Posted by LDF on January 22, 2008 at 19:21:19:
In Reply to: Re: Democracy and Freedom of Speech posted by david searles on January 22, 2008 at 17:24:01:
David Searle's concept of bringing forward an Amendment to change the laws & allow the working people of this nation to own & democratically run the industries, run & democratically manage & decide how our society will conduct our affairs is a refreshing & timely one. What would it provide? 1. It would serve to remind the people of this country that a democracy means participation, concern, vision, and commitment to a goal...not just slavishly accepting the choice offered between the lesser of two evils. But our choice: to change direction & create a new society based on real democracy,Economic & civic Democracy, where we live & where we work..It would remind our countrymen & women that we have the Constitutionally-gauranteed right to change our society & our institutions if they no longer serve and protect us. 2. Ultimately, such an amendment could be the basis for a new political party to address the needs and wants and aspirations of we, the people. It would clearly show how we can change this society - legally, peacefully, sensibly- from a profit-oriented autocracy to a society based on Economic & true civic Democracy. Our candidates would maintain a consistent message of change, radical & fundamental, to create a governance model that is based on participation, choice & decision-making directly where we live, and where we work. One candidate, one advance at a time, we would understand the way to peacefully build a new society, and a true democracy. It would make the vision of change and justice and cooperation something tangible.
Change CAN happen. We know such events as we describe have not yet taken place, but other times & other places have seen the 'sudden' emergence of new ideas, new hopes,new forms, new solutions. And their seeds have grown during the very time they still seemed impossible. Serfdom & chattel Slavery was ended & our First American Revolution happened with just such unexpected 'swiftness' and "impossibility". There is nothing but ourselves keeping us from continuing this historic process. We are our history, now. The first step is to engage with each other. That is why we are talking with one another here & at this time. And this is the first step,in this new century, with new means & opportunities...to we begin as others have done before us, by envisioning a future, giving it a form & meaning and thru that, our vision can become real.