Draft Theme And Agenda For "How Much Better Can The American Government Be? Day"

(This post revised on 23 March 2008)

How Much Better Can The American Government Be? Day: A day to explore and advocate the business - government relationship that is possible but currently unknown to the public at large. What relationship is this? It's the relationship that will result when business leaders merge their lobbying efforts with their corporate citizenship efforts, creating a coordinated effort designed to benefit both businesses and society, not just one business or one industry at a time.

The (Draft) Event Theme:

Celebrating and reflecting on the All-American values we share, as portrayed by Jimmy Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington". Exploring what we can accomplish - as one United States - if we focus on those shared American values and how those values can bring the American people back into the political process and shift the historically secretive, self-centered business - government relationship to one that is open and beneficial to us all.

What are those values?

1) Compassion
2) Innovation
3) Risk-taking
4) Determination
5) Collaboration

As the last sentence of The Declaration of Independence says:

"And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." (emphasis added)

What can we accomplish if we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor? A breakthrough in how we approach the challenges we face - from energy to health care, from education to infrastructure - by engaging in a two-part effort aimed at returning the primacy of "we, the people" to our political process and transforming (not eliminating) the role of the business community in politics as well.

What are the two parts of that process?

1) Mobilize the civic energy and spirit of the American people. (This issue is currently being championed most visibly by the actor Richard Dreyfuss.)

2) Transform the business - government relationship by merging it with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) movement. (This merger is already the subject of research conducted by SustainAbility, one of the world's leading CSR consulting companies.)


The (Draft) Event Date & Agenda:

Target Date: October 2009
("Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" originally premiered in Washington DC on October 19, 1939, so this target is the 70th anniversary month.)

At George Washington University (8am - 5pm), Covered by C-Span (to be confirmed)

Panel presentations by Civic Engagement and Corporate Citizenship innovation leaders on what has already worked on this issue area in the past. (9am - 12noon)

Keynote at lunch on changing politics through risk taking combined with effective marketing (as "Jefferson Smith" did with his filibuster).

Open Forum: Creating a Road Map - Achieving the vision of a transparent, corporate governmental relations movement for the public good (1:30pm - 5pm)

Break to prepare for Gala Evening Event (Organized dinner not part of day's events)

At The Kennedy Center (7:30pm - 10pm), by invitation only

Evening hosted by (To Be Announced)

Introductory remarks by (1) representative from The Jimmy Stewart Museum, (2) The Stewart Family, (3) representatives from civics and corporate citizenship worlds report on the day's events so far, (4) The Boy & Girl Scouts of America, (5) Steve Brant

Presentation of the first-ever James M. Stewart Ethics And Courage In Government Award (Pending Museum Approval)

"Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" shown

Audience responses solicited and recorded as an integral part of the day.


If you want to support this event, please contact Steve Brant at
steve@jimmystewartgoestowashington.org