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.com
vote