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Imagine the old fashioned precinct captain for the old political machines. He'd walk around and find out what neighbors need. Not all a bad thing except tied to the machine, and a corrupt system of patronage jobs. All part of maintaining a status quo of power and influence.
Imagine a new kind of precinct captain, one who is unaffiliated with any candidate or machine. He or she is a neighbor walking around the neighborhood and finding out what the concerns are. This system of captains and the supporting systems would be part of the commons; part of maintaining and growing democracy itself. Rather than preserving a status quo, we would be collectively maintaining small d democratic values, with attaining maximal participation in the processes that make for a strong democracy.
Imagine a new kind of precinct captain. One who actually cares about what the neighbors have to say. One who uses an app on his or her smartphone to record suggestions and concerns. One who does this with the intention of connecting neighbors. Instead of relying on patronage, workers who devote themselves to full or part-time work to build common assets would share in the collective value created by their efforts.
We are starting to see new kinds of candidates. Candidates who seek out grassroots support. Candidates who care about the communities they hope to represent. Candidates who would welcome people assuming the role of precinct captain walking around with smartphones and collecting data about issues and suggestions about the community. Candidates who would welcome the development of an app to make this more efficient. Candidates who would care about peer to peer democracy.
Note:Peer Explainto peer democracy is the practice of small d democrary. All voices are heard. Neighbors encourage and then support other neighbors to peerrun democracyfor office.
Imagine a new kind of precinct captain, one who is unaffiliated with any candidate or machine. He or she is a neighbor walking around the neighborhood and finding out what the concerns are. This system of captains and the supporting systems would be part of the commons; part of maintaining and growing democracy itself. Rather than preserving a status quo, we would be collectively maintaining small d democratic values, with attaining maximal participation in the processes that make for a strong democracy.
Imagine a new kind of precinct captain. One who actually cares about what the neighbors have to say. One who uses an app on his or her smartphone to record suggestions and concerns. One who does this with the intention of connecting neighbors. Instead of relying on patronage, workers who devote themselves to full or part-time work to build common assets would share in the collective value created by their efforts.
We are starting to see new kinds of candidates. Candidates who seek out grassroots support. Candidates who care about the communities they hope to represent. Candidates who would welcome people assuming the role of precinct captain walking around with smartphones and collecting data about issues and suggestions about the community. Candidates who would welcome the development of an app to make this more efficient. Candidates who would care about peer to peer democracy.