At a talk at UCLA last month Lawrence Lessig said that Congress needs to think big, not puny, when considering the reform needed to fix our corrupt government. So, too, must America.

Two pieces of legislation have already dared us to do so — the American Anti-Corruption Act and the Grassroots Democracy Act. Any reform would be better than what we have, but the real test is going to be whether such a bill can steal the hearts of Americans not yet inside this movement. At minimum, we must understand these proposals, and even better, we must be ready to talk about them with others.

To help make this possible, we're inviting Rootstrikers to a Q&A with Lawrence Lessig. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the AACA and the GDA, and to make sure you understand the ramifications and promises of these bills. Ask your question and then help rate others here.

There is a difference between acting and acting with consequence. At a time where change is so urgently needed and there are promising opportunities on the table, we cannot afford to simply act on a whim, or to act simply. Once you receive an email from some organization asking you to click to sign a petition before the final vote, it will be too late. Politicians and the media will have already decided what is in our best interest — and we know how well that usually works out.

Right now, reform still belongs to us, the people. And that's how it should be. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to keep it that way by spreading its message to as many Americans as we can, and by making sure we support a reform that stands to honor this simple intention — "dependent upon the people alone" (James Madison, Federalist 52).

After the call with Lawrence Lessig on January 3rd, we'll gather this information into a concise toolkit. Please RSVP for the call here to receive the toolkit afterwards, and to be part of this national effort to lead the way to reform.