What We Do Now
Reading Group Guide1.Dennis Loy Johnson, in his introduction, refers often to Tom Paine’s The Crisis, a series of pamphlets written during the Revolutionary War. Do you think this is an appropriate reference point for our time?
2. In his essay Ars Publica, Lewis Lapham states that “democracy is an uproar” and “”let us hope that it proves to be loud, disorderly, bitter and fierce.” Would you agree with his characterization of democracy, and his hope that further political debate need be fierce?
3. Howard Dean, in his essay Reviving American Democracy, says the only way to regain control of our government is for every individual citizen to get involved at whatever level they can. Do you think that greater citizen involvement is key?
4. Dean also advocates introducing a system of voting, Instant Run-off Voting, that allows voters to back the candidates they want, without fearing that they will be throwing away their vote. Does this sound like a good idea to you? Would this strengthen our democracy?
5. In Fighting Words For a Secular Democracy Robin Morgan looks at some of the “founding fathers” views on the separation of Church and State. Do you feel that their ideas are still relevant today?
6. Should the Democratic Party align with the Labor Unions as a way to strengthen and serve its base as John MacArthur argues in Winning Blue Collars in Red States? Do Labor Unions still have enough power to be that influential?
7. Jamin Raskin, in Standing Our Ground, suggests that the Democratic Party start their own Health Insurance program for party members, as one step toward serving their constituents. Does this seem to you like a good role for the Party to take on?
8. Both Danny Schechter and Jennifer Pozner in their essays on the media, believe that media reform is the most important step we must take toward change. Would you agree? What’s wrong with the media now, and how would you suggest we change it?
9. Cass Sunstein, in Four Principles for Four Years, advocates staying friendly and working with the Bush administration where we can. Steve Almond in his essay, Punching the Bully, says we must fight. Which do you feel is the best approach?
10. Would you agree with Martha Nussbaum’s assessment, in her Two Pictures of International Relations, that the current U.S. government’s view of the world is Hobbesian — meaning nations are only really motivated by power and security interests? In your opinion, is this an effective outlook to make policy from?
11. Maud Newton says that, boring as they may be, taxes are an indicator of what the government and its people think are important and are willing to pay for. What would your tax priorities be?
12. Donna Brazile, Greg Palast and many others in What We Do Now believe that vote reform is one of the most important things we can do now to protect our democracy. What aspect of our voting system would you change?
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