New Party or New Process??

Recent news of a new Political Party in BC has me wondering what we would be fixing, exactly. I’m not so sure a new party, with another voluntary arbitrator, is exactly what we’re waiting for. I suspect we’re really waiting for change to occur in the actual processes of Government. Some form of direct consultation with the people, and meaningful vote gathering on issues of preference, choice, and planning.

But how would we ever effect such radical changes? Actually allow the public a vote on an issue and have that collected vote determine an outcome? Well, we’ve actually already started a few processes that are working in the right direction. Looming issues include a Municipal count-up related to a big expensive double blue bridge. A process I’m calling ‘Democracy in Reverse’ has inspired the public to demand a say on the issue, after civic direction was originally proclaimed. Clear alternatives have now been established and presented, and the public will get a say in which way we will go (I’m personally in favour of a new bridge, and have been for many years).

The same Reverse Democracy process is evidenced in the issue of the Provincial HST Petition, which will provide captivating theatrical content in the months ahead. An un-responsive Provincial Government doesn’t seem to get that it can’t operate outside the will of the masses, and survive. Successful lies are not laudable achievements by Government. And non-representative Governance is certainly not within the definition of Democracy.

And so, we witness an un-concerned Provincial Government being dragged by the scruff of its neck to its ultimate demise in the pending recall process. Sadly, this Government seems to have no idea this is about to happen. And it is the will of the masses that is actually causing this to happen.

The masses, realizing we do now have the technology to re-create actual Democracy, won’t really be content with any number of new flavours of the same old syrup. Political Parties will have to start standing up on this issue, and declaring themselves. Will it be ‘power to the people’ in the future, or remain ‘power to the pinnacle group’? Collectively, I believe we are all really waiting for a return to real democracy. Democracy that includes voting on issues, and having policy established by virtue of those votes.

I’m surprised no existent party has even thought to posture in the obvious direction. Why not a modern techno platform to initiate votes on the choices of our world? Government should busy itself establishing and presenting alternative scenarios, with budgets attached, and the public should then directly vote to decide the choices. That would be democracy. And that would be a new party.