People’s Assembly for Government [draft]

People’s Assembly for Government [draft]

It has been said Democracy is rule by the people. This goes back to a community “meeting” where everyone present can discuss and vote on the matters at hand. The difficulty of this model is that not all can be present because of other necessities or perhaps room to hold everyone. It would also be difficult to accommodate everyone’s input one at a time. 10,000 people?
Subsequent models have been designed to allow a “representative” to speak and vote on the individual’s behalf. Of course the “representative” may not agree or vote at all like their constituent would have. (Representative Government)

Now it seems many want to “improve” Representative Government by making a new Representative Government. I caution that any government which is given the authority over the people will rule the people. [power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely]

To maintain their power, it is necessary for the people to gather in an Assembly and determine (democratically) what they want the government to do, how to do it, what principles must be observed, and define absolute limits on governments power. The Assembly would than assign tasks to government for the government to do.

Of course there are dangers in community meetings”. Large family’s can dominate as can groups such as corporations, Chamber of Commerce etc. That is why larger groups such as County, State, and Federal were designed to minimize these controlling groups, (factions). However safe guards can be built into the Constitution/Charter to limit these discrepancies in the People’s Assembly.
Our experience demonstrates these difficulties and our learning gives us the ability to address them. I suggest a plan is necessary to do so.

1. Basic Rights: “Probably the most important first step would be a declaration of basic rights of freedom under democracy for every citizen, “ thanks Harry.
2. Meeting: Each community (group of people) must meet in an Assembly. Each person is given opportunity to introduce their concerns and needs as well as plan for the future (Initiatives).
3. Charter/Constitution: The assembly should attempt to utilize a computer to write their “Constitution /Charter” so copy’s may be made and distributed. Distribution may be easier using FAX, Internet etc. If Internet is available, the Assembly could hold meetings on the Internet. Drupal software makes this possible so all can read and make Initiatives, and vote on them on line, or a postal form could be utilized and mailed to the secretary of the Assembly.
4. Staff: If paid staff are necessary appropriate job descriptions need to be written. Perhaps a basic administrative task force of secretary, treasurer would be authorized by the Assembly.
5. Needs Assessment: Once the Assembly is established a first order of business would be to assess the needs of the community. This can be done initially by the people.
6. Solutions developed from the needs assessment would determine Tasks that need to be done.
7. Tasks: The Assembly must than delegate the work to be done. It may be necessary to create a government to accomplish this work assigned by the Assembly.
8. Government: A simple government may consist of an administration department, purchasing department, police department, fire emergency department, education department etc. Each department would be assigned tasks and supervised by the Administration Department. Each department would make plans and budgets for at least one year in advance of the current fiscal year. If a large government is needed such as a Congress or Parliament, it would be totally subservient to the Assembly. All products of the large government (laws, statues, costs, budgets etc.) would be submitted to the Assembly for authorization utilizing the referendum.
9. Government Needs: Any needs of the government would be written and submitted to the Assembly for consideration.
10. Laws or rules needed by government would be written with documentation of need and assessment of effect, than submitted to the Assembly for consideration.
11. Veto: The government would have the right to oppose a decision of the Assembly. If a majority of the government opposed an issue, the Assembly would have to reconsider it. If 2/3 of the Assembly still authorized the matter, it would remain valid.

General Forum Draft for developing your own I&BR Assembly

Direct Democracy Initiative and Binding Referendum
Direct Democracy is the concept where the people have control of their government, can make law, change law, amend and change their constitution, recall elected officials, make policy and procedures for their community of jurisdiction etc.
Although the Representative Democracy we have generally works, there are times the people would like to initiate their proposals without leaders, lobbyist’s or party interference.
This proposal follows the Swiss method of initiative and Binding Referendum. [I&BR] The reason I like it is because it is simple, provides the procedure so each person can make Initiatives and vote on them. An Initiative may be submitted by any citizen of the jurisdiction although it may have been constructed by a group of people. Town, City, County, State, Nation each have their own jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction makes its own procedures. Some Canton’s in Switzerland have I&BR, others do not. The Swiss Nation itself has I&BR.
An initiative describes why the initiative is needed, [purpose] the procedures or process necessary to accomplish it and the anticipated result. The cost could also be calculated.
The Initiative is than advertised so many people can consider it and approve or disapprove. Providing a consensus of approval, generally .1% of the participants in the last general election, the Initiative would be included in the next General Election.
If approved in the Election the Initiative would be immediately implemented. The Binding Referendum makes the peoples decision final.
A double majority can be requested, that is a majority of the Canton’s / State’s approve the initiative as well as a majority of the general population. [popular vote]
I hope this draft can be useful for anyone wanting to write I&BR for your own jurisdiction. Of course you would have to bring your I&BR initiative to your jurisdiction and process it in your jurisdiction.
Government is the collimation of society's needs. We must use our Values and Principles to develop our society, than have our own Commuunity Cabinets to oversee and advise our jurisdictional community’s. Those with experience, interest can join the community cabinet[s] of their choosing. [we all have common sense experience.]
What are society's values and principles? [V&P] Decisions must not violate V&P
1. Humanity
2. Liberty [defined by society]
3. Respect
4. Equality
5. Generosity
6. Security
7. Order
8. Compassion
[add or comment]
Government is invented by Society [the people] to keep order.
Representative government is generally in use. Representatives are elected by the people and make laws as well as decisions for the people.
Some decisions require a referendum of the people for confirmation. If the people disagree with a decision, they may petition for a referendum.
A President is elected as the administrative head. Some decisions are made by the President.
The people [volunteers] could form citizen cabinet to monitor the local, state and federal agency's cabinet. We each have skills in different areas. Each person could volunteer for cabinet[s] they can contribute to.

The Fed Cabinet is:
Department of State
http://www.state.gov
Department of the Treasury
http://www.treasury.gov
Department of Defense
http://www.defenselink.mil
Department of Justice
http://www.usdoj.gov
Department of the Interior
http://www.doi.gov
Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.gov
Department of Commerce
http://www.commerce.gov
Department of Labor
http://www.dol.gov
Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.hhs.gov
Department of Housing and Urban Development
http://www.hud.gov
Department of Transportation
http://www.dot.gov
Department of Energy
http://www.energy.gov
Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov
Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www.va.gov
Department of Homeland Security
http://www.dhs.gov
The following positions have the status of Cabinet-rank:
White House Chief of Staff
Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov
Office of Management & Budget
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb

United States Trade Representative
http://www.ustr.gov
United States Ambassador to the United Nations
http://ww.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/
Council of Economic Advisers Council of Economic Advisers Council of Economic Advisers
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/cea/