A Message from Ted Wachtel,
BANR founder and editor
Dear Subscriber:
Power corrupts.
But power doesn’t corrupt when is it is shared.
That is the concept that underlies “Building a New Reality (BANR)” — shared power. Everyone gets more voice and more choice.
But there’s a catch: We also must share more responsibility.
So what does that look like in the real world?
The BANR website features specific examples in six categories:
- Learning
- Governance
- Care
- Justice
- Enterprise, and
- Spirit
These represent the six facets of any functioning society’s needs.
If you haven’t done so before, turn off your television for an hour or so, and peruse this website. You’ll like it, because it makes sense.
In case you haven’t noticed, our society is not functioning well. We all feel uncomfortable about it. Our greatest discomfort comes from our system of governance. Political governance isn’t working for us, because it causes eternal bickering and divisiveness.
What about deliberative governance?
What the hell is that?
To find out, invest another hour or so in reading my new, 50-page book:
True Representation: How Citizens’ Assemblies and Sortition Will Save Democracy
Based on feedback so far, it’s the best book I’ve ever written. For example:
Rather than throw up his hands in despair over gridlock and extreme partisan politics in Washington, Ted Wachtel offers a solution that can save our democracy, by highlighting a time-tested method that is simple as it is sensible. Very thoughtful and persuasive.
– Phil Goldsmith, former CEO of the School District of Philadelphia,
and former Deputy Mayor and City Manager of Philadelphia
The book is short enough to read in one sitting. It will leave you feeling optimistic about the possibilities. And it’s free to all BANR subscribers. Download it as a PDF eBook here, for free.
When you’re done reading it, leave a comment below about what you think about it.
Let’s face it, we’re all in this together. We need to join hands and build a new reality. We all have shared responsibility. We can use these ideas in our own lives and communities.
Please help me make it happen.
Thanks,
Ted Wachtel
