Political Restructuring and Wealth Re-distribution Are Our Main Twin Political Assignments
This Election Reminds Us That A New Integral Political Approach Is Needed
Writing this a few days after the 2024 presidential election, I have had time to process the true importance of not only this one contest but also of all politics. I do not feel that the result of November 5 is a first-order political disaster. Here’s why:
The outcome means that Republicans will be more influencial than Democrats, we will have a renewed president, and the old bickering over policies will continue. I feel, however, that these arguments, and the people making them—both Democrats and Republicans—are perirperal to what we really ought be be doing politically. Many pundits are drawing lessons from this election, and almost all of them are missing the point. The Democratic Party, despite how it feels right after this election, is not repudiated. And the new rise of the Republicans is not the major realignment we need. The notion of “leftness” and “rightness” is unchanged. The Democrats do not need to worry themselves with moving to the right. The goals of multiculturalism, human rights, and immigration will continue, but really these are only propped-up preliminary fights.
The public needs to recognize that both sides in these arguments and others are feeding voters with propaganda. Everyone needs to be constantly on the look out for lies and bigotry. As far as I am concerned, all political statements are false until proven true. We are being fed a load of rubbish aimed at one thing: keeping big corporations and other economic elites in power while we neglect to fight to reshape politics and redistribute the wealth because we are pulled into the put-on battles between all sorts of boogeymen.
Despite what I say here, I know the public is accustomed to fighting the peripheral battles. Nevertheless, remember that the real issue is not immigration policy, or sex change for athletes, or offshore oil drilling, or any other issue frequently mentioned by the corporate-conrolled media (as important as these issues seem to be). The real issues—the ones and only ones that can bring about real change—is the twin-jobs of political restructuring and wealth distribution. By keeping us squabbling over anything else, the super wealthy remain protected from our corrective glare.
This election is not a disaster because, despite who is sitting at Lincoln’s Desk, we still have a chance to demand lower taxes for 95% of all citizen and higher taxes on the super-rich. By not regarding such strategies as very important and attention-worthy, our fights will serve only to fuel the rich and further damage the planet.
Let’s fight all the peripheral battles, but let’s put the integral twin jobs of wealth re-distribution and political restructuring—through, for example, creating a multi-party system, banning gerrymandering, and only allowing those who achieve 50 percent of more of the vote to take office— on the front-burner.
More will follow. Let me know what you think.
HumaNatureConnect Activity
Outdoor Coping Activities
Engaging in outdoor activities can be a great way to cope with unwanted political results and manage stress. Here are several options that can help provide relief and a sense of connection:
1. **Hiking**: Exploring nature on a hike can be a calming way to clear your mind. The physical exercise, combined with the beauty of the outdoors, can boost your mood and help you gain perspective.
2. **Gardening**: Spending time in a garden allows for mindfulness and creativity. Tending to plants can be therapeutic, and connecting with nature can foster a sense of accomplishment and peace.
3. **Biking**: Riding a bicycle, whether on trails or through your neighborhood, can be an invigorating way to release pent-up energy and stress. The rhythm of pedaling can also provide a meditative quality.
4. **Nature Walks**: Simply walking in a park or natural area can help you feel grounded. Observing the sights and sounds of nature can be a distraction from overwhelming thoughts.
5. **Yoga or Meditation Outdoors**: Practicing yoga or meditation in a serene outdoor setting can enhance relaxation and mindfulness. The fresh air and natural surroundings can deepen your practice.
6. **Volunteering for Environmental Causes**: Participating in community clean-up events or conservation projects can provide a sense of purpose and agency. Contributing positively to the environment can help counter feelings of frustration.
7. **Picnicking**: Spending time outdoors with friends or family can create a supportive environment to share feelings and decompress. Enjoying a meal in nature can lift spirits and foster connection.
8. **Birdwatching or Wildlife Observation**: Engaging in birdwatching or observing wildlife can be a peaceful way to connect with nature and take your mind off political stressors.
9. **Photography**: Taking photos of nature can help you appreciate your surroundings and focus on the beauty in the world. This creative outlet can be a fulfilling way to express yourself.
10. **Running or Jogging**: The physical exertion of running can help release endorphins, which improve mood. It can also provide a sense of freedom and an opportunity to reflect.
Finding an outdoor activity that resonates with you can be a constructive way to cope with unwanted political outcomes, helping to restore a sense of balance and well-being.
Nocturnal Pilgrimage
Make An Integral Change Tonight
Redistributing wealth and restructuring politics are ambitious, transformative goals, and meaningful efforts to address them can take many forms—even in the context of nighttime activities. Here are a few actionable ideas for grassroots efforts that can be pursued after dark:
1. Community Education and Empowerment Workshops
Host workshops or small gatherings that focus on community-based economics, financial literacy, or civic engagement.
Informing and empowering people to understand financial systems and participate in politics at a local level can lay the foundation for more equitable wealth distribution.
Use local spaces like community centers, libraries, or even open parks for these gatherings. Bring in speakers or use free resources to guide discussions and offer practical tools.
2. Organize Local Mutual Aid Programs
Form groups that pool resources to assist community members in need, such as food, housing assistance, healthcare, or transportation.
Mutual aid programs directly address inequality by redistributing resources and support within communities, especially where government assistance may be insufficient.
Meetings and planning for these initiatives can happen during the evening, where community members brainstorm solutions and distribute resources as needed.
3. Neighborhood Planning and Action Circles
Small groups focused on local governance issues—like housing policy, police reform, or public works—can meet at night to discuss, organize, and strategize.
Building local consensus and getting organized can lead to impactful participation in council meetings, local elections, and initiatives.
Plan targeted campaigns and contact local representatives together to influence change. These circles provide an entry point for political engagement, even for those who might not otherwise feel empowered.
4. Direct Aid Initiatives
Organize night-time direct aid actions, such as delivering food, clothing, or hygiene products to unhoused individuals.
This both meets immediate needs and builds awareness of community challenges, fostering a culture of care and redistribution.
Assemble volunteers, collect supplies, and coordinate nightly distributions. Not only does this support community members in need, but it also brings attention to larger issues that require systemic change.
5. Skill-Sharing and Mentorship Programs
Set up skill-sharing events at night where people can teach or learn valuable skills like budgeting, job applications, or grant writing.
Creating equitable opportunities for learning can empower individuals, providing them with resources that support economic mobility and self-advocacy.
Use local businesses, community centers, or virtual platforms to connect mentors and mentees in skill-building sessions. These programs encourage community growth and resilience from within.
6. Encourage Local Business Cooperatives
Develop support networks for creating cooperative business models that prioritize workers’ rights and fair wages.
Cooperatives redistribute wealth within a business by making each worker a shareholder, creating more resilient local economies.
Conduct nighttime sessions for interested community members, discussing cooperative principles, legal structures, and necessary resources.
7. Host Political Education Film Screenings
Organize evening screenings of documentaries or films that address topics like wealth inequality, racial justice, or political reform.
Education through media can inspire and inform, bringing awareness of societal issues to a wider audience.
Follow screenings with discussion groups to brainstorm solutions or promote active engagement in community actions.
8. Develop Online Campaigns and Digital Outreach
Use the nighttime to build and run digital campaigns that promote awareness, petition local governments, or encourage small financial contributions to support progressive candidates or causes.
Online activism can be highly effective in reaching and mobilizing large numbers of people, particularly when consistent and well-targeted.
Gather a few dedicated volunteers to plan social media campaigns, create petition templates, or coordinate donations and mutual aid resources.
By focusing on community, education, direct action, and cooperation, these nighttime activities can contribute to a grassroots movement for redistributing wealth and restructuring politics, paving the way for longer-term structural change.
Don Pierce, Summerland, California.