I love technology. Love, love, love. Gadgets, computers, phones, all of it. If it has electrons powering its innards, I’m probably going to like it.

Yet, this video chills me to the core. Probably not for its technological aspects so much as for what it portends. In it, a company called VeraFirma shows off its method of signing petitions via the iPhone. In the abstract and in principle, it’s a pretty neat idea.  Verafirma has done a bunch of research, and thinks these signatures should be valid. Sec. of State Bowen has not yet commented on the issue, so nobody knows for sure.  

However, one thing that is certain? If this method of signing a petition is upheld, the current requirements for getting something on the ballot are far too low.  If this method is allowed, we will see a free for all of initiatives over the next few years until we finally do something about the initiative system.  Think you’ve seen a lot of parental notification measures? Expect them on every ballot. Likewise for marriage equality and other gay rights issues.  As soon as marriage equality passes, the LGBT community will be expected to defend that right at every election. The labor movement will see constant ballot attacks, as will consumers.

In fact, where this is getting its first go? Well, with an initiative to ban public employee unions from using dues money for politics. The measure is being pushed by the state’s many right-wing anti-tax “tea party” fringe. It is certainly an interesting choice for a company that is run by three Democrats with a history in state politics. Most notably, Jude Barry became very prominent with his role in the Dean campaign, and then ran Steve Westly’s 2006 campaign for governor.

Sure, there will be some progressive measures, but a system that lessens the cost of ballot access to something any two-bit organization with an email list can accomplish? Well, let’s face it folks, we’re not Athens, we’re too big, we have far too many voters for us all to properly consider each issue.  We can’t handle that much direct democracy.

I love the spirit of innovation, and the excitement that future holds. Yet, we must also look at the bigger questions of why and why now?