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OBJECTIVES
1) To create 100,000 plus jobs in alternative energy generation quickly and become net exporters of energy within 10 years and in so doing stabilise the economy,reduce co2 emissions, eliminate Kyoto carbon taxes, and provide safe clean and FINANCIALLY STABLE and RELIABLE sources of energy. CREATING an atmosphere of stability. Security,and predictability within the economy as a whole. .
2) Create real incentives and infrastructure for alternative modes of transport such as electric vehicles etc.
3) To change the constitution so that the people can have democratic mechanisms for engagement with the their own Government and political processes and call a referendum when they feel motivated enough to do so....Direct Democracy
Democracy should not begin and end with the election of a political party. No party should have the right or feel they have a mandate to go against the wishes of the people during their term of election.
4) WHAT 'DIRECT DEMOCRACY' WOULD MEAN FOR IRELAND AND THE EU
- Democracy 2.0, A European Reality Check
by Jan Van De Ven NoMeansNo
- We always upgrade to the new and improved version of everything. Shouldn't the European Union be an upgrade to democracy as well? Find out why strengthening the power of the Irish referendum through Direct Democracy is the next step.
Ireland is a Plebiscite
- This is about who controls the Irish referendum agenda; the government or the people.
- When the government or the majority party in parliament controls the referendum agenda, they
- just schedule other referendums until the people vote the way they want, and “then and only then”
is it a binding outcome. This is called a Plebiscite. The people complain that “this is not democratic”, it is, because through the constitution “we the sovereign people of Ireland” give them the power to do so. No signatures need to be gathered, no major debate, the parliament just votes to schedule another referendum. Lisbon 1, Lisbon 2, Lisbon 3, Lisbon whatever?
- Direct Democracy
- When the people control the referendum agenda, then the outcome of the vote is binding, “NO
means NO and YES means YES”. When the people control the agenda, the people gather enough signatures to have a referendum on “whatever issue, whenever they want”, and the outcome is binding. In this definition of democracy, only the constitution or the people can cause a referendum to happen, not the government. Let’s be clear, the government has NO POWER to schedule a referendum, only the people or the constitution does. This is called “Direct Democracy”.
Democracy 2.0!
- Irish referendums are triggered by the constitution and controlled by the parliament. To change
this, we need to change the Irish constitution. If the EU can change our constitution from the top down, then “we the sovereign people of Ireland” can certainly change it from the bottom up. If the Irish government does not respect the will of the Irish people and schedules another Lisbon referendum, then we should take that power away and give the right to cause referendum back to the people. This single act would strengthen the democratic power of the people and truly upgrade Irish democracy.
- Can we do this?
- This is the perfect time to do it. The Irish people will be angry if the government does not respect
their vote and goes ahead with Lisbon 2. We can focus the resulting “anger and outrage” to push the idea of a constitutional change through. If successful, second referendum votes will be a thing of the past.
- What are the bigger picture implications of this strategy for a United Europe?
- The short answer is that if Ireland makes this change, then Ireland can truly lead the way to a more democratic Europe.
- Here’s why.
- The beauty of direct democracy is that the people can let their leaders legislate with the comfort of knowing that they can step in at any time, create a referendum, and change or “throw out” new or old laws when they begin to affect their lives in negative ways. Politicians will not push for unpopular laws when they know the people can step in and throw them out.
- This means that the Irish people can allow the EU to continue unifying and step in with
- referendum veto powers on future EU laws or competencies that do not serve them. You will not need to understand all the intricacies of each treaty, hardly anyone does, however, you will know that you have the ability to change what it is to live with their results.
- Switzerland has had “direct democracy”, for more than 150 years. Switzerland is a federation of 26 autonomous cantons or provinces (the EU has 27 countries) and is considered the most
advanced democracy on the planet. (see link below) They have "direct democracy" on every level of government; local, regional and national. To the Swiss it’s all about preserving and expanding the citizen’s sovereign power of referendum. “Power to the People”.
- Direct Democracy in Switzerland
5) To bring about greater transparency in all matters of Government
6) To revisit the Corrib Gas and Oil contracts which were negotiated without consultation with the people of Ireland to whom these resources belong. Currently valued at around 540,000,000,000. Euro (That's Billions)
7) Capitalize on our green image abroad by creating more jobs and real incentives for the already internationally expanding markets in organic foods and products. Let us stop poisoning our land,water supplies,and citizens with chemically produced and sprayed products which nutritionists tell us have less nutritional value than their chemical free alternatives
8) Invest in our future through our most vital resource,our children (and future adults). Overhaul the Educational system. Build new schools where necessary that are ultimately owned by the state and eliminate the waste of rented temporary structures.
9) Look at and start projects in actual LIFE SKILLS for children to help them cope with the stresses of a world that is growing more complex and pressurised on every level and on, indefinitely into adulthood . Even the problems created by the very food that they eat. ie, see Jamie Olivers food program for schools and the dramatic effect educating children's palate in relation to the food they eat and the change for the better in their ability to focus and their improved attention span and their improved relations with each other and their elders and teachers and their health. Also see stress management for children (and adults) under “Consciousness based Education”.
10) End the current scandalous situation of the plight of the elderly who have made their contribution this society and are denied the right to live out their final years with the dignity,medical and financial support they so deserve.
A COUNTRY IS MORE THAN AN ECONOMY
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