“Do you vote?
Do you feel heard? / Do you achieve anything?
“No?”
Makes sense. You vote for a person who doesn’t know you, and you don’t really know that person either. After you’ve voted for this person, this elected representative can do whatever they want…
From dropping certain positions and putting them in the fridge, to leaving for another party or starting their own. But you, as the person who voted for them, can do nothing about it.
Moreover, these representatives primarily represent an entire programme. You, on the other hand, want certain specific points addressed; for example: you want more attention for family (you know that over 50% of people feel lonely, and that stronger family ties reduce or prevent loneliness), so you choose, for example, the CDA or the SGP or similar. But because of the system, you then also unwittingly choose, for instance, an anti-abortion stance. Even though you might actually think the idea of “boss of your own body” is an excellent principle.
Even worse, the representative doesn’t know at all what you do or don’t agree with. And then the representative gets to work. In the Netherlands, a coalition of two or more parties must be formed to be able to govern with a majority of votes. In doing so, the party you voted for gives away certain points in order to secure others. Even on the points it does secure, it has often already watered things down.
The solution is radical, but urgently needed
Vote for the highly democratic binding citizens’ referendum of “My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative”. The role of the elected representative disappears, and you vote from home. You indicate what you want via an electronic dashboard on your smartphone or computer.
Difficult? Not at all!
There are people now who say all this is very difficult. But that’s a matter of a good, simple explanation, which is still very much lacking. A referendum contains one or more questions. For each question, additional information is provided: “What’s it about, what are the existing positions? Are the positions factually correct and complete, and what will likely be the consequences of your positive, neutral or negative decision?”
Binding referendum in practice
The question or questions are put in the form of a survey. The referendum is prepared by a neutral party, such as the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB), for example. The outcomes are then also processed by the CPB. If necessary, additional questions are asked later. The results of the research are published, after which the voting conclusions are passed on to the relevant departments, who then carry out the instructions given (the results).
Humanistic ethical covenant
Alongside the binding citizens’ referendums, a humanistic ethical covenant is also concluded. This states that the position of the weaker parties is always protected to a certain extent, so that no one falls through the cracks.
A new role for government
All the work of those who prepare, process and carry out decisions is reviewed by impartial observers (auditors), so that any necessary correction can happen swiftly. It is made clear to all civil servants that they work for the voter. If a civil servant is aware of errors, shortcomings or abuses, they must report them. If they fail to do so, that civil servant is liable or criminally accountable for it. The higher-ranking official who disregards such reports is also responsible and accountable if things subsequently go wrong that the official(s) had knowledge of. And civil servants who prove unfit are dismissed or, if necessary, prosecuted.
The government is replaced by salaried employees who, just like at a large company, monitor and handle matters. No more deadlocks, always swift clarity about what the majority wants, without making life completely impossible for the minority.
Contact us and support us
Do you disagree with the story above? Then let us know why you disagree, and we will address your objective objections. Do you broadly agree with our story?
Then vote for “My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative!
And help us!
Take a look at the friends site of My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative
And spread the word!
