Monday, August 21, 2006
Sounding retreat on democracy
While most Americans are still proud of living in a country that is governed by and for the people, many of them are no longer sure that Abraham Lincoln’s vision of a democracy has withstood the test of time.
They have become increasingly dissatisfied with the democratic process and increasingly disillusioned with politicians who appear disinterested in what they have to say.
Too many Americans today have retreated from the public places, meetings, and associations at which they traditionally met to say what they thought and do what needed to be done to improve their communities and their nation.
To download free materials for conducting an issue forum or group study using “Democracy’s Challenge,” visit http://extension.missouri.edu/swregion/Publicissues/issueforums.shtml.
This forum study guide is about what citizens can do. It suggests that citizens themselves can and should provide the motivating power that will rekindle the vibrant relationship a democracy demands between the government and its people.
They have become increasingly dissatisfied with the democratic process and increasingly disillusioned with politicians who appear disinterested in what they have to say.
Too many Americans today have retreated from the public places, meetings, and associations at which they traditionally met to say what they thought and do what needed to be done to improve their communities and their nation.
To download free materials for conducting an issue forum or group study using “Democracy’s Challenge,” visit http://extension.missouri.edu/swregion/Publicissues/issueforums.shtml.
This forum study guide is about what citizens can do. It suggests that citizens themselves can and should provide the motivating power that will rekindle the vibrant relationship a democracy demands between the government and its people.
