They're not voting because...
- the major politicians give no lead to...
the major politicians give no lead to the public about what matters. They merely try to buy votes with what they will do for various already very comfortable voters. They are intelligent people who know that climate change and declining biodiversity for instance are far more important than the issues they campaign on.
written 25th Apr 2005
Responses
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Michael M. replies: Original poster wrote: "They are intelligent people who know that climate change and declining
written 25th Apr 2005
biodiversity for instance are far more important than the issues they campaign on."
Environment is one of the problem-areas for which direct democracy could prove effective. You can have half a million people demonstrating for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but the
government is not obliged to react or at the best might manage half-hearted measures. A few
hundred thousand endorsers would be more than enough to kick-start a "citizens' initiative" law
proposal which (after our proposal) would go to parliament for debate. If rejected by parliament a binding referendum can be held.
More detail is at http://www.iniref.org/ -
Gavin replies: I don't know about that, Michael... half a million campaigning for reduced greenhouse gases will stand as nothing against the millions who want cheap flights. Politicians do give people what they want. That's the problem. You can't please all the people, all the time - but if you please enough people who actually care, you get to be in power. People want money, an easy life, cheap holidays, big TVs, cars - everyday stuff. Good luck, but I can't see it working.
written 25th Apr 2005