[LMB] OT: all-purpose open letter

[Ed Burkhead]

Richard wrote:
> My own response:
> First: good.
> (here because this post was recommended. Deservedly, IMHO)
> Second: So. Should we all shut up?
> We all get to vote . . . Some of us in very exclusive conditions. 
> Others get to influence opinion. I, personally, value the exchange. 
> Particularly when I've screwed up.
> (small) Village Trustee (council member)
> (countrycousin on LJ)

Hum, I had a similar response.

My first thought was , Yeah!, that's telling them!

But my immediate second response was: well, then, how DO we make decisions?

As you say, Richard, "We all get to vote."  I think that a Delphi poll or
asking the audience in "So you want to be a millionaire" has really good
reliability because, usually, mostly those who know something vote - those
who know they know nothing, don't.

In the town council, the state or national legislature, EVERYONE is supposed
to vote on every issue - but what they know varies radically.  We have,
effectively, hired them to work full time to study the issues and learn the
most important facts so they can decide for us.

We sometimes see the people who know the most writing the legislation.  Or,
we see interest groups or lobbyists write the legislation and sometimes that
works well with good legislation resulting.  Sometimes, the result just
represents the special interests and is terrible.

I've speculated recently that, in the growing political indifference of the
population where the majority doesn't vote for president, we are getting
election results with more dominance from the fringe crazies.

I wish I could shake the whole population and tell them that we NEED them to
pay attention, then vote and vote for the best interests of the nation, not
just themselves.

As to how we get elected representatives to get the best information on
which to base their decisions, ideas are welcome.

Ed