Pissed at what's happening nationally? Do something useful.

[Jackpine Radical]

It helps to start by recognizing that most people are decent, caring, loving humans. It's also not necessary for you to convert everyone to your politics. Get to know your neighbors, for example. Believe it or not, you can form useful relationships even with people who are on the opposite side of the Great Schism. I have some salt-of-the-earth fundamentalist neighbors who will help me with things at the drop of a hat. And I them. I just don't discuss evolution or abortion with them.

On another front, I notice that suddenly there are little groups of pissed-off progressives forming everywhere in my area. I'm in 2 of them myself. I'm encouraging us to start on the local level, taking over town boards, city councils, county boards, school boards--all those little local governmental units that are beneath the radar of the Corporate Machine. It's damned surprising how much those local government bodies actually have to do with what happens to you. The county allocates funds for things like roads, health care for the poor, etc. & are generally more interested in paving the road outside the local corpo-CEO's house than they are in seeing to it that some poor person gets medical attention. Time to turn that around. And those little local campaigns are the spawning grounds of a new generation of progressive politicians. State legislators often come out of county boards and school boards, etc. & Congresspeople come out of state legislatures.

[cali]

1. I like your op alot, but alas, I find that I can't agree that most people are

decent, caring loving humans because beyond that and overriding it, I believe that most people are simply persuadable. Having confessed to that, I think you're right about forming useful relationships. Most of all, I think your point about engaging in, and even developing community, is right on.

[Brickbat]

2. I have found that on a national level, I am full of despair and anger, but feel fairly good about

the way things are going in my family and in my community. So I build there.

[MineralMan]

3. Great idea. Local politics doesn't interest the corporations, and

is a training ground for state and national candidates of the future.

[SharonAnn]

17. Local politics greatly interest the corporations here. They've "bought"

just about every Mayor and City/County commissioner.

They are fighting to roll back any local regulation or tax that would inhibit their profit-taking.

They want to pollute even more and to pay even less.

Don't kid yourself. Corporations target even small towns and counties if there's something they can take for free or almost free. Mineral resources, clean air, clean water, labor, etc.

[Jackpine Radical]

24. Indeed that's true.

But you can run more of a populist, face-to-face campaign locally. The big bucks don't mean so much at that level.

[SharonAnn]

25. Many locals won't go up against them because they'll lose their job.

It's very much a "you'll never work in this town again!" Not you, not anyone in your family.

All the companies, businesses trade employee information about who supports unions, who's an "activist", etc.

[Jackpine Radical]

27. There are always people who can resist those threats.

Retired people, others who aren't dependent on the local power structure for their jobs. Anyway, what you say is not likely true of everywhere. Locally, there would be a whole lot of us on that "activist" list, and I have never heard of fears of this sort when people bucked the Powers on issues of local concern. This is not to say that it doesn't happen, of course--only that it doesn't seem to be much of a problem locally, if only because I'm in a relatively rural area that isn't especially industrialized.

[Hannah Bell]

33. they do. but they don't pay that well, & when people can see what's going on directly

they're less likely to buy bullshit.

at the local level, the mayor has to pay some attention to the people, because he has to face them directly & do business with them directly & it's easier to get together & recall him or egg his house.

[MrMickeysMom]

4. "how much those local government bodies actually have to do with what happens...:

JR, you touch upon something encouraged (largely through other progressives) to run and win local office...

In fact, MOST of decisions affecting how taxation and to whom services are allocated ARE a result of local government!

The first thing people need to know is how the laws in your state allow the way a 1st or 2nd class city, borough, township, municipalities and the like operate. There may be home rule charter, borough code or other way the law governs where you live, and the representatives are a group of commissioners or council who answer to you. You may have liquid fuel tax that comes in part back to your particular municipality, and in our case is determined by the miles of roads within that municipality, which adds to the budget of maintaining those roads. The cost of milling an paving change, but not the liquid fuel taxes, which is interesting.

Then, there's the budget... Just WHO lives in your town? Are the majority of residents on a fixed income? What do the demographics tell you about that part of the tax base? What business come to your town? Has your local government allowed them any tax abatement? Why? Do you want a Bechtel or other international company to pay their fair share of taxes? Then you better ask questions and keep on your local leadership for answers.

How about who runs for local school board? How efficiently to they run schools and is it all about the sports teams or academics?

I've got a few years into this, and I'm going to be the first to tell you that ONCE YOU DO WIN, it is rather interesting how the people who put you there may think, "that's it.... now I don't have to do anything because I voted for the right person." That is foolish, for it is the duty of every person to know as much as they can and to have eternal vigilance WHEREVER they reside.

That's how "we take our country back".

[Jackpine Radical]

8. Thanks for the thoughtful and detailed reply.

From what you say, I would think it would be important to keep active citizens groups going between the elections. There is a book called The Influentials by Jon Berry & Ed Keller that ought to generate a lot of ideas:
http://www.amazon.com/Influentials-American-Tells-Other-Where/dp/0743227298/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295805516&sr=1-1

Veterans of RoperASW, Keller and Berry based their first book on decades of research through the Roper Polls. Their findings suggest that one in ten people affects the way everyone else thinks via word of mouth. Presenting profiles of 12 such "Influentials" along with results of the polls, the authors argue that the most influential people in America are often everyday people, folks in one's own neighborhood who are active in civics, charities, and religious institutions. The premise is that marketers who understand these dynamics can focus their resources on these individuals in order to influence everyone else. Though the authors support their arguments with an impressive array of statistics, provided in minute detail to substantiate the premise, a much more lively discussion of a similar theme can be found in Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point. Clearly targeted toward practicing marketing professionals and business executives, this book is appropriate for libraries with specialized collections, such as those in business schools and advertising/PR agencies.

[MrMickeysMom]

26. The Tipping Point is the one that interests me...

... So, thanks greatly. You're exactly right about keeping people interested between election cycles. I think people DO want to be informed and engaged, too.

[H2O Man]

5. Recommended.

Build the blocks that make a strong foundation.

[bobbolink]

6. Thank you for posting more from the Enlightenment Era!

I'm glad to know there are small groups forming where you are.... I don't see any indication of that where I am. (And don't suggest I lead that.... been there, done that). I do hope that these small groups are actually embracing poverty (as you are suggesting in your examples)..... both as an issue, and by including poor people in the groups. Without that, I don't see much growth.

I have been very discouraged at the naem-calling seen here, and your post gives me a bit more hope.

Thanks! :hi:

[Jackpine Radical]

13. We're discussing how & where to expand.

One of our topics is the local drop-in/warming shelter. We will certainly be looking to include poor people in our membership. Right now, we're about 8 people meeting twice a month in a coffee shop.

[xchrom]

7. a thread like this wouldn't be complete without a link to yes magazine

http://www.yesmagazine.org/

[OneGrassRoot]

10. +1000. :) n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

11. My wife subscribes. And you're entirely right.

[northoftheborder]

15. "yes" to Yes. a wonderful publication

[OneGrassRoot]

9. For those who resonate with your post (as I do), I have a favor:

Please join Wishadoo!

Everything you're discussing here is what I have always envisioned happening at Wishadoo! And more.

The site will be down next week as it FINALLY gets a much-needed update and upgrade, after which more tools will be added and I can FINALLY fully launch this dream.

I've always intended people to gather in the Group areas at Wishadoo! based on location, as well as interest, and do the brainstorming and then the WORK of moving forward and creating this new world where compassion, community and cooperation are leading the way.

Brainstorming about local politics and then DOING something about it.

Brainstorming about national and international issues, and then DOING something about it.

Brainstorming about ways to create jobs on a grassroots level...cottage industries, co-ops, microenterprise initiatives...and then DOING it.

I'll share much more here at DU when it is time to fully launch, but please join the site (and the FB page as well if you're there; link below in my sig) so I can keep you updated there as well.

I'm going to need help, and will be asking for people to be ambassadors for their states/cities, to lead the way in creating this community of focused intent.

DU is the main community to which I belong, so I'll always start here.

:hi:

K&R


:grouphug:

[Shagbark Hickory]

12. Where I live, nobody talks to anybody. Nobody lifts a finger or does diddly squat.

I've tried. Any other ideas?

[Jackpine Radical]

14. Yeah. Don't give up.

That's it, the only advice I can offer.

[jwirr]

16. This is one of the best posts in a long time. It contains answers to

our problems. One other suggestion. Not just elected offices. You can do a lot by volunteering for a board of directors. I used to be on one for the social services office, the housing program, energy assistance and the local adult center for the developmentally disabled. Also local groups such as ARC for developmentally disabled issues. There are many groups targeting needs in our communities who need good progressive voices.

This is what people like Kuntsler mean when they tell us to build sustainable local communities. At 69 years I don't know how much I can do. I did offer my neighbor who is a single mother a way to do her laundry cheaper by doing it at my place rather than the Laundromat. She pays me a bit for electricity and water. And helps me keep the area clean.

[bluestate10]

19. Exactly. nt

[bluestate10]

18. I am a moderate, but I love your idea of where to start making change.

Keep up your work, you're right on target and exactly right in your analysis. BTW, you will be surprised, your fundie neighbors may vote your way on issues that are not about abortion, because they know and see you as a person.

[Jackpine Radical]

21. Actually, that wouldn't surprise me.

Having an issue up close and in your face is a lot different than getting on some abstract, theoretical high horse. That goes for us as much as for them.

[Solly Mack]

20. k/r

[walldude]

22. Most people are decent, caring, loving humans...

This is true. Individually. It's when you get people into groups that they become stupid and dangerous. I mean, during the Nashville flood last year people were everywhere helping each other out. Neighbors, friends, strangers, and no one asked who you voted for.

What drives me nuts is when you get people on the right in a large group all of a sudden helping people is BAD for America. Their leaders have convinced them that people who need help need it because they are lazy or criminal. Don't have a job? You are living off the government teet. Need help paying medical bills? Too bad. Food stamps and welfare? That's living high on the government hog.
But the same people who believe these things, when they SEE IT FOR THEMSELVES, when they see the flood, they don't ask questions or make snide comments, the grabbed shovels, buckets, sandbags and slogged through the muck side by side with the welfare queens and the lazy jobless.

The problem with this nation.. is the media. Until they do their job and start fighting the lies, we have nothing but our word and no Republican is going to take my word over Glen Becks.

The oldest truths hold up forever and one of the oldest is "If you want to stay friends, don't talk about religion or politics".

[Jackpine Radical]

23. I pretty much agree with what you say.

And I think the role of the media is pretty much destructive.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

28. Last Thursday I went to a Public Hearing, about zoning changes,

The County Planning Dept. gave 10 days notice, claiming if you didn't bring up a subject at the meeting (they allowed two hours at the meeting) you could not in the future file a court challenge. They moved the meeting to a larger room, and it overflowed, then they cancelled the other agenda item in the afternoon, then they said they would hold another meeting March 17th at the Vets. Hall to hear from the public. They have proposed dropping Forestry from acceptable "agriculture." I think they are trying to get small landowners to sell timber, or force them to sell when taxes are raised. They also proposed allowing bottling and canning facilities on "agriculture zoned lands" which is bowing down to the wine industry and they gave no notification to adjacent landowners to object.
(Sonoma Co. Calif.)

Sure were a lot of upset folks from every political stripe.... (United Nations Agenda 21 was mentioned by a couple of folks speaking, though I don't know what that is.)

Edit to add: By the way, the county is short of funds, so they are threatening to quit patching many miles of paved roads and even going so far as to rip up the paving that is there and making gravel roads that will not be maintained by the county.

[bobbolink]

29. I sure wish people would show up in those numbers and with that passion to speak about safety net

cuts.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

30. When cutting safety net items, do they give "Public Hearing Notices?"

That may be the reason, no place to be heard. Just don't give them the opportunity to protest, give them distractions to keep their minds occupied, that seems to be to corporate plan.

But there are other things happening, like the Earth Activist Training that just finished up last weekend teaching Permaculture classes and alternative ways of living.

[bobbolink]

31. There is plenty of notification, for those who care.

I just yesterday posted what is happening in Colorado... others have posted things in other states.

Yet, folks here don't organize and protest.

Poor people get the message.... we don't matter.

[Hannah Bell]

32. "I have some salt-of-the-earth fundamentalist neighbors who will help... at the drop of a hat"

I've found the same.

i'm glad to hear your report on groups springing up.

i agree with you about local politics. i think that's an arena that's less controllable for the ptb, where people can still connect with each & it's harder to stuff the propaganda down people's throats because the real situation is so visible.

that's how the cons took over; the "slow march on institutions" at the local level.