imagine you’re woken up by a knock on your door and it’s the police and
your door and it’s the police and
your door and it’s the police and they’ve come to arrest you what did I do
they’ve come to arrest you what did I do
they’ve come to arrest you what did I do you ask well as they handcuff you they
you ask well as they handcuff you they
you ask well as they handcuff you they reply you’re being arrested for three
reply you’re being arrested for three
reply you’re being arrested for three Facebook posts you made last year which
Facebook posts you made last year which
Facebook posts you made last year which ones you asked surely not the cat videos
ones you asked surely not the cat videos
ones you asked surely not the cat videos no they say the ones where you criticize
no they say the ones where you criticize
no they say the ones where you criticize the government I’d imagine that most of
the government I’d imagine that most of
the government I’d imagine that most of us would be serving hard time under this
us would be serving hard time under this
us would be serving hard time under this benchmark over the last year or two
benchmark over the last year or two
benchmark over the last year or two you’ve probably criticised Donald Trump
you’ve probably criticised Donald Trump
you’ve probably criticised Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton or brexit or the
or Hillary Clinton or brexit or the
or Hillary Clinton or brexit or the British government depending on your
British government depending on your
British government depending on your politics and where you live
politics and where you live
politics and where you live but imagine is if you’re taken into
but imagine is if you’re taken into
but imagine is if you’re taken into custody they tell you that the penalty
custody they tell you that the penalty
custody they tell you that the penalty for those Facebook posts isn’t some slap
for those Facebook posts isn’t some slap
for those Facebook posts isn’t some slap on the wrist
on the wrist
on the wrist it’s 15 years in a prison cell for one
it’s 15 years in a prison cell for one
it’s 15 years in a prison cell for one Facebook post unfortunately this isn’t
Facebook post unfortunately this isn’t
Facebook post unfortunately this isn’t an imaginary scenario this is
an imaginary scenario this is
an imaginary scenario this is effectively what happened to my friend
effectively what happened to my friend
effectively what happened to my friend who’s a Thai journalist living under his
who’s a Thai journalist living under his
who’s a Thai journalist living under his country’s military dictatorship he’s
country’s military dictatorship he’s
country’s military dictatorship he’s facing 15 years behind bars for publicly
facing 15 years behind bars for publicly
facing 15 years behind bars for publicly criticizing the government and calling
criticizing the government and calling
criticizing the government and calling for democracy a system that allows
for democracy a system that allows
for democracy a system that allows citizens to have a meaningful meaningful
citizens to have a meaningful meaningful
citizens to have a meaningful meaningful voice in decisions that affect their
voice in decisions that affect their
voice in decisions that affect their lives the system that most of us take
lives the system that most of us take
lives the system that most of us take for granted he’s facing 15 years in jail
for granted he’s facing 15 years in jail
for granted he’s facing 15 years in jail for doing something that you and I do
for doing something that you and I do
for doing something that you and I do without a second thought
without a second thought
without a second thought virtually every day for something that
virtually every day for something that
virtually every day for something that we know we can do without consequence
we know we can do without consequence
we know we can do without consequence and for something that he bravely
and for something that he bravely
and for something that he bravely continues to do even while facing trial
continues to do even while facing trial
continues to do even while facing trial because he believes that the citizens of
because he believes that the citizens of
because he believes that the citizens of Thailand deserve to have the same basic
Thailand deserve to have the same basic
Thailand deserve to have the same basic democratic freedoms that we do today I’m
democratic freedoms that we do today I’m
democratic freedoms that we do today I’m going to show you that you don’t realize
going to show you that you don’t realize
going to show you that you don’t realize how powerful you are and in the next 15
how powerful you are and in the next 15
how powerful you are and in the next 15 minutes I’m going to give you five
minutes I’m going to give you five
minutes I’m going to give you five concrete ways that you can help save
concrete ways that you can help save
concrete ways that you can help save democracy we’ve forgotten the
democracy we’ve forgotten the
democracy we’ve forgotten the fundamental truths about democracy being
fundamental truths about democracy being
fundamental truths about democracy being a citizen is a full-time job it’s not
a citizen is a full-time job it’s not
a citizen is a full-time job it’s not something you can take for granted
something you can take for granted
something you can take for granted democracy isn’t something that you do
democracy isn’t something that you do
democracy isn’t something that you do every four years it’s something that we
every four years it’s something that we
every four years it’s something that we shape every day through our actions and
shape every day through our actions and
shape every day through our actions and increasingly through our in actions
increasingly through our in actions
increasingly through our in actions it’s time for a new civic code across
it’s time for a new civic code across
it’s time for a new civic code across party lines and demographic groups one
party lines and demographic groups one
party lines and demographic groups one that makes us responsible not just for
that makes us responsible not just for
that makes us responsible not just for doing our bit every few years but for
doing our bit every few years but for
doing our bit every few years but for engaging with far more people far more
engaging with far more people far more
engaging with far more people far more often than just every few years at the
often than just every few years at the
often than just every few years at the ballot box the crisis of democracy that
ballot box the crisis of democracy that
ballot box the crisis of democracy that we face today is partly born out of a
we face today is partly born out of a
we face today is partly born out of a crisis of civic engagement
crisis of civic engagement
crisis of civic engagement I study democracy and authoritarianism
I study democracy and authoritarianism
I study democracy and authoritarianism across the globe and democracy virtually
across the globe and democracy virtually
across the globe and democracy virtually everywhere is under threat for decades
everywhere is under threat for decades
everywhere is under threat for decades dictators have consolidated power from
dictators have consolidated power from
dictators have consolidated power from sub-saharan Africa to Southeast Asia
sub-saharan Africa to Southeast Asia
sub-saharan Africa to Southeast Asia authoritarian populist are now winning
authoritarian populist are now winning
authoritarian populist are now winning elections only to rollback democracy by
elections only to rollback democracy by
elections only to rollback democracy by capitalizing on division and fear and
capitalizing on division and fear and
capitalizing on division and fear and here in the West a huge number of people
here in the West a huge number of people
here in the West a huge number of people are dissatisfied with how democracy is
are dissatisfied with how democracy is
are dissatisfied with how democracy is functioning virtually nobody I speak to
functioning virtually nobody I speak to
functioning virtually nobody I speak to says that the system is going perfectly
says that the system is going perfectly
says that the system is going perfectly that everything’s going according to
that everything’s going according to
that everything’s going according to plan
plan
plan and that we should just keep calm and
and that we should just keep calm and
and that we should just keep calm and carry on I travel around the world to
carry on I travel around the world to
carry on I travel around the world to dictatorships and broken democracies for
dictatorships and broken democracies for
dictatorships and broken democracies for my research from places like Madagascar
my research from places like Madagascar
my research from places like Madagascar to Tunisia and from Thailand to the
to Tunisia and from Thailand to the
to Tunisia and from Thailand to the Ivory Coast meeting with people on both
Ivory Coast meeting with people on both
Ivory Coast meeting with people on both sides of the battle for global democracy
sides of the battle for global democracy
sides of the battle for global democracy I’ve had breakfast with despots and
I’ve had breakfast with despots and
I’ve had breakfast with despots and dinner with former dictators I’ve sipped
dinner with former dictators I’ve sipped
dinner with former dictators I’ve sipped mango juice with rebels and tea with
mango juice with rebels and tea with
mango juice with rebels and tea with torture victims but perhaps of all these
torture victims but perhaps of all these
torture victims but perhaps of all these encounters the one that stood out the
encounters the one that stood out the
encounters the one that stood out the most to me was a coffee I had with a
most to me was a coffee I had with a
most to me was a coffee I had with a presidential candidate turned political
presidential candidate turned political
presidential candidate turned political prisoner a man who willingly sacrificed
prisoner a man who willingly sacrificed
prisoner a man who willingly sacrificed his freedom to fight for others to have
his freedom to fight for others to have
his freedom to fight for others to have theirs I traveled to Belarus recently a
theirs I traveled to Belarus recently a
theirs I traveled to Belarus recently a place that’s often referred to as the
place that’s often referred to as the
place that’s often referred to as the last dictatorship in Europe its capital
last dictatorship in Europe its capital
last dictatorship in Europe its capital Minsk is somewhat of a living museum for
Minsk is somewhat of a living museum for
Minsk is somewhat of a living museum for the Soviet Union and here is the
the Soviet Union and here is the
the Soviet Union and here is the dictator himself Alexander Lukashenko
dictator himself Alexander Lukashenko
dictator himself Alexander Lukashenko he’s a brutal ruthless tyrant and he
he’s a brutal ruthless tyrant and he
he’s a brutal ruthless tyrant and he presides over a surveillance state
presides over a surveillance state
presides over a surveillance state something so omnipresent by the way that
something so omnipresent by the way that
something so omnipresent by the way that it even affects the bathroom graffiti
it even affects the bathroom graffiti
it even affects the bathroom graffiti pretty nice resemblance huh well I got a
pretty nice resemblance huh well I got a
pretty nice resemblance huh well I got a taste of what it meant to live in a
taste of what it meant to live in a
taste of what it meant to live in a police state almost immediately after
police state almost immediately after
police state almost immediately after arriving shortly after I landed I got
arriving shortly after I landed I got
arriving shortly after I landed I got several notifications that my accounts
several notifications that my accounts
several notifications that my accounts had been hacked and then a few hours
had been hacked and then a few hours
had been hacked and then a few hours later I met with this
later I met with this
later I met with this man Nikolai’s thought kovitch we agreed
man Nikolai’s thought kovitch we agreed
man Nikolai’s thought kovitch we agreed to meet in a cafe in downtown Minsk I
to meet in a cafe in downtown Minsk I
to meet in a cafe in downtown Minsk I walked in and sure enough there he was
walked in and sure enough there he was
walked in and sure enough there he was at a corner table tucked away in the
at a corner table tucked away in the
at a corner table tucked away in the shadows we shook hands sat down and he
shadows we shook hands sat down and he
shadows we shook hands sat down and he began telling me about his quest to
began telling me about his quest to
began telling me about his quest to bring democracy to this dictatorship but
bring democracy to this dictatorship but
bring democracy to this dictatorship but as he began talking a young woman walked
as he began talking a young woman walked
as he began talking a young woman walked into this large empty cafe she didn’t
into this large empty cafe she didn’t
into this large empty cafe she didn’t hesitate or look around instead she made
hesitate or look around instead she made
hesitate or look around instead she made a beeline for the table directly next to
a beeline for the table directly next to
a beeline for the table directly next to ours she sat down she pulled out her
ours she sat down she pulled out her
ours she sat down she pulled out her phone she held it like this and
phone she held it like this and
phone she held it like this and pretended that she was reading the news
pretended that she was reading the news
pretended that she was reading the news stuck kovitch leaned into me and
stuck kovitch leaned into me and
stuck kovitch leaned into me and whispered I picked one of the cafes
whispered I picked one of the cafes
whispered I picked one of the cafes without microphones in the tables so the
without microphones in the tables so the
without microphones in the tables so the KGB has to do it the old-fashioned way
KGB has to do it the old-fashioned way
KGB has to do it the old-fashioned way now at the time I wasn’t sure whether he
now at the time I wasn’t sure whether he
now at the time I wasn’t sure whether he was joking or not but with the KGB agent
was joking or not but with the KGB agent
was joking or not but with the KGB agent listening in what he told me next was
listening in what he told me next was
listening in what he told me next was not funny as a presidential candidate he
not funny as a presidential candidate he
not funny as a presidential candidate he tried to hold a peaceful political rally
tried to hold a peaceful political rally
tried to hold a peaceful political rally just pushing for more democracy in
just pushing for more democracy in
just pushing for more democracy in Belarus when suddenly thugs from the
Belarus when suddenly thugs from the
Belarus when suddenly thugs from the ruling regime emerged from the darkness
ruling regime emerged from the darkness
ruling regime emerged from the darkness abducted him through a bag over his head
abducted him through a bag over his head
abducted him through a bag over his head and tossed him into a van they drove him
and tossed him into a van they drove him
and tossed him into a van they drove him around for an hour without telling him
around for an hour without telling him
around for an hour without telling him where he was headed his mind was racing
where he was headed his mind was racing
where he was headed his mind was racing was he being taken to a secluded forest
was he being taken to a secluded forest
was he being taken to a secluded forest to be shot a dirt road to be beaten to
to be shot a dirt road to be beaten to
to be shot a dirt road to be beaten to death
death
death would he ever see his family again as it
would he ever see his family again as it
would he ever see his family again as it turned out he was tossed in a cold dark
turned out he was tossed in a cold dark
turned out he was tossed in a cold dark jail cell and left to rot for years they
jail cell and left to rot for years they
jail cell and left to rot for years they told him that he would be able to be
told him that he would be able to be
told him that he would be able to be released immediately if he only signed a
released immediately if he only signed a
released immediately if he only signed a confession confessing to being a traitor
confession confessing to being a traitor
confession confessing to being a traitor conspiring against the nation rather
conspiring against the nation rather
conspiring against the nation rather than for democracy year after year he
than for democracy year after year he
than for democracy year after year he refused for nearly 5 years stuck a bitch
refused for nearly 5 years stuck a bitch
refused for nearly 5 years stuck a bitch gave up his freedom so that others may
gave up his freedom so that others may
gave up his freedom so that others may someday have theirs it was a solitary
someday have theirs it was a solitary
someday have theirs it was a solitary act from a man in solitary confinement
act from a man in solitary confinement
act from a man in solitary confinement but it mattered it mattered months later
but it mattered it mattered months later
but it mattered it mattered months later after his release back in that cafe with
after his release back in that cafe with
after his release back in that cafe with me in Minsk with the KGB agent listening
me in Minsk with the KGB agent listening
me in Minsk with the KGB agent listening in stuck a bitch looked me straight in
in stuck a bitch looked me straight in
in stuck a bitch looked me straight in the eyes and he ended our conversation
the eyes and he ended our conversation
the eyes and he ended our conversation with seven words I’ll never forget you
with seven words I’ll never forget you
with seven words I’ll never forget you don’t realize how lucky you are
don’t realize how lucky you are
don’t realize how lucky you are and with that he got up and walked out
and with that he got up and walked out
and with that he got up and walked out into the cold December night followed by
into the cold December night followed by
into the cold December night followed by the KGB agent watching his every move
the KGB agent watching his every move
the KGB agent watching his every move now I felt incredibly self-conscious in
now I felt incredibly self-conscious in
now I felt incredibly self-conscious in that moment I’ve devoted my life to
that moment I’ve devoted my life to
that moment I’ve devoted my life to politics what was I really doing enough
politics what was I really doing enough
politics what was I really doing enough am i a good citizen here’s this guy who
am i a good citizen here’s this guy who
am i a good citizen here’s this guy who risked his life and nearly died to stand
risked his life and nearly died to stand
risked his life and nearly died to stand up to a dictator just to get the basic
up to a dictator just to get the basic
up to a dictator just to get the basic freedoms that I enjoy through no effort
freedoms that I enjoy through no effort
freedoms that I enjoy through no effort of my own
of my own
of my own other than the completely random fact
other than the completely random fact
other than the completely random fact that I was lucky enough to be born in a
that I was lucky enough to be born in a
that I was lucky enough to be born in a democracy and I realized he’s absolutely
democracy and I realized he’s absolutely
democracy and I realized he’s absolutely right we all have a form of invisible
right we all have a form of invisible
right we all have a form of invisible democratic privilege that we can’t see
democratic privilege that we can’t see
democratic privilege that we can’t see and don’t see because most of us have
and don’t see because most of us have
and don’t see because most of us have never lived without it but like
never lived without it but like
never lived without it but like breathing and air you don’t realize it’s
breathing and air you don’t realize it’s
breathing and air you don’t realize it’s there you feel like you were suffocating
there you feel like you were suffocating
there you feel like you were suffocating if it was taken away the worst news for
if it was taken away the worst news for
if it was taken away the worst news for the future of democracy is that younger
the future of democracy is that younger
the future of democracy is that younger generations those who have never
generations those who have never
generations those who have never confronted the brutality of
confronted the brutality of
confronted the brutality of authoritarianism or totalitarianism a
authoritarianism or totalitarianism a
authoritarianism or totalitarianism a view democracy is more disposable than
view democracy is more disposable than
view democracy is more disposable than older people in the UK people born in
older people in the UK people born in
older people in the UK people born in the 1930s three or four of them believe
the 1930s three or four of them believe
the 1930s three or four of them believe that democracy is essential but only
that democracy is essential but only
that democracy is essential but only about one in four Brits born in the
about one in four Brits born in the
about one in four Brits born in the 1980s thinks the same it’s a huge change
1980s thinks the same it’s a huge change
1980s thinks the same it’s a huge change the numbers are virtually the same in
the numbers are virtually the same in
the numbers are virtually the same in the u.s. stuck kovitch was right we
the u.s. stuck kovitch was right we
the u.s. stuck kovitch was right we don’t realize how lucky we are but we
don’t realize how lucky we are but we
don’t realize how lucky we are but we also don’t realize how powerful we are
also don’t realize how powerful we are
also don’t realize how powerful we are and both of those things are true
and both of those things are true
and both of those things are true because we live in a democracy but we
because we live in a democracy but we
because we live in a democracy but we need to recognize our extreme good
need to recognize our extreme good
need to recognize our extreme good fortune and our individual power if
fortune and our individual power if
fortune and our individual power if we’re going to make democracy deliver on
we’re going to make democracy deliver on
we’re going to make democracy deliver on its promise of being a government of the
its promise of being a government of the
its promise of being a government of the people by the people and for the people
people by the people and for the people
people by the people and for the people democracy is worth saving it’s worth
democracy is worth saving it’s worth
democracy is worth saving it’s worth fighting for few of us have been exposed
fighting for few of us have been exposed
fighting for few of us have been exposed to the horrors of authoritarian
to the horrors of authoritarian
to the horrors of authoritarian despotism but I can tell you it’s not
despotism but I can tell you it’s not
despotism but I can tell you it’s not pretty I have seen children scrounging
pretty I have seen children scrounging
pretty I have seen children scrounging and trash piles in the street trying to
and trash piles in the street trying to
and trash piles in the street trying to find a single morsel of rotting food
find a single morsel of rotting food
find a single morsel of rotting food I’ve gotten used to a grotesquely
I’ve gotten used to a grotesquely
I’ve gotten used to a grotesquely familiar pause in conversation when a
familiar pause in conversation when a
familiar pause in conversation when a torture victim struggles to find the
torture victim struggles to find the
torture victim struggles to find the right words to tell me how their
right words to tell me how their
right words to tell me how their fingernails were pulled off one by one
fingernails were pulled off one by one
fingernails were pulled off one by one or how they were suspended from an iron
or how they were suspended from an iron
or how they were suspended from an iron rod like a roasted chicken and left for
rod like a roasted chicken and left for
rod like a roasted chicken and left for days without food or water democratic
days without food or water democratic
days without food or water democratic governments don’t brutalize their
governments don’t brutalize their
governments don’t brutalize their citizens like that
citizens like that
citizens like that they don’t leave them to starve in the
they don’t leave them to starve in the
they don’t leave them to starve in the streets and over the long run
streets and over the long run
streets and over the long run democracy is much more stable
democracy is much more stable
democracy is much more stable democracies are also the engines of
democracies are also the engines of
democracies are also the engines of innovation creativity and prosperity in
innovation creativity and prosperity in
innovation creativity and prosperity in the modern world but to be fair
the modern world but to be fair
the modern world but to be fair democracy isn’t functioning perfectly
democracy isn’t functioning perfectly
democracy isn’t functioning perfectly right now wages have stagnated
right now wages have stagnated
right now wages have stagnated inequality has soared and millions of
inequality has soared and millions of
inequality has soared and millions of people feel completely powerless now
people feel completely powerless now
people feel completely powerless now some of those issues are structural
some of those issues are structural
some of those issues are structural manifestations of problems like too much
manifestations of problems like too much
manifestations of problems like too much money in politics the disproportionate
money in politics the disproportionate
money in politics the disproportionate influence of lobbyists an unfair
influence of lobbyists an unfair
influence of lobbyists an unfair electoral system and the fact that
electoral system and the fact that
electoral system and the fact that politicians are often out for themselves
politicians are often out for themselves
politicians are often out for themselves rather than for us but the thing is we
rather than for us but the thing is we
rather than for us but the thing is we have allowed that system to become our
have allowed that system to become our
have allowed that system to become our system imagine a world where democracy
system imagine a world where democracy
system imagine a world where democracy functions perfectly and lives up to its
functions perfectly and lives up to its
functions perfectly and lives up to its lofty promise governments have the best
lofty promise governments have the best
lofty promise governments have the best reflection of our society and where
reflection of our society and where
reflection of our society and where problems are solved through thoughtful
problems are solved through thoughtful
problems are solved through thoughtful debate and compromise rather than big
debate and compromise rather than big
debate and compromise rather than big green vitriol and internet trolls it’s a
green vitriol and internet trolls it’s a
green vitriol and internet trolls it’s a nice thought isn’t it but in some ways
nice thought isn’t it but in some ways
nice thought isn’t it but in some ways we only really have ourselves to blame
we only really have ourselves to blame
we only really have ourselves to blame for the fact that we don’t live in this
for the fact that we don’t live in this
for the fact that we don’t live in this imaginary world of perfect democratic
imaginary world of perfect democratic
imaginary world of perfect democratic prosperity that’s the bad news
prosperity that’s the bad news
prosperity that’s the bad news don’t worry there is good news the good
don’t worry there is good news the good
don’t worry there is good news the good news is we can build that world I know
news is we can build that world I know
news is we can build that world I know because I used to work in politics I co
because I used to work in politics I co
because I used to work in politics I co managed a campaign for governor in my
managed a campaign for governor in my
managed a campaign for governor in my home state of Minnesota competing for
home state of Minnesota competing for
home state of Minnesota competing for millions of votes and the first thing
millions of votes and the first thing
millions of votes and the first thing you realize when you work on a political
you realize when you work on a political
you realize when you work on a political campaign is that your job exists for
campaign is that your job exists for
campaign is that your job exists for literally one reason to win there’s no
literally one reason to win there’s no
literally one reason to win there’s no prize for second place so what do you do
prize for second place so what do you do
prize for second place so what do you do you come up with a strategy based on a
you come up with a strategy based on a
you come up with a strategy based on a few harsh realities and three of those
few harsh realities and three of those
few harsh realities and three of those realities stand out to every campaign
realities stand out to every campaign
realities stand out to every campaign one poor people don’t vote much too
one poor people don’t vote much too
one poor people don’t vote much too young people don’t vote much and three
young people don’t vote much and three
young people don’t vote much and three someone who didn’t vote last time
someone who didn’t vote last time
someone who didn’t vote last time probably won’t vote this time either we
probably won’t vote this time either we
probably won’t vote this time either we are organizing events in the early
are organizing events in the early
are organizing events in the early stages of the campaign we only reached
stages of the campaign we only reached
stages of the campaign we only reached out to people who had voted in at least
out to people who had voted in at least
out to people who had voted in at least three of the last five elections others
three of the last five elections others
three of the last five elections others just weren’t worth the effort when you
just weren’t worth the effort when you
just weren’t worth the effort when you have limited time and money you focus it
have limited time and money you focus it
have limited time and money you focus it where its most likely to count you pick
where its most likely to count you pick
where its most likely to count you pick issues that matter to
issues that matter to
issues that matter to voters politicians pander to those who
voters politicians pander to those who
voters politicians pander to those who show up that’s why it’s no surprise that
show up that’s why it’s no surprise that
show up that’s why it’s no surprise that young people are facing rising tuition
young people are facing rising tuition
young people are facing rising tuition costs and soaring debt
costs and soaring debt
costs and soaring debt why job training programs and the social
why job training programs and the social
why job training programs and the social safety net are often first on the
safety net are often first on the
safety net are often first on the chopping block and why those programs
chopping block and why those programs
chopping block and why those programs that cater to the most solid voters the
that cater to the most solid voters the
that cater to the most solid voters the elderly are deemed sacrosanct
elderly are deemed sacrosanct
elderly are deemed sacrosanct so what about people out there who say
so what about people out there who say
so what about people out there who say my vote doesn’t count
my vote doesn’t count
my vote doesn’t count they are wrong they’re wrong I know
they are wrong they’re wrong I know
they are wrong they’re wrong I know because one of the big issues we worked
because one of the big issues we worked
because one of the big issues we worked on in the campaign was whether or not
on in the campaign was whether or not
on in the campaign was whether or not Minnesota should accept funding from the
Minnesota should accept funding from the
Minnesota should accept funding from the US government to pay for health care
US government to pay for health care
US government to pay for health care coverage for 220,000 more people if we
coverage for 220,000 more people if we
coverage for 220,000 more people if we won they would get it if we lost they
won they would get it if we lost they
won they would get it if we lost they wouldn’t we won by a few thousand votes
wouldn’t we won by a few thousand votes
wouldn’t we won by a few thousand votes out of several million ballots cast
out of several million ballots cast
out of several million ballots cast 220,000 more people got health care
220,000 more people got health care
220,000 more people got health care coverage every vote counts nonetheless
coverage every vote counts nonetheless
coverage every vote counts nonetheless one of the central paradoxes of our time
one of the central paradoxes of our time
one of the central paradoxes of our time is that most people are unhappy with the
is that most people are unhappy with the
is that most people are unhappy with the system but many don’t do much to change
system but many don’t do much to change
system but many don’t do much to change it in 1950
it in 1950
it in 1950 84 percent of British adults voted five
84 percent of British adults voted five
84 percent of British adults voted five years after defeating fascism and saving
years after defeating fascism and saving
years after defeating fascism and saving democracy people understood what a
democracy people understood what a
democracy people understood what a democratic privilege they had and they
democratic privilege they had and they
democratic privilege they had and they exercised it by 2001 that same figure
exercised it by 2001 that same figure
exercised it by 2001 that same figure had fallen to 59 percent thankfully it
had fallen to 59 percent thankfully it
had fallen to 59 percent thankfully it crept up a bit this year to 68 percent
crept up a bit this year to 68 percent
crept up a bit this year to 68 percent but still more than 3 out of every 10
but still more than 3 out of every 10
but still more than 3 out of every 10 people you see on a daily basis didn’t
people you see on a daily basis didn’t
people you see on a daily basis didn’t take the time to vote this year voter
take the time to vote this year voter
take the time to vote this year voter apathy is even worse in the u.s. in the
apathy is even worse in the u.s. in the
apathy is even worse in the u.s. in the 2014 congressional elections just 36
2014 congressional elections just 36
2014 congressional elections just 36 percent of people voted 64 out of every
percent of people voted 64 out of every
percent of people voted 64 out of every 100 didn’t bother and even in last
100 didn’t bother and even in last
100 didn’t bother and even in last year’s presidential election one of the
year’s presidential election one of the
year’s presidential election one of the most consequential votes in American
most consequential votes in American
most consequential votes in American history only 60 percent of people voted
history only 60 percent of people voted
history only 60 percent of people voted that meant that less than 30 percent of
that meant that less than 30 percent of
that meant that less than 30 percent of people voted for Donald Trump to be
people voted for Donald Trump to be
people voted for Donald Trump to be President well nearly forty percent of
President well nearly forty percent of
President well nearly forty percent of people didn’t vote apathy beat Trump by
people didn’t vote apathy beat Trump by
people didn’t vote apathy beat Trump by 10 points but Trump and not apathy is in
10 points but Trump and not apathy is in
10 points but Trump and not apathy is in the Oval Office in his election eighty
the Oval Office in his election eighty
the Oval Office in his election eighty thousand voters spread across three
thousand voters spread across three
thousand voters spread across three states tipped the election the people
states tipped the election the people
states tipped the election the people who determined the outcome could fit in
who determined the outcome could fit in
who determined the outcome could fit in a single football stadium
a single football stadium
a single football stadium so why don’t people vote a common
so why don’t people vote a common
so why don’t people vote a common complaint I hear on both sides of the
complaint I hear on both sides of the
complaint I hear on both sides of the Atlantic is that we didn’t like any of
Atlantic is that we didn’t like any of
Atlantic is that we didn’t like any of the candidates but we get the candidates
the candidates but we get the candidates
the candidates but we get the candidates we deserve in 2016 only 7 percent of
we deserve in 2016 only 7 percent of
we deserve in 2016 only 7 percent of American adults voted for Hillary
American adults voted for Hillary
American adults voted for Hillary Clinton in the presidential primary the
Clinton in the presidential primary the
Clinton in the presidential primary the process of selecting candidates only six
process of selecting candidates only six
process of selecting candidates only six percent voted for Donald Trump 75
percent voted for Donald Trump 75
percent voted for Donald Trump 75 percent didn’t vote in the UK citizen
percent didn’t vote in the UK citizen
percent didn’t vote in the UK citizen participation rates in leadership
participation rates in leadership
participation rates in leadership election contests is even lower
election contests is even lower
election contests is even lower it just takes 20 minutes every four
it just takes 20 minutes every four
it just takes 20 minutes every four years to help determine the people who
years to help determine the people who
years to help determine the people who end up being the most powerful people on
end up being the most powerful people on
end up being the most powerful people on earth the people who affect the life
earth the people who affect the life
earth the people who affect the life chances of ourselves our children and
chances of ourselves our children and
chances of ourselves our children and literally billions around the planet but
literally billions around the planet but
literally billions around the planet but democracy doesn’t work if people don’t
democracy doesn’t work if people don’t
democracy doesn’t work if people don’t participate yes blame the system it’s
participate yes blame the system it’s
participate yes blame the system it’s broken we have the power to fix it the
broken we have the power to fix it the
broken we have the power to fix it the power that people like my journalist
power that people like my journalist
power that people like my journalist friend or Nikolayevich are literally
friend or Nikolayevich are literally
friend or Nikolayevich are literally willing to die for and that is a huge
willing to die for and that is a huge
willing to die for and that is a huge problem with how democracy is
problem with how democracy is
problem with how democracy is functioning but I’m not here to chastise
functioning but I’m not here to chastise
functioning but I’m not here to chastise you I’m not a perfect citizen myself so
you I’m not a perfect citizen myself so
you I’m not a perfect citizen myself so I can’t really claim any high ground
I can’t really claim any high ground
I can’t really claim any high ground here but I am here to remind us of our
here but I am here to remind us of our
here but I am here to remind us of our collective power and I’m here to give
collective power and I’m here to give
collective power and I’m here to give you five concrete ways that you can help
you five concrete ways that you can help
you five concrete ways that you can help save democracy one vote vote in every
save democracy one vote vote in every
save democracy one vote vote in every election not just the big ones the
election not just the big ones the
election not just the big ones the people we elect at the local level
people we elect at the local level
people we elect at the local level become the people we elect at the
become the people we elect at the
become the people we elect at the national level if you don’t believe me
national level if you don’t believe me
national level if you don’t believe me Barack Obama won 16,000 votes the first
Barack Obama won 16,000 votes the first
Barack Obama won 16,000 votes the first time he was elected – before every
time he was elected – before every
time he was elected – before every election talked to ten people you know
election talked to ten people you know
election talked to ten people you know about voting particularly if they’re not
about voting particularly if they’re not
about voting particularly if they’re not politically active and especially if
politically active and especially if
politically active and especially if they’re from an underrepresented group
they’re from an underrepresented group
they’re from an underrepresented group make voting a social activity organize
make voting a social activity organize
make voting a social activity organize drinks or coffee or lunch go together
drinks or coffee or lunch go together
drinks or coffee or lunch go together and ask those 10 people to talk to 10
and ask those 10 people to talk to 10
and ask those 10 people to talk to 10 people – three in between elections be
people – three in between elections be
people – three in between elections be the boss – the politicians you love or
the boss – the politicians you love or
the boss – the politicians you love or hate if they don’t get feedback they
hate if they don’t get feedback they
hate if they don’t get feedback they won’t change write to them
won’t change write to them
won’t change write to them protest call register people to vote and
protest call register people to vote and
protest call register people to vote and ask your friends to do the same
ask your friends to do the same
ask your friends to do the same for reach out to someone who views the
for reach out to someone who views the
for reach out to someone who views the world completely differently from how
world completely differently from how
world completely differently from how you view it and try to find common
you view it and try to find common
you view it and try to find common ground we’ll more polarized than ever
ground we’ll more polarized than ever
ground we’ll more polarized than ever but democracy requires compromise to
but democracy requires compromise to
but democracy requires compromise to function disagree without being
function disagree without being
function disagree without being disagreeable if you like politicians who
disagreeable if you like politicians who
disagreeable if you like politicians who build bridges rather than walls and try
build bridges rather than walls and try
build bridges rather than walls and try to do the same in your own political
to do the same in your own political
to do the same in your own political interactions and 5 run for office or
interactions and 5 run for office or
interactions and 5 run for office or organize a new political group even at
organize a new political group even at
organize a new political group even at the most local level Town Council
the most local level Town Council
the most local level Town Council local school board whatever it is get
local school board whatever it is get
local school board whatever it is get involved the longer-term solutions to
involved the longer-term solutions to
involved the longer-term solutions to save democracy like better civic
save democracy like better civic
save democracy like better civic education campaign finance and electoral
education campaign finance and electoral
education campaign finance and electoral reform are much harder and take much
reform are much harder and take much
reform are much harder and take much longer but we can’t expect others to
longer but we can’t expect others to
longer but we can’t expect others to make the change we want to see it’s from
make the change we want to see it’s from
make the change we want to see it’s from this final point to my own interest in
this final point to my own interest in
this final point to my own interest in politics stems when I was 8 years old my
politics stems when I was 8 years old my
politics stems when I was 8 years old my mom was very unhappy with the direction
mom was very unhappy with the direction
mom was very unhappy with the direction of the local school district so she ran
of the local school district so she ran
of the local school district so she ran as a candidate for local school board
as a candidate for local school board
as a candidate for local school board and I’m happy to say she crushed her
and I’m happy to say she crushed her
and I’m happy to say she crushed her opponent with the ingenious slogan of
opponent with the ingenious slogan of
opponent with the ingenious slogan of vote straight A’s for Barbara Claus it’s
vote straight A’s for Barbara Claus it’s
vote straight A’s for Barbara Claus it’s a lot of ACE in the process she didn’t
a lot of ACE in the process she didn’t
a lot of ACE in the process she didn’t just improve local education policy she
just improve local education policy she
just improve local education policy she also sparked my future engagement in
also sparked my future engagement in
also sparked my future engagement in politics seemingly small actions produce
politics seemingly small actions produce
politics seemingly small actions produce Democratic ripples and with enough
Democratic ripples and with enough
Democratic ripples and with enough ripples together we can produce a
ripples together we can produce a
ripples together we can produce a tsunami of democratic change thank you
”
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