Participatory Democracy Mitchell Interviews Amy Goodman Mitchell J. Rabin interviews Amy Goodman of Democracy Now, in the newest issue of New Life Magazine. Page one: Go To Article... Current Events Learn about CAFTA. Our Philosophy Along with our having health, well-being, love, community and prosperity, we certainly want to live in a society in which we have a voice, a say, so to shape our society deliberately and consciously. So is the ideal of democracy. While not necessarily a perfect model of government, it at least allows us free self-_expression and collective discussion as to choose in what directions to move, which may lead to creative solutions to the many, many challenges before us. As it is now, we allow our representatives to do everything for us, and we are left with their choices which are all too frequently serving special interests and are self-serving often using the public resources for personal gain. This is not wh" on issues before us as a nation, as a world, as a larger society, and direct politicians to act according to what we think, and in so doing, take the destiny of our lives, our country and our world into our own hands, where it has always belonged. It’s not easier, but ultimately it’s more satisfying and serves us and our souls at the same time. The original idea founded at the beginning of this country as who acted as the people's representative was, that of "citizen legislator". A citizen would go to Washington, D.C. (originally to New York, then Philadelphia) and would serve their nation for a term, offering this service to the country, and, as with service in the military, return home after this term to carry on their lives. At first, there wasn’t, so far as I am aware, an idea of a "career politician". We at A Better World support the restoration of this idea. Our view is that anyone who serves in Congress, or the presidency, or any public office is a servant of the people, and should act as a servant, in the truest, deepest sense. They should also serve for a single six-year term, eradicating all re-elections. Re-elections are costly, highly political and highly diversionary from the purpose of service to the people. Clearly we have some work cut out for us. With Participatory Democracy, however, it is rather amazing to see how quickly things can change where there is a collective will to do so. It’s a law of nature. We believe at A Better World that if everyone spent about 30 minutes every day "running the country", i.e., writing to Congress, the president and captains of industry, about what we collectively want - and don’t want - we will have gone a far way in turning around many destructive but persistent patterns we currently face. What we offer here is our chance to be heard and to make a difference in the lives of many on a daily basis.