The Voice of the People
The power of an Independent Referendum System
A first step towards a True Democracy could be an independent referendum system for the people. Such a system could be set up so that the people can tell the government what they want and what they do not want. There are many ways of implementing an independent referendum system.
Some national newspapers, like the Daily Mail, have initiated referendums through their readerships, which is certainly a step in the right direction. However, if all the national newspapers were to initiate a combined referendum then the impact could actually influence the government. This is a simple and powerful way for the people and the media to work together.
The collective voice of the Trade and Student Unions is also a powerful way for the people to tell the government what they want and what they do not want. If the Unions collaborated on creating a collective balloting system they could use it as an independent referendum of the working people. Then the voice of the Unions will have the power to actually influence the government.
Another idea is for a simple media based system that would only require a computer, a database of the electoral roll, encrypted passwords and telephone numbers, a front-end television program and an experienced television presenter. Naturally the program would have a live debate for and against some topical issue. Viewers would then be able to phone in, give their password and vote.
What would make this program different from the usual 'phone and vote' programs is that it would be an independent media referendum by the electorate. Even this 'limited' media referendum will be something that the government cannot easily ignore. The ratings of such a program could be phenomenal.
Another far more effective idea would be an independent referendum web site where the electorate can log on with a PC or an interactive television and vote. The core of the site would be a central referendum system that receives the votes from its constituency pages, which have gathered the votes from the area pages (or electronic polling stations) within each constituency. This may sound like a complex system but in fact it is relatively simple to implement. (See figure at end of page.) Even though this system may not be safe against the intrusion of hackers or even the manipulation authorities it would still give the people a voice that they do not have now.
Most of these ideas will properly fail but it will all help to create a national awareness of Direct Democracy where the people tell the government what you want and what they do not want.
I am sure that there are even better ways to implement independent referendums. It really does not matter how it is done as long as the people have a voice that the government cannot fail to hear.
An Independent Referendum Web Site
Voters would log onto the main page, enter their postcode and the appropriate area-polling page will appear where they enter their name and password then vote. After a few seconds a confirmation will appear. "Your vote has been anonymously added to the Main ERS Voting Counter. Thank you for voting."
Please note that the Internet should not be used for official voting at general elections.
Only a dedicated and secure electronic voting system should be used.
Copyright © Taozen 2004