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Engaging the Citizen
Time and again politicians tell us that they want to debate the issues with
the members of the public. Public consultations are held as are 'town-hall'
meetings. But do these debates (and the press coverage they
receive) really matter? As long as the ultimate decision is in the hands of
politicians and bureaucrats all public debate is of marginal value to the
citizens. If - as Dirdem demands - any issue has to be voted on by the
electorate the value of debate immediately becomes much greater as it would help
the voters to make an informed decision and therefore help to improve public
policy.
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Decisions you would be able to influence:
By giving the
reader examples of recent policy decisions we highlight the dramatic
impact the introduction of Direct Democracy would have on the
political life of all countries.
All the following decisions where taken without the participation of
the affected citizens. Some - if not most - were highly
controversial and have a negative effect for at least some major
parts of the country's population.
The present system of government
not
only leaves the citizens powerless in the face of a never-ending
tide of legislation, it also inevitably leads to
inefficient use of taxpayer's money and a steady erosion of civil
liberties.
Full list of
decisions the citizens could influence
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GENERAL
Nuclear Powers impose further sanctions on Iran
Should former politicians be allowed to cash in from books and lecture
tours?
Unequal regional distribution of tax burden
Forum demands that climate tax be redistributed on global basis
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CLIMATE CHANGE AND POPULATION
Cap-and-Trade of Carbon Permits and ideal vehicle for fraud
Green Energy plan may cost 17 times more than its benefits
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EUROPE
European Council
members must put interest of the Union above those of their own
countries (Lisbon Treaty, Article 9)
EU prepares
expanded sanctions against Iran
MEP wants tax on carbon-intensive products
EU wants introduction of body scanners on Airports
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UNITED KINGDOM
Minister
states: British forces will be among the last to come home from
Afghanistan
Wind farms will
increasingly dominate most picturesque landscapes
7.6 billion car trip entries stored by police
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DEUTSCHLAND
Solar
Subventionen
erreichen 85 Mrd. Euro
Neue Steuer auf USB Medien
Hartz IV Empfaenger zahlen nicht fuer Strom, Gas
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OESTERREICH
Transparenzkonto: Parteifinanzen ausgenommen
Feinstaubkompetenz fuer Laender und Gemeinden
Mehrwertsteuergrenze manipuliert
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