Trump just claimed he has the authority to take over New York City if they don't vote the way he wants them to. "We ha

[pat_k]

79. Our answer to the power of money...

-- whether the unlimited funds driving the reactionary agenda on the right or the monied interests within our own party --- must be people-power.

That means engaging people in ways that go far beyond tapping them for money. If organizations and leaders keep treating their supporters merely as little cash machines, we are doomed. We must figure out how to engage and inspire people to connect and organize to become powerhouse citizen lobbyists and messengers in their own communities, not just online, but on the ground. That sort of citizen engagement can go a long way to countering the top-down money advantage the reactionaries currently have (as well as countering the outsized power of monied interests in our own party).

Clinton had it right when he pointed out that strong and wrong beats weak and right. The thing is, it is impossible to inspire and engage people by offering them the meager piece of what they actually want that you think is "doable." Doing that is the epitome of weakness. Strength means engaging people in advocating for what they actually want. Meaningful change. Bold goals. Goals like Universal Health Care. Goals like Basic Income.

And when the naysayers say "not doable" the answer is, "Of course it is doable. We are Americans. Where there is a will, we find a way. Do we have the political will today? No. But I believe we CAN, and MUST take a stand for what is right. I plant my flag where I believe it needs to be and I know that Americans who want to create a country they are truly PROUD of will see that we CAN do this and join in the call to make it happen. At first, we may only move closer to achieving this (whatever the "this" may be -- Universal Health Care, Basic Income, Freedom to BE Who we ARE, whatever), but as we stay strong and clear about what we REALLY want, we will get there. We will get to that promised land."

The BIG difference between Democrats and Republicans needs be grounded in our faith in each other. Advocate for the BIG GOALS that WE can achieve together. No strongman. No single person claiming they can "fix" everything, because that is ALWAYS a lie.

If the Democratic Party actually becomes the party of "We the People" we have a shot at redeeming our national soul.