Rocky - good comment, except for the fact that the question posed by the conveners of this process was how would you suggest ways to "strengthen our democracy." People, including our government leaders who should know better, use the word "democracy" when what they mean is "democratic republic." We elect our representatives from among ourselves to enact laws for our benefit and the common good. I hope we can get back to that basic premise. Meanwhile, pursuing sustainable development with some alacrity would be a very good idea given the dire alternatives we no face as we continue to pursue our consumptive ways.
Even in states which tend to devalue education, such as Arizona, we are working on infusing sustainable development into the educational system. Since the core concepts of sustainability are the guiding principles for survival in a finite world, it is critical that we align education and economic systems with those concepts. The general public is just now beginning to see what happens when we think we can exist outside the laws of nature.