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	<title><![CDATA[Real Democracy]]></title>
	<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com</link>
	<ttl>30</ttl>
	<description><![CDATA[This blog is dedicated to issues and concerns of "Real Democracy." What is real democracy? [partial list of criteria]A system where We the People have a legitimate opportunity to shape, implement and evaluate decisions affecting our lives.The voice of every person counts. All votes are equal.All people have adequate time and information to make decisions.Whether the issues are local, regional, national or global; political, social or economic, decisions made without our direct or indirect legitimate input are illegitimate.The more directly we're involved in decisions which directly affect us, the more democracy or self-governance exists. What is unreal or phony democracy? [There's much of this in our society.] Providing input that is not useful (input after the fact or ignored).Voting on useless things (i.e. online votes for winners of American Idol, best football quarterback, etc.).Small group meetings (such as focus groups) or surveys designed to find out what we like/dislike for the purpose of marketing a product or service. Questionnaires connected to fundraising (from political parties, interest groups, etc). Most of these are primarily concerned about raising money. Elections and the making of public laws where money and influence from a few (i.e. wealthy) drown out the voices and influence of the many. Regulatory hearings where the public is provided only token opportunities to offer input and where regulators lack the power to control corporate actions.Any process where business corporations possess constitutional "right" to influence outcomes &nbsp;Greg Coleridge [GColeridge@afsc.org]]]></description>
	<generator>Bravenet Web Journal</generator>
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		<title><![CDATA[KEEPING PUBLIC ASSETS PUBLIC]]></title>
		<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com/entry/30959/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[By What Authority A Publication of the  PROGRAM ON CORPORATIONS, LAW AND DEMOCRACY [www.poclad.org]  March, 2009  Keeping Public Assets Public by Greg Coleridge  The dominant...]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:21:37 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title><![CDATA[DEALING WITH AIG / AMERICA'S FISCAL COLLAPSE]]></title>
		<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com/entry/30942/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[There’s been plenty of political handwringing and grandstanding over insurance giant AIG handing out $165 million in executive bonuses. The Obama Administration claims it...]]></description>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:18:53 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title><![CDATA[WHAT IS HAPPENING ECONOMICALLY/POLITICALLY]]></title>
		<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com/entry/30909/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Here are 2 interviews (thanks to Gary Goodman for forwarding) well worth listening to which help decipher what is happening economically and politically at this moment. It can...]]></description>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:57:59 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title><![CDATA[CHANGING LAWS ASSERTING LOCAL SELF-GOVERNANCE]]></title>
		<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com/entry/30802/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/40335 Maine Town Passes Ordinance Asserting Local Self-Governance and Stripping Corporate Personhood The citizens of Shapleigh, Maine...]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:58:16 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title><![CDATA[IT'S TIME TO DEMOCRATIZE BANKS]]></title>
		<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com/entry/30680/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The time has arrived for public takeover of major US banks. The corporate model of banking has led to irresponsible investments, lavish executive gains, further bank...]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:08:51 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title><![CDATA[VISION OF HOPE ON ECONOMIC SYSTEMS]]></title>
		<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com/entry/30483/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[ February 9, 2009 Vision of Hope Speaker Series, Xavier University  It’s impossible to explore economics, economic systems, and a vision for an inclusive economy in a vacuum....]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:18:23 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title><![CDATA[PROPOSED BANK BAILOUT: PART II/MORE CALLS TO DEMOCRATIZE BANKS]]></title>
		<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com/entry/30397/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner’s bank bailout proposal announced today is more similar than different to Hank Paulson’s bank bailout plan — based on the sketchy...]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:49:20 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title><![CDATA[STOPPING FORECLOSURES BY TURNING THE TABLES ON CORPORATIONS]]></title>
		<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com/entry/30289/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Many people subjected to home foreclosures are using a new strategy — going nowhere. They’re demanding that the original home loan contract be produced — the very note...]]></description>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:00:27 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title><![CDATA[DEMOCRATIZE BANKS]]></title>
		<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com/entry/30144/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The Cleveland Plain Dealer in their lead January 26 editorial concluded the federal bailout of financial institutions wasn’t working. It’s main suggestion was for more...]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:46:27 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title><![CDATA[THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS]]></title>
		<link>http://realdemocracy.bravejournal.com/entry/29943/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[ An insightful video connecting the blank check bank bailout with corporate power, self-governance, and other issues......]]></description>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:36:53 +0000</pubDate>
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