Vote Rationale

1. DRep Compensation

When I signed up to be a DRep, I thought it would be part-time volunteer work, a way to give back to the ecosystem I love. But this roadmap makes it clear that being a DRep is going to be more than that. A lot more. We're talking about evaluating hundreds (if not thousands) of proposals, getting into technical details, and making decisions that will shape Cardano's future for years to come. Expecting DReps to do this without compensation is like asking someone to run a marathon while carrying a fridge. Some of the Dreps might manage it for a while, but eventually, we're going to get tired. And when we do, who's left to govern? Only those who can afford to work for free. This then creates a privilege filter that excludes diverse voices and undermines the very decentralization we're trying to achieve.

I'm not saying this because I want to get paid. I started this journey with 39 ADA and a dream, and I'm more than happy to keep volunteering. But if we want governance to be sustainable, we need to address this issue head-on. Let's tie DRep compensation to participation, maybe through staking rewards for voting activity or a similar mechanism.

My Ask: Address DRep compensation before finalizing the roadmap. Otherwise, we're just building a system where only the independently wealthy can afford to govern.

2. Proposal Evaluation Process

The roadmap outlines a process where DReps are expected to evaluate proposals, but it doesn't provide enough structure for how this evaluation should happen. Without clear guidelines, we risk inconsistent evaluations and decisions based more on personal preference than objective criteria.

We need a standardized framework that helps DReps assess proposals consistently while still allowing for individual judgment. This framework should include considerations like technical feasibility, alignment with Cardano's values, and potential impact on the ecosystem.

My Ask: Develop a clear proposal evaluation framework that balances structure with flexibility.

3. Inclusive Participation

My DRep campaign is built around the idea of building bridges and connecting communities that rarely talk, amplifying voices that have been told they're too small, too far, or too different to make a difference.

But this roadmap doesn't do enough to address the barriers that keep so many communities from participating. Language barriers, geographic isolation, and lack of resources are real challenges, and they're not going away on their own.

Where's the plan for translating governance materials into more languages? Where's the support for communities in underrepresented regions? Let's build bridges, not walls, and make sure everyone has a seat at the table.

I don't think the roadmap itself is wrong. In fact, I think it's a great starting point. But before we lock in long-term priorities, we need to address these gaps. Let's pause, refine, and return with a governance process that's fair, sustainable, and truly decentralized.

Cardano's governance is a historic experiment. Let's not rush into a system that risks replicating the centralized pitfalls we're trying to escape.