TEDxConcordiaUPortland - Jefferson Smith - Priceless politics: The secret to making democracy work

Priceless Politics: the secret to making democracy work
Why does the world's greatest democracy struggle to solve big problems? Jefferson Smith offers a surprisingly simple matrix that will have you thinking in new ways about our public problems -- and how we might solve them.

Jefferson Smith founded the Bus Project, which has registered over 70,000 voters and engaged 1000s in grassroots democracy (like Trick or Vote). Elected in 2008, he has championed policy on online voter registration, transparent budgeting, human trafficking, water investment, economic gardening, and energy efficient "cool schools"... but he's still best known for rickrolling the legislature.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• TEDxConcordiaUPortland
• United States
• English
• Global Issues
• Politics

[AndrewKulcsar]

This. This must happen



[pammitty]

This man has an exellent grasp of democracy and how we ought to be toward each other. Someone called it a sermon but it's well done. He even has the audience laughing at some of the best stuff. Laughing with, not at. I plan to listen to it again.

[oeddawg]

Happy to be working for him. Jeff should some day be the Governor of Oregon.

[GalaktikNinjA]

enjoyable

[ciggychan]

@pammitty: I know sarcasm doesn't play over the internet that well, but you will notice I didn't call him a socialist. I asked who was going to call him a socialist first.  I completely agree with all the points you make, but let's face it in this country at this point in time what he's talking about is CRAZY left. The COMMON GOOD!!!!!! Heaven's NO NO NO! I mean we have news commentators calling Warren Buffet a socialist. It's just how it is.

[IEPmatt]

@NOAunapasion nadie los dobla pero si te metes en ted.com muchisimos tienen subtitulos en varios idiomas. es trabajo voluntario traducirlos, si nadie se anima a escribir los subtitulos no los tiene.

[aaronhoffmeyer]

@msblkwidow There's a share button ...

Do these people have Internet access?

[pammitty]

@ciggychan What do you think Social Security is? Medicare? if you are middle or working class, some day you may be very glad that they are there for you, or your parents. If your parents need nursing home care, you will be glad it is there, unless you want to spend up to 10 years taking care of a mother with dementia for example. I am greatful it is there for my mother, who was stricken for past 12 years. No way I could take care of her. She is unable to do anything on her own. S.S. is OK

[jennymy12]

Is anyone else creeped out by this? It is like a political sermon.

[msblkwidow]

I wish I could get this young man to speak to the staff in my school district...maybe all school districts. Teachers, administrators, and sch. Board members need to hear him...immediately...immediatel­y.

[ciggychan]

Ok ok ok, who's going to call him a socialist first?