The 'National Initiative' and Direct Democ

[Red Militant]

I am wondering what other Anarchists, Left Communists and Socialists in general think of The 'National Initiative' program for Direct Democracy.

National Initiative for Democracy (http://www.nationalinitiative.us/)

Wiki Article on NIFD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Initiative)

I know VERY little about it but it sounds like a damn good step in the right direction,
I don't pretend it to be more than a drastic Reform but nonetheless a damn good step in the right direction.
From what I've read it is a proposed bill that will make direct citizen voting a legislative body to be added to existing government and allow citizens to make proposals.

Clearly the fact that it will not be abolishing the government but adding direct democracy as a legislative body of the existing government is its biggest limitation, that is where it obviously falls short of the political goals of Anarchism, but it will greatly empower the people.

As far as the economic goals of Anarchism(that which Anarchism is really about) it will put the Working Class in better political position by the simple fact that we make up the majority and we can better use this to push for labor(and other)laws that act more in our favor, we could say use this to overturn the Nation Labor Regulations Act and so on etc, but again we must not forget the bigger picture.

We need to make ourselves aware of the its implications both its limitations and shortcomings its thresh hold to be manipulated and corrupted, but also its positive Implications what affect will it have on civic life, its implications to involve the masses in politics in empowering The People in greater governance of our own affair(and how much of that will it really give us?), its affect on class conciseness, its implications to help us push our side of the Class Struggle to the forefront of politics etc.

This would be a damn good LEAP in the right direction but the journey's end would still be miles away!

Does anyone know more about this?
What are its limits and draw backs?
How far can this take us?
What hope is there of it passing into law?
Is there any analysis and critique from Anarchist viewpoints I can read?
What is are every ones thoughts?



P.S.
Yes I know this sounds a little over-the-top but hey its 2:54 in the morning, and thats just my writing style over dramatic and drawn out what can I say?! :redstar2000:

[Red Militant]

I should post more info so Ill quote the Wiki article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Initiative)



National Initiative for Democracy (USA)

The National Initiative for Democracy is an effort by The Democracy Foundation, a non-profit non-governmental organization, to create an initiative process at the federal and in every other jurisdiction of government within the United States. Initiatives, also known as ballot initiatives allow citizens to propose, alter, or nullify laws in conjunction with traditional legislative bodies.

By 2007, 24 US states had an initiative process in place at the state level. The proposed National Initiate process would be similar to those which are already in place at the state level although differing in these significant ways:

1. An independent Electoral Trust would supervise over ballot initiatives.

2. The Electoral Trust would be responsible for distributing information on proposed measures via any effective means.

3. Citizens would be allowed to cast their vote by multiple means, and change their vote as many times as they like until the ballot is closed. Proposed acceptable methods to vote may include telephone, kiosk, or internet website.

[edit] Background

The Democracy Foundation and the Philadelphia II Corporation are non-profit organizations established by former United States Senator Mike Gravel (Democratic Party, Alaska, 1969-1981). These organizations were established in conjunction to promote direct democracy through the enactment of a Constitutional amendment and a related Federal statute. If enacted, the amendment would both assert and codify the peoples' right to make laws, and outline the structure of the Electoral Trust. The "Democracy Act" or federal statute would outline the details with which the constitutional amendment would be implemented.

The Democracy Foundation is the sponsor of the Democracy Amendment and the Democracy Act. It is also responsible for fundraising and educational efforts. The Philadelphia II Corporation was established separately to administer the national vote which the organization hopes to use to enact the proposed legislation through the arguably tendentious and heretofore unused method of 'direct decree by the People'.

Direct Decree
The process of direct decree is the legal basis proposed by The Democracy Foundation with which it hopes to sustain its proposed enactments. Direct decree is premised with the fact that 'people's sovereignty' implemented the US political system by direct decree in the US Constitution. It cites that document's opening clause, "We the people" as evidence of same sovereignty premise. By proposed logical extension, having legally created the government of the United States the people may alter it at any time in similar fashion.

The concept of direct decree further posits that although the authority of the United States Congress is limited by the Constitution, the authority of the People is inherently sovereign and above the authority of the state. By such a theory any measure voted upon and approved by the popular majority of the people is posited to be legally binding and authoritative over all other law.

[edit] History

Although seeking broad public support, the National Initiative for Democracy has been largely spearheaded by the work of Mike Gravel. As well as establishing both The Democracy Foundation and the Philadelphia II corporation, he also authored the bulk of the draft text of the Amendment and Act. Both were vetted publicly at the Democracy Symposium held February 16-18, 2002 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The effort to enact a national ballot initiate through popular vote is but one in a series of efforts by Mr Gravel toward the same purpose including formal efforts at promulgating constitution amendments in his former capacity as a Senator.


A few of its quite substantial limitations can be picked out quickly from this article

to create an initiative process at the federal and in every other jurisdiction of government within the United States. Initiatives, also known as ballot initiatives allow citizens to propose, alter, or nullify laws in conjunction with traditional legislative bodies.


1. An independent Electoral Trust would supervise over ballot initiatives.

My guess is this is something like a Electoral Collage for direct democracy?

Also Philadelphia II is a non-profit Corporation



If enacted, the amendment would both assert and codify the peoples' right to make laws, and outline the structure of the Electoral Trust. The "Democracy Act" or federal statute would outline the details with which the constitutional amendment would be implemented.

What is that all about? Is this saying direct democracy is contained within certain bounds and limits defined by the act, just as all other branches of government must act within the limits of the constitution? I am not sure exactly what the bloody hell this saying. But I assume this second rate direct democracy must act within the limits of the constitution as well any parameters set forth by the act itself?
I am really unclear on this?
Anyone care to shine some light on it?

[Red Militant]

Do people really find this thread that un-important?
Hello Anybody?!

[Tower of Bebel]

Planned economy needs democracy like a human body needs oxygen. But bourgeois economics certainly do not need any direct democracy!

You need the US government to change the constitution. That means either you need to find a politician who is willing to start a debate on this subject (and of course keeps repeating this issue untill the people of America rise by themselves to force the government to change the institution), or you need to find a way to do it directly by letting the people force their government to install direct democracy without the help of a politician. This sounds a bit utopian?

[Red Militant]

What I am saying is it would be a step in the right direction, not a solution at all.
It is not the main focus to this happen but we cannot afford to do nothing, there is a Presidential Candidate and former Senator Mike Gravel, I am not a reformist but this is an important reform and I will do what I can to make it happen.

My focus is on organizing Unions, Workers Councils, Community Organizations, Union Soidarity Network, Co-Ops, and suchs, but especially Industrial Rank And File Unions.