[Campaigns-l] Political Solutions Wicki

[Maureen Ellen Mc Bride]

The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of 
thinking we were at when we created them.
- Albert Einstein

I've always loved that quote. As I read the email contributions of the 
group, it occurs to me that we might benefit from taking a step back 
from where we are to where we are headed.

I have a complete compassion for the notion that free expression is the 
foundation of
real democracy in action. What happens in public forum and public debate 
that makes it
tiresome is that ideas are expressed as points of view that are to be 
proved or denied by
others. Right/wrong good/bad left/right sound bite dichotomies.

What if? What if, this political campaigns wicki followed a format that 
created a higher level of discussion by inviting participants using the 
following three step process.

A)Define the problem to be solved

B) Define their view of the solution

C) Relate the candidate's platform to the problem, the solution and the 
candidates actions in the past.

Leave the ridiculous to the mass media, as they are the professionals 
when it comes to all things
mundane and superficial. I would suggest if we are to support political 
activism by the greater populace, designing a forum that requires the 
participants to think in terms of solutions, choices and actions, over 
debate ad nauseum,
we quantum leap the reactive and provide for the proactive.
Freedom is not license, it is an opportunity to be response-able.
Maureen