Citizen Education. You are the owners of your country.

This is a writing about Russia, from http://chtodelat.wordpress.com. It is from the closing statement by Maria Alyokhina in the Pussy Riot trial in Russia.

"These people . . . this is yet another confirmation that people in our country have lost the sense that this country belongs to us, its citizens. They no longer have a sense of themselves as citizens. They have a sense of themselves simply as the automated masses. They don’t feel that the forest belongs to them, even the forest located right next to their houses. I doubt they even feel a sense of ownership over their own houses. Because if someone were to drive up to their porch with a bulldozer and tell them that they need to evacuate, that, “Excuse us, we’re going raze your house to make room for a bureaucrat’s residence,” these people would obediently collect their belongings, collect their bags, and go out on the street. And then stay there precisely until the regime tells them what they should do next."

Yes, people in many countries have lost the sense that their country belongs to them, the citizens.

Citizens need to be reminded, even educated, that citizens are the owners of their country. They own all the common wealth in their country. Ownership means money. 

Ask what your country can pay you, because you are the owners of your country.

This is what citizens should ask.

Russia: A partial citizen-ownership democracy?

Russia gives land to big families. Although this is not a true citizen-ownership democracy, it is a step in the right direction.

Russian reports on this:

http://government.ru/eng/docs/19714/
17 july 2012, Dmitry Medvedev:

"The issues that require particular attention are children’s health and promoting a healthy lifestyle. We will continue to work on protecting motherhood and childhood and supporting families with children. The federal law has introduced amendments into the Land Code, which apply to granting free land plots, including plots for individual housing construction, to families with three and more children. During the first six months of this year, 190,000 families applied to receive free land plots. However, only 93,000 plots have been planned to be transferred. This is not good, and such decisions should be implemented and regional officials make proper efforts in this regard."

http://government.ru/eng/docs/18671/
11 april 2012
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. report on the government’s performance in 2011 to the State Duma

"A decision was also taken on free allocation of land to families with three or more children."

"There is a curious fact that, frankly, I was not expecting, although I deal with these issues on a daily basis: I reviewed some figures while preparing this report to parliament. More and more Russian families are deciding to have a second or even third child. Over the past five years, the number of families with two children has gone up by 45 percent, and the number of families with three or more children by 62 percent. This is, of course, a reflection of people’s confidence in their own potential, their families, their country and their future, and in their government’s competence and responsibility."

Even a partial citizen-ownership democracy can increase a nation's population. It gives people hope and confidence in their future.

Citizen-ownership Democracy. Partial Examples. Canada. Mongolia. Russia

A) Canada, Alberta.

"In late 2005, Alberta Premier Ralph Klein announced that one-third of the Canadian province's unbudgeted surplus from high oil revenue would be distributed to Albertans, each of whom would receive a CanS400 check in 2006." (From Oil, profits, and peace: does business have a role in peacemaking? By Jill Shankleman)

This is not as good as a full citizen-ownership democracy where the full oil revenue will be distributed directly and equally to all citizens.


B) Mongolia. Where citizens own the land of their country.

"Between May 2003 and May 2005, each Mongolian is officially afforded the opportunity to take up a private, household landholding within their respective “home” areas. The amount of land varies according to the latest land law, with the smallest parcels being granted in large urban areas, and larger parcels being granted in aimag and soum areas."

"Land privatization in urban areas (approximately 0.02% of total land – but figures vary) is free of payment. Only application fees are paid, and we encountered fee payments that were significantly different than government published rates for different elements of the application. After May 2005, acquisition of land will require payment. Title is only granted to households/families at present. Families in Ulaanbaatar are entitled to 0.07 ha, while in families in rural aimag centers and soum centers are granted up to 0.35 and 0.5 ha, respectively."

http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADE605.pdf


C) Russia. Distributing free land to 3-child families.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has a really really fantastic plan. He gives 3-child families free land. "Caring for the future generation is the most reliable, intelligent and noble investment," Medvedev said. There is something there for Singaporeans to learn.

If Singapore adopts a citizen-ownership democracy, every citizen stands to receive thousands of dollar a year from the sharing of common wealth (see the Singapore example). This is a sure way to really grow the Singapore future generation.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20110616/164646607.html
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed an amendment to the national Land Code to provide free land parcels to families with three or more children, the Kremlin said on Thursday.

"In line with the amendments to the Land Code, citizens with three or more children will be granted free parcels of land held in state and municipal property, including for the purpose of individual housing construction," the amendment said.

The measure is part of a wider government policy to provide broader support to families and reverse a severe population decline.

During his annual address to the nation in November, Medvedev outlined a range of proposals aimed at supporting families with many children.

"Caring for the future generation is the most reliable, intelligent and noble investment," Medvedev said.