An Act of Petition

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

When we compile a petition, we often have members go to their representative's or Senator's offices and deliver it in person. This way they can experience a real connection with the staff. - Joan Blades

Although I came across this article in Computerworld, this post really has little to do with the content of the article itself. It is a kind of computer geeky technical article about patent trolls. Since this doesn’t affect me directly, I have no real opinion about this.

However, during the course of this article I discovered a new little feature of the government that I found extremely interesting and potentially useful. I wanted to share this with the community.

The White House has created a facility to initiate and populate petitions within its site. This video is a description of the feature.

Unlike many of the populist petitions that you see circulated in Emails in advertisements, this feature forces identification via Email address. It does require name and Email registration, but allows you to uncheck a solicitation option. Signing an electronic petition anonymously automatically invalidates the signature and renders the signature void.

Also, this petition is being done at a national level. As a result, it doesn’t go through a Senator or Congressman, which can make it look like a local issue and, as such, a pork barrel initiative. An example would be a NASA project that is proposed in a district that has NASA contracts.

Please be aware that this is a feature of the White House and the Obama Administration, so they are going to get first crack at its presentation to government bodies. However, I think this is an innovative way to centralize a petition and solicit approvals without selling your soul to organization mailing lists. My hat is off to the Obama Administration for offering this feature.

Technical note: If you are using IE 9, turn off the tracking blocking feature or the site may not be viewable.

Comments

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

The problem with this is the self-selection aspect that will inevitably be demagogued by the White House on the issues they care about. This means that if a group they favor gets 5000 signatures on, say, corporate personhood (https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/restore-democracy-ending-corporate-personhood/KQYzl8S5), but repeal Obamacare (https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/%21/petition/repeal-patient-protection-and-affordable-care-act-and-pass-law-can-really-improve-care-and-reduce/pxL7v9KD) gets it as well, the latter will simply be assumed that it doesn't exist. It's a great publicity stunt, but that's all it is.

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

The problem with this is the self-selection aspect that will inevitably be demagogued by the White House on the issues they care about.

Yeah, that would be the view no matter who presented it. If it were Bush that did it, Progressives would claim the same ideological bias.

These are genuine petitions that would get the same consideration that petitions that go against the grain of the administration would get. It would be the duty of elected representatives to use this as input and monitor progress instead of taking a passive role in the voice of the people.

If I can see the petitions, so can the elected representatives.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that would be the view no matter who presented it. If it were Bush that did it, Progressives would claim the same ideological bias.

Undoubtedly. But that's because this isn't intended for public comment, but rather confirmation bias.

If I can see the petitions, so can the elected representatives.

The problem is that the petitions do not show any sort of popular support, merely special interest support.

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

The problem is that the petitions do not show any sort of popular support, merely special interest support.

So you oppose any petitions? This is a vehicle that can done at the level of the people. This doesn't supersede legislation and debate. This only gets the process started.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

Not at all. I just think you're thinking this is more revolutionary than it really is. You seem to think this is some evidence of the White House caring about what the rest of us thinks.

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

You seem to think this is some evidence of the White House caring about what the rest of us thinks.

They do. They just don't cater to each individual. Again, demand accountability from your elected representative. If your elected representative doesn't share your view, oh well. That's democracy.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

I've demanded accountability from him for years, but I don't live in Springfield so it doesn't matter.

This isn't about accountability, though, it's about falling prey to a political stunt.

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

This isn't about accountability

Yeah, actually it is because this system is in the public eye. Like I said before, if your representative isn't responsive to your specifically, it may be because your are in the minority and your interests conflict with those of the majority of his/her constituents. Either that, or (s)he is incompetent.

And calling it a stunt just shows your bias again.

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

But that's because this isn't intended for public comment, but rather confirmation bias.

Confirmation bias is how signatures are promoted. Anyone can enter and solicit a petition. Responses will be posted. You may not like the response, but they will be posted. There is no such thing as a bias neutral petition.

The petition threshold...

[sophia-sadek.livejournal.com]

... is 25,000 signatures, so neither would get any visibility.

Re: The petition threshold...

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

Whatever the threshold is. The point is that it's only designed to highlight what the White House wants to highlight.

Re: The petition threshold...

[sophia-sadek.livejournal.com]

According to the video, a petition with enough signatures will be directed to the appropriate policy officials and they would respond. You assume that those officials will only "highlight" positions that conform with existing policy, but highlighting is not mentioned as part of the system.

Re: The petition threshold...

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

I think you misunderstand. The chance of change, regardless of signature levels, will only occur if the petition happens to math existing policy desires.

I would not sign.

[sophia-sadek.livejournal.com]

There is no guarantee that the email addresses will not fall into the hands of a future Republican administration. Who knows what they will do with my email address.

Re: I would not sign.

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

There is no guarantee that the email addresses will not fall into the hands of a future Republican administration.

That's what spam filters are for.

Re: I would not sign.

[404.livejournal.com]

Re: I would not sign.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

Guys with tinfoil hats is so 2000's. Haven't you heard? Kittehs with tinfoil hats is the new deal!

Re: I would not sign.

[404.livejournal.com]

Re: I would not sign.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

And because there are many that think like that (on both sides of the aisle) is why this is a non-useful tool.

Re: I would not sign.

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

And because there are many that think like that (on both sides of the aisle)

Not everybody is so timid. This will only work with those that engage. Which would be the case with any petition.