17. Shadow Legislation
.... The Government Information Network (Ginny), described in our previous posting, would provide a forum for public observation, but it could also offer a program for unofficial participation. This program, called ‘Shadow Legislation’, would empower individual Americans and shorten the leash on Congress through increased accountabilty.
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.... Persons who participated in this program would have a chance to unofficially ‘vote’ and comment on pending legislation on Ginny, just as the legislators themselves would vote over the true legislation on the Congressional system, 'Lilly'. Of course, these citizen votes would be entirely non-binding and would chiefly be used to advise their Senators and Representatives by providing a gauge for the thoughts back home.
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.... Meanwhile, during the Preparation period, legislators from each district would have their computers set up to ‘poll’ the shadow legislation from their own district (with the ability to view any other district or state on an optional basis,) to see what sort of support or opposition any line item might have. The system would automatically compile 'shadow' returns, just as the Congressional system would when the actual voting occurs. The ratio of 'for', 'against', and 'abstain' would automatically appear in an advisory column beside each line item the legislator is considering.
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.... This could help advise the legislator in undecided matters by showing them how to represent their constituency. Comments form the shadow legislation could even be quoted in the true legislation; or conversely, if the legislator and his constituents are at odds, it would demonstrate to them that a better case must be made to the folks back home, whom they are representing. Either way, it provides a forum for discussion and keeps the line of communication open, and that's what representative government is all about.
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.... Over time, this program would produce a 'report card' on how well a legislator has been serving his state, district or the individual voter. It would also provide citizen participants with a ‘shadow’ political record of their own, and an initial, trial degree of political experience in case they, too, should decide to seek public office one day.
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.... To begin an in-depth study of Item Legislation, please click HERE.
.
.... Persons who participated in this program would have a chance to unofficially ‘vote’ and comment on pending legislation on Ginny, just as the legislators themselves would vote over the true legislation on the Congressional system, 'Lilly'. Of course, these citizen votes would be entirely non-binding and would chiefly be used to advise their Senators and Representatives by providing a gauge for the thoughts back home.
.
.... Meanwhile, during the Preparation period, legislators from each district would have their computers set up to ‘poll’ the shadow legislation from their own district (with the ability to view any other district or state on an optional basis,) to see what sort of support or opposition any line item might have. The system would automatically compile 'shadow' returns, just as the Congressional system would when the actual voting occurs. The ratio of 'for', 'against', and 'abstain' would automatically appear in an advisory column beside each line item the legislator is considering.
.
.... This could help advise the legislator in undecided matters by showing them how to represent their constituency. Comments form the shadow legislation could even be quoted in the true legislation; or conversely, if the legislator and his constituents are at odds, it would demonstrate to them that a better case must be made to the folks back home, whom they are representing. Either way, it provides a forum for discussion and keeps the line of communication open, and that's what representative government is all about.
.
.... Over time, this program would produce a 'report card' on how well a legislator has been serving his state, district or the individual voter. It would also provide citizen participants with a ‘shadow’ political record of their own, and an initial, trial degree of political experience in case they, too, should decide to seek public office one day.
.
.... To begin an in-depth study of Item Legislation, please click HERE.
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