Social Media: Our Government

Welcome Back,

             I would like to welcome back the returning readers and the new readers. For the new readers, this blog has been very exciting because of the newly released information that is discovered. Many different topics have been discussed and introduced to the world. I encourage all to give feedback on this blog whether it is positive or negative. As we continue to learn more about e-Governance from the previous weeks, the present, and the future, this information may be useful in dealing with organizations. This week’s topic will cover the social media within our society as we know it and how it has played a major significant within our government.

Social media is being used at every level of the government which is a part of their operations for delivering services, displaying economic development, and the management of emergency systems. As we have come accustom to, social media is the communication and marketing tool for which government uses to connect with constituents in real-time function. This allows for a faster and better response between both parties that are interacting. What is social media, it’s basically a software that provides information throughout the internet.

How many people uses social media today? Millions of people uses Facebook, twitter, and instagram, so with these popular sites they have allowed for great communication in finding out governmental information. Now myself I will admit that I’m one of the few that doesn’t use instagram or twitter for anything relating to important information, but I will use facebook.  A lot of campaigning on social media has created a storm because of the mass flow of information being presented to the people. You may find out more information from this link if you ever want to communicate with your government and officials:  http://www.usa.gov/index.shtml.

Fairfax County, VA is hosting the 2015 World Police and Fire Games which represent government employees everywhere for more information go to: http://fairfax2015.com/. This information use by the Fairfax County Government has been distributed on social media all over including Facebook which also shows how information is given. Using social media such as this event to promote is one way government has established itself into the social media trend. Today it seems like there is no way to avoid social media whether it’s good information or bad information.

An example of good use of the social media is when President Barack Obama in 2008 took his grassroots campaign and flooded it like there was no tomorrow. By the time he won the nominee
everyone knew that there was a new improve and young candidate in town. The White House even used twitter to do town hall meetings (also known as Twitter Town Hall) where citizens can ask questions have them answer right then and there. Now everyone from the political landscape seems to be using social media to promote their own initiatives to the voters.
Another example how social media work is one that law enforcement uses the most and which facebook, yes facebook. Many criminals have been caught after putting information up on the internet which leads to plenty arrest without the assistance of another person. Even some cases involving child abuse have been proven from facebook as well. So the government utilizes social media from every avenue to benefit them as well as protecting law abiding citizens.

Social media will continue to make history whether good or bad but it’s up to society and government how it will be used. Utilize whatever information the government is given to your advantage which can make life easier when trying to pay bills, meetings, and other useful information. Follow me next week on another great informative topic involving our government and communities.                     

                                      https://youtu.be/ASZJE15E0SY  

                                                                                      

E-Democracy Online Voting

Welcome Back,

            Over the past several week's valuable information and understanding of how government works with regards to e-Governance and technology. The government has been a crucial part of our daily lives with the decision-making process and how things operate. As I have been continuing the pursuit of my Masters Degree in Public Administration, the knowledge, and information that is learned will make you wonder about our so-called government system.

                E-Democracy has been a major part of our society that has integrated itself slowly into our society and as I have learned with electronics. E-Democracy allows people to interact with their politicians and personal use such as emails. This idea will enable citizens to be an equal participant in our political process as we know it today. The focal of this blog will be about online voting and how it will better the process of every American especially the ones that may not access to transportation.

 

 http://www.ted.com/talks/david_bismark_e_voting_without_fraud

            Online voting has been a debate for years and several European countries such as Belgium and Estonia which have seen great success with over 30% of the voters have used the internet for casting ballots. With elections the main focus is to bring efficiency and transparency to government and paper ballots are still done in some places to increase security and integrity. There will always be doubt on how the process of online voting will be handled with regards to making sure there isn’t any cheating going on.

            Should America take the same path as the other countries? United States using e-voting (also known as Electronic Voting) which a system to aid in casting and counting votes. Now if you’ve ever voted before then, you know how the process works along with the stories of voting system failures. In general, two main types of e-Voting are identifiable:

• E-Voting which was physically supervised by representatives of governmental or independent electoral authorities (e.g. electronic voting machines located at polling stations). 
• Remote e-Voting where voting is performed within the voter's sole influence and is not physically supervised by representatives of governmental authorities (e.g. voting from one's personal computer, mobile phone, television via the internet (also called i-voting).

                                                                                      https://youtu.be/IoWJkrlptNs

 E-Democracy is a part of the process which helps citizens vote freely. We know the voting process here has been penniless such as redistricting, changing voting laws and targets a certain ethnic group of people. Go back to the Bush/Gore election back in 2000 that cause a Supreme Court battle of ballots. That year Florida was given to Gore, and out of nowhere, Bush was given Florida which ultimately led to Al Gore’s defeat. Something was real funny about that entire election voting process and system which now Americans look for honesty within the voting process.

           

       With the online voting I feel that is saves money and time for the states as well as the people. Arizona in the year of 2000 was the first state in the country to cast binding votes in a national election which I think is pretty cool. This really work well for the political participation that resulting in more marketing of candidates, fundraising events, and the issues that are being presented at this time. Here are two independent websites that have started to promote online voting and they are election.com and voter.com. This movement of online voting has become serious as we see in our political candidate today.

         What a few weeks it has been and the information being giving out for a better understanding of how technology works with government. And I have been privileged to give information that I hope will inspire and encourage a lot of people to take part in the political process. Be ahead of the Government as they are slowly trying to keep pace with change and show them how actions speak louder than words.

Citizenville-Government

Welcome Back

Over the past few weeks, this blog has been giving great information in regards to e-Government and how it co-exist within the government. With the ever so changing technology that we encounter every day whether at work, on the computer, or social media everyone must stay on point.

This week will be a little different which still relates to e-Governance, and its evolution involves a book that's read for my Public Administration Degree program called Citizenville. Which was written by California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom with Lisa Dickey which focuses on a more open robust democracy, centered on the digital age of our society. Citizenville gives a story of how ordinary people can change the political ties that we encounter today by using the technology of smartphones and social networking which has evolved over time and will continue vastly change. He also talks about how technology can empower citizens and transform government.

He took the initiative to interview with politicians that may have significant influences on how we live our lives and the changes that were and are made. In a way, this book was written to emulate what a lot of people think when it comes to government and how it works with technology. As you see today that campaigns have become a movement which takes over television, online news websites, and ads popping up on everything that we view. Newsom continues to discuss the changes from the JFK with his “We can do better,” Reagan with “Morning in America,” Obama with “Yes we can” and once the elections are over the fireworks die down. Convincing people to open themselves up, believe and let their guards down. Do they know what citizens want, as Citizenville seems to be our thoughts that aren't being heard?

Everything in government has to involve transparency for things to acceptable. As followed through reading this book was the Care Not Cash program that Newsom fought to implement in San Francisco that involved homeless people that were getting $400 stipends then cut to $59 a month of which the rest of the $341 would go to housing and services. He stated that he had the fierce opposition to the program. Another section of the book that was informative was “Project Homeless Connect” which involved the power of real data that consist of actually going out and collecting information to show who needs the system and whether to show growth and decline.

During my time throughout my career, I have done some volunteering which involved feeding the homeless for an organization called “Doing My Part” located in Charlotte, NC which was a great experience. I think we all should take the time to help others in need that are less fortunate.

The amount of money the government spends on things such as cars, travel, paper, or advisor is considered a part of wasteful spending of which the money can be put forth to better services such as feeding a family. As Newsom uses the procurement, it’s a word that represents the third party gang, meaning something’s might be corrupt. Everything seems to be a buddy system within our government.  Everyone knows the term Good Old Boys’ System which still exists today. Another suggestion the government needs to do is open up the data as Newsom indicates that will create more jobs and build trust, so is this is the case then let flood gates open.

In the time of one of the worst fiscal crisis beginning in 2007 which took place at the beginning of 2008 since the Great Depression give people a reason to trust the government again. Because our politicians that we call “Congress” has been during a horrible job over the past years trying to tear each

other down instead up building and uplifting peoples spirits. They say what the American people want is why they’re doing what they do, I haven’t been asked any question and probably 98% of the American people haven’t either so is it what they want and think people want? Newsom sums up a lot within this book and after reading it I suggest you do so as well.

"Never Fear The Unknown Because The Unknown Will Never Fear You" By O. Quick