This Meetup Group is for people who believe that democracy begins with conversation. It's for people in the NoVa and DC metro area interested in Citizen Democracy as a way for citizens to engage in collaborative discussions to expand and develop their own thinking about topics of social and political concern. Ever wonder if we could move beyond set ways of responding to social issues? Ever feel frustrated by the limited range of possibilities that enter into discussion for dealing with complex p …

Hi All, Running this meetup group has been fun, and I learned a whole lot.  I'm moving out of state, so it's time to close the group (if you'd like to lead the group, send me a message through Meetup and you can take charge). If you'd still like to get into friendly political debates, here's the best up-and-coming debate meetup in the DC Metro Area: http://www.meetup.com/americans-elect-DC/ Lucas

Washington Post Staff Writers Sunday, February 11, 2007 .. Against the morning cold, Obama wore an overcoat and a scarf, but no hat or gloves. In his speech, he presented an ambitious agenda that includes bringing an end to the Iraq war, eliminating poverty, ensuring universal health care and creating energy independence. But he seemed to be trying to transcend traditional political debate by arguing that what the country lacks is not good ideas. "What's stopped us from meeting these c …