The World Bank estimates that 1.5Bn people on the planet lack a legal identifier. The Syrian refugee crisis has underscored the problem of state-based identification. And according to UNICEF, the births of around one fourth of children under the age of five worldwide have never been recorded. (Just imagine the consequences that not having a birth certificate can lead to. Children with no access to education or health care or adults not able to vote in elections, open a bank account or get a job)
So, the reality of a government-sourced and sanctioned identity is a big problem. And it is becoming so important that the United Nations has made it a Sustainable Development Goal (16.9)!
To be precise, I am not totally against the current identity regime but I can objectively see 4 major issues here.
- First of all, It is centralised, controlled, and vulnerable to cancellation, forgery and theft.
- Second, all personal data we create do not belong to us but to whoever controls the system.
- Third, this identifier-system is all but user-friendly. Individuals or NGO reps have to repeat registration processes all the time.
- And last but not least, we bear the risk and responsibility for cleanup should hackers break into the system but enjoy none of the rewards of third-party usage.
So what's next?
IMO all 4 points mentioned above can "easily" be solved with a decentralised data commons for example. In fact, with the emergence of blockchain, numerous identity projects have sprung up around logging, storage and accessibility of personal data.
For example, blockchain users can already obtain identifiers through startups like Fractal Protocol and start controlling and monetising their own data. Through FCL (or other DID/KYC crypto tokens) the system can be maintained by the people whose identities it protects so that everyone's incentives align with clear rights for users to control their own data, access and monetise it.
BUT! Here is the real question is.
Do people put enough trust in Decentralised Identity infrastructure run through smart contracts or do we trust more centralised and controlled identity regimes?
What do you trust more? Open to debate!
Its time to stop this endless bickering in the democratic party.
Let Joe Manchin and Sinema have the win on the reconciliation bill. In exchange for a pared-down spending bill, that doesn't have paid family medical leave or all of the drug price controls you want, get Sinema and Manchin to support compulsory voting and FEC reform
Mandatory voting requirements for as many people as possible will go A LONG WAY in stopping Trump from being elected in 2024. It will help the democrats in 2022, even in gerrymandered districts, if voting is made compulsory or mandatory like it is in Australia.
More people voting will help the democrats and it will elect more democrats and then we can get FML and drug price controls down the road. Mandatory voting, compulsory voting will thwart a TON of what the republicans are trying to do to suppress voting.
I think the voting rights bills are way more important than reconciliation spending bill at this point, and passing any reconciliation bill seems way more important than what is in it, in the context of voting rights.
Stopping Trumps 2nd term is the most important thing and a scaled down reconciliation bill may be all that can pass, voting rights are still more important.
Manchin and Sinema cant really object to compulsory voting, they want to protect themselves in their states and this allows them to do it without looking partisan. They want to be seen as thwarting the democratic party so LET THEM write the reconciliation bill, but we get their support on compulsory/mandatory voting. Frame it as a FEC election rules bill or something less partisan sounding. Write increased powers into the FEC with additional members with a lot TON of authority, and jam up the courts ability to stop all FEC enforcement actions against dark money candidates in 2022 and 2024. This will make the bill seem more like a bureaucratic maneuver with the effects unknown, that will help it pass the senate with 50+1 votes. The public wont really know the true effects but thats why democrats have to set up all these safeguards prior to 2022 and 24.
I dont know how the filibuster will play out, but if these two are presented with a plan to get as many people to vote as possible and greatly enhancing the FEC's powers, I dont see how any democrat wouldnt want that. It would help both Manchin and Sinema and whoever runs for president on our side in 2024.
I tried to get my status card and I was rejected because apparently my grandfather “sold” his rights so he no longer was consider Indian so I’m not eligible. I believe he joined the war and wasn’t aware that would happen if he signed up. With everything happening with indigenous people lately, I am so confused as to why this racist law is still upheld? How has this not been abolished yet, it keeps natives like me down.
Does being an unbiased reporter (in the audience's view) in this day and age require disenfranchisement? Since voter registration is public record, and political parties are becoming increasingly polarized, is this the only solution?
##B1812 - Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Expanding Enfranchisement) Bill 2020
B1812 - Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Expanding Enfranchisement) Bill 2020 is authored by /u/mikiboss and sponsored by /u/mikiboss as Government Business
An Amendment in the name of Senator /u/Zak6858 has been moved
Committee Vote shall end at 7PM Sunday, December 13, 2020
Order!
I have received a message from the Member for (Div/Name/Party) to introduce a Bill, namely the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Expanding Enfranchisement) Bill 2020 as Government / Private Member’s Business, seconded by the Member for DivNameParty.
Bill Details
Bill Text Explanatory Memorandum
Debate Required
The question being that the Bill be now read a second time, debate shall now commence.
If a member wishes to move amendments, they are to do so by stating that I wish to move amendments.
The Debate shall lapse at 7PM Thursday 19 Nov 2020
Can the House of Representatives elevate delegates from US territories to full voting member status?
##B1812 - Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Expanding Enfranchisement) Bill 2020
B1812 - Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Expanding Enfranchisement) Bill 2020 is authored by /u/mikiboss and sponsored by /u/mikiboss as Government Business
This vote shall end at 7PM Thursday, 17 December 2020
Order!
The House shall now move to the following business:
B1812 - Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Expanding Enfranchisement) Bill 2020, introduced by the Member for Cowper /u/mikiboss (SDP) as Government Business.
The time for debate on this bill has expired. The question is that the bill be read a second time.
Bill Details
Bill Text
Explanatory Memorandum
Division Required
The House shall now divide. Members are only to vote aye, no, or abstain.
Time for voting shall end 7PM Sunday 22 Nov 2020
