Calling All Policy Wonks!
The Straight-Up Transition Wiki is here!
Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of a true democracy! (Some assembly required)
The Shock of the New
We’ve lived all of our lives in the legacy system. Over the past two-hundred or so years, it has evolved a convoluted set of rules for how the House of Representatives functions. And these rules are largely written to accommodate the two-party system, with its emphasis on rewarding partisan behavior, blocking the opposition, and connecting legislative activity to sources of campaign funding.
Can we even imagine a system where none of that is the case? Where there is no party control? Where decisions about earmarks, language requests and Community Project Funds are made—god forbid—according to actual need through an accountable, transparent decision-making process using objective criteria?
Go ahead and imagine it!
The Straight-Up Revolution is Going to Happen Anyway!
To be clear, there is no critical path issue here. The Democracy, Straight-Up Project will push forward with the Straight-Up Plan no matter what. The voters have everything they need to start forming DcLs with or without the benefit of the work of this wiki. The transition from oligarchy to true democracy will be worthwhile either way. Just by having a DcLvoters will have eliminated donors, campaigns, winner-take-all outcomes, and party control in any district where it is implemented.
Nota Bene: this wiki is NOT a place to debate HOW the voters come to power and start making majority decisions bill by bill. (We’ve got that covered) It is a place to draw up proposed plans for how self-government functions once they do.
Remember also that the legacy system works well enough for now. I mean, let’s not go crazy with the praise—it’s a nightmare—but it will keep chugging along while we build direct voter control, and while the voters decide on a new framework that makes their work easier.
But as for the voters taking power, that should only take about five years! It will happen in our lifetimes! We’ll be able to enjoy it! So, let’s get a head start on that framework, shall we?
So, what about that ‘new framework?’ That’s where you come in!
Who are you?
You are current and former civil servants, congressional and legislative staff, public administrators, attorneys, auditors, appropriations and grants specialists, procurement professionals, civic technologists, scholars, journalists, and anyone with practical knowledge of how government works.
All you need to do is email us at DemocracyStraightUp@gmail.com. This wiki is not open for editing by just anyone—you’ll need a background and qualifications to participate, so you’ll need to ask for permission. But we are quite confident that there are enough policy nerds out there to form a kick-ass team.
If it helps, you might think of it as a ‘thought experiment:’ seats in congress are now controlled by the voters; there is no two-party system; issue by issue, the majority rules. How best do we proceed with the work of legislation?
Go to the Straight-Up Transition Wiki. You’ll find an Intro by Dahlia Hart to help get you oriented, and read the About This Wiki section carefully.
If you are salivating at the prospect of getting rid of the death grip of the winner-take-all, two-party system; if creating the nuts and bolts of a true democracy (where the ‘demos’ actually has the ‘cratia’) gets your heart pumping; if challenging your peers to step up their game and create fool-proof arguments for best government practices makes you tap your feet and sing merrily to yourself; then you’ve got the right stuff!
Join us!
Again, find The Straight-Up Wiki here.
Email us at: DemocracyStraightUp@gmail.com