Dan,
I've heard one common thread in listening to CommonWealth speakers such as Jeffrey Sachs, Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz when asked about what we (the public) can do to take action in key public issues around the common good;  Each stated to "organize" and "get involved".  What do you think are the key process or media hurdles (or other) from engaging the civic-minded among us to get involved in the conversation and take action?