I was encouraged to try my hand at writing an article on this subject after speaking with a wonderful new friend of mine. I was initially intimidated and a bit adverse to it, given this would be my first effort at an article. Additionally, despite maybe having passion, I didn’t feel I had the knowledge or familiarity on the topic that I should, so I feared being seen in a hypocritical light.

But I’ve realized that this year (or four (or more)) has impassioned a lot of people of all types looking for ways to get involved and be a part of shaping the future of their nation. I, too, am one of those people, and have personally experienced how overwhelming and at times hopeless it can feel trying to find those ways to make a difference. So more than anything, I invite you to join in on that adventure of exploring how to play a vital and meaningful role in democracy and the direction our country takes.

Now then—where do we start? What can one person do in the grand scheme of things in a nation of this immense size and population?

The answer is: Start as small as possible. There’s a reason our system is broken into smaller and smaller units. Township/city politics are increasingly overlooked as more and more spotlight is shined upon national politics. This isn’t particularly surprising considering the continued interconnectedness of our nation (and the globe) with (semi) recent advancements like the growth of cable TV from the 60s and the internet and social media in recent times.

These technologies are designed to connect us nationwide, and it only makes sense that the majority of news and discussion you find in such places as on the national level. On top of this, online discussions are easy sources of immediate, direct, and clear feedback where something like a council meeting can feel much more opaque and require more deliberate consideration.

Meanwhile, we’ve declined in viewing local news and reading local papers. In my recent experience, it can be extremely difficult to put together ways to stay well informed locally using the internet (from local politicians being ghosts online, to horribly designed city websites, to lack of quality local news sources). A George Washington University study found that in a typical media market, the average person spends less than 10 minutes a month on local news sites. As such, people have become less informed (and vocal) of the politics of their immediate home and community and more informed (and vocal) on national issues where we have very little immediate sway.

Voter turnout in a mayoral election is often as low as one in three, and for other local elections under one in five. Remember, the United States has over a half million elected officials, only 542 of which are federal. We increasingly forget the base of our government and try to fight and enact change from the top down, which is never efficient. This has also made us more jaded in time and feel less empowered to play a role.

These things feed together to form the feeling of ennui and lack of interest and awareness regarding local politics, as well as the overall feeling of discontent and hopelessness with politics as a whole. The problem is that participation at the local level is absolutely the best bet for an average citizen to have their voice meaningfully heard. It’s at the local level one can actually make a perceptible change within their community and simultaneously stimulate others to do the same.

As our politics have become more nationalized, we as a people conversely have become more and more divided. Many have a very unrealistic expectation of how our national government should perform and consistently dig deeper into blaming the other side when it remains a standstill with mild back-and-forth deviations. Plus, the potential for anonymity in our digital age doesn’t help with that polarization in the slightest either. 

One of the greatest features of local politics is that they are a wonderful educator and builder of tolerance via direct exposure. When you participate in council meetings, local organizations, and even protests, you engage with your neighbors and community.  They’re the schoolhouses of democracy. You’re forced into a level of accountability and cooperation.

The Local government is the government closest to the people. It is where things like discourse, debate, and compromise are made and taught. It’s where you begin to get to really know and understand your community (and humanity) and where bridges and reason are formed. It’s where you can voice your views without it being just shouting into the ether. It’s where you can make connections with those of similar views and begin to build a formidable vehicle for change.

Cities, counties, and states should be the Laboratories of Democracy. To quote Justice Louis Brandeis (originator of the term): “A single courageous state may, if it’s citizens choose, serve as a laboratory, and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country.” This has been demonstrated in recent times by Massachusetts passing health care reform in 2006 which became a sort of framework for the Affordable Care Act, the legalization of gay marriage at the state level setting precedent for landmark Supreme Court cases, or the continuing legalization of marijuana (and other substances) by states. I believe these ideas, to an extent, can extend to counties and cities/towns as well.

The changes should begin within smaller regions of government. If they’re successful and well-received, the idea is likely to spread. If Enough counties enact an idea and demonstrate it as good, it’s likely the state may as well. If enough states follow, it is more likely to get attention as something that should be in place nationally. This is the way of progress; it is often gradual and not exciting, but that’s the groundwork needed for those sudden shifts.

Find the people in your community who’ve been involved longer and best represent your views and try to connect with them. See what other ways they might know that you can get involved. Find and join or form groups of similar views so you can better organize and voice matters to the public, and invite others to get involved more easily. Find the local politicians you agree with to support, influence, and volunteer with. If you can, ask them about the things they see from within and what they think is needed. Be an embodiment and example of the human you believe should be in politics.

If you’re upset about the country, government, or politics, make sure you’re being involved the most effective ways you can. Remember that this activism and participation at the smallest level is but the stepping stone to make a difference on a larger scale.

Prove yourself locally as an exemplary citizen with good ideas, file some paperwork, and put in the effort. Then, maybe, you can get a role in your local government, which will only net you more exposure and connections you can use to go even further if you have that passion. Or get enough active and like-minded people together to build a dedicated and passionate community, and with time that too can be a powerful vehicle for change with the ability to grow and have an influence on a larger scale.

A successful democracy requires people to be actively engaged and aware of their politics. How else can it be a government of the people? Attend your local council meetings, become familiar with the issues, voice your opinion. Bring up topics that are important to you that you don’t hear addressed. This is the path, from the bottom up, not the top down.

Be inspired, participate, inspire.

The post Your Voice is Louder on a Local Level appeared first on Grand Rapids Democratic Socialists of America.

By: Brandan

The latest issue of The Democratic Left, the DSA national magazine, reports there have been over 12,000 new members added in two months. In addition, 29 of our 40 nationally endorsed candidates have won their races. These grassroots campaigns are ample reasons to celebrate and be inspired for they symbolize democracy flexing its muscles after a difficult run on the edge of a cliff! There are millions who believe in the power of the progressive platform and are with us in values if not uniform. Many beyond our DSA chapters are working towards urgent covid relief, Medicare for All, and a Green New Deal. So what keeps them from crossing the red line and putting on the beautiful red button? 

Perhaps the primary reason many shy away from socialism is the propaganda used to confuse folks about the nature of our movement. Socialism has been demonized from its inception. Much of the political education people receive comes from a handful of news sources that are ultimately owned by rich elites who shape the messaging as much as possible towards their interests. But just as Romeo and Juliet saw past family rivalries, we must focus on what’s true and good in each other.

It is easy for us to enter conversations thinking they won’t change their mind because that has been the script for so long. Yet these are rare times, and many things are in flux. The pandemic has decimated our economy such that even moderate conservatives see the need for economic intervention, similar to how we expect support after a hurricane. With the societal instability comes the rising need for a new deal.

If you look at the overall economy, we’ve seen steady disinvestment into infrastructure and public services. In the time that productivity and profits have increased, wages have stagnated. There has been a large increase in poverty and gutting of the middle class. 60% of Americans one emergency away from bankruptcy. The elites have the nerve to call it trickle-down economics. They are happy to piss pennies on the lower class who run our farms, factories, warehouses, and delivery networks. 

Just as the recovery from the 2008 Housing Crisis saw bailouts for big banks while they also foreclosed on the victims of their predatory lending, we see the rich profiting off government aid. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans established by the CARES Act were gobbled up by businesses with millions in their coffers while mom-and-pop and black-owned businesses waited to get their paperwork approved. Most average Americans received $1,800 and $600 nine months later (many of us are still waiting on our second check). In contrast, Wall Street is seeing record highs fueled by 0% interest government loans. And it’s not just us socialists that are frustrated by this blatant disparity of relief.

This conflict between profit and people has put Medicare for All center stage. The ballooning of costs in the US in part comes from the large insurance companies’ capacity to determine pricing along with for-profit hospitals that mark up every little item.

Many fear that the quality of care will go down if so many more people get access to benefits. Yet, many other countries have higher quality healthcare with much lower costs. A growing majority of Americans are in favor of a public option or single-payer. This demonstrates how liberal and conservative leadership is bowing to private profit.

Another vital policy is the Green New Deal. It addresses both the economic and ecological catastrophes we now face. It would be a return to the use of our tax dollars on infrastructure and the common people after decades of corporate handouts. Money swindled from the people by lobbyists and slimy politicians. Money meant to deliver a higher standard of living for all.

Many centrists say the Green New Deal is too much too fast. If it seems like a huge shift, remind our friends that we could have implemented incremental changes 30-40 years ago when climate scientists began sounding the alarm. But denial and pseudo-science propaganda campaigns have forced us into the need for revolutionary action now. Global Climate Destabilization is threatening our shores and our crops. Many in the Pacific Islanders are losing their homes.

It is also easy to get burned out when the problems are so large and our groups seemingly small. Yet many, I believe, are just not aware of the empowering arc of grassroots victories. As many struggle to support themselves, as organizers, we must work to make political participation accessible. We can empower others when we connect with them and help them find their voice. As a public speaking coach, I see just how difficult it is to speak up these days.

Many just don’t feel they have a space to be heard. We do well to hold that space, hear them, and help them find community and the power that comes with participation in the collective push for change. Then, together, we can work to parse out the truth from falsehoods not in confrontation but co-operation and as socratic servants, not demanding deliverers of truth. From here, we can finally clarify the confusions that hold many liberals back from supporting more progressive or, dare I say, leftist policies.

While these ideas are large, they help us chart a course forward. Socialism has united millions in an understanding of the mechanisms of power, and gives a pathway towards collective agency and freedom. Its teachings help us increasingly rule our lives in confrontation with the oppressive forces that keep the wealthy elite living as Gods while billions suffer in squalor, servants to their murderous luxury. 

It is no wonder they demonize and seek to derail our message, for it holds the means of their demise. We win when we work together, and for that, we must see past the propaganda and question the culture they spend billions to maintain. The work is more important than the label, and we must be willing to associate and grow beyond it whether a card-carrying socialist or curious citizen seeking answers.

If you would like to get involved, please visit the Grand Rapids Democratic Socialist website and reach out. We’ll be in touch.

The post A Rose By Any Other Name appeared first on Grand Rapids Democratic Socialists of America.

In This Issue

• Takeaways From the Housing Needs and Opportunities
• Book Club Report: Are Prisons Obsolete?
• Ranked Choice Voting
• Your Voice is Louder on a Local Level
• Grand Rapids, ShotSpotter, and the GRPD
• History of the IGE – Part One – IGEGR.org
• A Rose By Any Other Name

The post What’s Left – Issue #2 – January 2021 appeared first on Grand Rapids Democratic Socialists of America.