What exactly do these 3 current movies have in common with the Connecticut State budget you might ask. They are educational in the sense that they each describe events in a society where there is civil disruption because of the failure of the government in power to address the needs of its civilian members. Without thoughtful, fair, and respectful discourse the consequences of revolution, destruction, moral decay, and the deaths of innocents are realized. The salvation of natural man grounded in his moral values is reborn to take ownership and responsibility under the watchful creator. The planet is not destroyed, nature endures regardless of what men do. But man is given another chance to reconstitute the civil society that has collapsed under the weight of the tyrannical governing elite whose values condescend the common man. Inherent in the free will of man gifted by the creator and endowed to man alone is the ability to be a force of good or destruction. Free will is a natural state and a natural right of men. Freedom also is a natural self evident state and relies upon responsible self reliance and a peaceful, law abiding, co-existence among all men. Governing requires the acknowledgement of those natural states and operates to provision the capacity for men to exercise those natural gifts. Man is equipped to be moral, responsible, loving, and supportive of others. Government only needs to help channel these qualities and not substitute for them.
Respect and emphasis for freedom is essential to the well being of society. When there is a body or group that wishes for government to be the leader, provider, and solution to all problems, there is a natural breakdown. No man is fit to be master and no one deserves to be a slave as stated by Abraham Lincoln is relevant.When a ruling body mandates and assumes the power to impose a one size fits all solution, the natural social contract is broken. Irresponsible solutions, favoritism, and exceptions are likely to emerge that only serve to be divisive and disrespectful of the rights of others. Failure and revolution are bound to occur.
The 3 movies come to the fore front of our attention at an auspicious time. Perhaps Hollywood had a premonition that that in the dead of winter as we begin 2K10 we needed a reminder of what is required to keep a functioning society together.It has been stated in many ways that democracy is always on the edge, but it is the best way to channel the free will of man to a common good and serve the needs of all men , equally.
We can only hope that our legislature gets the message and produces a budget that we all can embrace. Some programs that do not foster freedom, self reliance, or rule of law should be limited or eliminated. So called "nanny laws" are not necessary and only serve to satisfy some favored agenda of its sponsors. They are not worth the loss of freedom. Social engineering and social justice laws that do not work or have a reasonable expectation of failing a statewide referendum, if it were allowed, should be avoided. Special interests are not the expectations of the majority of voters and would not likely meet a statewide threshold. Elected officials who vote their preferences are not doing their job.Listen to the voters.
In these times we can ill afford reprogramming without universal consent until we can be assured of a more stable economy. Getting people back to work is the most important item on the agenda. Our Calvinistic free market capitalism heritage fostered hard work, ethical and moral behavior, self reliance, and the performance of good deeds in helping others.Our heritage, our laws, and our societal values have proved their worth over our history and should be revisited, now.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Question the Candidates, Vote by their Answers
In the upcoming election saga you may want to take the time to pose a series of questions that require simple yes or no answers from the candidates.Open ended questions are never really answered and if you leave any opening for discussion or interpretation you basically play into the hands of those gifted to be glib or non-committal in their response. Do yourself and others justice with a single direct question that merely requires a simple yes or no.
If you are really clever you may construct some series that demonstrates inconsistency or illogical thinking on the part of the candidate. A contradiction can easily occur to an earlier response if there is doubt on the part of the candidate or he can't remember what he said only minutes ago. Or, on a more positive note, you can see just how far a candidate may go on an issue or what may be considered negotiable by the candidate as a compromise with others is needed. Once in office the deal making becomes more obscure and lost in the party politics but at least you can see how they may respond to a particular issue that is dear to you.
You are not asking them to defend a position, because you want to know now their promise, their committment, and how they will vote. You are in cpntrol of the question and they must convince you to vote for them.
Below are some of my favorites that represent crusades I have written about on this blog site.
1. Would you sponsor or support legislation to establish term limits for elected and appointed officials?
2. Would you sponsor or support a direct referendum option for Connecticut to allow its citizens a democratic approach to initiate or change legislation via a direct voter initiative?
3. Would you sponsor or support legislation to amend the State of Connecticut Constitution to redefine the so called "budget cap" wording to fix the misunderstandings now in contention?
4. Would you sponsor or support legislation to provide the State's accounting information as a Freedom of Information service to the public? Such a service must offer the State's check register to identify payee, date, amount, and purchase order reference that also correlates to the originating agency. Trust me, this is a treasure trove!
5. Would you sponsor or support legislation to eliminate or cap the overtime "excess" that is often applied to the last 3 years of employment for calculation of pension?
Be bold and go forth where politicians fear to tread!
If you are really clever you may construct some series that demonstrates inconsistency or illogical thinking on the part of the candidate. A contradiction can easily occur to an earlier response if there is doubt on the part of the candidate or he can't remember what he said only minutes ago. Or, on a more positive note, you can see just how far a candidate may go on an issue or what may be considered negotiable by the candidate as a compromise with others is needed. Once in office the deal making becomes more obscure and lost in the party politics but at least you can see how they may respond to a particular issue that is dear to you.
You are not asking them to defend a position, because you want to know now their promise, their committment, and how they will vote. You are in cpntrol of the question and they must convince you to vote for them.
Below are some of my favorites that represent crusades I have written about on this blog site.
1. Would you sponsor or support legislation to establish term limits for elected and appointed officials?
2. Would you sponsor or support a direct referendum option for Connecticut to allow its citizens a democratic approach to initiate or change legislation via a direct voter initiative?
3. Would you sponsor or support legislation to amend the State of Connecticut Constitution to redefine the so called "budget cap" wording to fix the misunderstandings now in contention?
4. Would you sponsor or support legislation to provide the State's accounting information as a Freedom of Information service to the public? Such a service must offer the State's check register to identify payee, date, amount, and purchase order reference that also correlates to the originating agency. Trust me, this is a treasure trove!
5. Would you sponsor or support legislation to eliminate or cap the overtime "excess" that is often applied to the last 3 years of employment for calculation of pension?
Be bold and go forth where politicians fear to tread!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Natural Philosophy, Reason, and the Connecticut Budget
In the earliest documentation of western civilization we had the Greeks describing what we now call "natural philosophy". Early writings describe nature as the basis for all acts and a civil society rooted in the so called nature of mankind.
As we passed through the emergence of Christianity, the Enlightenment, and the Age of Reason to our more modern thinking and philosophy we accomplished a number of major breakthroughs:
1. Moral Codes- Aristotle, Ten Commandments, Chivalry, Golden Rule, self evident rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
2.Higher mathematics as the language of the universe, God, truth, and foundation for reason
3. Extensive scientific discoveries based upon the scientific method
4. Documented and proven laws of nature that are universal and epistemic to our moral society
5.Breakdown of philosophy into disctinct disciplines like political philosophy, ethics, morality, free will
With many examples we can witness the interpretations and outcomes in our contemporary society in the form of secularism, diversity, and moral relativism. We see many times how our society increasingly pursues a social justice goal at the expense of individual rights and undermines the freedoms that we recognize from our definition of a civil society as articulated in the Declaration of Independance, and supported by our Constitution and Bill of Rights. The debates over Eminent Domain , for example, are about just such conflicts over what constitutes the "common good".
The so called culture wars debate the relativism of many topics, but often overlook the foundations of our country and its grounding in moral codes, individualism, and capitalism.This baseline allows us a civil discourse, but balance among these influences is dependant upon their relationship to each other. Capitalism is greed, but socialism does't work and never achieves the economic growth that raises the standard of living for all. The "reason" and rationale that we can apply today comes from advancements made largely because of capitalism combined with a benificent social responsibility of motivated individuals.We should know by now how to be inclusive and respectful of all citizens.
As the entitlements grow to a larger base you have to wonder when the scale tips and more people are receiving from those that are giving. With a majority vote the receiving population outweighs the productive population who works to support everyone else, Utopia? Capitalism collapses and our society is at odds with overall security in jeopardy. As Hobbes described in his "Leviathan" we then need a superman, a messiah to promise protection when we agree to relinqush all authority to him. This is the tyranny that haunts the planet and plagues the populations.
As Connecticut considers its budget dilemma the political elite seem to be in denial of the situation and rely upon the special interests and other fantasies to make the decisions. With a lame duck governor and candidates who are likely to remain silent of solutions until the last moments of preelection, if they say anything at all, we are stuck with the Democratic controlled legislature.
Reflecting upon what hasa been stated so far in this blog it would seem reasonable to to:
1. Categorize state general funded programs in the context of Regulation and Protection,Public Safety, Social Services, Public Health, Education
2. Individualize the programs to understand what is defined and what is included. A "safety net" is social justice at work and can include many enlightened factors, but a basic package for basic needs, as justification is warrentred, may be all that can be accomplised, now.
3. When the "what" of the program is defined by mathematics and a scientific method, the "how" the program is executed becomes the next interest.The appropriate mix of providers, contracts, direct state employee involvement, and performance metrics becomes the focal point. Measurements are key to an optimal portfolio for delivery that is cost effective.
4. Government administration assessment provides an opportunity to review the strengths, weaknesses and conflicts of interest tha create fiefdoms, accountability issues, and self serving governance.The "how" a program is executed review should also include this assessment which can address:
* Union contracts and their real contributions to desired program outcomes
* Consolidations to minimize overhead, but more importantly, maximize collaboration and delivery coordination at minimal cost
* Sharing of infrastructure or utility like approaches to address common needs
Why do we have so much government and so many private non profits serving overlapped needs and clients with overlapped budgets, staff, and programs?
As a concerned Connecticut citizen, I hope this helps and perhaps inspires a more thoughtful approach to our fiscal crisis.
As we passed through the emergence of Christianity, the Enlightenment, and the Age of Reason to our more modern thinking and philosophy we accomplished a number of major breakthroughs:
1. Moral Codes- Aristotle, Ten Commandments, Chivalry, Golden Rule, self evident rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
2.Higher mathematics as the language of the universe, God, truth, and foundation for reason
3. Extensive scientific discoveries based upon the scientific method
4. Documented and proven laws of nature that are universal and epistemic to our moral society
5.Breakdown of philosophy into disctinct disciplines like political philosophy, ethics, morality, free will
With many examples we can witness the interpretations and outcomes in our contemporary society in the form of secularism, diversity, and moral relativism. We see many times how our society increasingly pursues a social justice goal at the expense of individual rights and undermines the freedoms that we recognize from our definition of a civil society as articulated in the Declaration of Independance, and supported by our Constitution and Bill of Rights. The debates over Eminent Domain , for example, are about just such conflicts over what constitutes the "common good".
The so called culture wars debate the relativism of many topics, but often overlook the foundations of our country and its grounding in moral codes, individualism, and capitalism.This baseline allows us a civil discourse, but balance among these influences is dependant upon their relationship to each other. Capitalism is greed, but socialism does't work and never achieves the economic growth that raises the standard of living for all. The "reason" and rationale that we can apply today comes from advancements made largely because of capitalism combined with a benificent social responsibility of motivated individuals.We should know by now how to be inclusive and respectful of all citizens.
As the entitlements grow to a larger base you have to wonder when the scale tips and more people are receiving from those that are giving. With a majority vote the receiving population outweighs the productive population who works to support everyone else, Utopia? Capitalism collapses and our society is at odds with overall security in jeopardy. As Hobbes described in his "Leviathan" we then need a superman, a messiah to promise protection when we agree to relinqush all authority to him. This is the tyranny that haunts the planet and plagues the populations.
As Connecticut considers its budget dilemma the political elite seem to be in denial of the situation and rely upon the special interests and other fantasies to make the decisions. With a lame duck governor and candidates who are likely to remain silent of solutions until the last moments of preelection, if they say anything at all, we are stuck with the Democratic controlled legislature.
Reflecting upon what hasa been stated so far in this blog it would seem reasonable to to:
1. Categorize state general funded programs in the context of Regulation and Protection,Public Safety, Social Services, Public Health, Education
2. Individualize the programs to understand what is defined and what is included. A "safety net" is social justice at work and can include many enlightened factors, but a basic package for basic needs, as justification is warrentred, may be all that can be accomplised, now.
3. When the "what" of the program is defined by mathematics and a scientific method, the "how" the program is executed becomes the next interest.The appropriate mix of providers, contracts, direct state employee involvement, and performance metrics becomes the focal point. Measurements are key to an optimal portfolio for delivery that is cost effective.
4. Government administration assessment provides an opportunity to review the strengths, weaknesses and conflicts of interest tha create fiefdoms, accountability issues, and self serving governance.The "how" a program is executed review should also include this assessment which can address:
* Union contracts and their real contributions to desired program outcomes
* Consolidations to minimize overhead, but more importantly, maximize collaboration and delivery coordination at minimal cost
* Sharing of infrastructure or utility like approaches to address common needs
Why do we have so much government and so many private non profits serving overlapped needs and clients with overlapped budgets, staff, and programs?
As a concerned Connecticut citizen, I hope this helps and perhaps inspires a more thoughtful approach to our fiscal crisis.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
If Connecticut Earmarks Could Speak!
If Connecticut's earmarks could speak, what would they tell us as voters? The Connecticut legislature speaks when they propose bond money awards to towns for various undertakings that include such recent actions as:
1. New tennis courts in Seymour and Middlebury
2. Walkway along a stream in Watertown
The governor chairs the bond commission and therefore controls the agenda with the monies and items to be considered. Garnering the governor's favor is necessary, but there may be other hurdles if we could only understand the language used by the legislative speak, "earmarkise"? From the awards presented above you might ask:
1. How much did my town get in the last 10 years?
2. Compared to all towns, how did the formulation work: equitable per population by town, equitable by net worth, income tax,local property tax weighting, or what??Is there even any index?
3. What is the target per town over 10 years, assuming equitability?
Another series of questions may help justify why the state should pay for some items of dubious value, or, more importantly,those likely to be used only by a favored group. Does everyone play tennis?
Elected legislators use this bonding largess to impress the local electorate of how much care and what they have accomplished on their behalf as measured in dollars.This compassion may also come from the party leadership of the legislature for a job well done in keeping silent as the leadership exercises its agenda without the need for individual legislator contribution: keeping silent has a cost. Comparisons by towns may show an equitable distribution or not, but that is not the point. Each town can see what they get and be thankful to their elected benefactor. We may even put up a sign to memorialize their action.
If earmarks spoke more loudly we may be able to see of the monies awarded to towns:
1. Was any particular bill passed through the purchase of legislative votes by bonded projects?
2. What special interest group benefitted?
3. Can we trace awarded monies to any campaign financing mischief?
4. Are there any contractors favored locally or statewide?
5. What are the long term costs for maintenance, usage, staffing, insurance,..etc for these projects initially funded by the state?
6. How does this project's priority merit funding when the town has other priorities?
7. Has the legislator synched his sponsored project to those of the locally elected official who is closer to the town's real interests?
This potential corruption is silent because nobody really pays, the State does this for free. But, if the earmark had a louder, understandable voice we may find some surprises.The sunshine laws (freedom of information) offer a realistic approach.
1. New tennis courts in Seymour and Middlebury
2. Walkway along a stream in Watertown
The governor chairs the bond commission and therefore controls the agenda with the monies and items to be considered. Garnering the governor's favor is necessary, but there may be other hurdles if we could only understand the language used by the legislative speak, "earmarkise"? From the awards presented above you might ask:
1. How much did my town get in the last 10 years?
2. Compared to all towns, how did the formulation work: equitable per population by town, equitable by net worth, income tax,local property tax weighting, or what??Is there even any index?
3. What is the target per town over 10 years, assuming equitability?
Another series of questions may help justify why the state should pay for some items of dubious value, or, more importantly,those likely to be used only by a favored group. Does everyone play tennis?
Elected legislators use this bonding largess to impress the local electorate of how much care and what they have accomplished on their behalf as measured in dollars.This compassion may also come from the party leadership of the legislature for a job well done in keeping silent as the leadership exercises its agenda without the need for individual legislator contribution: keeping silent has a cost. Comparisons by towns may show an equitable distribution or not, but that is not the point. Each town can see what they get and be thankful to their elected benefactor. We may even put up a sign to memorialize their action.
If earmarks spoke more loudly we may be able to see of the monies awarded to towns:
1. Was any particular bill passed through the purchase of legislative votes by bonded projects?
2. What special interest group benefitted?
3. Can we trace awarded monies to any campaign financing mischief?
4. Are there any contractors favored locally or statewide?
5. What are the long term costs for maintenance, usage, staffing, insurance,..etc for these projects initially funded by the state?
6. How does this project's priority merit funding when the town has other priorities?
7. Has the legislator synched his sponsored project to those of the locally elected official who is closer to the town's real interests?
This potential corruption is silent because nobody really pays, the State does this for free. But, if the earmark had a louder, understandable voice we may find some surprises.The sunshine laws (freedom of information) offer a realistic approach.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Appeals and Petitions
In the November 2008 Connecticut election the voters authorized a Constitutional amendment proposed by the legislature to allow 17 year olds to vote in State primaries if they turn 18 by the next election, November 2, 2010. This means that all 17 year olds should register NOW to vote.This will enable you to vote in (one or more depending upon party rules} primaries to be held in 2010. You can then also vote in the general election.
In the mean time, to exercise your new found freedom to vote why not become politically active by starting a petition to change the State's Constitution? My one day school wide (400 kids) civil sit down boycott of the high school cafeteria eliminated the daily repetitional use of raisins and peanut butter from the federal foods program. We did not have choice of menu as is the case today and a daily dose over an extended period of culinary creations for the same price was just too much to bear. Who would have known you could make so many things from these two ingrediants? One day and one detention later the menu was fixed.To this day I often wonder if I suffered long term effects and whatever happened to all those raisins and peanut butter? My mother would say the hungry children in China got the surplus.
In this petition you can cite the need for laws that you think are worthy with such examples as:
1. Choice of online education option for courses you need or would like to take and get credit in your local district.
2. The ability to play a sport or join an after school group in another district because your school does not have such a program.
3. The ability to take a course elsewhere for credit assuming transportation is available and scheduling permits.
4. More vacation. shorter days, no homework,... NO NO NO!!!!!!!!
Your petition would cite the need for a voter initiative in Connecticut for citizens to have direct democracy. Proposing legislation for consideration under guidelines to insure its legality and its up or down vote in a statewide referendum allows all voters to participate in government.The roots of our country started in Connecticut with the first Constitution (read the history) and this voter referendum puts the power in the hands of the people, directly.
Grab your history teacher, student activists, school newspaper and others to get this going. The petition needs authenticated signatures which can be accomplished with the local town registrar of voters. The target date is Ground Hog Day. Will he see the shining city of light on the hill as so described by Ronald Regan where the rest of the world looks to our beacon of hope for definition of freedom or will he see the darkness and shadow of the Berlin Wall that kept freedom out and the people in to be ruled under tyrants?
In the mean time, to exercise your new found freedom to vote why not become politically active by starting a petition to change the State's Constitution? My one day school wide (400 kids) civil sit down boycott of the high school cafeteria eliminated the daily repetitional use of raisins and peanut butter from the federal foods program. We did not have choice of menu as is the case today and a daily dose over an extended period of culinary creations for the same price was just too much to bear. Who would have known you could make so many things from these two ingrediants? One day and one detention later the menu was fixed.To this day I often wonder if I suffered long term effects and whatever happened to all those raisins and peanut butter? My mother would say the hungry children in China got the surplus.
In this petition you can cite the need for laws that you think are worthy with such examples as:
1. Choice of online education option for courses you need or would like to take and get credit in your local district.
2. The ability to play a sport or join an after school group in another district because your school does not have such a program.
3. The ability to take a course elsewhere for credit assuming transportation is available and scheduling permits.
4. More vacation. shorter days, no homework,... NO NO NO!!!!!!!!
Your petition would cite the need for a voter initiative in Connecticut for citizens to have direct democracy. Proposing legislation for consideration under guidelines to insure its legality and its up or down vote in a statewide referendum allows all voters to participate in government.The roots of our country started in Connecticut with the first Constitution (read the history) and this voter referendum puts the power in the hands of the people, directly.
Grab your history teacher, student activists, school newspaper and others to get this going. The petition needs authenticated signatures which can be accomplished with the local town registrar of voters. The target date is Ground Hog Day. Will he see the shining city of light on the hill as so described by Ronald Regan where the rest of the world looks to our beacon of hope for definition of freedom or will he see the darkness and shadow of the Berlin Wall that kept freedom out and the people in to be ruled under tyrants?
The Common Good, Justice, and Reason
You have come to this blog site because you are interested in Connecticut politics. Lots of possible discussions on topics that are worthy of attention.You may agree or disagree but at least you are researching and thinking to become more informed as a voter and responsible citizen.
A website has emerged in September 2009 that reminds us of our American heritage and justification for our country's values as so eloquently described in the Declaration of Independance.The website content is not lengthy, but provides a discussion of natural philosophy and the relevance to contemporary political activity and theory of government in recent times as practiced in the United States. Martin Luther King's civil disobediance is also recognized as an underlying change agent that has been applied to achieve social justice and the will of the people.
The Manhattan Declaration document is likely to become a rallying point in the near future and next election. Visit www.manhattandeclaration.org
A website has emerged in September 2009 that reminds us of our American heritage and justification for our country's values as so eloquently described in the Declaration of Independance.The website content is not lengthy, but provides a discussion of natural philosophy and the relevance to contemporary political activity and theory of government in recent times as practiced in the United States. Martin Luther King's civil disobediance is also recognized as an underlying change agent that has been applied to achieve social justice and the will of the people.
The Manhattan Declaration document is likely to become a rallying point in the near future and next election. Visit www.manhattandeclaration.org
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Time to Petition the Connecticut Legislature
In the Connecticut 2009 session of the Legislature there were numerous attempts by the towns and cities (local government) to seek property tax relief and moratoriums on mandates to balance their budgets.With little debate and less fanfare local government officials were dismissed, sometimes with little sympathy. The delay of the budget ultimately cost towns additional fees for borrowing while the budget was in impasse.
All of this rancor and lack of collaboration to give the voters at least a voice at the table in the form of those closest to them, local government. Still no action but rather a shift in reminding everyone of who is really in charge, the legislature, as if there were any doubt.The timing of the tea parties and the town hall meetings around the country also serve as an indicator of what is going on in case you forgot.They know best. They have the elitist knowledge to do the right thing. They prevail. You are not heard.
Towns are small. They are represented by the Legislature but town boundaries per house district and overlaps with other towns often conflict and contradict the local wishes of each town and its unique identity. Out of touch with towns, legislators render them useless in actually influencing state priorities. Increased burdens with few options allowed by legislators make the towns as an overall force for change irrelevant.
After many years of probate court mischief the powers in Hartford finally took action to solve the local court system problems.The budget problems nudged the State to take action.Some time later the towns ultimately created a consensus among themselves and agreed upon a formula without a mandate.Proof of town to town cooperation, perhaps under threat of mandate to come from Hartford, but an agreement none the less. Most importasntly, an example of towns cooperation with each other to fix the system, maintain service levels, and provide a cost effective solution for each town.
Based upon this success it would seem that the power of legislation initiated by towns as a statewide referendum could address a variety of issues including:
1. Establishing common interest infrastructural changes to represent fair and equitable educational disbursements
2. Addressing mandates that are not necessary for all towns of all sizes
3. Provisioning towns with shared or individualized resources to address selected mandates
4. Providing statewide bonding access by towns to the state's borrowing authority
In short, allowing towns to use legislation to address common local needs without the interferences of a statewide agenda exercised and imprinted by the legislature could be a useful tool. Especially in those cases when appeals to the legislature go unheeded and their ears go deaf.
The local town political party committes (Independants are welcome also) could start a petition drive to gather signatures soliciting voter interest in seeking a constitutional change to allow "voter initiative" and statewide referendums. Where local officials often use this technique,budget approvals for example, it is a rare occurance on a statewide basis.
With local political parties involvement such a campaign could then aggregate the local signed petitions certified by the local voter registrar for presentation to the legislature.It is not a given that the statewide political leadership would endorse such a project due to the threat to its power, but that is the whole point.
Nobody is listening to the local voters. The petition only proposes to the legislature that such a constitutional change is needed. With the outcry of the people appealing for grass roots democracy how could the legislature not listen? The revolution has just begun!
All of this rancor and lack of collaboration to give the voters at least a voice at the table in the form of those closest to them, local government. Still no action but rather a shift in reminding everyone of who is really in charge, the legislature, as if there were any doubt.The timing of the tea parties and the town hall meetings around the country also serve as an indicator of what is going on in case you forgot.They know best. They have the elitist knowledge to do the right thing. They prevail. You are not heard.
Towns are small. They are represented by the Legislature but town boundaries per house district and overlaps with other towns often conflict and contradict the local wishes of each town and its unique identity. Out of touch with towns, legislators render them useless in actually influencing state priorities. Increased burdens with few options allowed by legislators make the towns as an overall force for change irrelevant.
After many years of probate court mischief the powers in Hartford finally took action to solve the local court system problems.The budget problems nudged the State to take action.Some time later the towns ultimately created a consensus among themselves and agreed upon a formula without a mandate.Proof of town to town cooperation, perhaps under threat of mandate to come from Hartford, but an agreement none the less. Most importasntly, an example of towns cooperation with each other to fix the system, maintain service levels, and provide a cost effective solution for each town.
Based upon this success it would seem that the power of legislation initiated by towns as a statewide referendum could address a variety of issues including:
1. Establishing common interest infrastructural changes to represent fair and equitable educational disbursements
2. Addressing mandates that are not necessary for all towns of all sizes
3. Provisioning towns with shared or individualized resources to address selected mandates
4. Providing statewide bonding access by towns to the state's borrowing authority
In short, allowing towns to use legislation to address common local needs without the interferences of a statewide agenda exercised and imprinted by the legislature could be a useful tool. Especially in those cases when appeals to the legislature go unheeded and their ears go deaf.
The local town political party committes (Independants are welcome also) could start a petition drive to gather signatures soliciting voter interest in seeking a constitutional change to allow "voter initiative" and statewide referendums. Where local officials often use this technique,budget approvals for example, it is a rare occurance on a statewide basis.
With local political parties involvement such a campaign could then aggregate the local signed petitions certified by the local voter registrar for presentation to the legislature.It is not a given that the statewide political leadership would endorse such a project due to the threat to its power, but that is the whole point.
Nobody is listening to the local voters. The petition only proposes to the legislature that such a constitutional change is needed. With the outcry of the people appealing for grass roots democracy how could the legislature not listen? The revolution has just begun!
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