De Tocqueville identified the American habit of forming associations locally to solve local problems the best part of the Nation. In America free men and women got on with it and did not look to authority figures to do the important work for them.
"Amongst the laws which rule human societies, there is one which seems to be more precise and clear than all of the others. If men are to remain civilized, or to become so, the art of associating together must grow and improve in the same ratio in which the equality of conditions is increased."(3-6
I wonder if this habit has largely been lost?
One of the problems for forming these associations is that there is no safe Trusted Space available to communities that is not contaminated by an agenda that protects an institution. Want to challenge the local school? You have to go to the School Board whose job is to protect the status quo. Want to do something about water or waste - you have to go to the City Council whose role is to protect the status quo. Want to do something about health - you have to go to the local hospital board and so on.
The areas that affect us are protected by boards of self interest. Even politics is a game between the right and the left with little room for doing what is "right". So how can America find this wonderful habit of dealing with what is important locally again?
I think that WOSU and Ideastream in Cleveland can show the way. They can provide the space for citizens to come together and converse about what is important - on air - online and in person.
Here is the new space at WOSU in Columbus
It's a space where the citizen can return to the roots of America and talk about issues that affect us all without the prejudice of a host being an interested party.
It is also a safe place where we can bring our kids to talk and do things as well.
What is your station doing to offer this kind of Trusted Space"? What do you think will be the impact on your support if you go down this route?
