Tootfinder

"#Austria’s Democracy on the Decline"
“The Situation is Serious”: #Democracy Index with Sobering Result for Austria
https://www.europesays…

2/2 Reflection on #citizenship:
I do not treat the concept of “#democracy" lightly. I was born into the aftermath of centuries of totalitarian oppression that ended suddenly, leaving the nascent Ukrainian state of the late 90s and early 2000s floundering in the turbulent whirlpool of hopes and fears felt by millions of people who were finally allowed to ponder: how to build a free democratic state in the place of Soviet and imperial ruins?
I was taught the words "democracy", "citizen", "freedom", "voting", “liberty" (and more) by people who, less than two decades prior, weren't allowed to leave the borders of their country. I was told about self-determination by people whose political choices were ridiculed, punished, and eviscerated form most of their lives. The duty of governing ourselves felt to us ephemeral - a nice fantasy, akin to a fairytale or a utopia from fictional works.
And then I saw those same people fight with their bodies and souls once the previously unfathomable democracy was threatened. Protests in 2004, then again in 2014, then the unthinkable war against foreign invasion in 2022. Democracy no longer felt abstract or silly. It became as tangible as saying "I love you".
I write of Ukraine as I reflect on becoming a citizen of another country because the history and values of my adopted United States feel as real as the skin on my legs, the significance of its legacy lays as heavy as the weight of my waist-long hair, and the desire to uphold the freedoms of its Constitution burns my throat as harshly as dehydration after a long day in the sun.
People have asked me why I even want to join this country, when the present moment is shrouded in impenetrable darkness. And I answer: because I've felt the warmth of a newly lit fire of freedom breaking through shadows that for centuries looked like solid walls. I have seen kindness, and solidarity heal the fear and hate of oppression. I've seen liberty emerge from nothing but the human soul.
I am not a religious person, but I have faith. Faith in the ideals at the foundation of the American project. Faint but powerful recognition that "we the people" now includes me.
I love #America. And I hope to keep loving my home for the rest of my life.

one of the coolest things about the #bcndp convention has been the use if this little ballot book for voting for elected positions within the party.
They announce the number and colour of the page, you rip out the paper and use it to make your selection.
Then the committee folks go around with ballot boxes like offerings at church 😆
Democracy is cool wherever it happens and in all its iterations.
#bcndp #democracy

I feel a wee essay coming on on why #democracy and #liberalism are incompatible with one another.
I suspect it will irritate a lot of people, because, like the emperor's lack of clothes, this is not something we are supposed to notice.

The most beautiful democratic act happening right now in Canada is in Alberta, yes Alberta, where constituents are using the new - easier to reach - petitioning and recall rules enacted by the current UCP government to launch recall campaigns on UCP Members of the Legislature.
This is the 3rd one to be approved to move on to the signature-gathering stage!
*chefskiss*
#ABPoli #CanPoli #CdnPoli #Democracy
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/nolan-dyck-recall-petition-9.6988293?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

The Authoritarian Stack.
This is brilliant – if you’re interested in human rights, democracy, and tech, and want to understand technofascism/corporatocracy bookmark and read this.👇
#AuthoritarianStack #tech

Maybe a bit controversial statement, but has democracy not already died in the US? Congress has no effective oversight anymore, GOP only listens to Trump, democratic party is totally ineffective. Rule of law is severely damaged.
#USA #democracy

I voted for what you might call the "anti-establishment" voice for president. He wore a kaffiyeh and talked of environment and how the BCNDP could meet this incredibly challenging moment.
Glad I was able to support him. he came second by a large margin but I am grateful that support is there.
#bcndp #bcndp #democracy

#lectrr #cartoon #democracy

🇫🇷 President #Macron at 🇪🇺 #EuSummit25 on #SocialMedia, #ChildProtection & #Democracy:
> "If we speak about #sovereignity we should not underestimate our democratic and… cognitive sovereignity. … You give the responsibility of the content, [that teenagers] are exposed to, to US private providers or big Chinese companies. They design the content."
1/2 …
#BigTech #Fediverse #Meta #Instagram #TikTok #Digitalgipfel #DigitalSummit

Former GOP election official buys Dominion Voting Systems, vows to "restore public confidence in the US electoral process."
This sale could have major implications for #democracy. Not sure why this isn't more visible in the #news.
#USA #uspol #elections #voting

#idw #Immigrants Share Democratic Basic Values
International study: #Migrants identify with #democracy to a similarl…

Immigrants Share Democratic Basic Values

This would require elections officials to verify the citizenship of all 3.6 million registered Wisconsin voters before February. Hopefully the appeal is successful.
"Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Maxwell's ruling requires the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to "evaluate the current voter rolls" and see whether any non-U.S. citizens are registered."
#Politics #USPol #USPolitics #Wisconsin #Democracy

“Recalls are meant to address breaches of trust, serious misconduct, or a sustained failure to represent constituents, not political disagreements”
I mean... sure she's right. You really shouldn't use a recall petition just because you don't like the result of a vote.
But when there are *20 recall petitions* for government MLAs, perhaps it is time, as a government to look into ways you might be going wrong?
#CanPoli #ABPoli #CdnPoli #Democracy
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/danielle-smith-recall-petition-approved-9.7001541

> The concept that civic institutions should own their own social channels, aligns strongly with #Mastodon’s own vision and values.
Dec 9, 2025:
#CivicTech #Fediverse #Democracy #DigitalSovereignty #SocialMedia #SciComm

In the history of our slightly incestuous democracy, I wonder if more Conservatives have crossed to the Liberals or Liberals to Conservatives.
#CanPoli #CdnPoli #LPC #CPC #democracy #pickaside #bigtent #RedTory #BlueLiberal #FPTP #PropRep

#Survey: On which #MicroBlogging #SocialMedia do people find the most discussion and information about today's 🇪🇺 #EuSummit25? 🤔
Please cite sources where possible! 🙏
#FollowerPower #EuSummit #Digitalgipfel #DigitaleSouveränität #digitalsovereignty #Demokratie #Umfrage #SaveSocial #Fediverse #Bluesky #Threads #X #Musk #Meta #Mastodon #democracy
Bluesky
Fediverse / Mastodon
Threads
X (yes, Cloudflare …)

TMIW: Known Nazi Worshipper Jared Kushner is currently doing everything he can to personally rule the world.
#USPoli #Ukraine #Russia #Authoritarian #RussiaUkraineWar #Democracy
https://mastodon.social/@MAKS23/115690971974759912

In positive democratic news (for once!) the results of the BC Electoral Reform Committee and a recent EKOS poll of BC residents about Proportional Representation is very encouraging!
The question, as always, is whether we can convince the government in power, this time the BCNDP, to advocate for what the people clearly want and feel they deserve!
#BCPoli #CanPoli #CdnPoli #ElectoralReform #Democracy #ProportionalRepresentation #Polarization

"Nine members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party caucus are facing recall petitions — enough to potentially tip the balance of power in the legislature.”
Imagine... IMAGINE... if the a majority-government in Canada lost their majority through recalls. Epic.
#canPoli #CdnPoli #ABPoli #Democracy
https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/six-more-alberta-government-mlas-face-recall-petitions/

There were actually a lot of good recommendations from that Committee report, the one on PR was just the final one! Here's a few more.. including some that local #Fediverse proponents could dig into! @… was on the Committee.
—>FEDI ADVANTAGE<— “The Committee heard about a number of issues related to
the electoral information environment. Members recommend
that the provincial government collaborate with Elections
BC and the federal government to review existing legislative
and regulatory measures related to misinformation,
disinformation, and hate speech during elections, including
**mechanisms to ensure the timely removal of harmful content** (**emphasis added)”
—> FEDI ADVANTAGE<— “To better address challenges associated with social media and emergent technologies such as artificial intelligence, Members recommend establishing a working group to propose amendments to BC’s privacy and election legislation. To better protect all users, the Committee recommends requiring digital platforms to act with a duty of care and establish clear safety-related requirements such as data privacy, platform design, and content policy. The Committee also heard about concerns regarding foreign interference, and recommends that these be considered by the Electoral Integrity Working Group.”
—The Committee heard about the critical importance of
civic education to ensure the public’s understanding of
democratic institutions, processes, and participation. The
Committee recommends strengthening civic education
in the K-12 school system with input from experts and a
greater emphasis on applied learning.
— the Committee suggests enhancing data collection by requiring proactive enumeration on an annual basis and ensuring that registered parties and candidates can access poll-by-poll results. Elections BC should review and improve
voter registration practices and communication, as well as
access to and public awareness of voting opportunities. With respect to expanding voter eligibility, the Committee supports further examination of extending voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds as well as permanent residents in BC.
— Committee Members recommend modernizing the candidate nominator verification process, requiring Elections BC to collect and share voters’ contact information with registered political parties and candidates, and strengthening measures related to access to multi-unit buildings for candidates and their campaigns.
Full report to the Legislature: #BCPoli #CanPoli #CdnPoli #ElectoralReform #Democracy #ProportionalRepresentation #Polarization