Inside politics
My old zen teacher, John, this week summed up his commentary on the motivation behind the ineffective actions and inactions of political “leaders.” He suggests that politicians think citizens are stupid, explaining why they would propose and pass the most insane strategies and why they would see authentic civic engagement as unnecessary.
This leads me to an idea for a policy that would require politicians to publish - yes of course, on their required blog - exactly what they think citizens know and understand about whatever positions they take. As in, congressional policy makers would publish what they think citizens know and understand about a new bill approving new lowering of environmental standards or one rejecting new programs for child health care. It would be interesting in the least.
August 25th, 2007 09:17
Jack:
You have touched on a core challenge of our democracy. We are dealing with politicians who are largely out of touch with the public they serve.
Based on hours of conversations I have led in community forums, I am convinced that the public will support more aggressive reforms in public education, but our local political leadership generally fears these innovations.
August 26th, 2007 07:38
This sounds something along the lines of the idea of a “prospectus,” something that gives specificity and disclosure, something to which they can be held accountable.