This video is a part of the Healing the Heart of Democracy Discussion Guide and can be found with more videos and resources in our “Healing the Heart of Democracy Hub.” You can explore the hub, download the guide, and find all of the videos along with additional resources here.
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When spending time online or going to the mall to buy consumer goods become a primary purpose of our lives—leaving us no time or energy to engage our neighbors and build our community— democracy is weakened. By exiting the public sphere to engage in private consumerism we create a vacuum, and into that vacuum rush all kinds of other powers that want to control our democratic society. . . . One of democracy’s great threats these days is a quiet takeover by an oligarchy of wealth that calls the shots in national and state capitals, trumping the will of “We the People.” How would one even know the will of the people if we’re all down at the mall buying stuff? (Adapted from video)
Q. How do you assess the role of consumerism in your community? In the lives of people you know? In your own life? Have you personally experienced the impact of the power of big money on our political process or on the distribution of wealth in this country?
