Software for the Grass Roots

An anonymous reader writes "In February at the O'Reilly Digital Democracy Teach-In, technologists from the Dean, Kucinich, Clark and Kerry campaigns laid down arms to share tech plans while their respective camps were still battling it out in the primaries. A (private) list and requirements for fall campaign organizing ensued. Just six weeks ago, a few of the developers converged in San Francisco for a show and tell of their emerging free software tools. Today, the AdvoKit project was the first to tag beta, hoping to kick-start the campaign software revolution in time for November 2nd."

Comments

We need less technology in politics...

[John Seminal]

"Our big concern was what's missing, what technological piece is missing to organize an effective campaign. Resoundingly, peop le across the country told us there was a special need for software to enable neighbor-to-neighbor activity--and that, ideally, it should be freely distributed, easy to use, and free."

I disagree with this. I think we don't need more between the voter and the politicians, we need less. What I want to see is the politicians go door to door, meet people, talk to them. The more politics becomes some equation with all the consultants and marketing experts, the less voting will mean. Politicians will secure their base, do research to find out how to make the middle swing their way, and then give speeches to satisfy those people. More technology will just reinforce this new paradigm. And once this happens, the real power will be with lobbyists, the ones who can fund a candidate to have the best consultants and marketing.

I would love to see a genuinely inspired person run a campagin going door to door, speaking passionatly about what they believe in (and not something scripted by consultants). I would like to see this guy/gal reject lobbyists and do it the old fashioned, grass roots way. Can it be done today, and still win? I think so. But to the uninspired who want the title/power/prestige of public office (and not the public service), they will take the easy way and do a media blitz.

I will finish with one last question. Should it really cost 10 million dollars to run a "sucessful" senate campaign? Should it cost 200 million dollars to run for president? And how does that limit who can run? Only the wealthy? Only the well connected? What about Joe Sixpack who has some good ideas about making life better for the avarage american? Can he possibly run and compete?

Re:We need less technology in politics...

[mec]

You can't change what other people (the candidates) do. But you can change what you do.

Say you're interested in the race for congress. Find the campaign headquarters for the challenger. Call them up and ask where the challenger is going to be making public appearances in the near future. Look for the event you want -- a coffee klatsch, or a small club meeting, or a debate.

Do the same for the incumbent. And do the same for any minor parties that you find interesting.

If one of the candidates isn't going to any public events that satisfy you, write them a letter and say "I saw [your opponent] at [public event] on [date] but I haven't been able to see you anywhere. I like to get to know my candidates, so I'll be voting for [candidate who showed up and talked and answered questions] this year."

Also, get out your checkbook. Give a couple of bucks to the candidate who shows up and you even halfway agree with. I'm not talking $1000, I'm talking $10.

Re:We need less technology in politics...

[bm_luethke]

"I would love to see a genuinely inspired person run a campagin going door to door, speaking passionatly about what they believe in (and not something scripted by consultants). I would like to see this guy/gal reject lobbyists and do it the old fashioned, grass roots way."

The state representative for my district does this. When he first ran he stood outside our house and talked for a good hour or so - not imposing himself but because we talked back. He answered questions truthfully, even when it was obvious we believed opposite of him.

I later saw him talking to neighbors up the street for the same amount of time who I know are politically opposite of him (and us). Interestingly enough, some of those later had his signs out in thier yard because they felt he actually cared and would at least do as he felt best for the state. Seeing that I agreed with well over 90% of his political beliefes I was a VERY happy camper pushing the button for him on election day.

I would like to see it happen in a federal race but the area of coverage is probably too large for a true door-to-door this guy did.

Re:The License is *very* interesting

[tpgp]

So, if I run modified AGPL software on an intranet site, I have to release my modifications to the entire internet? What a puzzling license...

According to the AGPL FAQ, no you dont:

Q: How does this license treat commercial enterprise use over intranets and internal networks?
A: Simply, if run internally to a commercial company, then the company isn't required to release source code back to the world. The license requires that if a user downloads the source they have the right to make improvements and not release these modifications. GNU GPL software in general addresses this issue the same way. If an employee has access to the source and has the right to make improvements, the commercial entity could probably view this work as work for hire and owned by the company and not have to be released outside.

I'm sure if you understand how a company can use modified GPLd software internally, you can understand how a company can use modified AGPL software on its intranet.

Not too puzzling at all really!

Not enough Politicians

[Trailwalker]

The constitution originally called for one repersentative for every 30,000 citizens. If this had not been changed, there would be about 10,000 representatives today.

I've watched the way elections work in states such as New Hampshire and Vermont where there are large legislatures and few voters. An aspiring politician can actually meet and talk with every voter. These states are well noted for low priced political ventures.

There are fewer taxes voted when everyone in your district actually knows you, and can go to your door to complain.

This also diffuses political power and makes it difficult for a small clique or boss to run the the legislature as a personal fief.

The solution to the problem of communicating with voters is to have more politicians and smaller districts. Then the only solftware needed would be a few pairs of sneakers.