In the US at least, we could use a way to increase voter participation. I believe in democracy and this republic. Believe being the correct word here. So many times, I fear for my country. I see evidence here on HN that it's all shit. That people are stupid and can't be trusted, maybe less so than the politicians. But I still believe that democracy is the best way out of it all. I have seen when a little girl realizes that her classroom rules really do change based on her vote. I have seen that power and hope in the faces of children and adults alike. I believe in democracy.
If you want to alleviate the debt burdens of the working classes, get them to the polls. If you want to reduce their cost of living, get them to the polls. If you want to help them have more efficient lives, give them more freedom and rights by getting them to the polls. Find a way to get people voting and out and helping each other. Then, I believe that people will fix it themselves because they know that they can. You have to tech a man to fish, not fish for him. The best way to teach a man to reduce their debt, to reduce their cost of living, to decease the time they spend on waste and paperwork is to teach them that they have the power to do something about it.
For national issues, yeah, sure, I think you are correct. But for local and state issues? No way. Most of the issues you can get on a ballot are very local and have just as large, if not a larger effect on the cost of living of many people. For example, California has Prop13. This was a ballot initiative that caused your property taxes to be assessed ONLY at the sale of the property. In Arizona, it's every 5 years for reassessment. Prop13, arguably, hurts new home buyers much more than older settled owners as their taxes will be much higher, especially in SV.
In Colorado the Right-Left divide is real and is mostly a North (Boulder-Democrat) v. South (Colorado Spring, Republican), but pales in comparison to water rights. You want politics in Colorado, hell most big western states? It is ALL about water.
You are correct, it is not a magic pill. But the road that goes out from better participation is very long and broad. As I said before, I believe it, I do not know it. I believe that greater participation in republican democracy is the BEST way to help ourselves and country be better. It is not the ONLY way, but I believe it has the best bang for the buck.
I am trying. I'm going down the road of grad school this fall, but I, hopefully, will try to participate in democracy and represent people later in my life. I would be very honored to represent people in this grand experiment called the USA, especially locally.
You are right though, get on it! But the question is how? What kind of app could you write or website or whatever that would help increase voter participation? I haven't a clue. But, maybe someday, someone will.
If you want to alleviate the debt burdens of the working classes, get them to the polls. If you want to reduce their cost of living, get them to the polls. If you want to help them have more efficient lives, give them more freedom and rights by getting them to the polls. Find a way to get people voting and out and helping each other. Then, I believe that people will fix it themselves because they know that they can. You have to tech a man to fish, not fish for him. The best way to teach a man to reduce their debt, to reduce their cost of living, to decease the time they spend on waste and paperwork is to teach them that they have the power to do something about it.