It will take the same interactive e-business Web site infrastructures to do it. Representatives and Their Constituencies Citizens want more than just to vote every two or four years. They want their opinions heard on issues affecting their daily lives, whether it s about the local landfill or international affairs. And, once elected, representatives need to nurture communities of interest throughout their terms of office. Smart representatives will pre-empt that problem with interactive Web sites where residents can literally post their opinions daily or participate in electronic town meetings.
Recent polls reflect low levels of citizen trust in government.
But more disturbing are polls of elected representatives that register even lower levels of trust in citizens opinions. We seem to have forgotten Jefferson s words, I am satisfied the good sense of the people is the strongest army our government can ever have, and that it will not fail them. The Selling of the President is begging to be rewritten, because elections will soon be won and lost through Internet campaign strategies. An informed citizen is an essential ingredient in the electoral process. Broadcast and print media will be disintermediated as citizens research issues and interact with candidates directly online.