| These days, it seems like the Internet has creeped into nearly every facet of our everyday lives. We can order everything from groceries to new cars and have them delivered to our doorstep without ever talking to human beings. Even the government has jumped on board with electronic tax filing and now, politics.
I believe it is safe to say the Internet has revolutionized how politicians disseminate information as well as evened the playing field for new entrants into the political arena. Eventually, it will do the same for our voting process, dramatically boosting participation via an online system.
Today, anyone can log on to their personal computer or even visit the local library and have access to a tremendous amount of valuable political information via the Internet.
Nearly every candidate and politician has a Web site where people can find information about their office or campaign and even their stances on specific issues, leaving behind the old days of talking around hot topics and avoiding the real questions.
And, with the Arizona Republican and Libertarian presidential primaries around the corner, now is the perfect time to do some online research and get ready for the Tuesday vote. Here are some sites to get you going:
Libertarian (http://www.lp.org/) Candidate Sites
Harry Browne http://www.harrybrowne2000.org
Larry Hines http://www.gaywired.com/larryhinesin2000
David Hollist http://gwu.edu/~action/cands3.html
Republican (http://www.rnc.org/) Candidate Sites
George W. Bush http://www.georgewbush.com
Alan Keyes http://www.keyes2000.org
John McCain http://www.mccain2000.com
The Democratic (http://www.democrats.org) presidential nomination is on March 11. Here are a few key sites for those candidates:
Bill Bradley http://www.billbradley.com
Al Gore http://www.AlGore2000.com
The Arizona Democrats also have scheduled Internet primary voting for March 7-10, making our state a true pioneer in online politics. And, I believe this is what will truly revitalize the apathetic voting population by making it possible for us all to research and make an educated vote from the comfort of our homes.
Currently, the ability for Democrats to offer online voting is in question due to a federal lawsuit which alleges Internet voting discriminates against minorities and the poor. A three-judge panel is expected to hear the case Feb. 29th. Visit http://www.azdem.org for more information.
In addition to making it easier for the public to participate in the political process, the Internet makes it possible for less known candidates to get involved and run for office, strengthening the entire process and philosophy of democracy that our country was founded on.
One local example is U.S. Congressional candidate for Arizona Bill Barenholtz. Through his Web site (http://www.barenholtz.org), Barenholtz uses archived information and e-mail newsletters to keep voters in the 2nd Congressional district informed and educated about his campaign.
According to Barenholtz, "The Internet allows the candidate to communicate, in real time, with their supporters and to wire together and stay in contact with that community. I would not, and, would not be able to, run for office without it."
Current U.S. Congressman Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., is also online (http://www.house.gov/pastor), but was unavailable to comment on how the Internet has effected his office and campaign.
The future relationship between politics and the Internet is very exciting. I see a greatly expanded and informed voting population able to choose from candidates running for office who truly represent their needs, leaving behind an outdated status quo, no committment government philosophy.
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