The unifying that cuts across all groups and through all issues is class. The oligarchs and corporate fascists love the left's obsessive navel gazing and squabbling over different groups and subset of subgroups and raging at people for using the "wrong" word. We do everything we can to empower our abusers by abusing each other. Frankly, I'm done with all that. The only issue that matters to me is class and if you follow the online comments to every video on the killing of the United(W)ealthcare CEO, the rage is on the wealthy: On class.
And the comments have come from both right and left.
I had a conversation last night about the 1950-60's civil rights movement and while certainly it stumbled and faltered, it did make great progress and I really think that had to do with a general prosperous post WW II period into the early/mid 60's. When people are doing well and able to provide for their families they tend to be more tolerant; they don't feel caught in a dog-eat-dog world. When their survival is in doubt they pull into their tribe and fight against others to hold on to what they have or gain a few more scraps to survive.
Address class inquiry and exploitation and all people -- all groups -- will do better. They can rise together. The reaction to the United(W)ealthcare incident is a bit or hope.
If interested, you can read about my Election Day adventure, which touches on this: "WHAT? ARE YOU NUTS?! A Lefty Makes Election Day Visit To Local Trump Headquarters" ... After voting Tuesday, I walked down to say hello and introduce myself to my Republican neighbors.
You're either pro equality and equity for all life on Earth or you're not. It's that simple. Nazis/racists/bigots etc are against it. We can debate the best ways to achieve that goal that's it.
Yep. You either want what's best for all or you don't. We're one species more similar than different and humans are intrinsically connected to the rest of nature. The ruling class doesn't want us to know that.
Thank you, Diana! You have your soul on the body of the problem. If we are to join together, unite in solidarity (a form of love), we need to get together in the flesh. We can’t do it screen to screen. And if we don’t have a strategic goal based on truth, we are something between a mob and a party, not a driving force. We need to get together to advance in the right direction. We need to get together as Sapiens who are 99,7% similar in our genes; in our needs, our desires, and our destiny.
”Everyone doing what they can is enough to do everything that needs to be done.” Dartwill Aquila
I agree we need to get together in the flesh, Joel, but I think there's also a place for building online communities. It's a great space for sharing ideas.
I hope more of us will focus on what we have in common instead of what differentiates us.
Of course there is a place for online communities. The choice isn't either or, we need both. But today physical groups are rare, and these are the most essential if we are to enable change; to work toward transforming the world into a garden of love and beauty, where laughter mingles with bird songs.
Something that I think could be a good community builder is the Local Exchange Trading System (LETS). It's an organized barter system, so it helps people materially in an egalitarian way. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_exchange_trading_system
That is certainly one thing to do. Now what about the 1000s of other things that the people need. To start with, the people need knowledge, health care (a great deal of which can be done at the bare-foot level), transportation service, mutual assistance, culture and common campaigns. We must build the world we want here and now, without expecting anything but trouble from the rulers. Waiting till they are replaced is foolish. We are the replacement. It's up to us to do what we can for each other now. The future is one step away. We can march there, or dance to it. Or do both.
"Only the future born of love will have a future." Dartwill Aquila
I could not agree more. One huge element is regaining a respect for others with whom we disagree AND truth itself. With all of the misinformation floating around, going to primary sources for data and original quotes and the context of statements - takes a lot of fuel out of the fire of division. Thank you for this well-written piece, Diana
I almost forgot! It's a huge challenge to remove wedges when millionaires or billionaires can buy elections via their pocket change which funds endless lies, distortion and propaganda.
Your list of the messes we are in could be longer. And yep, "We have to get a grip on what’s actually going on in the world in order to figure out the best way to respond."
So, NOW WHAT?
Hey, that's my Substack, but no long lists of answers to be found because nobody but me here has any.
With me not charging, Substack doesn't make any money on me and lots of luck getting any attention from them. It's just us chickens who can get people to flock to me, so how about shifting from listing the messes to telling everyone to read the inspirational ideas to get out of them that I'm putting out?
We are more united, common fate,
than divided, our distinct identities
And #PalestineWillBeFree
🇵🇸♥️🙏
We share this one fragile and hurting planet, and we ache for the lives that are being taken. I hope Palestine will be free soon, soon!
Take good care, Najwan.
🇵🇸♥️🙏
You too habeebti. Take care of yourself and speak soon am sure.
Viva la 🇵🇸, today and forever
Divide and conquer, the powerful's tried and true strategy! Add to that onerous debt loads!
Ya, it's so depressing. Thanks for commenting, Diane.
The unifying that cuts across all groups and through all issues is class. The oligarchs and corporate fascists love the left's obsessive navel gazing and squabbling over different groups and subset of subgroups and raging at people for using the "wrong" word. We do everything we can to empower our abusers by abusing each other. Frankly, I'm done with all that. The only issue that matters to me is class and if you follow the online comments to every video on the killing of the United(W)ealthcare CEO, the rage is on the wealthy: On class.
And the comments have come from both right and left.
I had a conversation last night about the 1950-60's civil rights movement and while certainly it stumbled and faltered, it did make great progress and I really think that had to do with a general prosperous post WW II period into the early/mid 60's. When people are doing well and able to provide for their families they tend to be more tolerant; they don't feel caught in a dog-eat-dog world. When their survival is in doubt they pull into their tribe and fight against others to hold on to what they have or gain a few more scraps to survive.
Address class inquiry and exploitation and all people -- all groups -- will do better. They can rise together. The reaction to the United(W)ealthcare incident is a bit or hope.
If interested, you can read about my Election Day adventure, which touches on this: "WHAT? ARE YOU NUTS?! A Lefty Makes Election Day Visit To Local Trump Headquarters" ... After voting Tuesday, I walked down to say hello and introduce myself to my Republican neighbors.
https://mark192.substack.com/p/what-are-you-nuts-a-lefty-makes-election
Great post! Nice that you were able to have that conversation.
It really was. I had a follow-up call with the local Republican Party chair about a week later and we had a good hour-long discussion.
You're either pro equality and equity for all life on Earth or you're not. It's that simple. Nazis/racists/bigots etc are against it. We can debate the best ways to achieve that goal that's it.
It is actually a binary choice, isn't it, Jasmine?
Yep. You either want what's best for all or you don't. We're one species more similar than different and humans are intrinsically connected to the rest of nature. The ruling class doesn't want us to know that.
Thank you, Diana! You have your soul on the body of the problem. If we are to join together, unite in solidarity (a form of love), we need to get together in the flesh. We can’t do it screen to screen. And if we don’t have a strategic goal based on truth, we are something between a mob and a party, not a driving force. We need to get together to advance in the right direction. We need to get together as Sapiens who are 99,7% similar in our genes; in our needs, our desires, and our destiny.
”Everyone doing what they can is enough to do everything that needs to be done.” Dartwill Aquila
I agree we need to get together in the flesh, Joel, but I think there's also a place for building online communities. It's a great space for sharing ideas.
I hope more of us will focus on what we have in common instead of what differentiates us.
Of course there is a place for online communities. The choice isn't either or, we need both. But today physical groups are rare, and these are the most essential if we are to enable change; to work toward transforming the world into a garden of love and beauty, where laughter mingles with bird songs.
That sounds beautiful, Joel.
Something that I think could be a good community builder is the Local Exchange Trading System (LETS). It's an organized barter system, so it helps people materially in an egalitarian way. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_exchange_trading_system
That is certainly one thing to do. Now what about the 1000s of other things that the people need. To start with, the people need knowledge, health care (a great deal of which can be done at the bare-foot level), transportation service, mutual assistance, culture and common campaigns. We must build the world we want here and now, without expecting anything but trouble from the rulers. Waiting till they are replaced is foolish. We are the replacement. It's up to us to do what we can for each other now. The future is one step away. We can march there, or dance to it. Or do both.
"Only the future born of love will have a future." Dartwill Aquila
I agree, Joel. I think the beginning is getting people to interact with each other more, which is why I shared the LETS idea.
I could not agree more. One huge element is regaining a respect for others with whom we disagree AND truth itself. With all of the misinformation floating around, going to primary sources for data and original quotes and the context of statements - takes a lot of fuel out of the fire of division. Thank you for this well-written piece, Diana
Thanks for commenting, Mark. I agree respect for others and truth itself are both crucial.
I almost forgot! It's a huge challenge to remove wedges when millionaires or billionaires can buy elections via their pocket change which funds endless lies, distortion and propaganda.
Your list of the messes we are in could be longer. And yep, "We have to get a grip on what’s actually going on in the world in order to figure out the best way to respond."
So, NOW WHAT?
Hey, that's my Substack, but no long lists of answers to be found because nobody but me here has any.
With me not charging, Substack doesn't make any money on me and lots of luck getting any attention from them. It's just us chickens who can get people to flock to me, so how about shifting from listing the messes to telling everyone to read the inspirational ideas to get out of them that I'm putting out?
Suzanne, I agree that the list could be longer.
I also think we're needing to set the groundwork for change, and that together people will find appropriate action.
Sorry to hear that you're not getting as many readers as you'd like.
There is no "together." No "we." Pundits are gadflies. I have ideas about that. Help me get seen to change the game.
I'm not a fan of many pundits. How can I help?