Tom Tresser gave this presentation at the 2007 Imagining America Conference at Syracuse University.

1. If You’re At This Conference – RUN FOR LOCAL OFFICE! Tom Tresser September 8, 2007

2. If you would like a copy of this presentation, please email me at tom@tresse.com.

3. Tom’s background… ACTOR INTERNET MARKETER COMMUNITY DEVELOPER PRODUCER EDUCATOR “The Artist As Activist” – Loyola Theatre Department POLITICAL ORGANIZER

4. Current Projects The Moose Jaw Expedition 2007

5. The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) was formed in 1945 by atomic scientists from the Manhattan Project who felt that scientists, engineers and other innovators had an ethical obligation to bring their knowledge and experience to bear on critical national decisions, especially pertaining to the technology they unleashed - the Atomic Bomb. Endorsed by 68 Nobel Laureates in chemistry, economics, medicine and physics, FAS addresses a broad spectrum of issues in carrying out its mission to promote humanitarian uses of science and technology. Ivan Oelrich, Ph.D., Vice President for Strategic Security programs at the Federation of American Scientists. Jerome McDonnell Host, Worldview, WBEZ-FM Chicago

6. So what can we do to heal, bring sanity and good things to our planet?

8. I PROPOSE CREATIVITY AS A VALUE THAT CAN INSPIRE AND GUIDE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, PUBLIC POLICY AND POLITICAL ACTION…

9. Creativity & American Heritage Creativity!

10. December 16, 1773

11. The Power of words… Thomas Paine – 1737 - 1809

12. The Power of words… “ We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand, and a race of men, perhaps as numerous as all Europe contains, are to receive their portion of freedom from the event of a few months.”

13. The invention of America

14. “ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. etc. etc.”

15. Tom Crafts reads the Declaration aloud in Boston - July 19, 1776

16. “ The bells rang, the privateers fired the forts and batteries, the cannon were discharged, the platoons followed, and every face appeared joyful…After dinner the King’s Arms were taken down from the State House and every vestige of him from every place in which it appeared, and burnt…Thus ends royal Authority in this State…and all the people shall say Amen.” Abigail Adams letter to John describing Tom Crafts, a house painter, reading of the Declaration of Independence aloud on July 19, 1776 from small balcony in front of the Massachusetts State House, Boston.

17. When citizens hear the words “United States of America” read out loud for the first time in the weeks following the signing they all agreed that they now belonged to, came from and owed allegiance to the United States. It was a total fiction and the U.S.A. existed nowhere except in the minds of the Authors and their audience! U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A!

18. Creativity is our promise 38,000,000 people in U.S. born abroad

19. Creativity is our promise Source: UN Dept of Economic and Social Affairs 38,355,000

21. Since 1906 283 U.S. citizens have been awarded Nobel Prizes. 71 were foreign-born (including Isidor Rabi). 26% !

22. The increasing value of creativity

23. The increasing value of creativity

25. Value of U.S. Copyright Industries 2005

27. Creativity Drives U.S. Social + Economic Progress Jane Addams Jonas Salk

28. Creativity in business

29. http://innovateamerica.org

30. “Innovate America” – National Innovation Initiative Report, December 2004

32. PAGE 1: “ RESOLVED -- Innovation will be the single most important factor in determining America’s success through the 21 st century.”

33. POLTICS IS ABOUT ADDITION, NOT SUBTRACTION…

37. What % of Illinois Workers Toil in the Creative Industries? 30%

38. Chicago Region Creative Workers Super-Creatives = 467,760 Creative Pros = 834,080 Total = 32% of labor force Source: Metro Chicago Information Center

39. 28%

40. MI Creative Class “ Super-Creatives” = 556,520 “ Creative Professionals” = 707,220 TOTAL = 1,263,740 2002 Governor’s race Margin of victory = 126,521

41. 2002 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR Jennifer Granholm = 499,129 David Bonior = 292,958 James Blanchard = 254,586 MI Creative Class “ Super-Creatives” = 556,520 “ Creative Professionals” = 727,220 TOTAL = 1,263,740 Margin of victory = 206,171

42. We need a little diversity…

44. Are you ready to lead?

45. You’re already a leader! Really!

50. Create. Act. Vote. RUN!

52. John B. Rice built first permanent theater in Chicago in 1847

53. 19 th Mayor of Chicago! 1865 - 1869 Congressman 1873 - 1874

54. Guy Padgett, City Councilman, Mayor Casper, Wyoming

56. Cara Jennings, City Commissioner Lake Worth, Florida

58. Hell no we won't Hell no we won't Hell no we won't Go there with those tired old chants My activism is more like a rant A rant of rage of resistance This system I speak out against. One, two, three, four Boring protest no more five, six, seven, eight Resistance let's activate No justice Here's a piece of my mind No justice A piece of my behind No justice Piece it together you'll find Radical cheerleaders on the frontline Co-founder

60. Committee for the Study of the American Electorate What will motivate them?

63. If you would like a copy of this presentation, please email me at tom@tresse.com.