VOTE on Democracy & Reform

the latest and last Dialog07 Ballot

 

Dialog07 participants, if you haven't yet done so, be sure to click to:

 

1) VOTE on P-VP Candidates & Issues

 

2) CLOSED:  Global Wars & Terrorism

 

3) CLOSED: Energy & Global Warming

 

4) VOTE on Democracy & Reform

 

Four '07 ballots in four months [1) Sep, 2) Oct, 3) Nov & 4) Dec]

before '08 caucuses, primaries and conventions pick nominees

based on issues of greatest concern: War, Energy & Democracy

 

Not who but why!

Dialog07 is key!!!

 

Analysis of Results of Energy Dialog07 closed on December 5th:

 

"Fraudulent global warming left wing nonsense" is how one Dialog07 respondent characterized his opposition when he voted on the third Media Ballot, which allowed him to express what he, no doubt, considers to be his right-wing views.  Yet the vast majority of 100 dialog voters online and 25 meeting at Hormel Nature Center on November 29th did not see this as a left-right issue, but one in which the radical middle agrees we need change from the bottom-up rather than by top-down actions of the traditional seats of political (& electrical) power.

 

Of the 100, eight, in their own words, said:

 

  1. Global warming is obviously an apocalyptic threat; fueling and fuel alternatives is a more solvable problem.

  2. Natural cycle of the earth

  3. Believe is a problen, but is not going to cause immediate disaster

  4. I don't have much information, but it does concern me.

  5. Global warming is occurring naturally and life will adapt.

  6. I'm not convinced, but think we should be producing our own gas for cars.

  7. I'm not convinced it is happening, but will be careful

  8. Don't really care

 

Of the other 92, here are their pre-stated answers to:

    "Which of these views about global warming is closest to yours?"

 

    2 said: "I don't believe global warming is really occurring."

    2 said: "If it is occurring, it is not serious enough to concern me."

    4 said: "I'm more concerned about depleting all global fossil fuels"

  84 said: "I'm concerned with both global warming & using less oil, etc."

 

Thus  84+4+5(of the 1st 8 above)= 93 out of 100 felt that energy policy changes are needed now.  But whose policies?  The 25 in face-to-face dialog overwhelming said that cities and states more than national and international actions are most effective.   By brainstorming and dialog voting (on 25 wireless OptionFinder 10-digit pads), they discussed these ideas of theirs:

 

GOALS                           OBJECTIVES                 OBSTACLES                         ACTIONS

+ Educate on how to        +Educate re economic       +People prefer convenience      +Make it "cool" to be green

     reduce consumption         benefits (e.g. rebates)        to [less familiar] benefits      - Reward change

- Specific targets to           -Target individuals            - Financial costs                      - Implement consumption tax

     reduce use of fuels       - Educate the children        - Technology not yet ready          [in place of income taxes

- Change public opinion    - Ed. about current state     - Convince "entrenched"                & called the "Fair Tax"]

     on global warming            & local guidelines               powers of the                   - Change the "entrenched"

- Promote conservation      - Ed. about incentives              rightness of this                     powers through voting

                                            to produce energy                                                          [1st in Iowa on Jan. 3rd]

 

[Please pardon my bracketed insertions, but such is the nature of dialog, in that each iteration gets additions.]

 

Plus-signs above mark each brainstormed idea getting the most votes to be expanded into ideas to the right.  The reduce-consumption goal led to the economic-benefits objective, then to the prefer-convenience obstacle and finally to "Make it cool to be green" action to which those 25 are now committed in the city of Austin MN.

 

Here is what else the 100 said online via votes cast at http://co.net/dialog/ in the 2nd EnergyDialog07 question:

 

2.  Do you now, or do you plan to, combat global warming in any of these ways?

 

     37 Walk or bicycle to work, shop, etc.

     31 Carpool or use public transit

     32 Use bio fuels & less gasoline

     25 Use hybrid, all-electric car &/or hydrogen-powered car(s)

     11 Use solar energy panels on/at home

       9 Use small wind turbine in backyard

     77 Use Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs

     64 Use energy efficient appliances

     85 Recycle plastic/cans/glass/paper

     43 Bring [their] own grocery bags

 

     17. in volunteered comments, said:

          1. Use more fuel-efficient gasoline-powered cars.

          2. Reduce energy turn off lights- lower temp in home

          3. Shorter showers

          4. Lower Thermostat Settings

          5. I have begun one no-drive day per week

          6. I've just insulated the house and turn the thermostat down to 64 when there and

              58 overnight and when out; I'm more conscious about buying local produce

          7. I do this just to save money, not for global warming

          8. Take less showers

          9. Newspapers as wrapping for Christmas

        10. My conservation of natural resources has nothing to do with global warming.

        11. Will attend dialogue [at Hormel Nature Center on Nov 29th]

        12. Reduce home energy use = lower thermostat winter/increase summer

        13. Need big picture policy solutions to really make a difference

        14. Complain at every opportunity about wasteful consumption and use of resources

        15. Avoid making unimportant trips by car, grow my own food & buy local, buy used,

               avoid buying unnecessary items, turn off lights, shower less, live in a small home.

        16. Use Honda Civic

        17. Will adopt more ways as available and affordable

 

   99 answered question

      1 skipped question

 

Then they/you answered the following questions about local, state, national and global policies.

 

For the remaining questions, balloters voted for options ONLY if agreed and did NOT if opposed or uncertain.

 

 

3. Local governments (cities, counties) should combat global warming with these measures:

 

Require public vehicles, including taxis, to be hybrids, by 2012, as in New York City.

         47.0%         47

Encourage participation in the "Cool Cities" agreement to fight global warming.

         46.0%         46

Have building codes encourage installation of solar panels for heating and/or electricity generation.

         64.0%         64

Have zoning regulations encourage installation of small, quiet wind turbines behind houses and esp. on farms.

         44.0%         44

Encourage businesses to become energy independent with the help of employees and customers.

         60.0%         60

Have utilities make it easy to sell any excess wind, solar, or battery-stored power to the grid for use by others.

         60.0%         60

Have utilities add incentives to encourage off-peak electricity usage to cut consumer electricity costs.

         67.0%         67

Have utilities encourage wind-farm-generated power use by industry to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and/or nuclear power.

         59.0%         59

Other

         12.0%         12

 

         answered question: 100

         skipped question: 0

 

 

4. Which of these State policies might you support?

 

Collaborate with other states to convert entirely to renewable, clean, safe energy sources during this century

         61.9%         60

Increase incentives for telecommuting, car sharing, van/carpooling, and increased use of public transit

         74.2%         72

Eliminate subsidies and incentives for nonrenewable energy use (oil, coal, natural gas and nuclear power)

         55.7%         54

Increase rebates and tax credits for wind, solar, small hydro & geothermal and for hybrid & electric cars

         80.4%         78

Certify commercial and industrial operations in meeting standards to encourage consumers to "buy green"

         51.5%         50

Other

         7.2%  7

 

         answered question: 97

         skipped question: 3

 

 

5. As the United States considers national policies to address global warming, do you support...

 

A national goal of 80% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2050

         45.6%         41

A "carbon tax" to reduce global warming gas emissions

         43.3%         39

A "cap and trade" system allowing industries to trade credits of carbon emissions

         23.3%         21

More drilling and development of domestic sources of oil and natural gas

         27.8%         25

Development of wind power -- incl. off-shore wind farms and distributed networked small wind turbines

         72.2%         65

Higher fuel efficiency standards for motor vehicles

         72.2%         65

More use of agriculture crops to produce biofuels

         36.7%         33

R&D of coal-fired power plants that lessen gas emissions and of nuclear power safety & waste disposal

         44.4%         40

Major funding for renewable energy sources rather than subsidies for oil, coal and/or nuclear power

         61.1%         55

Other

         5.6%  5

 

         answered question: 90

         skipped question: 10

 

 

6. As the United States engages the world community on the issue of global warming, do you support...

 

U.S. participation in international negotiations and treaties aimed at combating global warming

         71.1%         59

Equal (percentage) reduction targets of global warming gas emissions for developed and developing nations

         34.9%         29

Mandatory targets for ALL or for big businesses and rich countries to reduce global warming gas emission

         67.5%         56

Voluntary targets for ALL or for small businesses & poor countries to reduce global warming gas emission

         43.4%         36

Worldwide major rebates to rural & suburban businesses & homes converting to their own solar & wind power

         48.2%         40

A multinational Peace Corps to help expedite development of a global distributed network of renewable energy

         51.8%         43

All-Nations 21st Century ˛War on Warming˛ Collaboration to replace the 20th Century Space Race & Arms Races

         41.0%         34

Other

         2.4%  2

 

         answered question: 83

         skipped question: 17

 

 

7. Energy Dialog07 Followup ...

 

Attend(ed) Dialog07 discussion at 7pm, Thu, Nov 29 at Hormel Nature Center, 1304 21st St NE, Austin MN

         34.8%         8

On the Internet click(ed) on http://co.net/dialog/ to vote also on issues about war and terrorism

         43.5%         10

Help nominate candidates who agree with you at 2008 caucuses/primaries &/or at http://unity08.com convention

         52.2%         12

Say who make up your Dream Team for President & VP at http://co.net/dialog about candidates & issues

         17.4%         4

Suggest issues to be included in a December DemocracyDialog07 ballot about reforms:

         17.4%         4

 

         answered question: 23

         skipped question: 77

 

 

_____

 

Results of War Dialog07 closed on December 22nd:

 

1. U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, we are told, are within a "Global War on Terror," which some say might last 50 years. Which ONE of these options do you most prefer?

 

Expand current military strategy: These wars can be won to limit terrorism and bring peace to the Middle East.

         2.9%  3

Revise current strategy: Maintain military presence, but look to diplomacy to involve other Middle East nations.

         7.8%  8

Change strategy: Draw down troops in Iraq. Shift policy towards one of diplomacy and cooperation with other nations.

         43.1%         44

Adopt new strategy: Immediately withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. No unilateral military action.

         22.5%         23

Adopt new policy: End post-WWII and post-Cold-War weapons buildups, which motivate and can even equip terrorists.

         23.5%         24

Comment (optional)       20

 

 

2. How, if at all, has your stance on the Iraq War changed since 2003?

 

Unchanged. I was always opposed to this war.

         47.1%         48

Now oppose it, after having originally supported it.

         8.8%  9

Unchanged. I always opposed this war but now I view it as a facet of a much larger problem.

         36.3%         37

I support it, and I believe we should remain in Iraq to be successful.

         7.8%  8

Comment (Optional)       12

 

 

3. Which of the following do you consider legitimate reasons for the US war in Iraq? (You may choose multiple options)

 

To deter weapons of mass destruction

         10.8%         11

To fight terrorism łover there˛

         6.9%  7

To remove a cruel dictator

         15.7%         16

To spread democracy

         5.9%  6

To assure our access to oil

         6.9%  7

To establish a free market system

         2.0%  2

To punish those responsible for 9-11

         2.9%  3

To halt extreme Islamic fundamentalism

         9.8%  10

None of the above

         74.5%         76

Comment (Optional)       19

 

 

4. Terrorism is a reality in our world. How do we address this issue now and into the future? (You may choose multiple options)

 

Continue to build our military force designed for conventional warfare.

         5.9%  6

Pursue further development and refinement of nuclear weapons.

         2.0%  2

Strengthen the effectiveness of the United Nations in its ability to unify nations against the common enemy of terrorism.

         52.0%         53

Curb exploitative activities of corporations and global financial organizations that unintentionally breed terrorism.

         56.9%         58

Condemn state terrorism and genocide as well as individual/cell terrorism; use U.N. sanctions and inspections to combat.

         46.1%         47

Put U.N. peacekeeper troops under command of regional nations that understand local cultures and languages.

         46.1%         47

Invest in multilateral intelligence gathering & communications technology to help discover and root out terrorist activity.

         44.1%         45

Your suggestion, if any?

         26.5%         27

 

 

5. In this new millennium, what happened to the goal of a nuclear-free world? Choose the ONE option you think is most valid and important.

 

We may need to militarily attack any nation developing nuclear bombs -- like Iran, North Korea or previously Iraq.

         1.0%  1

All nations agree to reduce nuclear arms, policed by U.N. inspecting nuclear reductions & suspected developments.

         35.3%         36

All nations help develop clean, safe renewable energy to replace oil, causing wars, and nuclear power, spawning WMDs.

         38.2%         39

First, electronically track nuclear power and weapons in all nations, with stiff U.N. penalties if any are found hidden.

         9.8%  10

Nuclear reduction is an unrealistic goal because...

         15.7%         16

 

 

6. Dialog balloting follow-up options: (Choose all that apply.)

 

Enter(ed) above War Dialog Ballot answers quickly online at http://co.net/wardialog

         51.7%         45

... or mailing to: Dialog07 on War, P.O. Box 413, Rochester, MN 55903

         6.9%  6

... or emailing to Dialog07war@yahoo.com

         8.0%  7

Attend(ed) 7 pm Thursday dialog meeting(s) in MN at: Rochester Government Center, in Conf. Room 1, on Nov 8; Austin Labor Center (across from Library) on Nov 15; Albert Lea's Christ Episcopal Church on Dec 6; and/or possibly at _______ on ______ (specify which of above places & dates on Comment line below and say if bringing/brought guests or if willing to or did co-host)

         17.2%         15

Participate in future Dialog07 Balloting on energy and reform issues (please provide contact data under #7 below)

         32.2%         28

Vote in 2008 Party Caucus or Presidential Primary

         57.5%         50

Consider becoming (or have registered to be) a June delegate at http://unity08.com to select a P-VP bipartisan/independent ticket

         20.7%         18

Encourage others to participate in Dialog07 (on war, energy, reform & candidates), in parties &/or ln Unity08

         35.6%         31

Explain/comment: 6

 

 

7. Thank you for participating. Your name, address, email &/or phone number will not be used for other than notices about DialogO7. Only your State and ZIP code are required for geographical analysis purposes.

 

Name:

         70.6%         72

Phone(s):

         22.5%         23

Email:

         59.8%         61

Street:

         43.1%         44

City/Town:

         61.8%         63

State:

         100.0%       102

ZIP:

         100.0%       102