The Change.Gov (soon to be whitehouse.gov) website features a “Citizen’s Briefing Book” where citizens can post and vote on issues they feel are most important. The following is statement is from this web page:
“Thank you for sharing your ideas on the issues facing the new administration. Over 125,000 users submitted over 44,000 ideas and cast over 1.4 million votes. The best rated ideas will be gathered into a Citizen’s Briefing Book to be delivered to President Obama after he is sworn in. “
I pulled the Top 10 issues, as they were voted on, into a list (see the table below)
|
Rank |
Issue |
Points |
Comments |
Partial Text |
|
1 |
Ending Marijuana Prohibition |
92,970 |
3,550 |
I suggest that we step back and take a non-biased “Science Based” approach to decide what should be done about the “Utter Failure” that we call the War on (some) Drugs. |
|
2 |
Commit to becoming the “Greenest” country in the world |
70,470 |
199 |
If America committed itself to this creed it would solve many problems at once. By creating the economic incentives and legislative benchmarks, going green will: |
|
3 |
Stop using federal resources to undermine states’ medicinal marijuana laws |
66,170 |
17 |
Our federal government’s Drug Enforcement Administration continues to raid marijuana (cannabis) dispensaries and compassionate use clubs in locations where local and state law allows them to operate. |
|
4 |
An end to the government sponsored abstinence education to be replaced by an introduction of age appropriate sex education |
65,350 |
158 |
1-4 teenagers have a sexually transmitted disease. AIDS still exists. The longer we keep our children in the dark about their bodies, the longer these facts will continue to be true. |
|
5 |
Bullet Trains & Light Rail |
65,100 |
434 |
Train transportation funding should be increased at the federal level. I think that the one issue keeping many people from using trains to travel to and from other cities is that they are too slow. |
|
6 |
The permanent closure of all Torture facilities (Facilities such as: Guantanamo, and Abu Ghraib) |
61,250 |
119 |
Let us again be human rights advocates. Torture is a popular debate in the current American discourse. The reaction of the US to photographs of our smiling soldiers at Abu Grahib made clear that America is no longer the defender of human rights. |
|
7 |
Revoke the George W. Bush tax cuts for the top 1 % |
57,080 |
119 |
The notion that giving the owners of the companies more money so that it will eventually trickle down to the common people is absurd. People WITH money HAVE money because they know how to KEEP money. |
|
8 |
Get the Insurance Companies out the Health Care |
55,080 |
362 |
The reason that our country pays more for health care than anywhere else in the world and still has poor health outcomes is that the system is run by profit-seeking insurance companies. Health insurance should not be a for-profit field. |
|
9 |
Revoke the Tax Exempt Status of the Church of Scientology |
52,470 |
545 |
The Church of Scientology was founded in the early 1950s, and quickly gained and lost its tax exempt status as a religion. The IRS ruled that the system of “fixed donations” and the services offered to the public constituted a for-profit venture, and was therefore taxable. |
|
10 |
Bring Back the Constitution! |
50,160 |
243 |
1. Separation of church and state. 2. Free speech. 3. Right to be secure “in our persons and effects”. 4. Rights to Life, Liberty |
|
11 |
Boost America’s Economy with Legal Online Poker |
46,890 |
1,713 |
Let online poker players in the United States play legally and without fear of prosecution. Reform the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to exempt poker, a game of skill, from the law. |
Ok, I couldn’t resist adding in #11. It was too good to leave out. Rather than give my opinions, I’d like to hear from everyone else. What can we surmise from this list? Does it say anything about the idea of participatory government? Should any or all of these be on President Obama’s top 10 list of priorities when he takes office tomorrow? Does it give you hope? Does it concern you? Does the list say anything about our country/society as a whole? Is it representative of the majority? Is it representative of people who use the Internet a lot? Did you vote on change.gov or wish you did?
I think that this list reflects, not necessarily what the public thinks are the most important issues, because politicians have already made it clear they’re aware (how could they not?) of the economic downturn, our ventures abroad, healthcare, etc.
But these reflect the spirit of Americans to raise issues their government /aren’t/ giving enough light to. Their things that the populace are more educated and willing about than their politicians. In that light, I think it’s unfair that some people are complaining that this list “is ridiculous because how could any of these issues be that important right now??” They are important. And they’re in waiting for a politician to take up the cause.
Many of them don’t require alot of effort to fix, in terms of money or change in government. They require, merely, an alignment of our government’s will to do what is, objectively, best for our country.
By: Chris Peterson on January 20, 2009
at 2:06 pm
Chris. What you say sounds plausible. Quite possible that people stayed away from the well-covered issues because they believe politicians will act on the big issues in any case and that they are voting up the issues that haven’t gotten enough attention in their view. There are many ways to look at this topic. Personally, I find it fascinating. It just raises so many questions. Good to have something new to talk and think about for a “change”. I might post more later about what I thought about it but I’d really rather hear what everyone else has to say. Thank you for giving your thoughts!
By: Dan Blake on January 21, 2009
at 12:18 am
As someone who participated in this I can say you are 100% right on how people prioritized issues. I know that Obama is serious about dealing with health care, and has done a lot of work t hear what people have to say about that issue. I was somewhat upset that Net Neutrality did not make the top ten (#13 isn’t bad), but at least I know Obama has said he supports the issue and has appointed officials who do to. The issue of Scientology would certainly not be on his plate if not for a concerted effort of individuals, and so I am deeply pleased to see it way up at #9 where it will see a lot of discussion.
By: blue on January 21, 2009
at 11:50 am