Some years ago, I quit telling family members, colleagues, and acquaintances about the TDG. I got tired of seeing eyeballs roll backwards when I mentioned “I’m still working on my alternative democracy.” People like me used to get put into insane asylums.
I have shown my work to academic-type people — and they politely said very little.
I promote my work regularly on Medium, Mastodon, and LinkedIn. People in these places are saying very little. They are probably wondering why my family is not putting me in an insane asylum.
What the past 27 years has taught us is that it seems unlikely that the TDG will move from Step 1 to Step 2 of the Overton Window with only me on the bullhorn. So, if you want the TDG to progress, you will have to be proactive.
“Overton Window?” You ask. “Where did Dave get this term from? Middle of nowhere?”
This is the second article in a two-article series on the Overton Window.
In case you are not going to read the first article, the Overton Window is explained as six steps for a new idea to move into public policy. These six steps are:
1. Unthinkable
2. Radical
3. Acceptable
4. Sensible
5. Popular
6. Policy
My alternative democracy has remained in the “unthinkable” step for the last 27 years. One thing is clear: my alternative democracy is not going anywhere without some outside help.
If it doesn’t get that help, then we are stuck with our current version of democracy. If we look at the last 10 years and extrapolate to next November, this democracy could give in to an oligarchic rule of some kind.
Now we can wish and hope and pray that that outcome is not going to happen. But I don’t think the future oligarchs and their supporters are going to heed your wishes. In other words, it is plausible you might be living in a nation with arbitrary laws and human rights soon.
Most of you reading this article are not likely to be on the favored side these arbitrary laws and human rights. So, it seems to me, that most of you have a vested interest in this alternative democracy!
Why not give it a little hand?
Your Social Media
Can you put a little posting on your social media saying something like:
“I’ve talked to this Canadian fellow who has some interesting ideas on a new democracy. It deserves an investigation. Young people need some hope and a more constructive place to put their political energy. Here’s the website: https://tiereddemocraticgovernance.org/home.php.”
What is wrong with making a post or two on your social media?
The Young People in Your Life
When I launched my consultation workshop a few days ago, I created a shout-out list of my lukewarm TDG fans. Having read their works and engaged in some internet conversation, I realized that most people in this list are over 50 years old. I have not been able to find a younger audience.
So I suspect most reading this article are also over 50. May I suggest that you write a little email to the younger people in your life? Something like:
Dear Son/Daughter/Grandson/Granddaughter/Nephew/Niece/Whatever
First I must apologize. My generation is leaving a mess for your generation to fix up: climate change, loss of the middle class, silly wars. Sorry about screwing things up. We should have known better. We should have voted better.
I don’t know what the solution is. But there is this fellow from Canada who has some interesting ideas on building a new democracy. He seems to the only person around with some vision for a better world.
I would like you to take a look at this idea. Maybe you and some friends can build this new democracy for the rest of us. The website is: https://tiereddemocraticgovernance.org/home.php
Love
Mom/Dad/Grandmother/Grandfather/Aunt/Uncle/Whatever
What you do you have to lose by sending this message?
What does the world have to gain if some young person in your life picks up this football and runs with it?
A Medium Deal for an Interview
Here’s my deal for Medium political writers.
1) A writer would ask me three questions about the TDG.
2) I write my answers and send it back to the writer.
3) The writer publishes the questions and answers. I do most of the work, and the political writer gets all the Medium shekels.
4) I get to introduce the TDG to the political writer’s readers.
5) If the political writer likes the result, we can do it again.
I do have a caveat. You need to read my works. For now, spending 15 minutes to read my TDG essay is the minimum effort I require.
BTW, I have a FAQ section on my website that is a little empty. I will be putting your questions and my answer on this webpage:
Are you unthinkable?
If the TDG is still on your Overton “unthinkable” radar, you are not likely to help this movement out. No TDG social media posts. No emails to young people. No interviews with the inventor. You have wasted your time reading this article. You have promised yourself not to read another Dave Volek article again. His family should put him in an insane asylum.
If you are “unthinkable,” you should not be surprised if our current democracy does not reverse its course. If this outcome is better than working for a new democracy, I guess that is why we have freedom of choice.
Are you radical?
If the TDG is on your “radical” radar, you can be daring.” Someone has to make these next steps. Make those social media posts. Send that email to young people. Give me three questions to answer.
According to the Overton process, “radical” later leads to “acceptable.”
When is the TDG acceptable?
Your radical steps will move the discourse to acceptable. Then it will be OK for many other people to talk about the TDG — and it can move through the next three Overton steps.
I believe that when the TDG reaches “Acceptable,” this movement cannot be stopped. I will no longer be needed! I so look forward to that change.
The world is yearning for this democracy: it just does not realize it yet. You have a role to play.
Even if you think the TDG is an unrealizable utopia, there is still nothing wrong with talking about it. Maybe with the TDG threat, the current system will smarten up. Or maybe your support will help move the TDG through the Overton process.
Remember, you have an audience I cannot reach.
Why should that audience not be informed of this idea? Let them decide whether to further this cause or not.
Published on Medium 2024
King George, can we Americans declare Independence?
