The Preamble of the MA Constitution outlines the idea that Massachusetts should be formed on the basis of “…a social compact… that all shall be governed by certain laws for the common good. It is the duty of the people… to provide for an equitable mode of making laws, as well as for an impartial interpretation, and a faithful execution of them; that every [person] may, at all times, find… security in them.”
In recent years, we have moved away from this idea of citizen empowerment and oversight. Our elected leaders enter the State House armed with the idea that it is a lifetime appointment. Running against an incumbent or heir apparent is too often an insurmountable feat. But in recent years, we have shown that it IS possible, and it is in the hands of our citizens to make it happen.
Election and Ethics Reform are two important elements of bringing our democracy back to where it needs to be. To accurately represent the citizen's ideas and opinions, we must enable them to be a part of the process. Here, the effort and energy must be spent on leveling the playing field, and allowing more constituents the opportunity to be informed, to hve choices, and to vote... so that they might find security within their laws and lawmakers.
In so doing, there is reform necessary on Beacon Hill, and in our neighborhoods. Some significant opportunities for advancement exist in:
- Passage of stringent Open Meeting standards, requiring that all legislative processes be held in open, properly-recorded meetings, the actions and outcomes of which should be made accessible to the public – ensuring that our representatives are held accountable for their votes and their alliances
- Term limit review, imparting term limits for all elected officials at the state level – including, but not limited to State Senators and Representatives, inclusive of the leaders of each body. Greater turnover brings greater attention and increased participation in the electoral process.
- Ballot reform, focusing on translation and transliteration of issues and candidate names on each ballot. This brings all voters in on an equal level, increasing the level of accessibility, and the number of voters able to exercise this most democratic opportunity.
- Early Voting, allowing all voters to participate, even when they cannot take a day off of work to join us in the voting booth.
- Clean elections reform, and enforcing the vote taken by the public to create state funding of elections.