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Forum Post: So what is the decision process at the GA? I read many variations.

Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 1, 2011, 9:42 a.m. EST by hillary (252)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

I heard it was a simple majority, then I heard that 1 person can derail a vote, then I read that some decisions require unanimity, then I head that the process prevents people from swaying the vote by bringing in their friends but I don't see how.

If Occupy is suppose to be the new "way" I would hope the GA would be a shining example of what this democracy looks like.

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10 Comments


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[-] 1 points by bensdad (8977) 13 years ago

I believe this is the core of the method ( that i disagree with )

"voting" is by "consensus" and requires 90% approval

abstentions are counted as yes votes a group can change itself to "modified consensus" which requires 75% in stead of 90%

I witnessed a group meeting whose sole purpose was to set a date for another meeting - and, using the "process" , could not do this in 4 1/2 hours.

Meetings, flooded with obstructors - only at 11% or 26% can wreck a meeting.

Why are abstainers forced to vote yes?

The "block" - a one person veto - is rarely used but, in theory could be used to stop anything.

The "process" may be the only option at the multi-thousand GA with no real microphone. But in a group of 10-50, no. Look how successful the tp is with the minority in the Senate - why cant we learn from their experience? imho

[-] 0 points by hillary (252) 13 years ago

I wonder how you would scale this to the level of a country...

[-] 1 points by bensdad (8977) 13 years ago

please dont shoot at me - but I believe our democracy is broken - by money - but is not disposable.
use it or lose it


Three organizations – AMONG MANY- NRA and AARP and Tparty have been enormously successful and powerful – by using their votes- WE MUST TOO !

TOP OF MY ( long ) ISSUES LIST:

Constitutional amendment: Corporations are not people & Money is not free speech

An absolute minimum corporate tax of at least 20% , excluding all deductions

End Bush tax cuts for earnings over $250,000

Tax capital gains as income

Medicare for all

Select your issues & FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE & SENATORs CONTACT:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
http://www.house.gov/
http://www.senate.gov/

Then, “grass roots” your issues :

get at least 2 of your friends to also email their congressman & get them to “grass roots” this through repeated generations – till Washington is covered in grass!

The key, of course, is republicans in congress

You can use www.whitepages.com/person
to look up people & addresses & zip codes. Especially in republican districts

Important Note:

they will only pay attention to zip codes in their (House) congressional district or (Senate) state


DEMOCRACY IS FOR SALE ONLY IF YOUR INACTION ALLOWS IT !


YOUR MESSAGE IS: VOTE THE WAY I WANT ON MY ISSUES OR I WONT VOTE FOR YOU


[-] 0 points by hillary (252) 13 years ago

I have no problem in fixing something that was working until recently, we just need to know what the problem is.

[-] 1 points by bensdad (8977) 13 years ago

a "process" meeting that took 4 1/2 hours to do nothing = broken

[-] 1 points by technoviking (484) 13 years ago

a simple majority is an oppression on the minority.

any other decision process would be an oppression on the majority

[-] 0 points by hillary (252) 13 years ago

Last nite someone lauded the GA as a shining example of a true "people's democracy", so I'd like to understand how they deal with vote stacking, filibustering and other human-nature issues.

[-] 1 points by stevemiller (1062) 13 years ago

America has evolved into a country of liars in a deep trance.

read more -- http://overthecoals.blogspot.com/

Speaking directly with all Americans is impossible. The "political correctness" trance can only be removed like a cancer if a few Americans review the possibility they might be in a trance. The budget deficit is one of many issues that prove the deep trance.

"LIAR" is called flip-flop. Its baby talk for Americans in their trance.

[-] 0 points by hillary (252) 13 years ago

Looks like the veil of secrecy has fallen over the "democratic" decision-making process......

[-] 0 points by hillary (252) 13 years ago

Figures, nobody knows.....