It's Later Than You Think

[meganmonkey]

As a preface, I would like to say that this post was inspired by a fantastic essay by H2O Man which can be found here.

A few posters suggested I give my reply (#5) its own thread, so here it is, with a few changes since it is in a different context.

----------------------------------------------------

I have an internal locus of control (at least, I think I do). For quite awhile, I was caught up in the idea that our politicians, particularly the Democratic ones, were the people who had the power to affect change in our government (I don't mean this in relation to which party is in power right now, I mean generally speaking). So I was thinking that trying to influence our current politians to 'do the right thing' on a particular bill or nominee or whatever was the power that I had.

Unfortunately, time and time again, I was struck by major disappointment when this didn't work, and being on DU a lot I knew I was not alone - in both trying to influence them (phone calls, letters, emails, petitions) and in being disappointed when it failed (as it has dozens of times in the last several years).

In some cases, this could be blamed on partisan imbalance/Republican control, like some of the judge and cabinet nominees that a unified Democratic party could still not defeat. But in other cases, there were bills that could have been defeated, that in fact the constituents of both parties seemed to want defeated, like CAFTA, that passed with bipartisan support. If the Dems had stood together on that one, it could have failed. But it didn't. And after watching a couple of these on C-Span and seeing it all happening before my eyes, I began to understand that in some cases (and some of the BIGGEST issues, IMO) it doesn't matter to most of them what their constituents want because they don't work for us. I know many here will disagree with me on that, and I also know there are several exceptions to this in the House and a couple in the Senate, but ultimately those who guide both parties are NOT beholden to the American people, they are beholden to the industries that fund their campaigns.

When the depth of that reality hit me over the last year or two, I did feel helpless, and hopeless, and a lot like giving up. So guess what?

I gave up. And boy do I feel better now.

To clarify, I gave up on the politicians. All of them. I expect nothing from them, and I am no longer disappointed. In fact, I don't really pay that much attention to the ins-and-outs of the daily grind on Capitol Hill.

Instead, I talk to the people. Not the online activists, not even the grassroots party leaders, but the regular everyday people.
The people who often get referred to here as "apathetic" or "ignorant" or whatever.
The people who don't vote because neither party represents them right now.
The people who are too busy working three jobs to give a shit who is running for what, because almost NONE of the condidates are running on their behalf.

They aren't stupid, they are ignored.

By the Dems, the Repubs, and quite frankly, most of the 'activists' in both parties. Sorry, but election year lip service does not count. The people I talk to don't care about gay marriage or abortion, those aren't political decisions for them. They care about health care and food and job security. And aside from election time, neither party seems to give a shit about those things (again, there are a few exceptions). Neither party makes these things a priority. Both parties passed CAFTA, and both parties passed the bankruptcy bill, and so on and so forth.

So anyway, back to the question of power. What I have been concluding lately is that our real power is NOT in electoral politics, because we can't possibly have much influence on them (and I won't go into the details why, we all know what I mean - and for those who don't, we'll start with voting machines and campaign financing and go from there). The only power we can have, IMO, is the power of the people - and the people are totally turned off by the kind of activism generally advocated here and other online discussion/activism sites. Because most of what gets discussed here falls into the 2-party framework of electoral politics, and they know it is a crock.

Most of you all know it is a crock too. So why keep banging our heads against the wall?

I am not going to imply that I know the solution. I just know that what we have been doing is NOT working, and I am sick of listening to this record skip. Clunk. Clunk. Clunk. And expecting a different result...is that insanity? I think so.

The power is in the people. Our gov't was built to be broken down when it gets out of control, when those in Washington get too much concentrated power. Well guess what? We are there.

IT IS OUT OF CONTROL!!!!

So how are we going to use a broken system to fix itself? We can't. Yet people keep trying. And feeling hopeless. I say, give it up.

Give it up and get into the streets. RIGHT NOW.

I am out there 5 days a week (some weeks only 4, I do have some other things going on ). It's not that hard. And while you are out there, holding your signs and doing your thing, TALK TO PEOPLE. Even the people who drive pick-ups and wear camouflage. Don't tell them how important it is that they vote for this person or email that Senator; instead, ASK THEM WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM. Don't go to them with an agenda; instead, ask them what they want from their government. You will be surprised at what you hear.

And you will feel a thousand times better.

And much, much more powerful.

I guess what it comes down to is recognizing what you can and cannot control. And we cannot control our politicians using the system as it is, no matter how hard we try, unless we become a wealthy industry leader, for example, and that would defeat the whole purpose, right? So by using process of elimination we get closer to determining what we can control, and we are one step closer to being effective, instead of wasting our energy on futile efforts.

It may sound like I am saying 'give up on the Dems'. To be totally honest, to some extent that is what I mean. But I mean it in the context of the current broken system, and that is really what I have given up on. We absolutely need to find new ways to harness the power of the people. And we need to do it now.

It's later than you think

Now for the requisite disclaimer, my futile attempt to reduce the inevitable flames...

I am not trying to tell everyone to stop emailing your Senators and signing petitions. Last time I wrote one of my Senators a real letter, he sent me a form letter about a completely different issue. And this is a generally reasonable Democratic Senator. So I am done with it. Finis. But these letters should make a difference, and I don't want to sound like I am belittling the efforts of those who choose this method.

Similarly, despite my nearly complete loss of faith in electoral politics, I am not advocating that people should stay home on election day, or stop campaigning for their candidates. If you believe in someone strongly enough to pound the pavement for them, by all means do it. Vote early and often. Do your thing. Again, it should make a difference, and on principle I will always vote, even if I have to write-in my mother's name (which I have done in the past - she'd be a great President ).

PEACE AND SOLIDARITY!!!!

Megan Monkey

[meganmonkey]

1. Er...Kick?

Zarqawi, Coulter, Zarqawi, Coulter!

[yella_dawg]

2. ...

[sendero]

3. FWIW..

.. I pretty much agree with you. The only difference is that I'm probably even more cynical about it.

The American people are, as a whole, just like individuals in that before they can get better they have to hit rock bottom.

Rock bottom is coming by way of a failed economy on a scale that will shock and anger Americans. Or perhaps a series of devasting terror attacks or natural disasters that will show in sharper context that our government has feet of clay when it comes to anything other than retaining their cushy jobs and lining their pockets.

So, I will vote Dem, I will send money here and there, but like you, I no longer expect much. The system IS broken, and at this point it is so entrenched it will take a second revolution to fix it.

[meganmonkey]

5. So my question for you is

Do you wait for rock bottom to get into the streets? Or do you start now?

I am at a frustrated point with our daily demonstrations because we are growing so slowly. A lot of people say things like "Well, 20 of you can't make a difference, even out there every day. Maybe if you get a few hundred people a day I'll start showing up". That just drives me so crazy! How will we ever get to a few hundred if everyone has that attitude?

I just feel like we have to start NOW, we have to set up the framework for a people's movement NOW because once it hits rock bottom (like you, I see it coming like a freight train), if we don't have some organization and some leaders, we are all going to end up in fricking 'FEMA camps' or some shit (see, I am more cynical and paranoid than I usually let on at DU ).

Just bouncing ideas around. I appreciate your input - I agree that the depth of our problems hasn't a lot of people yet, but I don't think even the neocons can stave it off much longer. One phone call from China or Saudi Arabia's finance minister and we can say bye-bye to the 'mighty dollar'.

[sendero]

12. As I said..

... I'm more cynical than you. Going "to the streets" is not going to solve this problem IMHO, not until there are MASSES doing it. Right now, the pain level is not high enough to force the masses into action. It will be, in a few years at most.

And to you I propose a chicken-and-egg question. Did the voters quit caring because they weren't be represented, or did they stop being represented because they stopped voting?

Fact is, it's not merely the money machine and the media that allow incumbents of both parties to have a huge advantage, and to do what they are told. It is the fact that not enough people vote against them. At this point I am firmly ANTI-INCUMBENT, for both parties, because it is the quest to make perpetual a job that was never intended to be a career that makes politicians vote against the interests of the average American.

I'm not minimizing or belittling your efforts, whatever they may be - I applaud your ACTION. But I've tried the letters, the calls, and at this point, I think only money has any real impact - and I don't have millions to give

[meganmonkey]

17. But wouldn't using money

defeat the purpose anyway? By playing that game, we perpetuate the problem. We become compromised. And I shudder to think what that would do in the long run...I already refuse to support issue-driven PACs on principle, even when they are issues I support.

I think the ultimate goal is radical change, and it will take masses of people in the streets for prolonged periods of time. I don't know how to get there, other than to start doing it. I can't wait a few more years. Most Americans may not be feeling it yet, or personally sacrificing yet, but the atrocities that are occurring around the world on our behalf, and the loss of checks-and-balances in our gov't, the concentration of power in the executive....it is already too much to bear and in a few years we could be under complete martial-law-lockdown. I truly believe that if people knew more about what is happening they would be in the streets already. But maybe I give the people too much credit.

As for the chicken-and-egg...well, that's a tough one. My instinct says that as a matter of self-interest, the politicians began pandering to the corporations first and it was a gradual slope from there. I tend to give the people the benefit of the doubt. Particularly with campaign finance the way it is...advertisements and manipulation. It seems to make sense to me that the politicians would set up the rules to protect themselves. But I don't have a good enough grasp on recent electoral history to know how we got here. I just don't know.

I guess time will tell....

[Usrename]

23. I flip back and forth between wondering if it is too late.

I ride the fence, either we can change it now, or we have to be prepared to pick up the pieces when it comes apart. If any of us are left standing. My optimism fades whenever I consider how utterly monstrous the opposition is. They will not go easily. But folks like you, and especially you MM, keep me from giving up all together.

Great thread, and the OP is perfect. This is not about issues or parties or any of that nonsense anymore. It is about the very survival of the country. Thanks for posting this.

[blues90]

27. It will take mass personal devastation

I have no numbers to relate how many people are hurting or are at the point of complete frustration . This would help as we know and may be one way to get people together in the streets if they knew how many may join in . We have no personal binder for lack of a better word . Yes we have the blogs and AAR and other sources and these certainly help , the problem is most of us are in agreement and don't need to convince eachother about issues so we are this far at least in an effort together . However if you added up the numbers and the areas each of us live you may end up with 10 or 20 people or like mind and frustration , people ready to do something , anything to stop this run away train .

So I will say things will unfortunately have to get much worse and to the point where most cannot tolerate the foul taste they will have in their mouth . Then they will possibly wander out and find out how they can help and look for the info so many frustrated progressives now have .

There has to be something preventing people from taking a stand , even the protest marches have slowed down to nil and were much stronger before and of course the media does not help the cause by ignoring the protests , maybe now with the crap they found themselves in this may change in some degree .

There are good people in the spotlight trying , this is in a way like cutting the roots one at a time to fell a tree . We need to cut it off at the base then remove the roots to get rid of it . Sorry to use a tree as an example , I happen to like trees .

[liberalnurse]

13. That is why I am an active member of PDA.

In Ohio, District # 3, we have a PDA Candidate running for Congress....Stephanie Studebaker, a grassroots candidate at that.....

http://www.studebakerforcongress.com /


http://www.studebakerforcongress.com/index.php?option=c...

http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/campaigns/studebaker....

I'm doing what I can to mobilize my turf in Ohio.....PDA Chapters are growing!

[Tuesday_Morning]

34. Getting out on the streets...

It's a little like a dance floor. A similar shyness about getting out there. A similar rush when you do.

[Armstead]

4. I agree -- but with a slightly different perspective

I agree with you that the current political system is broken. The good politicians that do exist are up against the entrenched status quo of both parties.

My own views are similar to yours in a basic sense. I have long believed that the only way to change the dangerous trends of the last 30 years is to address it on a non-political grass roots basis. I don't carry signs, but I do it in oater ways individually, and working on ways to encourage better values and draw attention to the false values of Corporate Domination and the Profit Uber Alles mentality.

IMO the CORE ISSUE that drives almost everything else is very simple, very obvious -- but totally ignored by the Establishment Politicians of both parties....That is the establishment of an entrenched Corporate Oligarchy, the ongoing process of consolidating wealth and power into fewer and fewer hands, and the resulting destruction of truly competitive, truly free enterprise system. It has also led to the admonishment of all social and public values, and made everything subservient to the narrow goals and values of accountants and oligarchs.

My frustration started many years before either Bush came on the scene. It is frustrating that for at least THREE DECADES the Democratic Party (both in and out of power) sat on their damn hands and allowed this to take place. They allowed corporations to swallow up each other to create these huge behemoths that now own almost everything. And deregulation that made them less accountable.

We are now experiencing the inevitable result of that on many fronts. Bush is just a symptom of it.

Unfortunately this also included long-term brainwashing. What were once considered MAINSTREAM LIBERAL values and beliefs have been marginalized and are now labeled as "fringe left." Meanwhile support for Corporate Totalitarianism is now considered "mainstream centrism."....Even more pernicious, the message has been drummed into our collective skulls that it is unrealistic to expect anything better.

You are absolutely correct that the real problem is not apathy on the part of average people. It is the recognition by aver ge people that politics is totally disconnected from their real lives and their real concerns. ...As a result people either give up to apathy. Or they have turned to right-wing demagogues who present false solutions to their very real and legitimate concerns.

However it is done -- The ONLY WAY we will get better politics again -- and a better, more relevant Democratic Party -- is when the people demand it.

[leftchick]

6. peace on sister!

excellent and I completely agree!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

7. I agree Megan!

I think it would be nice if this August, when our
elected representatives, are 'home' on their summer
vacation, yet another vacation, ( ?When do these guys work?)

If the people would go visit their congressman's office, with
a list of 'real issues'- take a friend- or twenty, schedule a face
to face with your leader, and don't leave until you get a response.

Maybe a national month of sit-ins. I envision large groups-
not just anti-war, but pro universal health care, environmental,
educational...


Organized in a fashion that their offices don't get wind that
your group is coming on a particular day (Wouldn't want them
to close for the day). Sit in their reception area for the full
day- make them sweat it out- like we have to sweat out their bull
day after day.

[meganmonkey]

10. Heh - Sounds like someone

has had experience with this sort of thing before

I have been talking with some of my fellow protestors about trying to organize something around here. One problem is that I live out in the country and I have a different representative than most of them. I wouldn't do it without at least one other person, even if that person was just there as a witness and not willing to risk arrest themselves...

We are talking about doing some civil disobedience in late September too, in solidarity with the nationwide effort of declarationofpeace.org (specifically about the war).

Time to step it up!!!

[LibertyorDeath]

8. Yes the game is rigged from the get go

They throw the Public a bone every once and a while
but on the really important things they give Corporate America what it wants.

The more people that arrive at this conclusion the sooner
we can change it.


Great Post !

Rec!

[Solly Mack]

9. Thank you.

I love what you've written

[meganmonkey]

19. Thanks Solly

It's good to see you!

[Jacobin]

11. I really like realists

Therefore I like Megan.


Good post.

My thoughts lately, having come to exactly the same conclusion as you, is a People's PAC, since it is abundantly clear that we do in fact have the best democracy money can buy.

If you look at what congresscritters are paid by lobbyists for their votes, its really a pittance in terms of what the bribers get in return. Really really small bribes, comparatively speaking.

If we had a million people who did a payroll deduction of $5 monthly to a Peoples PAC, with all the requisite bribery paperwork done to make it just as legal as the oil company PACs or other PACS, we could have $60million a year with which to try to outbid the opposition. The mechanics of this would be a big problem, assuming you could raise the funds...for instance, which issues do you buy these creatures off on, who gets to make the decisions, fights about administering, etc. But I like the idea and I think one could raise serious money. Hell, I gave away more than I could afford to Dean, back in the day.

Anyway, keep up the good work.

[katinmn]

14. K&N! It's always been up to us

It's just that it is chrystal clear now.



You know, whenever I go out for street protests I meet one or two newbies out for the first time. THAT is what I call movement.

[bvar22]

15. K&R Good Post

Increasing the Defense Budget (as well as their own paychecks and perks) is also a regular bi-partisan accomplishment.

What ever happened to the "Peace Dividend"


In recent polls by the Pew Research Group, the Opinion Research Corporation, the Wall Street Journal, and CBS News, the American majority has made clear how it feels. Look at how the majority feels about some of the issues that you'd think would be gospel to a real Democratic party:

1. 65 percent say the government should guarantee health insurance for everyone -- even if it means raising taxes.

2. 86 percent favor raising the minimum wage (including 79 percent of selfdescribed "social conservatives").

3. 60 percent favor repealing either all of Bush's tax cuts or at least those cuts that went to the rich.

4. 66 percent would reduce the deficit not by cutting domestic spending but by reducing Pentagon spending or raising taxes.

5. 77 percent believe the country should do "whatever it takes" to protect the environment.

6. 87 percent think big oil corporations are gouging consumers, and 80 percent (including 76 percent of Republicans) would support a windfall profits tax on the oil giants if the revenues went for more research on alternative fuels.

7. 69 percent agree that corporate offshoring of jobs is bad for the U.S. economy (78 percent of "disaffected" voters think this), and only 22% believe offshoring is good because "it keeps costs down."

The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[mom cat]

30. Do you have the link for this Pew study? ... Thanks!

I think that it is time for us to stop disparaging the "average person" and the "centrists" and claim the center as our own ... which it is. I also think that it is time to focus on building communities of solidarity ... communities that can take care of each other when the bottom drops out so we won't be beholden to the megarich for our survival. Grow your victory garden. Start going as low on energy consumption as you can.

[pat_k]

16. Herding cats

http://january6th.org/files/herding_cats.html

[meganmonkey]

18. Oooh - thanks for the link

I think I will share that with my group.

[the other one]

20. Awesome Post. Definite K&R. nt

[zippy890]

21. thanks for all you do!

It is so heartening to read this,

"The power is in the people. Our gov't was built to be broken down when it gets out of control, when those in Washington get too much concentrated power. Well guess what? We are there."

you are absolutely right.

THANKS MM!!and to all americans like you everywhere
who truly love this country.



its inspiring to read this, we will get through this
nightmare together- to a better day.

[JeffR]

22. I just found my candidate for '08

You.
Or your mother, should you choose not to accept the nomination.

[meganmonkey]

32. Look for me in 2012

I won't be 35 years old until 2009, so I can't run in '08

[Pierre.Suave]

24. Good Stuff Megan

I agree completely.

[meganmonkey]

37. Thanks Jason

And a belated Welcome to DU!!!

[Pierre.Suave]

39. I am replying so...

I can get closer to my 1000+ posts I need to be taken seriously...

[meganmonkey]

40. Plus, when you do that

You kick my thread to the top

[Pierre.Suave]

41. Oops,

I did it again...

[ariellyn]

25. I would add use email--a lot.

People won't necessarily come here. But if you can mine some of the really important info and blast an email out every now and then, you never know how far it might travel. I get all kinds of idiotic "keep this going" emails daily. In return, I send back info from here. I also talk to my family and friends--I'm a little wary of talking to coworkers. Too many of them are too far gone.

Great post!

[H2O Man]

26. Great OP,

great thread. I'm glad that you made post #5 into a thread. I really enjoy reading the expanded version here. Well done.

I'm convinced that humanity is undergoing the stress associated with the birthing experience. I believe Sam Cooke was right: A Change Is Gonna Come

A Change Is Gonna Come
(Sam Cooke)
As Performed Sam Cooke (1964)

I was born by the river in a little tent
And just like the river, I've been running ever since
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come

It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come

I go to the movie, and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me "Don't hang around"
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come

Then I go to my brother and I say, "Brother, help me please"
But he winds up knocking me back down on my knees

There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come

[mod mom]

28. Excellent MM! I agree with you in that my expectations from politicians

have faded. I was one of those who for several months thought Kerry was working behind the scenes. Then I thought Howard Dean was going to be the savior. I was always writing to the media wondering why they weren't doing their job. Now I too realize it's up to us to get the word out.

In my area of concentration-the '04 Ohio Election and reform going forward-we are seeing real progress. Even before the RFK Jr article, just talking to folks on the street, I was amazed at how many believed it was the second election theft, yet went on with their daily lives. Our "elected" officials are not the leaders. It's up to us to take back the country and correct the wrongs. When we can't rely on the media we have to get the message out.

[DemReadingDU]

29. But what about those voting machines!

Talk about being cynical - As long as we have hackable and unreliable electronic voting machines, all the noise we make is not going to make any difference. The Republicans control the power, they control the voting.

There does seem to be a movement today towards kicking out the Republicans and their corruption, but I'm waiting until the election in November to see whether those voting machines continue to keep the Republicans in office.

In the meantime, I read and become more enlightened. I do try to talk to people, but if my family is any indication of the general population, they are busy doing their own thing, they don't pay attention to what is going on. And until this country has another major depression, they won't wake up.

[mom cat]

31. You nailed it Megan!

This one rates four paws and a tail!

[earth mom]

33. Awesome post!

I agree with you 100%! I've been saying something similar around here for awhile now, but not so eloquently and a lot more angrily. My Irish temper is hard at work these days, LOL .

You know, Impeachment is one thing that should come from the people and there have been a few threads on that notion around here, but they never gained steam because far too many DUers are expecting Congress to do it. I can't tell you how many times I have I wanted to scream "WAKE UP PEOPLE!" because it is so obvious to me that Congress is NOT working for us and will never Impeach the bastards by their own volition!

This country is on FIRE and it's up to us-THE PEOPLE-to put it out-as impossible a task as that seems to be right now.

[helderheid]

35. WOW!

[Klukie]

36. Great post.....

I think you are so right about reconizing what you cannot control. Money and politics control our reps. I think it almost impossible to find a politician who isn't influenced in some manner by money or politics to the detriment of their constituents. We can't influence their actions, but we most definately can influence the American citizen and their vote. I have posted before that I am somewhat new to all of this, but I must say that it didn't take too long to figure out that letters, phone calls and E-mails don't do much. I will continue to participate in all of these methods, but I agree that my real strength lies in provoking interest and thought in the passive voter/nonvoter. I am a mother of two small children (3&1 yikes!) so my time is limited. Somedays I am lucky to get a shower! I have to think of ways to contribute that are feasible with my responsibilities as a wife and mother. I welcome any suggestions. I thought I might start by placing thought provoking signs in my yard. Not ones that endorse any particular candidate but ones that provide a statement that encourages thought and discussion. I know it may not sound like much but I am optimistic about how far a thought may travel. Thanks for posting this reality.

[earth mom]

38. KICK!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

42. I WON'T FLAME YOU, i OWE YOU ONE but just one...

I will add it's like not voting at all to write moms name in on a vote. No matter how much the party has slid, we need Democrats in control next time. If we split the vote, goose-steppers will make sure we never get a chance to remedy that mistake. After, November, no I take that back, after the presidential elections, we might have the luxury to seek solutions like TrueMajority or Green, AS A THIRD PARTY, but now is certainly not the time to waste votes or contributions.

BTW, Megan, to see why I owe you one, read the first few lines in my journal.

[Mythsaje]

43. Yeah, I know...

I've long held the belief that the "apathetic" are completely disenfranchised...disaffected. The government is Of the Rich and For the Rich and By the rich. No one else really has an effective voice.

Kicked and nominated.