The American political system is broken. Democracy is just
barely limping along. William Greider provides musings, hopes, and
possibilities for the future of our country. He writes, ‘I resist
cynicism and continue to believe in the possibilities for genuine
democracy.’ Still, he points out, ‘Instead of the robust,
contentious conversation about the country that democracy promises,
the public dialogue is pre-shrunk to ‘stay on message.” So, how
does Greider maintain hope in our damaged democracy? ‘Far distant
from power, people are still doing politics on a human scale, face
to face, and often winning life-giving triumphs, large and small,
for their communities and themselves.’ Here is where democracy is
still alive and vibrant. Thus, borrowing an idea from the
Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh, Greider puts forward the
possibility of a parliament of dreams — a group of people that
would listen to the dreams of America and help enact a sort of
compassion-based social change.
— Joel Stonington
Go there>>
Parliament
of Dreams
