Vösendorf weekend

This weekend we had the chance to visit Vösendorf, Roßdorf's twin town in Austria.

Vösendorf in the calm before the start of the Ortsstraßenfest -
left to right in picture are Winni, Rolf, Steven and Jochen

It was the 23rd Vösendorfer Ortsstraßenfest - and a chance to see how things are done there.

Artikel 116 des Grundgesetzes

Artikel 116 des Grundgesetzes

Hmmm.  Laut Art. 116 des Grundgesetzes ist "vorbehaltlich anderweitiger gesetzlicher Regelung" meine Frau vielleicht Deutsch. 

Ich suche noch die anderweitiger gesetzlicher Regelung.  Mal sehen.

Apathy and ignorance - UK voters fail the PCC elections

UK electorate displayed unprecedented levels of apathy and ignorance at the PCC elections last week

They were the lucky ones.  Despite not having their votes taken from them by the British State, the vast majority of potential votes just couldn't be bothered.  See http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/nov/16/electorate-david-cameron-police-polls

It doesn't matter whether apathy or ignorance are to blame.  At the end of the day, it's up to them ... the public gets what the public votes for.  At least they were in a position to choose not to vote or to spoil their papers.

The merits of elected PCCs and the possibility of the politicisation of the police are important issues.  The disenfranchisement of expatriate UK citizens is a contravention of civil rights.

US Presidential Election - participation is everything

US Presidential Election - participation is everything

Election day is just around the corner and now the obligation is clearly in the hands of the electorate.  Despite the various schemes adopted of late and their potential impact on the demographic composition of the electorate, the voters now have their say.

If you have the right to vote in the presidential election, use that vote.  Use it wisely.

And make sure that as many of those who should be able to vote really get the opportunity.

No vote for police commissioners

No vote for police commissioners

Disenfranchising expatriate citizens is undemocratic, and probably illegal. Although the UK signed up the the ICCPR, thereby guaranteeing citizens' active and passive electoral rights, many expatriate citizens who would otherwise be enfranchised will be excluded from the police commissioners' elections.

Does the British state fear a partisan vote from abroad?  Why should citizens non-resident for 14 years be allowed to vote and those non-resident for longer be prohibited?

Democratic participation in the determination of the upper echelons of the judiciary is a good idea.  But to be meaningful, it needs to be properly democratic, not tuned according to the whims of the government.

If you are allowed to vote, use the opportunity.  More details here

Republicans' initiative leads to disenfranchisement (another view)

The Economist has some comment from the US discussing Republican attempts to disenfranchise the non ID bearing voters.  See http://www.economist.com/blogs/lexington/2012/09/art-voter-turnout

The interesting point is that, as the blogger mentions at the end of the article, this may end up giving a positive edge to the Democratic vote.

Republicans' disenfranchisement initiative

Republicans' disenfranchisement initiative

Just in time for the election in the US, the Republicans have been carefully trying to disenfranchise elements of the Democrats supporters within the electorate.

The article in Rolling Stone is here
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-gop-war-on-voting-20110830

Is there also gerrymandering going on, I wonder.