Combining together increases political influence because voting numbers add value. So does spending small amounts of money, as we do on coffee and fuel. That lets MPs know what we want.
Many of us query the way governments run the country with our taxes. Those people deprived of services, know plenty of the problems and their causes. Community members often know the solutions to the problems they experience. Yet we can be hesitant to spend our own money on good government. Most of us value what we spend on our daily cuppa or fuel for the car. It is no fun spending it on building a better society.
Yet the founders of Voters Network have spent vast amounts on establishing the network for the benefit of other Aussies. They have spent a fortune on getting Votergrams established and publicised. Voterlobby has been formed at considerable cost to assist advocacy organisations to run far more successful campaigns for a fairer society.
A lot of time, work and money is currently going into how we can expand the network to include more Australians. Simultaneously we wish to cut the cost of Votergrams for those constantly guiding government. Just as power concentrated tends to corrupt, so power widely disseminated tends to eliminate corruption.
We get what we pay for
Sadly, paying and speaking up is the only way we can help to build society. It is a democracy on-cost. Obviously we 28 million Aussies cannot all hold a giant zoom or teams conference. We could not that way thrash out what the government should do in every place on every issue. Network members are going to be offered the chance to chat on zoom and perhaps Facebook more often. We probably need some volunteers to assist with that.
Australians don’t have experienced, but also selfish, rulers as in dictatorship or monarchy. We instead have a friendly monarchy. To really govern we elect and pay one “representative” for every 120,000 or so of us. Voters send them to a conference called Parliament in Canberra. There they represent us in continuous discussions on what should be done by government. Majority opinion really does decide everything. That seems to be the fairest way of pleasing the greatest number of Aussies. It does not mean a vote on everything.
How could they know?
But how do the 150 people in “The House of Representatives” know what we want done? Most Aussies don’t tell them. Voters Network members tell them more than most other Aussies. The MPs cannot automatically know what problems each of us faces, what causes those problems or what the best solutions are. Some people need good public transport. Others need a small loan to buy a cheap second-hand car. More are battling to feed their children because the bread-winner gambles away their pay each week. Sporting clubs want bigger football stadiums. One person can’t find respite care for a disabled relative. A person living in regional Australia has no maternity care within reach because parliament barely knows the place exists. A manager wonders why she pays 45% tax . Her corporate employer earning $10 billion a year only pays 30%. All these questions may be unknown to MPs.
A decision needs to be made in parliament to give our people what is needed. For that, it is generally necessary for all MPs to at least know what people want and why. They will only know if we tell them. That way they will be aware of what we need. Then they can confer amongst themselves and make a change if it has merit. It is little use only telling our one Local MP what we want. As well as doing that, we need to tell all MPs so that when our local MP asks them to support it, they will.
Surely it is obvious what needs to be done?
“Isn’t it obvious”, you may ask. It is not obvious because parliament is like a tennis tournament but much more serious. It is a competition for raw POWER. Large numbers of people constantly want thousands of things done by government. Voters may be concerned about the same issues or different issues. They blame MPs for what is not done but rarely thank them for what is. There are constant mini-competitions. Quite a few would warrant the description “Grand Slam”. About half the MPs want to out-play the other half. Both groups seek the power and spoils of being in government. The chances of one local MP winning them all over alone is small. If you have explained the facts to all MPs the majority are more likely to agree to it.
Rules based society!
One of the basic rules of democratic society is this:
“The silent majority, by it’s own choice, can never be heard.”
You probably know it. That may be why you joined Voters Network. Our parliamentary representatives are not psychic. Nor do they believe everything the media says. Those who remain silent can never be heard!
You may also know this one. It is worth sharing with friends:
“ Parliament is the only sector of government over which you have any power.”
Individual Australians have no power over the public service or bureaucracy that denies them what they want. AND
“The best way to influence government is to tell every MP what you want and ask them to get it done”. MPs do want to help you. They have enormous power to do so. I am surprised how many Voters Network members still think they cannot influence government. Truth is that government works for us. It is not the other way around. MPs are our greatest allies and resource.
The Value of Votergrams
Votergrams put incredible power and influence into the hands of every Australian, rich or poor, young or old. The Votergram service was developed in Australia, by Australians for Australians. A young family was disillusioned by being lied to and cheated by a local council. The family devoted 8 years to developing a fool-proof way of influencing governments. They decided to concentrate on parliaments and forget local councils. In doing so they came up with Votergrams.
Votergrams cost senders coffee or fuel money, yet they allow individual Aussies to move metaphorical mountains. They cut the road toll, banned smoking on airlines, had chemists dispense generic medicines. Victims impact statements were introduced into courts. Individuals got hospital beds and operations, school air conditioning and halls.
It is worth spending small money to build a better country. That benefits you, your family or friends and other Aussies. The returns from investing in good government are far greater than in real estate or shares.