Let*s Talk America

"A house divided against itself cannot stand."

- Abraham Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, 1858

An invitation to talk about what is important to "We the People"

Let*s bring forward the "town meeting" spirit that*s always been the lifeblood of our democracy. Let*s Talk America is where everyone can talk about America*s promise, about what freedom, democracy, unity and equality mean to us - "We the People." Let*s Talk America is a meeting ground where we come together to listen, speak, ask and learn - without being forced to agree, change or bite your tongue.

What is a Let*s Talk America conversation?

Any conversation about democracy in America that is*

*Inclusive * all people and all perspectives welcome *Non-partisan *bring your views - but no lobbying for your causes, candidates, movements or parties. *Respectful * having a host and "ground rules" will assure that everyone has a chance to be heard.

Why do it?

Many forces are fragmenting America right now. One bold patriotic act is to engage people in conversation about what "more perfect union" we-the-people might "bring forth in this land" now - keeping an open mind and honest, respectful listening and speaking. It*s not easy to break out of our circles of safety * but democracy takes guts. It is a process, not a given, a nationwide activity, not a spectator sport. Like working out for healthy bodies, conversation works our democracy muscles and makes our nation strong. Get back in the game. Start a Let*s Talk America conversation. With one person, a group of friends or your whole town. Today. This week. Sometime this year. Everyone welcome.

Who can start one?

Anyone who has the courage and curiosity to find out what other people think about America * especially the state our democracy in 2004. Let*s Talk America gives you a way to invite others into a conversation about what our democracy means in our lives.

Who do you do it with?

Anyone else. You can pick how safe or adventuresome you want to be. You can pick a circle of friends, a few neighbors, the person next to you in the grocery line, a church group, a work group or come to any of the open Let*s Talk America events listed on www.letstalkamerica.org website. You are always welcome!

How many people come?

You can have a Let*s Talk America conversation with one other person, with ten, a hundred or a thousand.

What do you talk about?

The best response to a question isn*t an answer, it*s a conversation. Try these conversation starters: (note from vicki: i am not sure these are the questions - hope ken will lead us in an inquiry about what 3-5 questions would work best. i want questions that, if i a political novice were asked them, would feel i was qualified to answer... and that who i am would be a contribution to a national inquiry.)

*Do you feel "heard" in your community, country? (vicki - this is a yes, no question) *Who represents the "general interest" (as opposed to the "special interests")? (i'd feel a bit intimidated... i don't know the answer) *What does "We the People" mean to you? (this is more open and interesting) *What is the role of "We the People" in our government? (is this asking for information? feels a little like i have to understand american politics to anwer. rephrase? if "we the people" truly had a voice in our government, how might that be expressed?" - tho' that question isn't it either. *What does "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" mean to you? (i like this one - everyone knows the phrase and it's truly provocative of thinking and feeling) *What does "A more perfect union" mean to you? (i might need a prompt for where 'a more perfect union' arises in the founding docs of this country) *What does a government "of the people, for the people, by the people" mean to you? (like this. *Is America more of less free, equal, united and democratic today than a generation ago? (this asks me to know something, and i might just say 'no' or 'yes')

How do you have a Let*s Talk America conversation?

Gather these ingredients: (note from vicki: re changing the wording of the agreements, i wonder how urgent the changes are as they are linked to the Conversation Cafe agreements and are already on our training orientation video)

*A Host who introduces the simple agreements and process, and keeps time. *A Set of agreements (if it*s just you and a friend, you can keep the agreements whether or not you ask them to): *Acceptance [decency] [fairness](modesty): suspend judgement as best you can. *Curiosity: seek to understand rather than persuade. *Open-mindedness: listen to and have with patience with all points of view. *Discovery: question old assumptions, look for new insights. *Sincerity: speak for yourself about what has personal heart and meaning. *Brevity: go for honesty and depth but don't go on and on. *Other people * Friends, neighbors, co-workers, members of community groups, strangers. The idea is that both people who share your views and people who don*t are "we the people." *A structure * go to www.letstalkamerica.org to find a structure that works for you. At minimum, you need: *A set beginning and ending time. *A chance * at the start and at the end - for each person in the group to speak in turn. No interruptions. No feedback. Not speaking is okay, too. Using a "talking piece" that each speaker holds during their turn helps both speaker and listener pay attention.

And talk!

How do I take the conversation from good to great?

We*ve all been in conversations that have gotten stuck, confused, boring or even a bit scary. Here*s some ideas how you can stay at ease, curious and inviting and keep the conversation interesting and inclusive:

• Tell me more about*
• This is what I heard you say* is it what you meant?
• What led you to this point of view?
• What is most important you in a leader?
• What if the opposite were true?

Once we get talking, then what?

*Ask, "Who isn*t here? What new points of view would we like to invite to our next Let*s Talk America conversation?" Invite a few people not like you. Keep expanding. *If you invite more than a living-room full, www.letstalkamerica.org website has suggestions for large scale conversations. *If you want to host a gathering with some new people, send in your time and place so that neighbors, through the website, can find you. *Engage in the year-long learning process about what*s on the minds of "we the people". Go to http://www.letstalkamerica.org and tell us how your conversation went by filling out a simple questionnaire. Look through the feedback from other conversations across the nation and/or find out about gatherings in your neighborhood.

Want to know more? Go to http://www.letstalkamerica.org.

"What we share may be greater than we realize -- what divides us may be less than we imagined"