If America’s founders saw where we are today,thy might have thought King George won the war. Instead of democratic control over the common good, a government of by and for the people, today it’s an 18th century style oligarchy. In his new book: The Making of a Democratic Economy, Building Prosperity For The Many, Not Just the Few, co-author Ted Howard reveals the success of various laboratories of democracy. Municipal banks, affected communities being able to participate in decisions (often times sponsored by Republicans) are just two examples. When we move away from the mindless economics of unlimited extractive expansion and growth, we can address both wealth inequity and the erosion of democracy. Instead of being reduced to helpless consumers, we can act as citizens as our founders intended and realize active participation in the common economy. It’s not a pipe dream, it is happening.