I will cast a ballot, but I'm seriously looking for the exits at this point. The fight we need to have can't be fought if America is living chained by the many false divides: urban vs rural, blue vs red, white-collar v blue collar, POC v Whites, middle class vs everyone else, etc. It is easier to fight the "enemy" you see everyday than the enemy pulling the strings behind massive security forces, 20ft walls and bunkers in remote locations. My fear is when elections fail to provide the change we hope for, the people in this country will turn against each other in civil war rather than unite against our corporate captors.
Those of us who can, should sign up to be poll workers for the fall election, or help register voters, or both. Even just checking our own voter registration is important. Many small steps will add up, and the more of us doing them, the better.
Jared, I have a stupid question for you. I think I know the answer. Is it worth writing postcards to get out the vote? I have done a lot of this in the past but I'm worried about abetting the election of Democrats who turn out to be Fettermans or Swallwells. I just don't trust people anymore. Your thoughts?
If Jared replies, great, but I have an answer if he doesn't reply. Yes, it is worth it, but not for any and every Democrat. Rather choose someone you can get excited about and work for them. Example, I have put effort into getting Aisha Wahab elected to fill Swalwell's house seat. I have seen her fight for regular people in the CA gov. I am not putting effort into candidates I'm unsure about. But don't do it alone. Use it as an opportunity to connect with like-minded people in your community. As you write, make plans to support each other if and when things go sideways. Withholding our labor and our money is the strongest collective action we can make that also cannot easily draw retribution, but to make a nationwide strike happen and hold, we have to help each other survive through it. Action is better than apathy.
Thank you, Shantha. This is helpful. I'm not sure exactly what to do because I'm not crazy about the Democrats running in California, but I’ll look into the possibilities. In the past I've written get out the vote postcards and letters for Democrats in general, but as I mentioned, I’m concerned about doing that this time. I do not want to help elect someone who undermines us.
I will cast a ballot, but I'm seriously looking for the exits at this point. The fight we need to have can't be fought if America is living chained by the many false divides: urban vs rural, blue vs red, white-collar v blue collar, POC v Whites, middle class vs everyone else, etc. It is easier to fight the "enemy" you see everyday than the enemy pulling the strings behind massive security forces, 20ft walls and bunkers in remote locations. My fear is when elections fail to provide the change we hope for, the people in this country will turn against each other in civil war rather than unite against our corporate captors.
Those of us who can, should sign up to be poll workers for the fall election, or help register voters, or both. Even just checking our own voter registration is important. Many small steps will add up, and the more of us doing them, the better.
Jared, I have a stupid question for you. I think I know the answer. Is it worth writing postcards to get out the vote? I have done a lot of this in the past but I'm worried about abetting the election of Democrats who turn out to be Fettermans or Swallwells. I just don't trust people anymore. Your thoughts?
If Jared replies, great, but I have an answer if he doesn't reply. Yes, it is worth it, but not for any and every Democrat. Rather choose someone you can get excited about and work for them. Example, I have put effort into getting Aisha Wahab elected to fill Swalwell's house seat. I have seen her fight for regular people in the CA gov. I am not putting effort into candidates I'm unsure about. But don't do it alone. Use it as an opportunity to connect with like-minded people in your community. As you write, make plans to support each other if and when things go sideways. Withholding our labor and our money is the strongest collective action we can make that also cannot easily draw retribution, but to make a nationwide strike happen and hold, we have to help each other survive through it. Action is better than apathy.
Thank you, Shantha. This is helpful. I'm not sure exactly what to do because I'm not crazy about the Democrats running in California, but I’ll look into the possibilities. In the past I've written get out the vote postcards and letters for Democrats in general, but as I mentioned, I’m concerned about doing that this time. I do not want to help elect someone who undermines us.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Sgr5EZSgG8o?si=_1UcX9sp9w8MSdwO
No one is perfect, but Working Families Party is recruiting candidates who meet the moment to run as Democrats.