Time for Change is here
So many people have vested interests in maintaining the status quo that change is difficult at best. Depending on the magnitude of the change, it can be nearly impossible. Take, for instance, America’s body politic before Trump.
Our government had, for all intents and purposes, ceased fulfilling its mission: the governing of its people. The interaction of its two warring factions had ground all progress to a halt. One side, in pursuit of equity and fairness, became mired in its own status quo and did not see what was happening. The threatening neoliberal economics, pursued by the other side, was intent on small government and less regulation.
A similar disfunction occurred in America during the 1920s, culminating with the stock market crash of 1929. The ensuing global economic ruin was so catastrophic, so completely shattering the status quo, its instability caused World War II. The election of FDR began 50 years of unprecedented progress of, by, and for the people of America. Rebuilding in the aftermath of WWII produced Europe today. Never, in the history of the world, has there been a time where the needs of the many outweighed the wants of a few.
The gridlock in our system has produced Trump, the epitome of unrestrained capitalism with utter disregard for wealth disparities. He is breaking our governmental status quo with a wrecking ball. Moneyed interests are crushing liberal ideals aimed at equality and inclusion. Momentous change, in America, is at hand.
Never let a crisis go to waste
No one knows exactly what lies before us. There is both hope and dread where we stand. In the 1900s, under the stress of egregious wealth, we economically wandered into disaster. This time great wealth is intentionally, knowingly, imploding the status quo while ignoring history’s tendency to repeat itself. We are heading toward economic catastrophe.
It took the forces of greed 5 decades to recover from their last debacle. The elections of Reagan and Thatcher started the neoliberal revolution culminating with Trump, Vought, and Project 2025.
The current wholesale destruction of the status quo may still avoid complete economic failure, if we manage to stop the Trump Regime in time. We prepare for the window of change and transformation that is at hand. If Trump is stopped before complete financial collapse, Europe will survive the destabilization emanating from us, and America can break away from the neoliberal economics that dominates us.
Unlike 100 years ago, we already possess monetary tools proven to work. These tools kept England from complete failure in WWI and provided the framework for governments in America and Europe that better meet the needs of the many. The successful economic policies of John Maynard Keynes can be summed up in one phrase: government must do what private enterprise will not.
Capitalism, by its nature, creates profitable ventures. It will not provide economic stability, will not stop inflation, will not stop boom and bust economic cycles, will not control market forces, will not provide equality of opportunity, will not deal with racism, will not care for those in need, will not employ everyone. Its single-minded focus on profit will not allow it.
This is what we must do
There is a singular solution for all the things capitalism will not do. FDR tried and failed to enact this. It has been successfully, but temporarily, tried by India and Argentina. It has been proposed as a solution many times, most recently by Pramila Jaypal in 2020. It is a solution that will beat back the forces of oligarchy and greed: A Federal Job Guarantee.
It is the road not taken like the one conceived by Robert Frost, published in August 1915.
It is time to embrace the ‘road not taken.’ It is time to make a difference. It is time for a Federal Job Guarantee.
An Open Letter to Civil Servants working for America
Dear Federal Civil Servants,
I want to thank you for being about the American people’s business. You are unsung heroes. Without you this great edifice of democracy that we continue to build would crumble and die. That is why I am writing you this letter.
If you have been paying attention to the news, you are aware of the coming administration’s intention to reverse the Pendleton Act that keeps you from being replaced by patronage shills swearing allegiance to the President rather than the Constitution.
If we allow this to happen, the entire wealth and power of our American democracy will be for sale to the highest bidder. Although you did not sign up for this, you are now on the front lines of the fight to preserve our democracy.
I keep hearing rumors that, following Inauguration Day, January 20, there will be a mass exodus of federal employees from the halls of government. I implore you, “Do not quit your job!” You, who found your place of service through meritocracy, are our last line of defense against this corruption.
You will face discrimination and abuse. Refuse to obey any order that forswears your oath to the Constitution. If they transfer you to some subbasement in some forgotten government building to silence you, speak up and continue to speak out.
Make them fire you. Contest your wrongful termination in the courts.
As they pursue their intent to dismantle the agencies that keep this democracy alive, force them to fight and pay for every inch they take toward that end.
In doing so, if you find yourself jobless, homeless, without a safety net, please, reach out. A legion of people is ready to take you in, give you aid and sustenance so the struggle to preserve our Republic will continue. We have your backs.
I thank you in advance for your service.
Standing back and standing by,
Thomas Crown
Please take this pledge with me to support completely American Civil Servants who take a stand, get fired, and take it to the courts. Leave me a message if you are in.
What are you going to do if Trump wins?
I have been working on four different Op-eds but cannot finish any. None of them are gelling. I have been unable to stay on subject, find an ending, make a coherent point. What I can write and finish, is this.
What are you going to do if Trump wins?
There is little point in discussing Trump’s course of action if reelected. Simply read the 900-page manifesto, Project 2025. It gives detailed descriptions of what to expect. If you are reading this and have no idea what is in Project 2025, I have two more questions for you: ‘What abandoned coal mine have you been living in?’ and ‘Is there room for me and my wife?’
If your first reaction to ‘What if Trump wins?’ is, “I’m leaving the country,” consider this: If you do not already have plans locked in, a specific destination reserved, a valid passport, and half your luggage packed, it is doubtful you are going anywhere.
Besides, where would you go? Trump has already expressed the desire to invade Mexico ‘to stop the drug cartels.’ How long after that before he and General Flynn turn their attention toward Canada?
Further away? Say, Europe? One of Trump’s first executive actions will be to ‘end the war in Ukraine’ by cutting weapons support. He and Vlad are, after all, ‘friends.’ In the ‘interest of world harmony,’ he will next withdraw from NATO because none of those people like him. The ‘all clear, having been sounded,’ Putin will advance westward, pausing only to admire himself in the mirror, on his way to Cabo da Roca, Portugal.
Even further away, perhaps? How about somewhere in Asia? In the breath after abandoning Ukraine, Trump will, ‘in the spirit of global peace,’ gift Taiwan to Xi, another ‘friend,’ opening the door for massive Chinese expansion… in all directions. Say goodbye to any friends you may have in Australia, New Zealand, or Japan. India will react by gobbling up as many neighbors as possible. This is my feeble attempt to keep it light WITHOUT mentioning WWIII. Oops! Said it anyway.
So, what are you going to do?
Go back to business as usual and hope no one notices… like a sizeable percentage of German citizens did when Hitler became Chancellor in 1933? It takes little research to reveal how badly that turned out.
Jon Stewart has his answer. If you have not noticed, he is a mess. He is beside himself at the prospect that Donald will once again be ensconced in the White House. Stewart is a man who has the resources to disappear into the mist. Instead, he will remain at the Daily Show. He renewed his contract through 2025 to continue speaking truth to power until they drag him out of his chair on set in front of a live audience. Jon and hundreds of comedians will among the first relocations to internment camps. At the behest of Stephen Miller, they will be joined by outspoken journalists and politicians.
Now, look in a mirror and ask yourself, seriously: What are you going to do if Trump wins? Be honest. Do not lie to or kid yourself. Your answer will tell you how firm your commitment to American democracy is whether Harris wins or loses. Have your answer by election day, November 5.
We will, then, have until January 20, 2025, to prepare for whatever is next.
Me? I’m with Jon.
To new beginnings.
Good luck!
God’s speed.
Visibility Initiative Project
People like us, living in a vibrant liberal democracy, remained quiet, in the shadows. They, in their silence, in their invisibility, allowed Adolph Hitler to rise to power in pre-WWII Germany. Hitler came to this position after being imprisoned for attempting to overthrow the government of Bavaria. He accomplished this feat by manipulating the narrative about political and economic issues confronting Germany, and riding on the voiceless timidity of the citizenry.
Sound familiar?
Perhaps they didn’t want to have a brick through their window or to be yelled at on the subway or to be threatened or bullied at work. As a result, 6 million jews were slaughtered, all of Europe became a conflagration, then the entire world caught fire.
Here we are again.
A man, who by election 2024 will have been convicted of attempting to overthrow our government, could once again be elevated to our highest office. Are we going to remain silent? In the shadows? If we do, abortion will be completely banned, the LGBTQ+ community will be marginalized and imprisoned, trans people will continue to be murdered in the shadows, the rich will own America. Democracy here will vanish.
Please join the Visibility Initiative Project. As with my continuing bumper magnet project, I believe that when enough of us stand out in a crowd, voter turnout goes up. Democracy survives.
Go to my store front, Blue Wave Politics, (or a similar one) and become conspicuous. Pick an issue you support and suit up for the coming battle. Give these outstanding items to friends, family, and neighbors who share your vision for a better America. You may get your car keyed. You may get yelled at or confronted, even shunned by some, but the only way to deal with MAGA bullies is to stand up prominently. As the holiday season approaches, overtly commit to continuing democracy beyond the next holiday season.
The holidays are a great time to give gifts that distinguish. Be bold!!
Support the Visibility Initiative Project.
I have added many more ways to express how you feel. More items will appear. Additional designs for other critical issues are on their way.
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