very well run a political party in the (possibly vain) hope of regaining some control of Washington, though such goals will be secondary to the primary motive of expanding and protecting the right to and means for direct participation in government.
I welcome criticism, support, and ideas.