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Slyguy270 (527

)
01 Feb 16 UTC

Democracy4US

Quite simply, Democracy4US is an app built to fix politics in America.

Slyguy270 (527 )
01 Feb 16 UTC

Ok, so first of all I need to offer an apology to the mods. Several years ago, there was an incident where I used multiple accounts to start over with a fresh win/lose record. The mods confronted me about it, but I lied and said it was my brother’s account. That was foolish of me, wrong, and for that I ask the mod team’s forgiveness.

But that’s not all I'm writing this post for. You see, yesterday a friend and I launched a Kickstarter campaign for an app that we believe has the potential to fix politics in America and make our nation better place.

Here’s the link: https://www.Kickstarter.com/projects/395921297/democracy4us

Most existing political mediums are both significantly partisan and biased, consisting of 3rd-party media sources, or cluttered with the baggage of social media; sometimes a combination of all three. So my friend and I made an app to address this problem: Democracy4US.

We aim to decrease voter apathy, increase political accountability, and build bipartisan cohesion, and cooperation to solve some of the biggest problems facing our nation.

I know a lot of you on this website are very politically- savvy, which is why I’m reaching out to you guys. My friend and I are both still in High School so we’d appreciate any additional publicity or support you could provide. The wide range of intelligent discussion is something I really enjoy about this site, and I hope you guys will help us bring back that same level of intelligent dialogue to American politics. Thanks a bunch.

TrPrado (461 )
01 Feb 16 UTC

The plural of medium is media.

KingCyrus (511 )
01 Feb 16 UTC

#inb4ban/lock

2ndWhiteLine (2611 )
01 Feb 16 UTC

Members are allowed to advertise so long as it doesn't cross the line into spamming the forum and/or individual members.

Slyguy270 (527 )
01 Feb 16 UTC

The only reason I posted this is because I'm aware of the interest many forum members have in politics. I thought it might be something that people would be legitimately interested in.

And @TyPrado you're right, duly noted.

Jeff Kuta (2066 )
01 Feb 16 UTC
(+1)

@TrPrado: I think existing political mediums like Glenn Beck and Rachel Maddow are both significantly partisan and biased.

TrPrado (461 )
01 Feb 16 UTC
(+1)

Wait, are you saying Glenn Beck and Rachel Maddow are psychic?

Jeff Kuta (2066 )
01 Feb 16 UTC

Psycho. Psychic. Same difference.

Manwe Sulimo (325 )
01 Feb 16 UTC

There is already an app called VoteSpotter that sounds like it may be very similar to the app you have created. I'd check it out if I were you.

Slyguy270 (527 )
02 Feb 16 UTC

It's similar, yes, but lacking in the scope and depth of features our app presents.

Why don't you actually take 5 minutes to look at the link and watch the video. We spent months on this project and I think you'll enjoy it.

Then feel free to donate to the project if you feel it's deserving. If not, I'll stop self-promoting this thread and the forum can get back to discussing the same problems I'm trying to fix.

trip (696 )
02 Feb 16 UTC
(+1)

I know this isn't the kind of feedback you're looking for, but Jay has a sweet 70s pornstache.

Thoughts after a quick glance:

Once you start censoring criticism by denoting some as "invalid" (unless it's just straight troll), you can't help but become biased in one way or another.

To provide accuracy for polls, you're going to need users info, which means you'll need to make security a high priority.

I like the idea, but I think you'd need to lock politicians in before getting constituents signed up. It may be an idea to start at the local level and build from there. If something works, others will take notice.

Hastati (100 )
02 Feb 16 UTC

I'm going to add that anything involving political ideologies is going to need ironclad security of user information, like the kind you hope people with your credit card info have. There are tons of groups out there that like to harass people based on political ideologies or perceived "wrongs"

steephie22 (182 )
02 Feb 16 UTC

Reminds me of a new kind of debating platform I had in mind..

I'll watch the video and get back to you. Not American though, so there's that.

steephie22 (182 )
02 Feb 16 UTC

A question:
Is it non-profit? This could be stated more clearly whatever the answer IMO, because this project could really go either way.

Other than that, I think it's a bit much to just expect politicians to sign up. I think kickstarting it will be absolutely no problem if you can get some politicians on board, but just the funds won't do much for you.

My advice would be to either get politicians on board first or re-design it so you don't neccessarily need the politicians. I have some ideas there, but since I had my own plans I'm not sharing right away.

trip (696 )
02 Feb 16 UTC

Actually, politicians come and go. Talk to the party chairs in your area. They're the real movers and shakers.

steephie22 (182 )
02 Feb 16 UTC

Sure, I don't know the details there. Constituents and money won't be the tricky part though.

Slyguy270 (527 )
02 Feb 16 UTC

Thanks guys for your feedback. To start off, @trip We will not be censoring criticisms unless they contain obscenities,(such as pornstache). Politicians will have to put their name on any criticism they want to give another, and posting in the praise/criticism will be exclusive to politicians, so there's both accountability and measures to prevent trolls.

2) Many of you have voiced concern that we'll need politicians on board for this to work. I agree. Fortunately, I live in my state's capital, and am in contact with a number of my representatives. Multiple office's have offered their support, and are happy to be in contact with aspiring high school entrepreneurs.

So once again, instead of bringing up issues I'm already working to address, or asking me questions that are answered on the campaign page, I encourage you to check it out, share, and/or donate even just $1 to the project.

steephie22 (182 )
02 Feb 16 UTC

Sorry, it was meant to be constructive advice.

Maybe having support from those representatives is something worth mentioning on the kickstarter website. I think it's a little fact that proves you've thought it through.

May I conclude that it's for-profit? If you can't get it done with donations, are you considering taking investments?

brainbomb (290 )
02 Feb 16 UTC

IN b4 y2k steals your idea

trip (696 )
02 Feb 16 UTC
(+1)

I think you're going to have a hard time convincing politicians to allow high school students to censor their criticisms. Also, you really need to work on your sales pitch.

That's the last thing I'm going to say about this, since it appears all you really want is our money. Good luck.

20 replies

brainbomb (290

)
02 Feb 16 UTC

Donald Trump threatens Iowans

In his speech last night Trump was cold and unforgiving to the Iowans. He threatened to buy a farm and move to Iowa.

2 replies