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General / Automating freedom movement: super lazy public officials
« on: September 05, 2008, 12:20:58 AM »
Tried to get through to the show today, but didn't even come to the point of being screened, not sure wtf. Anyway, Ian, if you find this idea worth airtime, please read it on my behalf
I don't vote normally, but if I could find a candidate which is pro-freedom, I could spare some of my time to stop by the polls. So, I visited center for smaller government web site today, looking for candidates in my state, and I couldn't find any way to lookup who of the candidates actually did sign the pledge. I have a suspicion that there probably are too few of such candidates, that's why the data is not publicized. But being a public figure is a hard work, pretty inefficient too. What kind of sane person will go for it?
Also, pledge of the smaller government, small as it is, is still some extra reading, and educating people what it is and why it is important is not a simple thing to do. Besides, it smells with legalese, this is probably another reason why so few pledge.
Besides, do we REALLY need public officials to be active? My understanding is the less they do, the better it is for all of us.
I suggest an alternative solution: pledge to stay home. Candidate pledges to stay in government position for the whole period, but not show on meetings, not sign papers, not vote for anything. She may choose to show up and do something, if her action would result in removing a regulation, tax, or prohibition. It is also acceptable to show on official meetings with intent to hinder or stall it; or to record the meeting and expose it's topic to public, but no obligation.
Such a zero-candidate, while spending little or none of her personal time:
- will provide a candidacy to vote for anarchists or those who vote for "lesser evil" like goddamn Mark
- is instrumental at the times of crisis, such as crackdown on liberties, as she can use her position to speak up and bitch-bitch-bitch, wreaking havoc in government
- make it harder to pass laws, stall government efforts, make it less efficient, therefore less violent; ideally bring it to grinding halt, or at least tap the balance to voluntary society
- being an elected official, they will be very hard to get rid of
Some voluntary organization may also be helping such candidates by provoding them FAQ on how to get on the ballots, maybe dispatching candidates to positions (in case there's a lack in one area and surplus in another), as well as notifying the electorate about the pledge the candidate has taken. Since candidate pledges to do nothing, it doesn't really matter which position will she take. If such an organization existed, I would be happy to offer my services as a public official of any level, provided that I don't have to spend my time on any public activity. I think many would agree that having a public official who doesn't do anything is significantly better than the one who is using public position for his agenda, like ripping off people, or telling them around.
Don't you think it's a pretty good idea? All of this could probably be automated to the point that candidates will barely have to lift the butt off the couch to get their name on the ballot. And the message would be very clear: "In my role of XYZ, I promise to do absolutely nothing".
I don't vote normally, but if I could find a candidate which is pro-freedom, I could spare some of my time to stop by the polls. So, I visited center for smaller government web site today, looking for candidates in my state, and I couldn't find any way to lookup who of the candidates actually did sign the pledge. I have a suspicion that there probably are too few of such candidates, that's why the data is not publicized. But being a public figure is a hard work, pretty inefficient too. What kind of sane person will go for it?
Also, pledge of the smaller government, small as it is, is still some extra reading, and educating people what it is and why it is important is not a simple thing to do. Besides, it smells with legalese, this is probably another reason why so few pledge.
Besides, do we REALLY need public officials to be active? My understanding is the less they do, the better it is for all of us.
I suggest an alternative solution: pledge to stay home. Candidate pledges to stay in government position for the whole period, but not show on meetings, not sign papers, not vote for anything. She may choose to show up and do something, if her action would result in removing a regulation, tax, or prohibition. It is also acceptable to show on official meetings with intent to hinder or stall it; or to record the meeting and expose it's topic to public, but no obligation.
Such a zero-candidate, while spending little or none of her personal time:
- will provide a candidacy to vote for anarchists or those who vote for "lesser evil" like goddamn Mark
- is instrumental at the times of crisis, such as crackdown on liberties, as she can use her position to speak up and bitch-bitch-bitch, wreaking havoc in government
- make it harder to pass laws, stall government efforts, make it less efficient, therefore less violent; ideally bring it to grinding halt, or at least tap the balance to voluntary society
- being an elected official, they will be very hard to get rid of
Some voluntary organization may also be helping such candidates by provoding them FAQ on how to get on the ballots, maybe dispatching candidates to positions (in case there's a lack in one area and surplus in another), as well as notifying the electorate about the pledge the candidate has taken. Since candidate pledges to do nothing, it doesn't really matter which position will she take. If such an organization existed, I would be happy to offer my services as a public official of any level, provided that I don't have to spend my time on any public activity. I think many would agree that having a public official who doesn't do anything is significantly better than the one who is using public position for his agenda, like ripping off people, or telling them around.
Don't you think it's a pretty good idea? All of this could probably be automated to the point that candidates will barely have to lift the butt off the couch to get their name on the ballot. And the message would be very clear: "In my role of XYZ, I promise to do absolutely nothing".
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