"Democracy, American-Style"

Series produced by Sharon Glassman

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Fifteen, 2-minute 'real-person' thoughts on democracy recorded at a cider stand set up in Brooklyn.

"When politics gives you rotten apples, make apple cider!"

To get real people talking about democracy, producers Sharon Glassman and Gale Mayron build a cider-stand in Brooklyn, offering folks a cool beverage for their thoughts.

The result: 15, two-minute segments -- passionate, informed, inspiring -- featuring speakers from TX, FL, MI, Minn, South Africa PA, and around the corner.

Airable w/ or w/out intro/outro.

Producers' fave five: "Mandela...Bush", "I Voted for the Dead Man", "We Don't Have to Agree," "Question Everything," "Definitions and Best Guesses."


15 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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A world of accents and opinions -- intellectual and emotional -- about what the word Democracy means.

Bought by Littleglobe and WCAI / WNAN Cape & Islands, Mass.


  • Added: Sep 08, 2003
  • Length: 02:12
  • Purchases: 2
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Ron, from Minnesota, explains his most important vote was for a man who wasn't even alive...

  • Added: Sep 09, 2003
  • Length: 02:06
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Essie from Phila: People need to listen to the news, not just soundbites (and not just NPR!)

  • Added: Sep 10, 2003
  • Length: 02:08
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Kenny, a "visionary kid" votes, reads the paper and is giving up his dreams of fixing democracy to become a fireman.

  • Added: Sep 11, 2003
  • Length: 02:06
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Nadine from South Africa remembers voting for Mandela in 94 and asks, crying: Why don't Americans value democracy more?

Bought by KWCW and WCAI / WNAN Cape & Islands, Mass.


  • Added: Sep 12, 2003
  • Length: 02:03
  • Purchases: 2
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Grace, a Brooklyn-born Democratic poll worker in Sarasota for Election 2000, explains how the experience changed her views on democracy.

  • Added: Sep 13, 2003
  • Length: 02:06
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If democracy is a marketplace of ideas, Judith asks, why are people scared to say what they believe, and so willing to vote for politicians who don't?

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, WMPG, and WVPE


  • Added: Sep 14, 2003
  • Length: 02:04
  • Purchases: 3
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Donathan, a local singer/songwriter challenges listeners to ditch their complacency and vote!

Bought by KERA


  • Added: Sep 15, 2003
  • Length: 02:05
  • Purchases: 1
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Steve, who recently got elected to office in Detroit, and his fiancee', Sharon, lay out the links between dollars and democracy.

  • Added: Sep 16, 2003
  • Length: 02:07
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Steve, a young Detriot politician, and his fiancee', Sharon, talk about why his career democracy involves major compromises -- and why they don't t...

  • Added: Sep 17, 2003
  • Length: 02:07
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Bob, descendant of a Revolutionary-War Brooklyn family, explains the Why of Democracy -- now, and then.

Bought by NPR Illinois and WUSF


  • Added: Sep 18, 2003
  • Length: 02:04
  • Purchases: 2
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David, a law professor, explains why democracy works best in smaller units -- like his parents' commune

  • Added: Sep 19, 2003
  • Length: 02:05
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Bob, a law professor explains why democracy's "big ideas" depend on us -- and offers a prescription.

Bought by WMPG


  • Added: Sep 20, 2003
  • Length: 02:02
  • Purchases: 1
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Ted from TX gives us America's "mission statement" by reciting the Preamble to the Constitution and explain how teaching kids how to run meetings h...

Bought by WCAI / WNAN Cape & Islands, Mass.


  • Added: Sep 22, 2003
  • Length: 02:05
  • Purchases: 1
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"Anees" (sp?) from Brooklyn says post 9/11 democracy lacks civil liberties

Bought by PRX Administrator


  • Added: Oct 21, 2003
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 1