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I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with regards to the “infinite time” problem. Time is the currency of local government, and those of us with other commi

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with regards to the “infinite time” problem. Time is the currency of local government, and those of us with other commitments simply can’t go up against folks who make it their sole purpose to be loud at meetings. The only leverage we have is our greater numbers, which doesn’t count for much if we don’t organize.

dv_dt 5y ago
That’s where I think overwork at almost all levels of pay scales is an insidious negative on our lives but also as a side effect our governments too. Less socialization, more isolation, less goverment oversight and participation.
- matz1 5y ago
  Thats why goverment all over the world likes lockdown so much.
- giovannibonetti 5y ago
  I Hope governments find a way to bring this conversations to the digital world, with some kind of voting scheme. This way, even people with scarce time can participate in important discussions.
  - toomuchtodo 5y ago
    This is definitely possible. Accela [1] [2] is a company that makes software for cities to administer their operations, and quite a few cities in the US use it. Login.gov [3] is available for identity proofing and authentication services to cities and local governments. It would be straightforward to implement a system where voting issues could be created, citizens notified (sms, email, or paper mailing with a QR code), and votes collected during a window of time. I'm aware of the significant infosec challenges online voting is up against, but I do believe headway can be made to enable broader citizen participation and equity in these issues. Tangentially, the NREL recently developed an app that streamlines the rooftop solar permitting process by integrating with the Accela city administration product. Permitting time has gone down from weeks to days (or sometimes minutes). [4] Progress is possible. [1] https://www.accela.com/ https://www.accela.com/ [2] https://developer.accela.com/ https://developer.accela.com/ [3] https://www.gsa.gov/blog/2021/02/18/logingov-to-provide-authentication-and-identity-proofing-services-to-a-limited-number-of-federally-funded-state-and-local-government-programs https://www.gsa.gov/blog/2021/02/18/logingov-to-provide-auth... [4] https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nrel-solar-app-rooftop-residential-instant-permitting-in-majority-us-installations/599403/ https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nrel-solar-app-rooftop-resi...
  - notJim 5y ago
    One simple thing governments are doing is reaching out to people with surveys and stuff, rather than relying only on the people who come to them. There are a lot more people who can spend 15 minutes filling out a survey on their phone than there are who can spend hours on a weeknight waiting to testify at a meeting. Around me, the government buys Instagram ads and sends out mailers to show off new bridges they're working on, and gather opinions, among other things. It's not perfect, but I think it's a step in the right direction.
LanceH 5y ago
The government also tends to only operate during business hours without any care for anyone else.

dv_dt 5y ago

That’s where I think overwork at almost all levels of pay scales is an insidious negative on our lives but also as a side effect our governments too. Less socialization, more isolation, less goverment oversight and participation.

matz1 5y ago
Thats why goverment all over the world likes lockdown so much.
giovannibonetti 5y ago
I Hope governments find a way to bring this conversations to the digital world, with some kind of voting scheme. This way, even people with scarce time can participate in important discussions.
- toomuchtodo 5y ago
  This is definitely possible. Accela [1] [2] is a company that makes software for cities to administer their operations, and quite a few cities in the US use it. Login.gov [3] is available for identity proofing and authentication services to cities and local governments. It would be straightforward to implement a system where voting issues could be created, citizens notified (sms, email, or paper mailing with a QR code), and votes collected during a window of time. I'm aware of the significant infosec challenges online voting is up against, but I do believe headway can be made to enable broader citizen participation and equity in these issues. Tangentially, the NREL recently developed an app that streamlines the rooftop solar permitting process by integrating with the Accela city administration product. Permitting time has gone down from weeks to days (or sometimes minutes). [4] Progress is possible. [1] https://www.accela.com/ https://www.accela.com/ [2] https://developer.accela.com/ https://developer.accela.com/ [3] https://www.gsa.gov/blog/2021/02/18/logingov-to-provide-authentication-and-identity-proofing-services-to-a-limited-number-of-federally-funded-state-and-local-government-programs https://www.gsa.gov/blog/2021/02/18/logingov-to-provide-auth... [4] https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nrel-solar-app-rooftop-residential-instant-permitting-in-majority-us-installations/599403/ https://www.utilitydive.com/news/nrel-solar-app-rooftop-resi...
- notJim 5y ago
  One simple thing governments are doing is reaching out to people with surveys and stuff, rather than relying only on the people who come to them. There are a lot more people who can spend 15 minutes filling out a survey on their phone than there are who can spend hours on a weeknight waiting to testify at a meeting. Around me, the government buys Instagram ads and sends out mailers to show off new bridges they're working on, and gather opinions, among other things. It's not perfect, but I think it's a step in the right direction.

LanceH 5y ago

The government also tends to only operate during business hours without any care for anyone else.