Aired Tuesday, 6 February 2018, 5:00 PM EST

National Town Square, Part 2 - The New “Common Sense” and a Coherent Voice for We the People

A Conversation With Richard Lang, Author, Virtual Country And Rev. Lupton Abshire, Democracy Calling And… YOU!

“We need a new PRECEDENT. Government of, by and for the people where the government does OUR bidding, not the bidding of the highest bidder.” — Swami Beyondananda

Two weeks ago, our guest Richard Lang laid out an outside the (ballot) box strategy where a key missing ingredient can be added to “government by the people” — the PEOPLE!

His new book, Virtual Country: Strategy for 21st Century Democracy, offers a simple and yet radical (meaning: to the root) way for we the people to have “an individual vote, a collective voice” that could very well call forth a “new common sense.” Writes Richard:

“By accessing and quantifying our common sense, one issue at a time, in an authenticated, secure, easy-to-use way that gives each citizen a voice and a vote, we can begin to define our collective values, desires and priorities as a nation, and in so doing, transcend the partisanship and polarization that has gripped our democracy.”

To discuss what a National Town Square might look like, how it could work, and why and how it can rebalance the balance of power in favor of we the people, we will also be talking with Rev. Lupton Abshire, Director — Strategic Outreach for the National Town Square. He’s an Episcopal priest with over 25 years of experience serving faith communities around the country and in East Africa. His academic background includes degrees in organizational behavior, theology and philosophy. Originally from the Washington D.C. area, he lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his four teenagers, three dogs, two birds … and one wife. Lupton will talk about how and why he got involved with this project, and offer a unique perspective that bridges spiritual, personal and political.

And for the first time, YOU the listener will be able to join us with your questions and comments! Remember the show is broadcast live Tuesday at 2 pm PT / 5 pm ET. We will begin taking questions at half past the hour, and you can call in at 202-570-7057. As our friend Caroline Casey would say, “Co-operators are standing by!”

Join us this Tuesday, February 6th as we explore a way to “overgrow” our corrupt and dysfunctional two-party pay-to-play duopoly, and discover “who we are” together.