Electronic Politics is about an economical and practical way to bring democracy and greater participation in the political process closer to the people. Using the telephone to vote as opposed to the cumbersome ballot box systems currently in use can aid in remedying the difficulties that exist because there is too much power in the hands of the governing politicians, in particular the Prime Minister. The method is often called "teledemocracy" and has already been used in several referendums and party elections.
This extended use of existing technology will enable democracies to get closer to "government for the people by the people."
After obtaining his degree in Commerce from the University of Manitoba as well as a commission in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1952, Jim Speight began a 44-year career in computing by joining IBM. Following 18 months of training, he was an account representative and manager working in Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
He sold and installed the very first computer to the federal government in 1957. His intimate exposure to the governmental process in Ottawa provided him with a unique contrast between the proficiency of federal administration in the fifties and the wasteful bureaucracy of the seventies, resulting in his conclusion that a serious modification to the system of government was needed.
In 1966 he left IBM and established a consulting and software company which resulted in his conducting business in all parts of Canada and the United States.
His direct personal involvement is reflected in every aspect of this book.
He is currently working full time as a writer and is an active member of the Suncoast Writers' Forge on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia.