Real Change This Time

As we get embroiled in the fever of the presidential election campaign season, it is important to get some perspective on what is really happening right now and what we should best be doing.  What is happening is much larger than Bernie, Hillary, Trump, or Cruz.  We are experiencing a much deeper societal change that will go on regardless of the results of this election.

The grand winners in the current paradigm feel that the present arrangement is just fine and, if anything, needs to be applied more intensively.  Some see that we have serious problems but that they can be addressed within the confines of the current power structure.  What we have now is a natural groundswell that says the current balance of power is concentrated in the hands of too few and needs to change.  This election is taking place in the midst of that groundswell.  Regardless of the election outcome, the groundswell will continue as long as the inequality in power and wealth is not addressed.

As we have become complacent and have neglected to vote and mind the direction of our country, others have taken it up for private gain.  In the current paradigm, those that contribute the most money to elections control the government and use it for their own profit.  In a society that celebrates the individual and the autocratic corporation, this system leaves no room for little people to vie for power. For too long, cynicism has been the rule.  As more and more of us have won the right to vote, fewer and fewer of us continue to believe that it makes a difference. Now, we little people are fed up and are lashing out, some of us irrationally.  

When a society undergoes a paradigm change, it is necessary to throw away some systems that served us in the past, and step out into the unknown to take on new systems that will serve us in the new paradigm.  It is a dangerous time, such as a fetus experiences going from the womb environment into the outer world where it must now breathe air and pursue its other needs with the body that is now ready to take on those tasks.  The danger is not so much a matter of being unprepared, for the body is ready.  The danger is thinking that the womb is all-important and can’t be left behind.  The womb is no longer relevant and to remain there would surely be a death sentence.

To me, Bernie Sanders is the one candidate that is already stepping into that new paradigm.  He has shown us that, collectively, we have more power than the few.  On the strength of his honesty and integrity, we have learned that we can breathe on our own.  We have made millions of small contributions to fund his campaign at the same level as the corporate funded candidates.  Up until now, we never thought this was possible.  Now, all of the candidates for lesser offices can make the same pact with their constituents and get elected without being beholden to the wealthy.  Now, we can elect politicians that will advance the priorities that we all determine, not just those of the wealthy.

Just saying so does not bring about the change.  Those invested in the status quo, “the establishment,” own and control the major media.  They are telling us that what we are attempting to do is:  dangerous!, irresponsible!, naïve!  Naturally, there are a large number of us that have bought into that.  They are telling us that to pursue all the things that we really want would be nice, but it just isn’t realistic.  At the same time, we can see that the things we want have already been achieved in all the other countries of comparable wealth. The media belittle and trivialize the candidacy of Bernie Sanders.  He has shown remarkable patience and forbearance, and his courage has given us the courage to believe that we can do this as millions more join the effort.  Don’t buy into the major media klaptrap!  We own the future and Bernie represents it.

If the movement continues to grow, Bernie Sanders will get the nomination.  If not, the “Bernie Block” must continue to push for change.  This is something that will take longer than an election season.  Some of us will settle for nothing less than Bernie and will not vote for Clinton.   I agree that Ms. Clinton is a standard bearer for the status quo and not the president we need now.  But Clinton will not singlehandedly derail the revolution any more than Sanders will make it happen. We the people will determine that, and we need those Clinton people that want the same things that we do, but aren’t ready to cut loose from the status quo.  We need those Trump people too.  We can’t risk alienating and dividing ourselves further.  A Clinton presidency may be frustrating, but a Cruz or Trump presidency could be catastrophic.  If enough of us believe in Bernie’s path, he will be elected.  If not, let’s not subject ourselves to a right wing nutcase that could cause much more violence and dissension than many of us care to imagine.

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terry@vashonloop.com