A Book & Concepts Discussion Series

Paul Schumann – CenTexWFS

Taylor Willingham – Texas Forums

Jon Lebkowsky – Extreme Democracy

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How?

• The book as a guide:12 online interactive discussions

• Discussion Guide ()

• Extreme Democracy blog ()

• Networking ()

• Texas Forums blog ()

• Survey ()

• Yahoo Group ()

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Contact

• Paul Schumann – , 512.302.1935

• Taylor Willingham –

• Jon Lebkowsky –

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Future of Democracy

• Survey

  • Results ()

• Additional Materials (videos)

  • Bill Moyers Interview of Grace Lee Boggs ()

  • Did You Know? ()

  • EPIC ()

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Giving

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Survey Results: Present

• Strengths

  • The social capital of American politics

  • Entrepreneurial ideal

  • Separation of church and state

  • Separation of federal, state and local policy making

  • Checks and balances of three branches

  • Diversity

  • Grassroots organizations

  • Riches of the country

  • Democratic ideals

  • Power of the Internet

• Weaknesses

  • Legalized bribery (lobbyists)

  • Polarization

  • Diversity

  • Career politicians

  • Slush fund

  • Media consolidation

  • Lack of accountability at the top

  • Widening social divide

  • Voter apathy

  • Administrations that don’t value people

  • Addiction to winning

  • Addiction to power

  • Corporate oriented media

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Survey Results: Future

• Opportunities

  • 1:1 house of congress

  • Dissolution of the two parry system

  • Reform of the American government

  • Reform of the constitution

  • Big broadband & citizen journalists

  • Young & idealists activists

  • Not make money & power #1 priority

  • Peer-to-peer networking

  • Grassroots movement for integrity in public life

  • Demand for sustainability oriented politics

• Threats

  • Evil moneybags

  • Corporate and elite access to capital

  • Media consolidation

  • Increasing reliance on IT without adequate safeguards

  • Oppression of the common voice

  • Voter suppression

  • Corporate oriented mass media

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Albert Einstein

• “America is incomparably less endangered by its own communists than by the hysterical hunt for the few communists who are here.”

• “No senatorial committee has as yet felt compelled to tackle the task of combating…the dangers that threaten the inner security of the uncritical or intimidated citizen.”

• “I believe that older people who have scarcely anything to lose ought to be willing to speak out on behalf of those who are young and are subject to much greater restraint.”

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Future of Democracy

• Self righting

• Diversity

• Tolerance

• Lack of presence

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What’s Next?