Does the electorate
speak
through
a tally of individual choices
or as
a collaboration of individuals
with
shared opinions?
Precinct Civics
Self governing is a blessing, yet a burden on the citizen. Together the burden may be lightened, so how could the precinct organize to encourage civic participation while minimizing the individual's costs of time and effort?
The challenge facing self-governance is changing circumstances and the, consequential, changes in the precinct’s priorities? Improving the precinct’s internal communications has benefits. A friend of a friend (FOAF) network could be efficient for relaying dialog between people that know each other; making it a robust and inexpensive means to disseminate and discuss civic concerns in a speedy manner. Publishing majority shared precinct priorities provides legitimacy for collaborating with electeds on public policy, spending, and taxation.
Breaking the precinct down into groups is one way to simplify the organizational challenge. Two possibilities are US Census Bureau tabblock or street blocks. As an example see Sheridan County Precinct 2-2's map below.
Shared Interests
Primary residency property owners are one class of voters. Renters are another? Though both may have expectations for the government, those expectations may not be the same. Self governance requires citizens working together to create “rules” that most practically benefit both classes of voters.
- Starting with one’s street block, what are the expectations for the state & county governments?
- What are the expectations for local tax entities (schools, municipalities, fire, and special)?
Shared Opportunities
Making a living, either working for a business or as a business owner, what policies can the precinct support to benefit both class of citizens? Are there business opportinities unique to the precinct that could be developed?
Taxes as a Deterrent & Revenue Source
Sales taxes are proportionally greater for those that consume more. From the standpoint of minimizing consumption, is there a fairer deterrent? Are sales taxes the ideal source for the government's revenue? Could Sales Taxes solely cover the government's budgets?
Taxation ← Expenditures
Taxes are a consequence of government spending. Understanding government spending is essential to “fruitful” deliberations concerning taxes and taxation. This mandates the necessity for public access to government ledger data (documents are insufficient).
Citizens verifying, inspecting, analyzing, and discussing ledger data is of fundamental importance for ensuring informed discourse, citizen participation, and sound decision-making.
Why don’t citizens already have access to ledger data?
Who is responsible for ensuring the public can audit the flow of taxpayer's dollars & cents?
Shouldn't our public schools produce a citizenry capable of conducting the the onging audit necessary for informed self-governance?
Civic Participation
Daily Civics
- Is there interest in working, as a precinct, to improve our civic circumstances?
- Is there precinct interest in determining: what our currently shared civic priorities are?
- Is our precinct willing to report their currently shared civic priorities?
- Can the precincts of a county do the same?
- Can the counties of the State of Wyoming do the same?
- Can citizens help coordinate policy-making between precincts, tax entities, counties, and legislative districts?
Elections
- Is there interest in nominating and vetting candidates for the upcoming primary election?
- Filing as a candidate ends: May 29th 5pm.
- Early military voting starts: July 2nd.