1 of 16

We Need a Progressive Democracy Movement to Assure our Freedoms – Thom Hartmann

Why Do We Need a DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT?

2 of 16

Objectives for this Meeting

  • Learn why it is important for us to help build an inclusive, collaborative, and powerful Democracy Movement
  • Learn what a Democracy Movement could look like and discuss what our group can do to help build this movement
  • Gain your support to participate in helping to build a Democracy Movement
  • Agree on next steps we will take

3 of 16

Movements Require Passion

Political Parties

Political Movements

  • Policy & Practical Matters
  • Identity & Passion
  • Public Servants
  • Charismatic Leaders
  • Play within the Rules
  • Unafraid to Break the Rules
  • Work within the System
  • Challenge the System

Thom Hartmann

Radio Talk Show Host

4 of 16

People and Stories Create Movements

People, not institutions (like political parties) generally create and populate movements

“Doing so requires effort, persistence, passion, evangelism, and yes, sacrifice.”

Source: We Need a Progressive Democracy Movement to Assure our Freedoms

Thom Hartmann – Common Dreams, Dec. 23, 2023

Joe Madison

Talk Show Host

“Data doesn’t move people, emotions do.”

It’s “never about the data” and the Democratic Party needs storytellers to convert Biden’s great economic data into narratives about “how this impacts you and your family”

Jen Psaki

Political Advisor

5 of 16

A “Party” is not a “Movement”

The “New Democrats” have turned the party into a safe and predictable fundraising and electoral-strategy institution.

It’s left the movement building to others. . . . but no “others” have emerged on the left.

Source: We Need a Progressive Democracy Movement to Assure our Freedoms

Thom Hartmann – Common Dreams, Dec. 23, 2023

6 of 16

Bernie Sanders

“This campaign is not just about me. It is about building a movement of human solidarity.”

2015

A Future to Believe In

Source: We Need a Progressive Democracy Movement to Assure our FreedomsThom Hartmann – Common Dreams, Dec. 23, 2023

7 of 16

Trump is Building a Movement

Donald Trump has been building and growing a movement since 2015.

His pitch was about emotion, not detail; about tribe, not facts; about identity not values, not politics.

It is the language of a movement.

Source: We Need a Progressive Democracy Movement to Assure our Freedoms

Thom Hartmann – Common Dreams, Dec. 23, 2023

8 of 16

Fascist/Authoritarian Movements

Now, there is a extremist group engaged in building, a new and more forceful “anti-woke” movement that comes right out of the Authoritarian Playbook and Project 2025 from the Heritage Foundation.

  • Politicizing independent institutions
  • Spreading disinformation
  • Aggrandizing executive power
  • Weakening checks and balances
  • Quashing criticism or dissent
  • Marginalizing vulnerable communities
  • Corrupting elections
  • Stoking violence

9 of 16

Democratic Messaging

Democratic leaders (Biden, Schumer, Harris) tend to talk about

  • Republican “obstruction”
  • Infrastructure
  • legislation

Instead of talking about values:

  • the “right” of people to vote
  • access to healthcare for all,
  • quality free education
  • a stable environment
  • abortion rights

Source: We Need a Progressive Democracy Movement to Assure our Freedoms

Thom Hartmann – Common Dreams, Dec. 23, 2023

10 of 16

An Organized Right-Wing Movement

There is a dramatic imbalance between the massive, and well-funded “anti-woke” movement driving the politics of the right, and the scattershot state of the political left.

Abortion Rights Movement

The closest to movement politics on the left are the millions of American women (and their male allies) who want control of their bodies and are outraged at GOP attempts to return them to the status of men’s servants and playthings, from the boardroom to the bedroom

Source: We Need a Progressive Democracy Movement to Assure our Freedoms

Thom Hartmann – Common Dreams, Dec. 23, 2023

11 of 16

Video - Why We Need a Powerful Democracy Movement

12 of 16

Discussion

  • What are your impressions of the video?

13 of 16

The Democracy Movement: A Vision for a Better Society

The Democracy Movement aims to create a society where everyone's basic needs are met, and people have the opportunity to grow and thrive.

Our goal is to create a Democracy that prioritizes the needs of the people, and dismantles systems that prioritize the rich and powerful.

14 of 16

The Democracy Movement: A Vision for a Better Society

We recognize that our current system fails to meet our needs. We advocate:

  • A fairer system that reduces economic inequality and ensures benefits for all
  • Radical inclusion by welcoming all individuals and groups who support the Democracy Movement
  • A democratic framework that empowers people and dismantles authoritarian tendencies
  • A framework that encourages people to vote and make their voices heard; where no party is favored when voting districts are drawn; and limits and makes transparent all political donations

15 of 16

The Democracy Movement: A Vision for a Better Society

The Democracy Movement:

  • Strives to empower us to come

together to take back our country

  • Unites diverse communities and addresses critical issues such as climate change and immigration
  • Defends a society where all are equal, where rights and freedoms are upheld, and where differences are resolved through dialogue and understanding.

In summary, the Democracy Movement envisions a society based on freedom, equality, and justice that fosters hope and unity.

16 of 16

Discussion

  • What could we do together to help build this Democracy Movement?
  • Does it make sense for us to work together to help build a movement like this?
  • What are our next steps?