OK, the Internet provides citizens with new vehicles to get involved in the political process, but will people “walk through the portal”? We will soon find out. The WhiteHouse has created a site called “open for questions,” a Digg-like site where residents can submit questions and vote on their favorites. The president will answer some of the most popular questions at a Thursday town hall. Here’s a metric for how much desire there is to engage directly with the federal government — as of 6pm Eastern time on March 25th, 2009 33,040 people had submitted 34,090 questions and cast 1,226,081 votes. 32,000 out of over 300 million citizens is not much, but here’s what makes this so intriguing. Check out a random sampling of questions leading the “voting” so far:
“With over 1 out of 30 Americans controlled by the penal system, why not legalize, control, and tax marijuana to change the failed war on drugs into a money making, money saving boost to the economy? Do we really need that many victimless criminals?”
“We have been forced to slowly liquidate my wife’s 401K to make our monthly mortgage payments. We dread the implications ahead when we have to file our 2009 federal tax returns. Do you foresee leniency on 401K liquidating for “qualified” candidates?”
“Will we ever see high speed passenger rail service in the U.S.?”
“I’m hard working, always make my mortgage payment on time, and bought a house I knew I could afford. My ARM is adjusting, and I’m not eligible for any great program. Why haven’t better loan options become available for the responsible middle class”
Compare these questions to those posed by the media at last nights press conference:
Apparently the demand for marijuana law reform is huge (insert Peter Tosh lyrics here). Now I’m not saying that marijuana laws should be at the top of the president’s agenda, but it’s significant that the Web 2.0 provide a new mechanism for agenda access. Rather than relying on institutions to “problematize” issues for the public agenda, individual citizens can throw their hat in the ring and potentially get a brief hearing. The serious test will be whether large numbers of people watch the Thursday morning town hall. If they do, the “on-line town hall” become a new avenue for policy entrepreneurs to reach the public agenda.
Comments 4
rkatclu — March 26, 2009
What's more likely is that pro-legalization online communities mobilized a lot of members. Hitting online polls is not a new tactic.
Updated figures:
"92,931 people have submitted 104,098 questions and cast 3,606,277 votes"
Ty Flcming — March 26, 2009
I personally believe that Obama's choice for his administration are flawless. Although that man is looked at like a celebrity in our times, I see him as the president. He is the right man for these tough economic times and I believe he will change the U.S.A. and give us a better global image. The people love him and I do not think we should question his administration. It is his choice and not ours.
I personally like the legalization of marijuana. I know it is considered a "gateway drug" but, the same users will continue to do it regardless of the law. It has been scientifically proven that weed does not do any brain or immune system damage and that alcohol does. So why is marijuana the illegal drug? Although I'm not a user I've heard it is perfect for back pain.
ellemac — March 26, 2009
I thought Obama's dismissive handling of this issue during today's online town hall was a bigger gaffe than the Special Olympics crack, especially with all the hullabaloo at the Mexican border these days.
Kenneth M. Kambara — March 27, 2009
OK, when will there be MANDATORY drug testing for Special Olympics crack?
There will always be the haters regarding Web 2.0 & democracy. This Slate article discusses the "undemocratic" nature of Web 2.0, but I think Chris Wilson's confusing "democracy" with good sociological old status and legitimacy. There may be an 80/20 rule of online participation/engagement, which the article mentions, but the key is that the 20% (or less) dominating on sites 2.0 like Wikipedia and Digg "aren't chosen by a corporate board of directors or by divine right. They're the people who participate the most."