Are you tired of a government that doesn’t listen, that is oblivious and antithetical to open information?

Don’t let the party hacks think they have it all locked up.  Why talk about hacking government tomorrow, when you can do it today?

We are here at PDF because we believe in an open government that uses technology to engage citizenry in a way that has never been done before.

The next stage for PDF is to hack the government; put candidates in office who understand technology.  Only with candidates who understand technology will we see legislation and government policy that reflects the values of open internet, open information, and open participation.

Here’s an opportunity to make a difference right in the district where PDF is taking place.  With State Senator Tom Duane retiring, we have the opportunity to put one of our own in office.  @yben is the techie’s tech candidate.

Ben worked at the New York State Senate to move them to Open-Source software, to liberate data, and save the government hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, while improving access for the disabled.  Outside of tech he’s dedicated most of his time to opening the government and getting young people involved at the very kernel of our Democratic system.  Anybody know what County Committee is?   Ben organized the Open-Seat project in his capacity as VP of the Manhattan Young Democrats and now there are over 80 new young people on it.

The tools that we see available here at  PDF reduce the barrier to entry for political candidates.  The expensive consultants have convinced the party hacks that their inferior services are required to run for office.  We know what they don’t know, we have tools that they don’t have.  It’s our time.

Lots of people here talk about how Occupy needs to get involved in  electoral politics.  We should take our own advice and start putting candidates in office.  We need tech candidates to enact a tech agenda.

If you are interested in seeing this happen tweet @yben #pdf12 #draftben