A Book & Concepts Discussion Series Paul Schumann – CenTexWFS Taylor Willingham – Texas Forums Jon Lebkowsky – Extreme Democracy

How? The book as a guide:12 online interactive discussions Discussion Guide ( http://www.texasforums.org/documents/extremedemocracysyllabus.pdf ) Extreme Democracy blog ( www.extremedemocracy.com ) Networking ( www.attendr.com/extremedemocracy ) Texas Forums blog ( http://texasforums.wordpress.com ) Survey ( http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wSd6z99tHdPwJH_2fISs9Kvg_3d_3d ) Yahoo Group ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/extdemo )

The book as a guide:12 online interactive discussions

Discussion Guide ( http://www.texasforums.org/documents/extremedemocracysyllabus.pdf )

Extreme Democracy blog ( www.extremedemocracy.com )

Networking ( www.attendr.com/extremedemocracy )

Texas Forums blog ( http://texasforums.wordpress.com )

Survey ( http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wSd6z99tHdPwJH_2fISs9Kvg_3d_3d )

Yahoo Group ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/extdemo )

Contact Paul Schumann – [email_address] , 512.302.1935 Taylor Willingham – [email_address] Jon Lebkowsky – [email_address]

Paul Schumann – [email_address] , 512.302.1935

Taylor Willingham – [email_address]

Jon Lebkowsky – [email_address]

Future of Democracy Survey Results ( http://www.glocalvantage.com/ExtDemo/SWOTSurveyResults.pdf ) Additional Materials (videos) Bill Moyers Interview of Grace Lee Boggs ( http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/08312007/watch2.html ) Did You Know? ( http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2006/08/did-you-know.html ) EPIC ( http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/epic )

Survey

Results ( http://www.glocalvantage.com/ExtDemo/SWOTSurveyResults.pdf )

Additional Materials (videos)

Bill Moyers Interview of Grace Lee Boggs ( http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/08312007/watch2.html )

Did You Know? ( http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2006/08/did-you-know.html )

EPIC ( http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/epic )

Giving http://giving.clintonfoundation.org/about http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/67285/detail/

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

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

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

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

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.”

“ 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.”

Future of Democracy Self righting Diversity Tolerance Lack of presence

Self righting

Diversity

Tolerance

Lack of presence

What’s Next?