Had a thought: Peoples advocate/speaker at all public meetings.

[TheMadMonk]

Thought's a dangerous thing when ripped, but here goes.

Getting public interaction back into into public meetings/panel discussions.

All public meetings/panel discussions should have a non-voting member at the table. He get's the same rights (under the procedural rules) to speak, question and raise points as all other members but has no voting rights, except perhaps that the chair may cede the tie-breaker (one can dream). This person should be chosen randomly from the public gallery and 1/2 hr allocated for final preparation.

Some sort of mechanism for the those in the gallery to commnuicate non-disruptively amongst themselves and pose questions through him or her would be a good touch and easilly doable with modern technology.

How could we make something like this happen? Protect it from abuse? give fair access?

There should be a way for those of the public who are interested enough to attend to at least be heard, and have their thoughts go on the public record.

[BR_Parkway]

1. Wasn't that the idea of having elected representatives in the first place

they seem to have forgotten who they are supposed to be working for