South African Power Play

Another Example of how a Secret Ballot would solve Corruption in Government

The recent dilemma faced by the South African parliament clearly confirms why the fundamental political process needs to be fixed.  A no confidence vote has been called for and in the parliamentary system a successful outcome would force an election. The opposition has requested that this vote be a secret ballot because of the intimidation tactics used by the ruling party under the leadership of President Jacob Zuma.
The Association to Improve Government has a stated mission to require the use of secret ballot voting for all votes in all political bodies to eliminate the concentration of power and the corruption of the democratic process.  The South African situation is one of the clearest examples of how the concentration of power allows powerful politicians, special interest groups and the elite of society to control the governmental process. President Zuma was recently highlighted on the internet for his decision to order a new aircraft for his travels. See new Aircraft for the President
If every Member of Parliament were given the protection provided by secret ballot, the outcome of this vote would be acceptable no matter the result.  The insistent of an open vote by the party in power signals a motive that suggests corrupt intent.
It is clear today that governmental representatives in all countries are not free to vote their conscience on any significant issue. They must conform to the will of special interest groups, powerful organizations and influential individuals that put their own interests first. This concentrates power in the hands of the few and has perpetuated the public disenchantment with all things political.
Any politician who does not conform to the demands of his party, special interest groups, financial supporters or other powerful factions is faced with everything from censure, loss of his job, withdrawal of financial support, active protesters and even physical threats. This allows a small minority of individuals to exercise power over the political process.
The Association to Improve Government sees this concentration of power as a systemic problem that can be eliminated. The objective is to take away the ability of politicians, party leaders, special interest groups and influence peddlers to exercise their power to coerce or corrupt the decisions of governments anywhere. To that end, we see the secret ballot requirement as the only way to eliminate this negative aspect of government.
The Association to Improve Government would like to change this by establishing a movement that will require secret balloting for all political bodies at all levels of government.  You can be part of the solution. Visit the website, review the concept and join the movement to fix our political system.