Good idea for the US, and also probably up here in Canada. We have less of a left/right split but we still have our major parties - three in our case - looking to define themselves.
The current political system doesn't allow for long term planning because governments and their agendas change every election cycle. In addition to bringing governance back to the local communities, a system for long term planning and execution needs to be implemented. One example: the recycling system in Sweden was implemented with a long term vision. To insure its execution, Sweden contractually obliged each new government to continue the program.
Another aspect is that, unfortunately, people with money can and do influence public opinion to increase their profits. Who will ensure that those local communities are not manipulated into passing laws or approving projects that are not necessarily in their interest? Education and access to proper information must be a priority in these communities. Perhaps one way to do it is by controlling how resources are allocated. At a local level, would we still allow single individuals to grab as many resources as they want to get rich? Probably not.
These are two very important issues. Long term planning definitely needs to happen, and it does outside of the election. Like Sweden, US laws like the clean air act or social security act, pass with frameworks that keep them in place for decades.
The money thing is a big issue. I tend to agree that our best hope is locally. But we also need to drastically reduce the wealth gap. I’m still actively trying to understand the best ways to do that.
Agreed, but it's incredibly tricky to do that. We'd need some combination of wealth tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, closing of corporate tax loopholes and wealth havens. And none of those things are going to be passed by a government that is run by the rich. So what can we actually do to stop this?
This is great, Elle! I'm technically a "founding member" of the Forward Party because I donated a small amount as they were getting started in 2021. I still brag about that, even though I haven't been very involved since. Yang Gang forever!
Thanks for sharing as always! I will say it feels disingenuous to call the Democrats on the left when both dems and republicans fall on the Corporate right. Adding another party in the middle of the two will just give us another corporate right party.
I’m following political activists who are working on creating a populist party like Cenk Ughur. A party by the people and for the people, without corporate pollution or corruption. But with threads of Citizen United 2 coming out, I worry they’ve pass so
many prohibitive laws against the populist organizing that the only solution is a revolution.
Thanks for bringing up Cenk! After reading about his work it looks like we are aligned in a lot of ways. We definitely need a party by the people by the people without corporate interests represented!
Totally agree, and that's a huge reason why I love your writing. I'm working through his newest book Justice Is Coming and loving it. Hoping to see more on this topic next year.
Good comment. I think there is great appetite for a party for the people by the people. I helped set up 2 such parties at the state level to get RFK Jr on the ballot in 2024—We The People parties.
I believe Elle is leaning that way by her support and endorsement for citizens’ assemblies as the vehicle for policy reform ideas and candidate/party platforms. Using a representative assembly free from corporate interests to establish agendas that feed into campaigns and election cycles can allow people on the left, right, and center to combine forces and challenge corporate dominance.
Good idea for the US, and also probably up here in Canada. We have less of a left/right split but we still have our major parties - three in our case - looking to define themselves.
The current political system doesn't allow for long term planning because governments and their agendas change every election cycle. In addition to bringing governance back to the local communities, a system for long term planning and execution needs to be implemented. One example: the recycling system in Sweden was implemented with a long term vision. To insure its execution, Sweden contractually obliged each new government to continue the program.
Another aspect is that, unfortunately, people with money can and do influence public opinion to increase their profits. Who will ensure that those local communities are not manipulated into passing laws or approving projects that are not necessarily in their interest? Education and access to proper information must be a priority in these communities. Perhaps one way to do it is by controlling how resources are allocated. At a local level, would we still allow single individuals to grab as many resources as they want to get rich? Probably not.
These are two very important issues. Long term planning definitely needs to happen, and it does outside of the election. Like Sweden, US laws like the clean air act or social security act, pass with frameworks that keep them in place for decades.
The money thing is a big issue. I tend to agree that our best hope is locally. But we also need to drastically reduce the wealth gap. I’m still actively trying to understand the best ways to do that.
It should be forbidden for single people to horde vast amounts of wealth.
Agreed, but it's incredibly tricky to do that. We'd need some combination of wealth tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, closing of corporate tax loopholes and wealth havens. And none of those things are going to be passed by a government that is run by the rich. So what can we actually do to stop this?
This is great, Elle! I'm technically a "founding member" of the Forward Party because I donated a small amount as they were getting started in 2021. I still brag about that, even though I haven't been very involved since. Yang Gang forever!
Oh wow, that IS bragging rights!
Thanks for sharing as always! I will say it feels disingenuous to call the Democrats on the left when both dems and republicans fall on the Corporate right. Adding another party in the middle of the two will just give us another corporate right party.
I’m following political activists who are working on creating a populist party like Cenk Ughur. A party by the people and for the people, without corporate pollution or corruption. But with threads of Citizen United 2 coming out, I worry they’ve pass so
many prohibitive laws against the populist organizing that the only solution is a revolution.
Thanks for bringing up Cenk! After reading about his work it looks like we are aligned in a lot of ways. We definitely need a party by the people by the people without corporate interests represented!
Totally agree, and that's a huge reason why I love your writing. I'm working through his newest book Justice Is Coming and loving it. Hoping to see more on this topic next year.
Oh awesome, thanks for the recommendation! I just checked it out from my library....
Good comment. I think there is great appetite for a party for the people by the people. I helped set up 2 such parties at the state level to get RFK Jr on the ballot in 2024—We The People parties.
I believe Elle is leaning that way by her support and endorsement for citizens’ assemblies as the vehicle for policy reform ideas and candidate/party platforms. Using a representative assembly free from corporate interests to establish agendas that feed into campaigns and election cycles can allow people on the left, right, and center to combine forces and challenge corporate dominance.
Exactly. Grassroots supported, citizen’s assembly informed. I don’t think corporate interests should be represented here.
So, still a liberal multi party democracy then, not convinced to move for a form of anarchy? 😋
Definitely not at scale! 😆 I think our best bet for anarchy is on a personal level, and within a well protected and organized society.