The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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January 30, 2010

Our View: Technology can widen democracy

The Free Press

MANKATO —



While the precinct caucuses this Tuesday offer many an opportunity to get involved in grass roots democracy, they are not the only game in town.

In fact, with today’s technology, participatory democracy should be easier than ever. There are more options for not only participation but also options to serve the individual communication preferences of those who want to get involved.

E-mail your legislators. Send them a quick Twitter. Facebook with your friends and family on issues of the day, and invite them to a “Pint and Policy” party at the local saloon.

Technology, and our willingness to use it, offers more hope for a representative democracy than there has been in history. The communication revolution we now face will leave Gutenberg’s printing press in the dust.

Yet, more and more Americans feel left out of the discussion, without power or influence.

Part of that may be just the uncertain economic times in which we live. Part of the problem may be unreceptive members of Congress or legislators.

The best part of it: There is more information available on public affairs and actions of Congress and lawmakers than ever before. You can track actions of Congress on a daily basis at http://thomas.loc.gov/ or www.govtrack.us. You can check facts politicians throw around at FactCheck.org or politifact.org. And you can track the money in politics at OpenSecrets.org. All are professional, credible organizations used by thousands of news organizations, groups and individuals. These are not bloggers.

To check on how your member of Congress has voted on the issues, you can go to www.mankatofreepress.com and click on “Roll Call Votes” on the left side navigation bar in green. Voting records go back to 2006.

In the end, we must have hope that we can influence our government above all. The tools are there. We just have to have the will to make a difference.

 

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