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Politics by the Numbers

Apr 18, 2013
by Caroline Miller
"Yelp for the DMV?", Adam Lashinkay, Gavin Newsom, technology and the peoples' voice
2 Comments

Recently, I read an interview with the Lieutenant Governor for California, Gavin Newsom. He was commenting on the importance of technology to foster two-way communication between the government and its citizens. According to him,” Technology, more than anything else, democratizes voices. It allows people to share.” (“Yelp for the DMV?” by Adam Lashinksy, Fortune, 4/8/13, pg. 40)

 The sentiment is warm and fuzzy and arguing against it would be like arguing against motherhood. Still a perversity exists in me that always has to look at the other side of the coin. I have to question the value of mindless communications that amounts to little more than “I like,” or “I don’t like.” Do I really want my leaders to count noses? I wouldn’t buy a picture from an artist who painted by numbers. Should I support a politician who voted by them?

 During my tenure in public office, I attended hearings filled with angry constituents who were invested in one issue or another. Should I have focused only on those who participated and ignored the rights of those who didn’t know a hearing was going on? One hot button issue during my term of service was sewer development in the unincorporated areas of the county. So many people were moving to the suburbs that the growing number of cesspools was endangering the safety of well water. When the issue of sewer development came before the commission, people in the outlying areas poured into the courthouse in angry opposition. Sewers were going to cost money, a good chunk of it theirs, and they didn’t want to pay the assessment. I understood their argument. I was even sympathetic. But I also understood that growth threatened the groundwater for future generations. I voted for the sewers in spite of the unanimous opposition of those who’d come to testify.

 Every day, via the internet, I get a multitude of questionnaires and petitions in my mailbox. Sure, I can offer my opinion with the click of a mouse. But is my opinion any good? How deeply have I studied the issue? Or am I reacting because a friend sent me the petition?

 Of course, when I think about making policy based upon numbers, I also have to ask myself, “Is the majority always right?” Before the civil war, several states were almost unanimous in their opinion that slavery was permissible. Was that majority right?

public hearing

 

 

 

 

 

(Courtesy of www.massresistance.org)

 

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2 Comments
  1. MaryBeth Kelly April 18, 2013 at 9:46 am Reply
    I think you are right about the power of a minority opposition as you describe it and as we have seen it functioning in our very congress. At the same time, I think we have begun to use the internet to involve those who are in support. Both Obama's election wins have shown me that.
    • Caroline Miller April 18, 2013 at 10:34 am Reply
      Yes, you make a good point. Everything is a tool. How we use it, mindlessly or with and and understanding of its limitations is what counts. There is no substitute for an informed public.

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Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published four novels

  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

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