[Paisleychick-lj] Watchdog.net

[Beatrice M's blog]

[![][1]][2]   
[Elouise][3]   
Originally uploaded by [blmurch][4]. 

Kragen is working on a great project with Aaron Swartz, Pradeep Gowda and Nathan Borror called [watchdog.net][5]. Aaron announced it yesterday on his blog ["Raw Thoughts"][6], with a parallel entry on [watchdog.net's blog][7]. The idea is to gather US political information in one spot and provide actionable items. The site is in active development *right now* and they are keeping the site and the process completely transparent. You can view the code, keep up to date with their blog posts and see what data sets they are pulling from. Currently [The Almanac of American Politics 2008][8], [US Census][9], [govtrack.us][10], [US House of Representatives][11], [opensecrets][12], [US senate][13], and [votesmart][14]. I'm really excited that this project has been funded and is a go. It should prove at interesting tool this election. It's being funded by [Sunlight Network][15] furthering their goal to bring transparency to government and to harness the wonderful democratic tools of the internet.   
  
It seems like there is a huge momentum around effectively using the internet and that it might actually be reaching a tipping point. We saw the amazing organizing power of the Dean campaign back in 2002-3 and Obama seems to be taking it to a whole new level with his work; smashing fundraising records by reaching out to people and getting bucketloads of small donations. His campaign has accounts on [youtube][16], [twitter][17], [flickr][18] and most probably on facebook His campaign is responsive on all of those social networks, they are not just place-holder accounts. [Change-Congress][19] is Larry Lessig's new campaign to take on corruption in the US Congress and is finding its legs. England has some wonderful action tools: [theyworkforyou.com][20] and [writetothem.com][21]. The Sunlight Foundation is doing some great projects. One of them is getting people's input on proposed bills: [publicmarkup.org][22]. Some politicians think it's a great idea, however some lobbyists don't seem to like that very much. 

> "The notion of bypassing lobbyists is turning heads on Capitol Hill and among lobbyists.  
  
"Any time that we can hear directly from the American people and not paid lobbyists, it is a good thing," said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who has sponsored several open-government initiatives.  
  
The idea of letting the public shape legislation levels the playing field between affluent groups that can afford lobbyists and the public, Cornyn said.  
  
The idea was not as well received by Paul Miller, past president of the American League of Lobbyists. Miller says lobbyists are unfairly portrayed as backroom-deal makers.  
  
There is more transparency in legislation than ever before, Miller said. But he disagrees with putting bills up for all to rewrite.  
  
"I don't think the way you advocate is to put everything online and say, 'All right American people, weigh in on that,' because then what's next?" Miller asked. "Are we going to let the American people decide our defense policy, our trade policy, our immigration policy?"  
  
Other lobbyists say the idea has the potential to engage the public.  
  
Thomas Susman, who has lobbied on a wide range of issues, called the Sunlight Foundation's approach novel. But passing legislation requires a lot more, he said. Timing of legislation, committee assignments and communicating with lawmakers are crucial.  
  
"Lobbyists are not going to become obsolete because the process is just too complicated, convoluted and difficult," Susman said."

[SOURCE][23] I look forward to seeing what watchdog.net becomes and if you have good ideas, [talk to Aaron][24]!  


   [1]: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1132/1154865683_428305e687_m.jpg
   [2]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/1154865683/ (photo sharing)
   [3]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/1154865683/
   [4]: http://www.flickr.com/people/blmurch/
   [5]: http://watchdog.net/
   [6]: http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/watchdog
   [7]: http://watchdog.net/blog/
   [8]: http://nationaljournal.com/
   [9]: http://www.census.gov/
   [10]: http://www.govtrack.us/
   [11]: http://www.house.gov/
   [12]: http://www.opensecrets.org/
   [13]: http://www.senate.gov/
   [14]: http://www.votesmart.org/
   [15]: http://sunlightnetwork.com/
   [16]: http://www.youtube.com/user/BarackObamadotcom
   [17]: http://twitter.com/BarackObama
   [18]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/
   [19]: http://www.change-congress.org/
   [20]: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/
   [21]: http://www.writetothem.com/
   [22]: http://www.publicmarkup.org/
   [23]: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/nation/04/13/0413sunlight.html
   [24]: http://watchdog.net/about/#feedback

URL: http://paisleychick.livejournal.com/337221.html