GrassRoots TruthCast’s Post

🌟 Why doesn't the U.S. take citizens' assemblies seriously? 🌟Pam Baile's latest article on Proximate explores this question. While citizens' assemblies are making strides in Europe and Canada, the U.S. has yet to fully embrace them. Despite Congress allocating around $350 million annually to the National Endowment for Democracy, there's little support for domestic deliberative democracy initiatives. Marjan Ehsassi of FIDE-North America notes, "We have a very minimalistic definition of what democracy is. Thinking beyond elections is just not part of our culture." This limited perspective and lack of trust in everyday people to provide meaningful input are holding us back. In countries like Ireland and France, citizens' assemblies have successfully tackled divisive issues like abortion and assisted suicide, uniting people to shape effective policies. It's time we invest in a national approach to democracy that includes citizens' assemblies! Read the full article to see how we can rethink democracy in the U.S.: https://lnkd.in/giKpFbNE #CitizensAssemblies #Democracy

🚨 Big News! Our Executive Director, Marjan Horst Ehsassi, has just published an op-ed in TheFulcrum.US! 📰 In "Citizens' Assemblies: A Better Way to Do Democracy," Marjan explores how we can reinvigorate America using deliberative democracy. 🎆Key points: • 65% of Americans feel exhausted by politics. • Citizens' assemblies bring diverse voices together to solve tough issues. • Citizens’ assemblies be scaled up to national level for vetting candidates and breaking partisan gridlock. 💡In her article, Marjan contrasts the chaos of the current presidential election with the trusted and empowering process of citizens’ assemblies. And she proposes a bold idea: “Imagine if instead of a handful of early primary states wielding outsized influence, we convened a national citizens' assembly to help vet candidates and craft party platforms,” she writes. “Everyday Americans from across the country would have a real say, fulfilling the promise of government truly of, by and for the people.” 🗽 “As we approach another contentious election,” she continues, “it's time to think big about renewing American democracy. Citizens' assemblies won't solve every problem. Yet through an inclusive and transparent process, they make for a powerful tool to put ‘We the People’ back at the center.” 🇺🇸 Read the full piece to learn how citizens' assemblies could transform our political landscape! 👉https://lnkd.in/gURMesmQ #DemocracyInnovation #CitizensAssemblies #DeliberativeDemocracy

I hope this US political commentator is correct when he says" "The message to our listeners in Australia is, Australia has such a great democracy, it is strong. It is enduring. It cannot be corrupted in the way American democracy is corrupted." At a distance, it is difficult to be anything other than gobsmacked at the fall in reputation and credibility of the USA as a nation state and once respected world leader, at the level of gun violence, division, animosity, bigotry and hatred that increasingly characterises American society and discourse. We may not always be thrilled at the quality of our politicians and especially their fear and subservience to their perceived US and UK masters, but our leaders still are not the embarrassment that we see in Biden, Trump and now the extremist JD Vance. Long may Australia continue to be a strong democracy rather than follow the scary path towards the flawed model of democracy that now reigns in the States. #australia #unitedstates #democracy #guncontrol #violence #hatred #usausrelations

  https://lnkd.in/gncB4d22 @DrSeanSubas would like to connect with all alarmed about this effort in Arizona to create a right-wing Christian nationalism and as an election expert can answer YOUR questions about issues such as #abortion #immigration and #inflation

To be studied, also by the Partito Democratico in Italy (fascinating how well the analysis applies to that country as well, which many consider a political bellwether): The End of Democratic Delusions https://lnkd.in/e4J3sbMq

We. Are. Not. Going. Back. I understand the assignment. Do you? I flew back from traveling in Europe to vote. That’s how important each and every vote is. As Bruce Springsteen said in his endorsement of Kamala Harris, “I’ve only got one vote, and it’s one of the most precious possessions that I have. That’s why come Nov. 5 I’ll be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.” This election is about choosing democracy over fascism. It’s that simple. “This unequivocal, dispiriting truth — Donald Trump is not fit to be president — should be enough for any voter who cares about the health of our country and the stability of our democracy to deny him re-election. For this reason, regardless of any political disagreements voters might have with her, Kamala Harris is the only patriotic choice for president.” - The New York Times editorial board Liz Cheney, a Republican, explaining why Americans should support Kamala Harris and our democracy in this election said, “Help us right the ship of our democracy so that history will say of us: when our time of testing came, we did our duty, and we prevailed because we loved our country more.” Let’s all do our duty and save democracy and our human rights. The people I talked to in Europe are also counting on us to do the right thing. 💙 #humanrights #womensrights #leadership #politics #democracy #vote #harris2024 #speakup #standup

"I do not want a government of wolves, but a government of lions and lionesses determined to make life better for everyone, and to provide a bright future for young people." Read our CEO Sue Williamson's blog: https://ow.ly/pOFN50Sveye #generalelection2024

In February, Washington State passed the Nothing About Us Without Us Act, ensuring that people with lived experience are included in the policy-making process for issues that will directly impact them. Read more about the bill here: https://lnkd.in/g4He_7sB