...here in the so-called "First World," we're taught that political democracy is a good thing, but economic democracy is a bad thing. It's not phrased that way, of course, but we're told that the US and other friendly nations are "capitalist democracies." That's like saying we're a "secular theocracy."

Every other year, we're encouraged - practically begged - to participate in the trappings of electoral democracy we have here in the US. But what chance does that have against our indoctrination, day in and day out, that we have no say in our workplace, which has a far more immediate effect on our lives? Our mental model is that there are those "above" us, who hand down dictates that may or may not make sense, and the most we can hope for is to stay on their good side. If we live this medieval model all day every day, is it any surprise that a lot of folks aren't inspired to break with it to vote? They don't think they could - or maybe even should - have an influence over the wider world.

History shows that all the propoganda in the world can't overcome people's experience. Get-out-the-vote efforts might cause a measurable rise, even enough to tip the balance one way or the other, but can't convince the other 50% of the population to vote. Only daily practice in democracy - not just voting, but engaging each other and deliberating - can create a context to do that.

But there's more to this. The more people participate in their workplaces and communities, the healthier and more productive they will be. That is to say, there will be less need for the federal government to take care of us, because we'll be taking care of ourselves. Over time, that will apply to state government, and eventually even th municipal level. But this can only happen to the extent that we empower ourselves. No one will do this for us - no one wants us empowered. We must take responsibility for our own liberation. And the best way to do that is in the workplace, through worker ownership and management.