I agree with an interactive governement that is online and ideas and thoughts can channel to the right people so thoughts of the people can be heard and understood.

We need a government that is threaded with the people and more people can make the government more efficient and more effective.

We also could see changes in the first 100 days I believe our new president elect is both a innovative, and progressive in his views and approachs to our countries direction, sort of like a chief of business would be a visionary.

I also agree that the biggest deficit we have suffered has been the capacity of the population to know that they can still have an effect.  We are in a new day and I believe the little wheels will need some lubrication to line up with the larger ones... This forum is such a device.

I was trained as a systems analysis and although I was never paid for that, I've never lost the lens of how I see the world, life and everything. 

If we all do the little things we can and support each other we will gain the energy we need to do a little bit more from the peripheral radiation of hope.

Along with the government opening channels of online communication with its citizens to establish a democratic government, we've got to establish an honest link from government back to its citizens. Our news is skewed by pack media and corporate interests, we've got to create a media outlet that has integrity and is operating for the public good instead of corporate shareholder packages. For those who don't know like 95% of main stream media is owned by five major companies, so those CEO's are, in essence, controlling the socialization tools of our culture. And this is not about liberal or conservative media "bias" that's an argument for twenty-five years ago, it's about profit "bias." They are "selling" what they think people want to buy, which is entertainment. So everything is turned into drama and fights and scandals, because that's what’s entertaining to watch and as a result what sells. But the actual news shouldn't be entertaining; it should be informative and intelligent. And just to clarify I'm not talking about the Fairness doctrine, that's not what's going to solve the problem.

Hello

Corporations have taken over the government for decades. You will probably not get the change you want anytime soon using the conventional way. However if citizens join together to contact some of the companies that give money to block progressive legislation and threaten them with consumer boycotts unless the CEO gets us the legislation we want, then we will speak with our own money.

For example:

Asking politicians for single payer health care will not work. Not enough Representatives and Senators support HR 676 and a fix for the Medicare Prescription drug benefit.

Demand the enactment of HR 676 and a complete fix to the Medicare prescription drug benefit of the CEO of a company whose company gave money to the politicians who oppose single payer universal health care.


I will let people decide for themselves whether they want to do this or not.

People can answer this question at

http://www.twiigs.com/poll/Politics/17960

Thank you.

A largely symbolic change, which would have absolutely no costs associated with it is to "get rid of the aisle" in Congress.  Make all the Members of Congress sit scattered throughout the chambers.  No republicans on the right and democrats on the left.  Just seat everyone mixed together.  This would encourage more relations between Senators and Congressmen and women of different parties.   There is already going to be a very heavily weighted democratic majority, so this would be a positive gesture in the direction of bipartisan spirit and perhaps we could stop hearing that annoying reference to "on the other side of the aisle".  Too much time is spent excusing how they are or are not governing in a bipartisan way.  This would simply do away with that age old problem.  I have already written to Nancy Pelosi about this.  I hope they could implement this cool idea.

I agree that govenment should be put more in the hands of each citizen. We must not bypass our local. state and federal legislative and executive branches. I believe we need to have a more interactive mechanism for the public to reach local officials, our state officials, and our federal legislators as well as to the Obama administration. A tool where a comment can be posted that goes to each our our individual elected officials. One comment = many recepients. We need to have a interactive tool that will communicate with all these levels to ensure that our words are being heard at all levels of government. We can then be assured that not only our president but our local, state, and federal government officials, which do have to all work together to get the change accomplished that we need, have as much information as possible to make informed decisions on their constituents behalf.

Very good idea.  We could also use National Public Radio.  The President Elect wants to communicate what's happening with the $750 billion bail out. Fed agencies could produce monthly status and communicate it on the radio.  Take calls; get feedback. 

Excellent idea. In this day and age, it is ridiculous for people wanting to comment on a federal action to have to actually go to a library to view a hard copy of a report and submit written comments. All federal agency actions that are required to be open to public comment should be posted on the agency's websites for the required period of time.

This would be a fantastic idea. More of the open, real democracy we are only beginning to witness at change.org would just make America better.

i disagree with this idea. the government is already too responsive to people and their desires a la interest groups. the solution isnt more democracy, its less democracy. and while this isnt voting per se there is a similar feel. what interaction do you NOT have with government agencies that you think will actually help anything? if you think more democracy is the solution look at californias fiscal status. for an analogy: a teacher who teaches about hegels philosophy of history doesnt care what a truck driver thinks

GREAT IDEA!  If Obama is listening to us, I mean, reading us, then it is already working.

This would probably make our government way more efficient -

 Great idea!


http://www.change.org/ideas/view/controlled_globalization

this would, if we can make it work, provide several new jobs in the  management aspects of this system, such things include IT help, congressmen (or their secretary's) LISTENING to the the public's demands. not only that but if the government is more interactive, more people will be listening to politicians and overall include themselves more. the era of ignoring politicians is over, this is the change we need!!! (pun intended)

I think this is a good idea, but there are still a lot of people without internet access, and I think it would leave them underrepresented.

The U.S. Constitution already provides for an interactive government. Has anyone bothered to read it lately? It talks about the privilege of voting (hopefully by well-informed citizens), checks and balances for staving off tyranny, and provisions for individual liberty, which cunningly have been slid out from under us so as not to be noticed until this perfect moment in time.

I wonder how many of you really believe the incoming administration and majority "leaders" will study and take heed of the opinions on this website. It is convenient for grabbing a quick token quote for a public address, maybe. Probably, many people feel more valued, more noticed by legislators and less fearful by unloading their souls here. The illusion has been fulfilled.

How about ABOLISH PUBLIC LAW 62-5. Aswell.

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/abolish_public_law_62-5

In response to Doug Shrugs,

I think most of the people here know that the U. S. Constitution provides for interactive govenment.  What I see happening here is that people are looking to improve on a system that, like most things, can be improved upon. That is an admirable goal.

I think that many people have failed to interact with the govenment for a myriad of reasons, time being one of them.  The internet, as we all know has a way of cutting through the fat and rewarding the often pervasive American desire for immediacy.  I think the majority of the people here probably believe that the leaders will take some heed to the will of the people.  I think that the will of the people has impressed the incoming leaders and perhaps this won't do as much as many would wish but it sure is a start in which I'm happy to participate.  One thing this does that the more traditional form of interactive government doesn't do is it connects us with a vehicle in which we can brainstorm.  ( if we are open to co operative process)Funny thing happened twice to me when reading your words " unloading  their souls here... "  I mistakenly read uploading their souls here... I feel a difference in that.  One feels negative the unloading... the other feels positive uploading.. just my personal perspective perhaps.I think that what is important here is that people, once again ,begin to have faith that they can have input. This is a place where people can rally together and embody the spirt of J.F.K. when he said , "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."  This is a nobel cause and response and I think that the new leadership will not ignore the intent of this although they do have a full plate at present, this IS sure. That is not a reason to cease trying to help in my mind.

If you choose to see all this as some kind of illusion, fine, that is your right as an American.  If you find it productive in some way to inform people that this is a wast of their time, fine, that is your right.  Isn't it fantastic?

We have some really hard times coming at us. Times much harder than any majority "leaders" can deal with without this country getting behind them to try to do their part.  I see that  effort being expended here and I think the spirit of this is unparalleled.    If things get better it will surely be because of the kinds of people here who are willing to brainstorm and discuss things in a positive light and not because of negativitiy in the face of dificulty.

I could not be more positive, B Mer. I am positively confident that the improving on a "flawed" (says the president-elect) system you speak of means rewriting the Constitution without the People's consent. Oh, but 52 percent of active voters actually did approve of overhauling the timeless, healthy ideas of our Constitution and discouraging a spirit of self-reliance and entrepreneurism. How I forget.

Yes, it is spectacular when people start thinking for themselves. I will give you that one, B Mer.

Pardon me for wandering from the topic.

People who live in rural areas without internet access won't be able to participate.  Rural America is important too!

Re: the comments of Daniel Smith

If people are able to brainstorm, work together and form ideas and finese them, then those ideas could be put forth for EVERYONE to consider via the more conventional methods no?

Just because some people don't have telephones wouldn't mean that we couldn't all have a "conference call" discuss things and then write you a letter reporting the results with which you could agree or disaggree.. no?

Just because everyone doesn't have the same vehicle would not prevent those who have the advantage to use it to it's fullest potential.  I don't see that the process would ever become 100% operable from the internet exclusively, just that it could stream line the process.

Perhaps radio, TV and the more historical methods of letters to congressment to support bills etc.. could all merge into ONE PROCESS for this nation?  It's not hard to imagine.. using all of our communication resources.

Have people taken a look at the president-elects site Change.gov?

http://change.gov/

It's got the Obama agenda and an input form for each of the topics. I'm interested in "Providing Health Care for All." Supposedly Tom Daschle and his team will be reviewing the input and, in some way, acting on it.

See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/05/AR2008120503322.html
See: http://www.technologyreview.com/video/?vid=184

That last one is Daschle's first video about the input.

I think it's really significant that we now have both Change.org and Change.gov.

It may not be all people want but it's a start and IMHO something worth participating in.

please explain this more? so you want an interactive government? it already is!
your proposal seems like you just want to be lazy and not have to work for your opinion.

I THINK THE GOVERMENT SHOULD NOT TELL LIES TO THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA. I THINK IF THE GOVERMENT SHARE MORE DETAILS ABOUT HOW THE WAR IS GOING OR HOW IS ARE TAX IS SPENT WE WOULD TRY TO LISTEN TO THEM. WE AMERICANS SHOULD KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT ARE GOVERMENT NOT LIES THEY JUST TELL US. WE HAVE TO FIND OUT FOR ARE SELF.THAT MEAN YOU STUPID PEOPLE THAT JUST GO WITH THE REST OF LIES THEY TELL YOU.I AM LESTER MEZA 13 YEARS OLD I AM NOT GOING JUST SIT HERE AND TAKE THIS.

I totally agree with the call for a more interactive government. For starters how much are we spending on this useless war? By far way more then enough to pay 10 people per state to answer every single e-mail that comes the way to the government that is actually well written and thought out. I think the American public needs to feel like we're more then just numbers to the select few that get to tell everyone how this country will be governed.

I think in an Internet age we need to interact with our government for the better of everyone involved. US is 15th right now in Internet useage, 15th. We came up with the Internet but yet 15 countries have moved around us. We can put a serious dent in this by assuring all classes, and every student be given access to computers and that everyone is able to reach the government through the use of a computer.

This is what I was saying before the election, but this is well put by everyone. My thoughts were how can the people trust the Government when it seems the Government can't trust the people. The only way America could pull together to decrease our deficit and make the economy better is if we the people and the Government worked together. not on a 50/50 level however to an extent. This is because not everyone is always going to be happy, no one ever truly is in this world. The Government will listen and take into consideration what is feasible so not everyone may get what they want. But compromise is better than nothing and if America can accomplish this we can do anything! Imagine the possibilities as a nation to pull together and make it better than before. If some of the people stopped being so stubborn and set in their ways & for once and think about someone other than themselves, this could work. I believe everyone truly wants peace, but everyone has a different version of what that means.

I trusted Obama with my life the moment I saw him on David Letterman saying he MIGHT run for president but it wasn't officially decided.  He and his wonderful hand picked team will decide what's best with ALL of our voices being heard.

For those who say "this country's going down, Obama's president, and we can't trust the government no matter what because this is all bull just as well" I'm not christian, catholic or anything. I have no religion, I'm too busy for religion. A hard working American who knows the worth and value of hard work. I do have faith however, I have hope, I'm being realistic, why is it impossible for people to compromise??? AGAIN stop being stubborn, and get over the fact that taxes are being raised. Wouldn't you want to pay for your country to get better instead of buying that brand new Lexus!?

Do you know what I heard about a hundred bajillion times in the past 2 months why people don't like obama? Not because he's black but "because he's raising taxes" WOW LIKE MCCAIN WON'T FIND A WAY TO SQUEEZE THAT IN!!! BUSH DID!!!! As soon as everyone hears "let's raise taxes" people automatically get pissed and say NO! Money is the problem in our country right now and a majority of people don't have it, wouldn't it make sense to send out our own money and get most of it back at the end of the year? knowing we made some kind of a difference? If we saw more of this difference it wouldn't matter how much I got back at the end of the year! If we all stopped donating to stupid charities and giving donations for stupid shit that really just go to the pockets of the buschwa, as well as stop spending money carelessly, and think of taxes as donating to help our country it wouldn't be a problem. YOUR MONEY HELPS KIDS FOR HIGHER AND BETTER EDUCATION, YOUR KIDS! OUR TAXES HELPS PEOPLE IN WELFARE EAT THAT COULD BE YOU NOW OR ONE DAY IF WE DO NOT PULL TOGETHER! OUR TAXES HELP HOMELESS PEOPLE GET OFF THE STREETS, AND THOSE WE DO SEE DON'T WANT TO BE HELPED SO DON'T GO SAYING "I saw a lot of homeless they other day it's all bull$^!&" THEY KNOW THEY HAVE CHOICES! WE HAVE CHOICES! Our taxes whatever amount goes to it, makes a difference in the world not just our nation... We are affiliated with other countries and because our stocks went down other countries went down as well... and all of those greedy people out there can think about is "what about me?" This thing is bigger than you so grow up!  I don't want to hear "bull, our taxes don't do anything, I don't trust the government to raise taxes... it's all bull" NO YOU'RE PARANOID AND HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN TO THINK NEGATIVELY! WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TRUST THE GOVERNMENT AT THIS TIME!!! THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TRUST US AT THIS TIME! IF YOU STILL DON'T AFTER SOME CONSIDERATION THEN I HOPE YOU FIND YOUR OWN WAY TO SOLVE THE NATIONS DEFICIT! OR you can sit around and do nothing but when the nation does get better it wouldn't have been because of your laziness and you'd have nothing to be proud of!

I apologize for the rant but I won't be on here much so I thought I'd throw a bunch of things out there. I hope to get some positive feedback, instead of "keep dreaming" because if I do get that then my response is "Keep being a pessimist" Thanks for reading, I'll do my best to keep up. I hope this nation both the people and government can interact on both positive levels and great compromises. Thanks again!

Great idea, Scott Fineout! You can start changing the world by paying for my Internet access, which, by the way, Al Gore invented. In fact, let's start with every one of your friends and family paying for broadband service in one household. Cool! That's a lot of contribution for the greater good! Now, let's talk about financing mortgages for people you've never heard of and never will!

Vanessa Alicea, do you really want a government, or anyone, forcing on you and the people you love what they think is best for you?! I know you are able to think for yourself, Vanessa. Seeing someone on David Letterman is enough for you to entrust your life with him or her? Do you understand what you are saying?

a more interactive govt? it is interactive.. did we not just vote for who believed to be the best canidate for president? isnt your vote suppose to go for the one who shares the same beliefs as you do? the entire country interacted when obama won the election. you dont need to interact with the govt on a daily basis to feel you are being heard. thats what obama is for. to be OUR voice. to "change" what everyone feels needs to change. and as far as creating something over the internet, i think if you really believe you need to be heard, you'll appear where you need to in person, not type a couple of words on your keyboard and click submit.

This is a wonderful idea.  Complex issues require diverse viewpoints and contributions. While I think face-to-face dialogues are richer, time is an issue for most people and may hinder their ability or willingness to participate. 

I'd suggest that maybe there is some aspect of the appreciative inquiry involved.  We know that we are much more successful when we build off our strengths - the things that are already working. 

This is a great first step, and I look forward to seeing where we go from here.

Terry

Hector,
I respectfully disagree with your view point. Yes, it is interactive but many are trying to optimize that interaction. Yes it is valuable to appear in person for causes we value, but as time prohibits many from doing that they would like the ability to coneserve time, effort and fuel by being able to have a forum in which they can also be heard.  The election of one man for one masterful position by people from diverse positions is great, but those people still might have very different viewpoints on different issues.  All people are trying to do is to streamline the vehicle through which the people can speak.   Talk is cheap, concensus is of value in two ways.  Sometimes 6 out of 10 people might say they would rather do things one way and then because of THAT concensus those 6 might receive a reply that informs them of reasons why the "concensus" might factor in more facts... This is a beautiful process in which we can continue to become educated, a process that President Elect Obama values.   With education we can help ourselves and each other.  These are my beliefs.

Take equal parts of Jurgen Habermas' "discourse ethics" and John Willinsky's work on OpenAccess; stir gently.
Culture attentively to produce "participatory deliberation", where decisions are evidence-based w/o filtering by A-list, where subjective narrative is valued w/o it disrupting propositional logic, where reason is applied w/o hermetics.

"Speaking deeply about simple things ...
... thinking together on what's crucial."

I completely agree Heather. Right on!

B Mer! Are you talking about educating each other or indoctrinating with battle cries no one really gets but goes along with because they want to be a part of something in their tiny cyber universe? Yes, talk is extremely cheap. D.C. has proven that sufficiently. Will this message board succeed in paralyzing the will of our youth to get out of the house and DO something? I like you, B Mer; I can see there are wheels turning in your noggin, seriously.

Bernard! Are you a student of contract law?

@Doug Last time I was student was cog-psych and criminology. Though I was entirely seduced by historiography. (PoliSci was merely a hobby.)

I'd say I'm a practitioner of _praxis_ ... as in airborne ... as in SigInt ... as in Soto Zen.

A-list members, like fish, are (plausible deniability?) blithely unaware of the water in which they swim.
Which is to say that those who are privileged by their position (in contra-distinction to mere wealth) can speak as loyal members of the republic while benighted.

Google "participatory deliberation" ... you'll see the work I've done that has, over the years, garnered not the slightest comment or attention.

We "change" only what we acknowledge and address.

"Man has only those rights he can defend" ... I'll go by Law and Order.

p.s. not 15 minutes ago I summoned the spirit of CJ Craig to justify the 35+ years I've invested in my project architecture. "Cognitive ergonomics" ... the plumbing for Hesse's _glasperlenspiel_.
p.s.2 on contract law, google "WordPress themes GPL" ... it's about art and trade, nae? *grin*

There are two parts to your idea that need attention.

#1 is indeed to open all parts of the overnment to personal interaction via the WEB  so that laws, and even Bureaucratic rules can be written, proposed, and commented in real time reflecting the thoughts of actual people to eliminate the effect of huge amounts of money that subverts what the majority of actual people would want.

More than just comments there needs to be a way that people could write rules and laws, and be vetted up by social effort to be considered in the same way as K-Street written rules and laws are considered now.

#2 is to make sure that this is available to all people by making wireless internet as available as streets and electricity, that no person is without access.

Doug Shrugs, I do have a mind of my own. It's not their way or the highway that's what this site is about. I have to have faith because this is what I've hoped for, for quite some time. Everyone convinced me it was impossible and now that I've been seeing some changes I have hope again. For crying out loud we have a black president and I'm excited as anything, gas prices have been dropping, cigarettes, and then this site gets created, this is just the beginning... With how bad things are and definitely were before the election, I have to trust this, The People have been making their own decisions to hate, steel, kill, get greedy or prejudiced against race & sexuality, religions, even political parties...etc and things even worse than that.

I'm not saying they get to tell us how to live our lives, where our children go to school, where we work and certainly not who we love! No one can tell us THAT! There's a bigger more positive picture out there and if people just saw it a little more we could have a bit of a better world. People started this because they've been neglected by our Government since it started almost. In this time as a country we're suffering and falling apart. We have to take it step by step no matter how small the steps are or how retarted it seems but if we want this bad enough I'd say believing in ourselves and the goverment would be excellent. Having an interactive government can do this for us.

Do you realize some or more than half of our tax money also goes to keeping criminals in jails & prisons? sure they belong there for their crime but it's not getting any better.  There's more crime than hell itself since this economy went down, and we have to pay for more prisons for more criminals for people who chose to kill, steel, hate, gangs, violence... Most will do it either way but it's not like most people who are criminals do it for fun. It's mostly people who struggle in this world and don't see a better way. They think they have no coice and that's malarkey! Through a more interactive government I believe we can achieve a better country internally not just our econmy.

I realize this is really naive of me to believe. I am wearing my rose colored sunglasses. But I am fully aware of what's really going on out there. More than you think and more than I can put together to explain because if I tried to my eyes would get crossed and I'd get either confused or furious. I chose light.

The things that are wrong with this country is greed, hate, government corruption, big business corruption, lies, deceit, wars for no reason, racism, closed minds who think everyhas to be the same, cover ups (for all I know this could be one) but for some reason I believe not. Otherwise I wouldn't have given my name on here or participated. I want to be heard just like everyone here.

And as for the whole David Letterman thing, I know it sounds absurd, but it's true. Obama has this way about him that's reassuring & makes me think he can save us. My insticts & intuition are at least 75% accurate usually so. When I say things I do tend to get carried away, so my apologies for the over reaction. The president, when president has all of our lives in his hands as far as our well being goes and life as in breathing still. Again not where we go to the bathroom, what we drink, what we eat... do you really think they'll make that happen or we'll let that happen? People make their own choices.

Doug,

You seem to have a very polarized point of view.  Its how you see it and that is how it is, and will remain.

No I was not talking about indoctrination, I was talking about educating each other which is only possible when people are able to retain an open mind.  No education is possible when someones files are already full to capacity.   This forum seems to bring out people who relish in generalization and are somehow upset by people who are earnestly trying to find a way out of the era of the dregs of the dumbing down of America, and the corporate holiday.   Don't you think being positive has any merit? Or do you think that asking people if they mean something they had no intention of even remotely suggesting has some value?  What is that value?   Instead of talking about something constructive the energy is diverted, like a short circut.

The wheels are turning in my noggin yes. I studied System's Analysis too many moons ago, and it intrigues me when people TRY, yes try to make thing better... it's a noble cause.

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

I agree whole-heartedly.  A government that actually listens to the people?  It's unheard of!

1. It can create jobs to regulate and update the states own section of the website

2. It gives people the feeling that their opinion is being heard, thus making more people interested in politics.

3. It'll make the politicians actually listen to what the people of their state think

4. People will be happier, and know where their tax dollars are going.

5. LESS POLITICAL SCANDALS

It's hard to imagine that no politician has ever actually thought of that. Then again they always have their own agenda, which isn't always in the best interest of the state they represent.  This idea is revolutionary and should be taken very seriously.

Speaking of interactive government, here are my notes from a meeting my Congressman, Henry Waxman, recently had with constituents about his priorities for the next Congress.

Waxman, who recently gave up his chairmanship of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to chair the Energy and Commerce Committee, acknowledged that many of his constituents have long hungered to see Bush and Cheney impeached.  “It appears to be warranted,” he said.  Waxman has opposed impeachment because he thought it would have been a long distraction and wouldn’t have had the votes to pass anyway.  However, he said, it’s essential to continue investigating such Bush Administration abuses as Iraq war profiteering, illegal wiretapping, and the perversion of justice at the Justice Department.  He hopes the incoming Justice Department will pursue these matters vigorously, and he’s talked to others on the Oversight Committee about continuing his practice of holding tough investigative hearings.  

“We need to make sure the truth will come out so it will be available for the public record,” Waxman said.  “Anybody who breaks the law should be held accountable.  I hope the prosecutors can get convictions, send lawbreakers to prison when possible and get the money back these people have taken.” 

Asked about the likelihood of passing a national healthcare plan, Waxman said he sees a growing consensus that wasn’t there before.  Previously, he said, “the lobbyists all wanted some kind of health insurance plan, but they each wanted it their way or nothing.  So we got nothing – 45 million or more uninsured.”

“We’re open to ideas from everyone,” he said.  “A single-payer system makes a lot of sense, but it would be a very dramatic change.  It’s not what Obama campaigned on.”   Waxman believes it’s more likely we will get the kind of mixed-system health plan the President-elect did campaign on -- part employee-based, part public, and that many people will opt for the public programs.

Waxman said we need to improve Medicare and Medicaid, and that people over 50 should be able to buy into Medicare.   He called Bush’s Medicare Part D plan “outrageous – designed for the pharmaceutical companies to make the most profit.  It should be changed so that the government can negotiate for the lowest prices.”

Since Congress begins its next session on January 6th and Obama won’t be inaugurated until January 20th, Waxman said the State Child Health Insurance Act will be ready for the new President to sign on his first day in office.  The bill has passed twice with strong bi-partisan support, Waxman explained, but Bush vetoed it for two reasons: he thinks children don’t need health insurance because if they get sick, they can go to the emergency room; and he thinks taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for insurance for children whose parents could afford to buy them private insurance.

On the economic front, Waxman wants to see modifications in free trade. He also wants to make sure it’s illegal for agencies entrusted to protect the public, such as those that rate bonds, to have conflicts of interest that lead them to protect industry insiders instead.  Waxman also wants to see Congress spend money on an economic stimulus plan designed to put Americans back to work.

Waxman hopes the 111th Congress will be less rancorous than the 110th.  “The Republicans may decide to be even more confrontational and extreme,  but we’ll open up opportunities for them to work with us, because in the end, we have to govern.”

I think all libraries should have public computers so that people can have open, unfettered Internet access - giving the public a way to give feedback and offer advice and to learn and communicate online.  I agree that this measure would go far in proving to us that government can, indeed, work *for* the people, and by the people.

STOP ANIMAL VIVISECTION!!!

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/stop_vivisection

me i think that the elected officials is outdated , why do we trust people to do whats right for all people , efery resident of the state should vote on issues, then the elected official should then make a decision, and vote according to the people. not there own personal decision.

Heather, I agree with this idea and I voted for it.  It is closely related to my idea of correcting representative government.  This cuts very deep into what's wrong with government today.   I wrote quite a bit about that recently and you can see it here:
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/renewable_model_communities_rmc

There has been much talk about climate change, but not much about where we will see its first impact.

Flooding, Drought, water is the vector of climate change, we already have seen in recent times in many areas America/Worldwide areas where there is intense competition for water; Windesal® can sustain many areas America/Worldwide that will be impacted by this issue that may suffer physically or economically from this lack of fresh water shortage.

This is a great idea but I believe it should be part of a greater and more organized structure to bring about effective change.I support the creation of an Office of Presidential Programs, who is led by a Chairman of Executive Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Each Chief of Staff in this office would be aligned to and provide a budget to manage a program like Interactive Democracy, Climate Change, Social Innovation, Election Reform, etc that might operationally cross multiple executive branch functions as well as the judiciary and Congress.  The role of the Chief of Staff for each program would be to monitor the execution of the President's orders in their respective area across govt organizations and ensure successful progress.  The Executive Chief of Staff for Interactive Democracy would own the creation and maintanence of interactive technologies that would be benefit Executive Branch agencies, Congress, and the judiciary.

it doesn't have to cost a lot to implement this if we involve the open-source software development community.

There are already several projects underway which could help to implement ideas like this -- see examples at http://www.metagovernment.org/wiki/Related_projects

Disclaimer: Some of these projects advocate what may be perceived as radical change -- specifically, replacing our current representative government with a more direct democracy. Others do not. I post this here not to promote these agendas, but to suggest that the *software* underlying the projects could be used to facilitate greater interaction between local/state/federal governments and their constituents.

I’d settle for a effective government, as opposed to one suffering from terminal cranial rectumitis.

The Federal Government's job is not to educate you, make sure you have health care, make judgements on abortion rights, gay marriage rights or any other social issue you can think of.  That is up to the states.  The Federal government's job is to make sure the government runs smoothly and sets our foreigh policies.  Why do you want to give the government so much power over the decisions of you life?  I don't understand why you want them to be making these decisions.  Look how bad the government programs are run and that they don't work, yet you want to give them control over your healthcare.  Look how bad medicare is. We need to revamp our government and put it back to what it was meant to be.  We need lobbyists our of Washington, and that means ethnic and religious lobbysist.  We need Cair and LaRaza and the black caucus and the hispanic caucus and the asian caucus etc. out of our government also.  We are AMERICANS and the laws that are passed should be good for all. Americans. 

I like the idea of forcing Government to be reminded that they are servants of the United States citizens.  Not tools to be used by multi-national corporations.

Focusing on the true reason for existing may slow down policies that hurt humans in favor of policies that help companies grow profits.

This is roughly what I suggested in the early hours of change.gov in the form of "idea" triage, on an agency level.

I'm not sure that doing it on the agency level is the best approach, though; bureaucracies get entrenched, and they aren't always the best solution.

What I wrote then:

===
My number one suggestion was 'Idea Triage': "Not all the smart people work for you." If a small organization gets built behind this web form smart enough to make sure the good ideas bubble up to where someone can get something done with them, I'll be happy. Don't just say "Open Government". Mean it. It takes time and effort. Convince us that The West Wing wasn't *just* fiction, ok guys? :-) ==

I visualize 30-50 first tier people (well, the real first tier is interested citizens...), and half a dozen tier 2, sifting through submitted suggestions and scoring them; people with a good grasp of how the country is, and what the government is already doing.

Whomever is running the project, of course, has to have the ear of someone High Up enough to get those suggestions to the right places...  and that's the hard part.