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Goodbye Politicians Hello Democracy
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Seen it? Say what you’re feeling and thinking.
Questions & Answers
Is this real?
Yes. It’s a documentary — everything you see actually happened. In 2020, 30 regular people were picked in a real lottery to work out COVID policy for the state of Michigan.
No actors, no script — nobody was told what to say or what to conclude, and none of their words were taken out of context.
Is it really free?
Yes — really.
No fee. No subscription. No sign-up. And no ads. You just press play.
This isn’t a product. It’s a true story that we think everyone should get to see. Something worth thinking and talking about, together, as a people.
Is this left or right?
Neither. The 30 people in it came from all across the spectrum — conservatives, liberals, moderates, and people who don’t engage with politics.
And the bigger idea this provides a glimpse of isn’t left or right either, it’s about regular people taking turns making the decisions on behalf of our communities and our country instead of politicians.
How long is it?
1 hour and 16 minutes.
Can I show it to a group?
Yes — anywhere, to any group. You don’t need permission and there’s nothing to sign up for. Load the page, press play, and have an open conversation after. We just ask that you don’t charge admission, though it’s okay to collect donations to cover event costs.
Who’s behind this?
This isn’t backed by a big studio or a billionaire. The movie was made by a nonpartisan nonprofit called OF BY FOR with a small film crew and funded by donations. This site is how it reaches people. Questions, screenings, press — get in touch.
I watched the movie… what happened to the policies?
The panel’s 12 policies were shared with every politician in Michigan — state, county, and municipal. One sent back a form email. That was the response.
Groups like the panel in Michigan can only recommend; politicians decide. The bigger idea below is about what it would mean to go further than that.
The bigger idea
What you watched was one small glimpse of something much bigger. Groups like the panel in Michigan have come together hundreds of times — all around the world, for decades now. Again and again, they’ve found common ground on hard issues. But almost every one of them has been limited to making recommendations. Politicians have always held the final say. The bigger idea is much older than that — and goes much further…
Legislatures, like Congress, made up of regular citizens chosen by lottery. They represent the people, and after a limited term they go back to their normal lives and new citizens are chosen. Executives, like the President, hired and fired by commissions of regular citizens who are chosen by lottery — the way a company’s board selects a CEO.
No elections. No parties. No politicians.
It’s not a new idea. The society that gave us the word democracy — ancient Athens — governed itself this way for 200 years. Regular citizens chosen by lottery to take turns governing instead of politicians competing for power in elections.
We didn’t make the video below and it’s very different than the movie (more head than heart). But it’s the best telling we’ve found of where this idea began, why it disappeared, and what’s happened when it’s been tried in our lifetime.
Is this even possible?
Politicians are never going to vote themselves out of power. But changes this big have happened before and there are legitimate ways to bring this about.
The thing is, every path to making this change starts at the same place: enough people knowing this idea exists, and wanting it. Right now, most people have never heard about any of this. So if you want this kind of change to become possible, the most important thing anyone can do right now is spread the word…
This part comes after the movie.
What’s below gets into the bigger ideas the movie opens up — and it lands a lot better once you’ve met the people in it first. We’d start there.
Pass it on
Hardly anyone has heard about any of this — from the glimpse in Michigan to the bigger idea. And there’s no ad campaign coming to change that. If it reaches people, it’s because somebody put it in front of them. Here’s how you can be part of that.
Show it
Put it on anywhere people can gather — a living room, a library, a classroom, a church. Invite family, friends, neighbors, co-workers — especially good with a mix of people, different backgrounds and different politics. Press play. Afterwards ask people to share their reactions. And invite them to show it to others.
We just ask that you don’t charge admission, though it’s okay to collect donations to cover event costs. And if people donate more than that, put it toward another event! Or you can donate the extra below to help us reach others.
Make an event posterShare your reaction
People deciding whether to press play want to hear from somebody real first. Say what you feel and think, having seen it.
Donate
This kind of story shouldn’t be behind a paywall or buried in ads. Everyone should get to see it. Donations go toward reaching people who wouldn’t otherwise come across it.
DonateLend a hand
We’re a small team that made this and is working to get it out there. If you can help with things like spreading the word online, reaching press, or subtitles in other languages, please get in touch.
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