Forming a political party...

[xwhatsit]

The thing is...this is not limited to the people that have voted me in, it's open to every NZ'er out there. I will just need to get the message out there so people are aware that they can do this.

Exactly. And what sort of people will be the ones that make the effort to go to your website and vote?

It's like placing value in the results of a KB poll on matters of national importance. Or value in the results of a Slashdot poll on the RIAA. Skewed sample group.

[-df-]

Exactly. And what sort of people will be the ones that make the effort to go to your website and vote?

It's like placing value in the results of a KB poll on matters of national importance. Or value in the results of a Slashdot poll on the RIAA. Skewed sample group.

if you knew about this site when any of the laws that have been passed recently, and you felt strongly on the topic...would you use it?

[xwhatsit]

if you knew about this site when any of the laws that have been passed recently, and you felt strongly on the topic...would you use it?

If I felt strongly about the topic, I might. But that's the key -- how strong your feelings are.

If we take some odd environmental issue, for instance, such as the felling of trees in a certain forest. Perhaps 90% of New Zealanders believe it should go ahead. 10% don't. Maybe 80% of those who don't are rabid greenies who are very wound up about the issue; 95% of those who believe it should go ahead are pretty mild on the issue, and for the most part haven't heard much about it.

Only those who believe strongly about it will vote, meaning that even though the true feeling is 9:1 for, you end up with 8:4.5 against. Polls like this are far, far worse than something like a telephone poll.

Silly example with the forest, but there's plenty of other real-life examples of this which are the same.

[-df-]

If I felt strongly about the topic, I might. But that's the key -- how strong your feelings are.

If we take some odd environmental issue, for instance, such as the felling of trees in a certain forest. Perhaps 90% of New Zealanders believe it should go ahead. 10% don't. Maybe 80% of those who don't are rabid greenies who are very wound up about the issue; 95% of those who believe it should go ahead are pretty mild on the issue, and for the most part haven't heard much about it.

Only those who believe strongly about it will vote, meaning that even though the true feeling is 9:1 for, you end up with 8:4.5 against. Polls like this are far, far worse than something like a telephone poll.

Silly example with the forest, but there's plenty of other real-life examples of this which are the same.

To be honest it sounds correct to me, and until a system like this was well known and widely used the results are going to be off...but again...it all needs to start somewhere.

[davereid]

If we take some odd environmental issue, for instance, such as the felling of trees in a certain forest. Perhaps 90% of New Zealanders believe it should go ahead. 10% don't.

Yeah. My Grandad bought the land.
My Dad planted the trees.

And now someone wants a vote to see if I can cut down my trees on my land.

Or maybe we get like parts of Europe. Where most people are Islamic. Then we can (democratically) bring in Sharia law and whip women for not wearing the veil.

Give me a call, I've got my own whip - as long as it's legal I'll whip 'em !

[Street Gerbil]

Just out of curiosity, how are you going to ensure that only eligible NZ voters are voting? Don't you afraid that your website will quickly turn into an international radical left establishment similar to digg.com?

[Swoop]

Then we can (democratically) bring in Sharia law and whip women for not wearing the veil.

Hmmm.
Why does "sue bradford" pop into my head when that idea is mentioned?

[Dargor]

Despite all the problems that need to be addressed this is still a very good idea and very possible.

Those small problems are insignificant compared to how great it would be if it does work.

I would love to be able to log on to my governments web site and discuss issues, share my knowlegde where i can benifite from other peoples knowlegde and make an informed vote.

[sinned]

What's wrong with the current system? Other than in NZ a simple majority in parliament can change the fundamentals eg no free speech EFA.

The biggest issue is lack of participation. So if you don't like what MPs are doing and voting for - join the party that nearest meets your needs and influence from within. Or if you don't like any of them start your own, you won't be the first.

[Dargor]

What's wrong with the current system? Other than in NZ a simple majority in parliament can change the fundamentals eg no free speech EFA.

Yeap, the lack of participation is about the only problem i can see. And thats exactly what -df-'s plan will change. It will make participation easily avaliable to all.

[Marmoot]

A *Talkback Radio* political party where the uninformed and xenophobic can make sweeping decisions based on issues du jour?

A New Zealand where:

- There are no Asian immigrants or immigrants from countries whose residents are not white, rich and English speaking
- Foreign investment is prohibited
- Tourism is banned
- People can only buy goods and services manufactured in New Zealand
- All businesses are closed at weekends and on public holidays
- Corporal punishment is reintroduced to schools
- A death penalty is imposed for certain crimes
- All sport is broadcast free-to-air
- Etc

That sounds so familiar....wait, Iran? Afghanistan? Old Russia?

[jrandom]

I have met the Average Kiwi Voter.

I shudder at the thought of legislation directly enacted by braying mobs thereof.

The original Athenian 'direct democracy' only enfranchised adult males who had completed military training, with criminals, bad debtors and the like excluded. Not such a bad call, really.

Further limiting voting to those who pass a certain material bar, such as property ownership or tax contributions, is another way of preventing derelicts and ne'er-do-wells from sticking their oar in.

Allowing the bottom half of society's bell curve to significantly influence its regulatory process is not a terribly smart idea.

[sinned]

I have met the Average Kiwi Voter.

I shudder at the thought of legislation directly enacted by braying mobs thereof.

The original Athenian 'direct democracy' only enfranchised adult males who had completed military training, with criminals, bad debtors and the like excluded. Not such a bad call, really.

Further limiting voting to those who pass a certain material bar, such as property ownership or tax contributions, is another way of preventing derelicts and ne'er-do-wells from sticking their oar in.

Allowing the bottom half of society's bell curve to significantly influence its regulatory process is not a terribly smart idea.

Couldn't agree more with the quote in red - that now describes NZ. The socialist coup now just depends on the effective implementation and policing of the EFA.

[Pixie]

A *Talkback Radio* political party where the uninformed and xenophobic can make sweeping decisions based on issues du jour?

A New Zealand where:

- There are no Asian immigrants or immigrants from countries whose residents are not white, rich and English speaking
- Foreign investment is prohibited
- Tourism is banned
- People can only buy goods and services manufactured in New Zealand
- All businesses are closed at weekends and on public holidays
- Corporal punishment is reintroduced to schools
- A death penalty is imposed for certain crimes
- All sport is broadcast free-to-air
- Etc

Aaah! the good old days

[Oakie]

The thing is...this is not limited to the people that have voted me in, it's open to every NZ'er out there.

Well, those with internet access anyway. I'm just thinking that lower socio-economic families who may not have PCs may not get as much say as the more affluent.

Not a bad idea though and I'm sure there'll be the odd MP out there who will take their constituents e-mailed views into account when they vote. Well, perhaps not.