13 September, 2008
World Direct Democracy Movement
The officer's terms were due for new election and
discussion about a definition of Direct Democracy caused much confusion in the
WDDM group meeting the last couple years.
A decision was taken to "write a new charter" and that was
implemented. However, it failed to produce any action or decisions. The
"Board" made no input, and their decisions would have to be approved by the
entire WDDM membership under the "new" Charter. This tight control
proved to be unnecessary and unrealistic to actually accomplish anything. The
idea of Initiative and Binding Referendum is that anyone who disagrees with a
decision, such as the Board, has the opportunity to bring their points up to
the membership and if others agree, the decision can be changed by referendum.
It is a method whereby people have control of their governing body IF it is
necessary. It is not necessary for the whole membership to vote each month to
approve the Boards meetings and every action before anything can be done. The
membership has many other life tasks and my not be available to vote for
months at a time.
I suggest we begin again as nothing has been accomplished
for over a year.
I hereby make the Initiative that WDDM
take the original WDDM Charter and implement it. We as a group can decide to
implement a Sociocracy method of decision making, or seek the necessary board
members and hold an election. [that will take more Initiatives, discussion and
decisions] The Sociocratic method may work well. If no objections are
expressed, the decision is taken. If there are objections, the matter is
discussed until the objection is no longer objectionable. The I&BR method
is in the WDDM Charter if needed so we can always make any changes necessary.
Presently I need two seconds on this Initiative to process it into a
referendum.
The controversy over what DD is requires only reading of
the original Charter. For WDDM Direct Democracy is practiced utilizing the
basic Swiss method of Initiative and Binding Referendum. This is the model we
must advocate and help people implement. If some have other ideas they are
free to begin their own movement. WDDM must be consistent with its own
Charter.
There are many reasons for the Swiss method. Many of our
governments have no method for the people to alter or change anything in their
government. The Swiss method is a beginning. If the Swiss method of I&BR
is implemented, the people can decide if they want more control, want to take
over more responsibility of government. This is the best way, as the people
decide what they want and commit to do the necessary work if they want more
control.
Locally, it can begin with a petition of the citizens to
implement Initiative and Binding Referendum. Since this is their government
the people have the power to petition and make the decision. This power was
implemented by the Magna Carta.
Some have the view that the people should vote on all or
many issues. Unless the people themselves decide to do this extra work, that
method would result in failure. By implementing I&BR the people can learn
and implement what they need as they see fit for themselves. That is
democracy.
I submit my Initiative and ideas to WDDM and to George L.
Kokkas WDDM Founding Spokesperson who can discuss these matters at the
upcoming WDDM meeting.
With kind regards, Bruce Eggum
Bruce
Eggum
Gresham Wisconsin, USA
http://www.doinggovernment.com/Check
out my Blog too
http://bruceeggum.blogster.com/http://usinitiative.comvote