5 ms·

I'm really ignorant about the pragmatic side of politics. Does it help some bill like this to have a couple thousand internet supporters writing positive commen

I'm really ignorant about the pragmatic side of politics. Does it help some bill like this to have a couple thousand internet supporters writing positive comments and floating the news on social networks? Is there a danger that by putting a tiny spotlight on the bill, it could become a more partisan issue?

HistoryInAction 16y ago
You're totally right. However, the greater danger right now is apathy, that people don't consider this a worthwhile use of their political time. We also got a good amount of 'old media' press yesterday and today, which will be a post-SXSW roundup post when I get back home. Also, putting the call out for more startup stories. SXSW has been great for building out a backlog, but there's always a need for more.
- crux_ 16y ago
  I'm going to play devils' advocate: > people don't consider this a worthwhile use of their political time Is this actually a worthwhile use of political time, given the relative magnitude(s) of the issues facing the House & Senate?
  - HistoryInAction 16y ago
    Good point. I think it is valuable. This is not an issue that should require much negotiating, as it is simply lowering the government-imposed barriers to creating companies. Building political support will take a lot of my time but not the politicians, so the use of their time is slight. Of course, last year, the bill was introduced and just ignored, so we'll see if a more public campaign by the startup community rather than just a handful of VCs is more effective.
  - iamelgringo 16y ago
    I was just speaking with someone at the Kauffman foundation yesterday. Their research says that the vast majority of new job formation in the US economy comes from companies less than 5 years old. And, out of those new jobs from young companies, 40% of those come from high growth technology sectors of various flavors. 50 to 60% of startups in Silicon Valley are founded by immigrants, or the children of immigrants. Getting motivated, smart entrepreneurs in to this country is a no brainer way to jump start the economy, especially since capital is relatively easy to come by for new companies.
    - HistoryInAction 16y ago
      Link re: Kauffman jobs - http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedFiles/firm_formation_importance_of_startups.pdf http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedFiles/firm_formation_importa...
muzz 16y ago
No, but it does help Dave McClure's funded startup Votizen get users.
- HistoryInAction 16y ago
  Also, POPVOX: https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s565 https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s565 Any politically-focused startup would be dumb to not take advantage of the silicon valley energy for this bill. Votizen is simply not dumb.
- davemc500hats 16y ago
  yeah, that's exactly why we spent a year and a half drafting legislation, traveling to DC, promoting it on websites, blogging, etc. it's all a vast geek conspiracy to get Votizen a couple thousand users. excellent use of time, don't you think?
esoteriq 16y ago
Well, I'm not sure about the partisan thing... But, when I worked on the Hill (yes, I was one of those) as a staffer, we did look on the internet to gauge the public reaction towards a particular issue. If (and only if) it matched with the congressperson's political agenda, we could suggest that the congressperson "push the issue" in caucus or debates. Although, internet comments and news aggregators would never swing a politician's perspective on an issue (only money does, kidding...kind of). So, there is some political weight in internet comments, but if you really want to ensure your contribution, call up your representative. (Seriously, they have people to handle these calls - it takes 5 minutes.)

HistoryInAction 16y ago

You're totally right. However, the greater danger right now is apathy, that people don't consider this a worthwhile use of their political time. We also got a good amount of 'old media' press yesterday and today, which will be a post-SXSW roundup post when I get back home. Also, putting the call out for more startup stories. SXSW has been great for building out a backlog, but there's always a need for more.

crux_ 16y ago
I'm going to play devils' advocate: > people don't consider this a worthwhile use of their political time Is this actually a worthwhile use of political time, given the relative magnitude(s) of the issues facing the House & Senate?
- HistoryInAction 16y ago
  Good point. I think it is valuable. This is not an issue that should require much negotiating, as it is simply lowering the government-imposed barriers to creating companies. Building political support will take a lot of my time but not the politicians, so the use of their time is slight. Of course, last year, the bill was introduced and just ignored, so we'll see if a more public campaign by the startup community rather than just a handful of VCs is more effective.
- iamelgringo 16y ago
  I was just speaking with someone at the Kauffman foundation yesterday. Their research says that the vast majority of new job formation in the US economy comes from companies less than 5 years old. And, out of those new jobs from young companies, 40% of those come from high growth technology sectors of various flavors. 50 to 60% of startups in Silicon Valley are founded by immigrants, or the children of immigrants. Getting motivated, smart entrepreneurs in to this country is a no brainer way to jump start the economy, especially since capital is relatively easy to come by for new companies.
  - HistoryInAction 16y ago
    Link re: Kauffman jobs - http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedFiles/firm_formation_importance_of_startups.pdf http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedFiles/firm_formation_importa...

muzz 16y ago

No, but it does help Dave McClure's funded startup Votizen get users.

HistoryInAction 16y ago
Also, POPVOX: https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s565 https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/s565 Any politically-focused startup would be dumb to not take advantage of the silicon valley energy for this bill. Votizen is simply not dumb.
davemc500hats 16y ago
yeah, that's exactly why we spent a year and a half drafting legislation, traveling to DC, promoting it on websites, blogging, etc. it's all a vast geek conspiracy to get Votizen a couple thousand users. excellent use of time, don't you think?

esoteriq 16y ago

Well, I'm not sure about the partisan thing... But, when I worked on the Hill (yes, I was one of those) as a staffer, we did look on the internet to gauge the public reaction towards a particular issue. If (and only if) it matched with the congressperson's political agenda, we could suggest that the congressperson "push the issue" in caucus or debates. Although, internet comments and news aggregators would never swing a politician's perspective on an issue (only money does, kidding...kind of). So, there is some political weight in internet comments, but if you really want to ensure your contribution, call up your representative. (Seriously, they have people to handle these calls - it takes 5 minutes.)