I think it was wise of the mayor to ask city staff to suggest ways to reduce city expenses. While not specifically asked as a citizen to suggest ways, I humbly suggest the following. It is my guess that upwards of fifty to several hundreds of city staff persons are spending thousands of hours a month monitoring this �chat� line. While the concept of democratic access is laudable, it has some very real costs.
I appreciate the access. I think it is great that the mayor is using this vehicle personally to monitor and respond to the �people.� But is this truly free access? Not from a city budget point of view, and I wonder how viable it really is from a democracy viewpoint as well. I feel compelled to write in outrage to at least one posting a day, which I tend to resist most often. I fear the same disease that has affected our political parities will resurface to challenge this medium as well. Squeaky wheels, vested interests, and ideologues will crowd out any real opportunity for this medium to reflect the voices of the people. If even � of 1% of the city�s population were to actively use this process it would be overwhelming to monitor. Thankfully most readers of this screed have the good graces to not post regularly. I however lack in grace, and with my fellow graceless contributors inflict the entire list with our opinions sound and unsound. Those of us with the poor graces to put our opinions on this list are directly taking the time of the aforementioned dozens or more of city staff, not to mention our fellow citizens. I like to think my opinions are worth listening too, so I see this as a good investment of the public dollar, but I�m not so sure about many of my fellow contributors. But then they may feel the same way about me. RT, do you know how many city staff and departments feel compelled to monitor this list? While noble in concept, are the people speaking, or are those of us on this list the policy wonks and politicos? It used to be that people participated in political parties in part to contribute to the process with their reward being access to political leaders. Will this forum replace the other? And is the new poll tax the ability to wade through endless discussion of Lydia House, or tomorrows issue celeb? The truth of the matter is that I find this access point refreshing and interesting if often infuriating. I am not convinced it will survive as a viable medium. And I do wonder about its real costs. Just adding some grist to the mill. Earl Netwal Are you health conscious and entrepreneurial? Visit my USANA web page: http://www.unitoday.net/etn Do you collect postal history or philatelic covers or know someone who does? Visit my E-store. http://www.auctionworks.com/awstore/ETN Earl Netwal 5344 36th Ave S. Mpls., MN 55417 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
