Time to get voters involved

Thank you Scott Reed for the education on what can't be done, and The Press for suggesting that we should all just give up because our "representatives" are better equipped to make up our minds for us. There is an old saying that states "two heads are better than one." I'd submit that was the premise behind which our constitution was framed. To interpret otherwise would suggest that our forefathers over 200 years ago had an inkling of two income families and urban sprawl.

The point behind the "public vote" shouldn't be whether or not it is legally sanctioned, but rather our elected officials making their decisions based on their own personal beliefs and preferences or on the wishes of those that elected them to represent their wishes. Playing lawyer semantics between public and advisory vote skirts the intent of those who thought a "vote" was the proper avenue. Is it better to leave important investments in our future to a selected few individuals or a collaboration of a community of informed constituents? Don't we elect those to public office that we feel best align with our own values? Is it fair to expect them throughout their busy tenures to second guess the public opinions for every important issue that comes before them? After distorted campaigning and elections they revert to their ivory towers and seek the advice of only those closest to them. They lose touch with what is really happening in their community and are defensive with any individual or group that dare oppose their thinking. Power has a funny way of changing people. The question is how to break this mold that plagues most governments.

Now The Press decides to justify that voter apathy, lack of participation, and the cost to obtain where taxpayers stand on any particular issue is adequate reasoning to leave our elected officials "to make tough decisions based on as much of their good personal judgment" and that "the unofficial input of outspoken citizens can help." All true points that, nonetheless, tell me you believe there are no alternatives to this situation. Talk about being apathetic. Instead of giving up on voters why not determine WHY turnout is always so pathetic and develop 21st century ideas to rectify the problem.

Here's a novel thought: KREM2 has an online vote to determine which high school to send Tom Sherry the weatherman every week. They do this every year during the football season. Total votes entered the week of 9/16 were over 30,000! Did it cost the television station thousands to conduct this vote? I hardly think so. Computer, laptop, tablet, and/or a smart phone was all that was necessary. Would it be so difficult to implement a similar system for an "advisory" vote to tabulate the pulse of citizens? Issue each registered voter a PIN to control fraud. Do a mass emailing to inform them of an upcoming vote. We all know what individuals are paid in the city, so surely their IT department should be educated enough to produce such a program. Maybe those at the Press can school them if not. This is only one suggestion from one person.

There are many informed, knowledgeable citizens that just don't have time to devote to attending meetings and rallies (or polling stations) to express their feelings, but that doesn't mean that they are ignorant, don't care, or don't have an opinion. Imagine the participation if the whole process was more user friendly. No need to institute unpopular proposals, postpone public hearings for lack of space, hire outside consultants to conduct studies, or go door to door. If you truly want to "represent" your constituents' wishes you need to begin to change for the better. Or, if you think you're smarter than the illiterate public who are incapable of vision, continue on your broken quest. Fortunately, the upcoming elections include a lot of new blood with, hopefully, some new ideas to solve old problems. Not embracing our digital advances proves you are regressive and a dinosaur. Instead of always offering your excuses for this broken system, why not devote your energies for how to improve it.

Peter Ward is a resident of Spirit Lake.