Democracy Forum 2/13/12

Issue: Participatory Democracy
Broadcast Time: 10-11:00 a.m.
Program Topic: Free speech, corporate money, and democracy

Key Discussion Points:
a) The constitutional background of granting personhood to corporations and equating political spending with free speech.
b) The practical outcomes for democracy.
c) What can citizens do?

Guests:
A) Jeff Clements, co-founder of Free Speech for People and author of the book Corporations Are Not People. www.freespeechforpeople.org
B) Sheila Krumholz, Executive Director of the Center for Responsive Politics. www.opensecrets.org

Call In Program: Yes
Political Broadcast: Yes
Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters www.lwvme.org
Engineer: Joel Mann

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Democracy Forum 1/9/12

Issue: Participatory Democracy
Program Name: Democracy Forum

Broadcast Date: January 9, 2012
Broadcast Time: 10-11:00 a.m.
Program Topic: What do we need to make our democracy work better?

Key Discussion Points:
a) Why do you think Congress has such a low approval rating?
b) What are the systemic impediments that prevent Congress from responding to what members surely know citizens want?
c) Is campaign finance reform part of the solution? What about a constitutional amendment to allow broader reform?
d) Why are there so few moderates in Congress?
e) Some people think the two-party system is part of the problem. They advocate solutions like open primaries or others that favor small parties. What do you think of those suggestions?
f) What about revising the Senate rules to limit use of the filibuster?
g) How do you view the role of the media?
h) What changes would you propose?
i) What can citizens do?

Guests by name and affiliation:
A) Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
B) Dr. Thomas E. Mann, constitutional scholar of the Brookings Institution

Call In Program: Yes
Political Broadcast: Yes
Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters
Engineer: Joel Mann

Podcast: Play in new window | Download