IntenseDebate - Bonita

15 years ago @ Change.gov - New challenges, new op... · 0 replies · +1 points

The lowest bid is not always the one we should accept. Sometimes it reflects poor hiring practices on the part of the bidder, sometimes it is the bid of an agency who will cut important corners to save money.

15 years ago @ Change.gov - New challenges, new op... · 0 replies · +1 points

So, the best place to get information on how the page works, or to submit ideas for how to make it better is through contacting the webmaster, who I believe you can find using the "Let us know" link at the top of this page. Meanwhile, I asked this same question and was given instructions in an email. I will go look for that email and post the instructions I received here.

15 years ago @ Change.gov - New challenges, new op... · 0 replies · +1 points

I like this idea.

15 years ago @ Change.gov - New challenges, new op... · 1 reply · +2 points

PE Obama is not yet the one "giving" these amounts. We still have a different president and cabinet making these decisions until January 20th. The Senate voted down the money, but our current President decided to override that decision.

15 years ago @ Change.gov - New challenges, new op... · 0 replies · +2 points

Post 3-
Finally, one of my hopes is that Obama will push for online budgets for government entities. I think following money-trails could be very helpful for public scrutiny. What I do know is for it to be accessible and transparent, some common language and ease-of-use techniques would have to be developed. I envision budgets starting at the federal level organized by outline and hyperlink. For instance the federal government might start with key budget areas as defined by the constitution: defense, social welfare, etc, These headings would have a total amount and be hyperlinked to subcategories like state funding, agency funding, project funding, etc. These, too, would have totals and be hyperlinked to subcategories, and so on. Such an organization would allow voters to really see where are tax dollars are working. If states and local governments created similar structures, then it would be quite transparent and accessible.

15 years ago @ Change.gov - New challenges, new op... · 0 replies · +3 points

Post 2-
Something like what we are seeing here on the transition team's site would be very useful at the local government level. If voters could read documents that are being submitted to city and county offices, see dates when meetings will be held, hold online conversations to discuss local issues. These could be useful tools for informing and mobilizing local voter-ship and would serve to make local government more transparent and accessible.

15 years ago @ Change.gov - New challenges, new op... · 0 replies · +1 points

Post 1-
Local voting can be difficult. I have experienced what you describe when trying to figure out who the judges are that I am supposed to vote for. Many of my friends have been shocked to discover that the little ditties in the voter's pamphlets have to be paid for by the candidate, which is why judges and such seldom post any information. As Kimi points out, the League of Women Voters could be a great place to volunteer to help get this type of information more readily available. Maybe that is a place to start.

15 years ago @ Change.gov - New challenges, new op... · 0 replies · +1 points

Oops, guess my response was too long to get posted and got eaten. Let me retry, Alberto, with more specific points. Yes, I am in agreement with you that we need to be more vigilant in our scrutiny of public decision making. And yes, I think the local level of government is often disregarded even though it plays a very important role. I will try to post 3 posts to explain some things I have been thinking about in regard to helping citizens do a better job of scrutinizing government, both locally and more broadly.

15 years ago @ Change.gov - New challenges, new op... · 1 reply · +1 points

Yes, I have always appreciated the League's information, when it is available. Last year I noticed pamphlets with "Supported by League of Women Voters," notices. This concerned me because if your organization takes positions I think it compromises your ability to be a resource that provides unbiased information. Are there any other groups like the League of Women Voters doing the same work?

15 years ago @ Change.gov - New challenges, new op... · 5 replies · +2 points

I am with you, Alberto. Too much power corrupts absolutely. Part of the beauty of our system is/was precisely the checks and balances approach. In what areas could that be shored back up? How would we go about doing so?

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