Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Liberal Internet Suggestion Box

The BC Liberals have started a suggestion box on the internet.  You can check it out at:

http://www.ideaslab.ca/

I did, and the first thing I saw was the question, "What would you like to see in the BC Liberal 2013 Campaign Platform?" Although this sounds good at first blush, I am not a fan for a few reasons.

  1. I would have thought that any credible party would be offering a vision of where they want to go rather than begging for a vision. 
     
  2. The suggestions that are dropped off cannot be properly refined through debate, nor can they be defended. 
     
  3. This is gimmicky rather than being genuine. It has to be, because anyone can post anything.
     
    For example, one person posted that the BC Liberals should keep the HST. Now, regardless of whether that is a good or a bad idea, we have had a referendum and the government CANNOT keep the HST. They must rescind it. If they what to bring it back later they can do that, but they have no choice but to get rid of it first. So suggestions may come in from well meaning people that simply cannot be acted on.
     
    Also, conservatives and socialists may post suggestions. Here, the BC Liberals will not be able to act on the suggestions AND maintain their distinction as a liberal party.
     
    So I believe this is gimmicky because they do not intend to use any suggestions that do not come from intelligent liberal sources, nor should they.
The real way to garner this input already exists and every party does it.
  • We seek out like minded people to join the party.
  • Then the local party members put forward their suggestions and they are debated and refined.
  • Then the ones that stand the test are brought forward to the AGM and further debated at a provincial level.
  • The ones that make it through that process are now worthy of becoming party platform and they are brought full circle to the public in the next election.
This is a far more effective approach and I encourage everyone to join the party of their choice and participate in it. The ideas website is more window dressing and is just for show to make a beleaguered party look friendly.

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