The Get More Smarter Podcast - A Weekly Show About Colorado Politics At Last, Rich People Get a Victory (feat. Jeni Arndt and Rahmin Sarabi)
9 snips
May 22, 2025 This week’s guests are Jeni Arndt, the Mayor of Fort Collins, and Rahmin Sarabi, founder of American Public Trust and former product manager at Good Eggs. They dive into the transformative power of citizen assemblies in local democracy, using Fort Collins as a case study. The conversation highlights the critical impact of recent Medicaid cuts and critiques the prioritization of wealthy interests over vulnerable populations. Also discussed are the ethical dilemmas surrounding Donald Trump's $400 million jet gift from Qatar, igniting debates on foreign influence in U.S. politics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Citizen Assemblies Explained
- Citizen assemblies create a miniature, representative version of the community to deliberate on issues thoughtfully.
- They usually reach consensus around 70% agreement before recommending policies to elected officials.
Engaging the Silent Majority
- Citizen assemblies help uncover the silent majority's voice beyond typical council hearings.
- Participants often become more engaged in civic life after their assembly experience.
Trust Citizen Assembly Process
- Trust the citizen assembly process and don't give up on it during challenges.
- These assemblies increase community participation without surrendering elected officials' power.