Hear 12 takes on democracy March 27 in Saratoga Springs
Our democracy was created as an experiment, and so is the democracy-inspired event you’re invited to sit in on Wednesday at Caffe Lena in downtown Saratoga Springs.
You’ve heard of TED ( Technology, Entertainment, Design) Talks. Well, on March 27, come hear LED Talks — League Embraces Democracy.
The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County put out a call for people who’d like to speak for a few minutes (no notes allowed!) on vari- ous aspects about making our democracy work. I’m intrigued by the varied backgrounds and interests of the dozen people who were chosen and excited about the angles they selected to address.
The two-hour, free event begins at 7 p.m. March 27; doors open at 6:30 and space is limited. I get off easy as facilitator; you and I get to listen, learn and have fun.
The ground rules for the speakers prohibit the promotion of one political party over another, but rather ask that they address issues and solutions in a knowledgeable, interesting, and engaging way. In other words, we’ll be keeping it civil, but not dull.
Speakers (who’ll be on stage between five and eight minutes each) include award-winning storytellers, a beekeeper, educators, a well-traveled GE retiree, healthcare professionals, and political candidates (successful and not). The speakers and their topics are:
• Margaret French: Coming to America
• Kathleen Quinn: Not Just for Us Hippies: What Cooperatives Can Teach Us about Democracy
• Michael Belanger: Taxation with Representation: The Underpinnings of National Sovereignty
• Cynthia Cook: Democracy, Privacy, and Technology
• Eva Hawkins: Why Third Parties Matter and Why They Should Get More Media Coverage
• Lezlie Dana: Democracy, Change, and the Courage to Believe
• Kate Dudding: The Story of One American Soldier
• Kathy Johnson: Liberty and Justice for All
• Annarosa Mudd: Deescalating the Fight: How Arts Help Compassion and Problem- Solving
• Tara Gaston: The First Rule of Ballot Fight Club
• Norah Brennan: Time for Democracy
• Linda Salzer: We Must Vote!
This is the third event in the League’s Democracy Series, and the first of its kind in the very cool Caffe Lena at 47 Phila St. Food and beverages will be available (their chocolate chips are to die for). Learn more at www. lwvsaratoga.org.