Getting state government to begin researching open standards requires the involvement of legislators to make new policies. Transparency requires new policies in areas like public disclosure. Accountability requires new policies around executive decision making. To achieve change of any magnitude requires monumental numbers of new policies and enforcement. Therein lies the rub. Increased bureaucracy is great for politicians but bad for the public.
Thinking about this has resulted in a break from adding new posts. I feel deflated, like a car tire low on air pressure ready to blowout. Even though I gained some interest from Representative Carlyle, previous attempts to enact open standards have failed, and most likely Representative Carlyle or anyone else will face the same result.
A serious issue at hand is who has influence over our elected officials. Not just the reality of who does but who should. Certainly a legislative liaison like Heath Packard finds the system not only more accessible but literally setup to cater to him, to lobbyists and large corporations, special interest groups, and the ultra-rich. Bill Gates would not face the difficulty I would arranging a 3-hour meeting with Governor Gregoire. Nor would Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Could I get 15 minutes?
We rank as third-class citizens in this caste unless we represent wealth, fame, or powerful organizations. Until a system exists where an individual has as much right to seek the audience of an elected official as Heath Packard, Bill Gates, or Peyton Manning –until this is universally true throughout all levels of government -any claim of citizen representation or acting in the interest of the public is nothing more than pretense.
“Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual).” -Ayn Rand
I was scouring the web for something to spark inspiration and uplift my spirit from the choking sensation of government bureaucracy. I thought I'd found it only to discover I missed the Tea Party. On April 15th, hundreds of thousands of citizens gathered in more than 800 cities to voice their opposition to out of control spending at all levels of government.
Tea Party Activists have a lot in common with Aggressive Progressives, the political affiliation I find myself most inline with. What brings us together is a common disillusionment with government, politics, and the economy. Even ultra-rightwing conservative Newt Gingrich recognizes public detachment. As individuals we may not get representation but as a unified Disillusioned Citizens Group, we’re the largest in the nation. It’s time for politicians to become conscious of us, time to get mad, become aware, and think outside of the box!
